Inside the Audience-Waiting Side Hall of the Purple Tenuity Palace.
Shen Fa sat upright, holding a crib sheet covered in tiny, fly-head-sized characters and silently reading it over and over, lest he forget something during his audience with the emperor.
This had arguably been the most peaceful, unhurried year he had enjoyed since joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard-so unhurried that he almost felt at a loss, like a swordsman drawing his blade and looking around, bewildered as to where to strike.
In the past, an inexplicable sense of danger had always chased him from place to place. He had grabbed at eyebrows and beard alike, trying to handle everything at once, wishing he could split himself into several men.
But this year, he suddenly had no idea where to direct his efforts...
The Imperial Court? All its civil and military officials kept to their duties and worked diligently, living in greater fear and trepidation than a bullied young wife. If he went looking for more trouble with them, Shen Fa genuinely feared he would snap the taut strings in their minds and trigger another mass wave of resignations.
The border? Spring had barely begun before several groups of Tartar tribute envoys arrived in the capital. Though he did not believe these Tartars had truly submitted, given the current strength of the border armies, he really did not think they could stir up much trouble-especially when his side was still egging them on to beat one another's human brains into dog brains.
The Martial World? That was almost an open board now, too. With that white-browed, fierce-eyed tiger in Road Pavilion backing him up, however many demons and monsters still lurked beneath those muddy waters had to lie obediently low. If they dared stir up trouble, off came their heads...
Shen