"Go, hurry home!"
There had still been a few people on the neighborhood streets, but at the sight of this display of force, even diners who had just ordered at the food stalls threw down their money and took to their heels.
The Capital City had been far from peaceful over the past six months. One incident after another had occurred, and the common people no longer had the mindset they had held in earlier years.
Back then, regardless of whether bandits or monsters appeared outside the Capital City, not a single bandit or monster dared swagger in and cause trouble within it.
Indeed, demonic creatures could not even enter the capital.
That calm composure had come from the powerful confidence a long, stable life had given the people.
But that was no longer the case.
Over the past six months and more, several incidents involving demonic creatures had occurred in the Capital City.
When it first happened, few people dared believe it. But as strange occurrences multiplied, fewer and fewer people dared venture out at night, especially on rainy nights.
Most who did were sturdy and strong, or refused to believe in such sinister things.
Yet even if these people did not fear demonic creatures, they were deeply afraid of the Imperial City Office.
Dozens of Imperial Riders galloped past, and wherever they went, people scattered like birds and beasts. Passersby hurried home, effectively clearing the streets, until the whole thoroughfare fell silent.
Ma Shunde, galloping at their head, had no mind to spare for what the common people thought or did. He led his men onward. Shuntian Prefecture patrolmen had been stationed between the neighborhoods, questioning the occasional passerby, but at the sight of this procession, they promptly stepped aside.
The Imperial Riders galloped through the rain and