Even when Tan Yuanshang's men left home, they always had precautions in place, and they would certainly tamper with the doors and windows.
But both the hidden sentries and the marks on the doors and windows indicated that although someone had come earlier, they had merely lingered outside the gate and never entered the courtyard.
Then how had this letter gotten inside? Whoever had delivered it had slipped past every possible means of detection without anyone being the wiser. Either their martial prowess was unimaginably high, or they had used some miraculous spell.
With the Magic Appraisal Assembly being held in the Capital City, magic was hardly a sensitive subject that was difficult to think of.
Unlike his servants, Tan Yuanshang did not keep jumping at shadows. After entering the room, he openly began reading, while the man beside him still wore a grave expression.
As he read, however, a smile gradually surfaced on Tan Yuanshang's face, drawing the attention of those nearby.
"Master?"
Tan Yuanshang lowered the paper, folded it, and tucked it into his sleeve, a faint smile on his face.
"I have long since lost all interest in the present Son of Heaven and his court. But I, Tan Yuanshang, am still a subject of Great Yong. My country and my home have always had a place in my heart. Heh, heh, heh."
Having skimmed the letter, Tan Yuanshang could almost feel its writer's emotions. Between the lines, the writer appealed to his feelings and reason, with even a hint of provocation meant to goad him into action.
But to Tan Yuanshang, it was all rather childish.
Even so, the writer's heart was probably in the right place, and Tan Yuanshang felt somewhat moved.
As he considered it, Tan Yuanshang turned to look beside him.
"By the