The clatter of hooves drew closer.
In the darkness, fire stained the long street outside South City Prison red. Distant cries of battle had yet to cease, and the city was a pot of boiling chaos.
A roof burning here, a woman crying for her child there, a frightened dog tucking its tail and diving into a ditch-the sounds mingled into a racket that made people's heads throb.
Yi Yang stood before the prison gates, blood still wet on his official uniform, his saber hanging at his side.
Several swift horses charged around the street corner. Their riders wore the Heaven Patrol Office's regulation leather armor, travel-worn and dusted with soot.
At first glance, they really did look like messengers who had fought their way through the chaos. Their leader reined in, his horse's forehooves scraping harshly against the flagstones.
The man leading them had an ordinary face, a low nose bridge, and narrow cheeks-the sort of face one forgot the moment it disappeared into a crowd.
After dismounting, he strode up to Yi Yang and produced a black command token. Without close inspection, its design looked identical to those used by Chen Wuya's personal guards.
"Chief Yi."
Lowering his voice, the man spoke urgently.
"Deputy Director Chen has issued an urgent deployment order. You are to proceed immediately to the West City Armory and assist its defense against attacks by the Nine Evil Sect and mountain bandits!"
"The Nine Evil Sect and the bandits are attacking everywhere tonight. If the armory falls, half the county town will be turned upside down."
"Please leave at once, Chief Yi."
Listening to his urgent voice, Yi Yang narrowed his eyes and considered. The armory?
They wanted him?
An old man who appeared to be only at the qi-blood fourth level?
*Even if