The north wind howled across the Grand Drill Ground.
All the militiamen stopped training at once. Every one of them had heard that shout.
"Sir! Bad news! An urgent dispatch from the north!"
Before the messenger had even reached them, he dropped to his knees with a thud and raised the military dispatch high.
"Bring it here!"
Liu Qingcang's face was already grave. He snatched the dispatch and tore it open on the spot.
One look made his expression darken sharply.
"Sir, what's the situation?" Wu Yue asked anxiously beside him.
Liu Qingcang let out a heavy sigh.
"The Sky Wolfers have launched their attack early."
"We cannot wait for reinforcements. Follow me to the walls at once!"
He turned and barked orders at Wu Yue.
"Send word to every battalion. Man the walls and establish defenses immediately. Shut all four gates and raise the drawbridges."
"Organize all the civilian volunteers in the city into reserves, ready to be called up at any moment."
With that, he tossed the dispatch to Wu Yue, took a warhorse, and rode straight for the city walls.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
Chuntang was outside the kitchen, scolding several newly arrived maids.
"How many times have I told you? The clay pots used to brew medicine must never come into contact with grease or meat."
"And you! You managed to break two bowls just washing them. Do you have any idea how much those bowls cost?"
"If you keep being this clumsy, you'd better watch your hides."
She folded her arms and glared with her almond-shaped eyes. The young maids shrank back, not daring even to breathe loudly.
"Enough. Off you go. If you make another mistake, go and receive your punishment yourselves."
Chuntang dismissed the maids and sighed.