A falcon slashed through the dawn sky over the Kang Capital, diving toward the Heavenly Secrets Bureau like a bolt of lightning.
Hong Beimo, who sat quietly inside the Stargazing Pavilion, opened his eyes. His gaze shot toward the heavens like lightning, catching sight of the falcon sweeping toward him. He extended a hand, and the falcon fluttered its wings, settling slowly onto the back of it.
Hong Beimo removed a bamboo tube from the falcon's leg, then released the bird. He unscrewed the tube and drew out a slip of paper. After reading it, his normally composed expression abruptly changed.
To ensure the birthday banquet's security, several roads leading to the Marshal's Residence had been temporarily sealed off. Apart from the invited guests, no outsiders were permitted to enter. Moreover, anyone entering the guarded perimeter was strictly forbidden to carry weapons.
After considerable thought, Hu Xiaotian decided to travel light, taking only Liang Yinghao with him. Liang Yinghao had already obtained a map of the Marshal's Residence and selected escape routes they could take if anything unexpected happened.
When they reached the gates of the Marshal's Residence, they found an endless stream of visitors arriving to offer birthday wishes. Hu Xiaotian approached the entrance and identified himself.
To his surprise, the greeter smiled and said, "So it's Lord Hu! The Commander-in-Chief left special instructions that you should be taken to see him as soon as you arrived."
Hu Xiaotian felt rather overwhelmed by this unexpected favor. He had been in Western Prefecture for days, and Li Tianheng had consistently avoided seeing him. Yet now, just before the birthday banquet, he was willing to receive him. What exactly was he plotting? Nine times out of ten, it would be nothing good.
Liang Yinghao intended to accompany Hu Xiaotian, but the