It was late afternoon, and the autumn wind blew bleak and chill.
Gloom shrouded the sky, dark clouds bearing down on the city as though they would crush it.
Jia Huan left the Eastern Palace and waited at the Kirin Office Government Office for the Retired Emperor's decree.
An exchange of interests, buying him the freedom to enter and leave the Capital.
Within a month, he could advance by clearing his name and slaughtering the true culprit, or retreat by fighting to the death while arranging escape routes for his relatives and subordinates.
"Boss, someone's here to see you."
Scholar Twin Whips personally escorted an elegant, distinguished woman into the yamen.
She was one of the people in charge of the Capital's Misty Rain Tower.
The woman curtsied respectfully and said apologetically:
"Lord Jia, Misty Rain Tower has been demolished. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been arresting people from the Jianghu on a massive scale. From dawn until dusk, they've seized at least a thousand innocent martial artists. The steward fled the Capital before dawn. He asked me to tell you that someone powerful is deliberately stirring up public opinion, claiming that you're the reason martial artists cannot be sure they'll live to see tomorrow."
This was the might of power, its terrifying aspect.
One word from the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Capital's Misty Rain Tower became ruins.
Imperial relatives had been assassinated and tortured, stripping the court of all dignity. Once the machinery of power began turning, the Jianghu trembled at the mere whisper of it.
Jia Huan's expression was icy. Struggling to restrain his emotions, he said softly:
"Thank you for telling me. Leave the Capital as soon as you can, too. If anyone obstructs you, I'll intervene."
"Thank you, Lord Jia." The distinguished