Canghe County.
Snow lay deep enough to cover one's feet, and the cold was bone-deep.
There were already very few pedestrians on the streets, almost none to be seen. It was not only because of the cold, but also because of the unrest in the county town; everyone feared getting caught up in it.
Cries of battle and slaughter rang out everywhere, growing more frequent the closer one got to the central county yamen.
The smell of blood permeated the air, adding several more degrees of chill to this world of ice and snow.
Under such sweeping circumstances, ordinary residents were no more than little boats drifting with the current. One misstep, and disaster would strike.
The wealthy households within the city were much the same. Aside from the great clans that had entered the fray and placed their bets, the rest kept their gates tightly shut and restrained their family members and servants, terrified of inviting trouble.
The county yamen.
Brawny figures wielding sabers, swords, bows, and crossbows surrounded it completely. Some were gang members clad in fitted clothes, their faces full of arrogance; others were calm, stern soldiers clad in armor.
At their head stood a broad, powerfully built man with a square face. He wore cold-iron armor bearing a beast-head design, a longsword at his waist, and his right hand rested on its hilt. A faint smile played across his face.
Inside the county yamen.
Shouts of angry abuse came one after another.
"Zhao Honglie, you two-faced, despicable villain! You actually betrayed me!"
"Ah!"
A brief scream rang out, then quickly weakened. After that came a cold shout:
"Cao Shiduan has been captured! Surrender, and you will not be killed. County lieutenant Liu will pardon you!"
This was followed by the repeated clatter of weapons striking the