Two days later, night fell, and Xu Hour had just begun.
There were fewer than six hours left before General Yang deployed his troops at the Datong River.
The City Lord's Residence, ordinarily so bustling and brightly lit, seemed particularly quiet and dim that day. Or rather, it had grown somewhat desolate ever since Long Yuqing returned.
He had received no visitors since his return. All the civil and military officials in the city had come to request an audience and kneel before him as his subjects, but Long Yuqing had seen none of them, claiming only that he was unwell and needed rest.
After being refused several times in succession, the officials stopped coming to invite further rebuffs. Over those two days, the City Lord's Residence had been left without any outsiders.
Tap, tap!
Steady footsteps rang out. Dressed in plain clothes, General Yang walked alone to the east room of the City Lord's Residence, where he saw only two maids sitting outside the door, yawning incessantly.
"Greetings, General!"
At the sight of Old Master Yang, the two maids instantly grew much more alert and rose to salute him.
"Go and rest."
Old Master Yang waved a hand.
As though granted a pardon, the two maids saluted and happily finished work early.
Old Master Yang crossed the hall and stepped into the Main House. Inside, it was pitch-black, without even the faintest glimmer of light, though he could hear breathing and voices.
"Is the medicine ready?" Yang Ling'er's voice rang out.
"I told them to rest," Old Master Yang replied from the doorway.
"Father, you're here?!"
The room was completely dark, and Yang Ling'er's cultivation grade was so low that she had not seen her father. That was why her question was filled with delighted surprise.
"Yes, I came