In the early morning, at the entrance to Market Street in Jiangnan Commandery City.
Several hundred men and women had gathered there, buzzing with discussion around a wall and blocking the entire intersection so tightly that not a drop of water could pass.
The wall was covered with yellowing rice paper: court bulletins and wanted notices copied out by the Jiangnan Commandery Office and posted at the marketplace for the public.
What drew their attention was a wanted notice posted on the wall by the Eastern Province Circuit Inspector Office—
[Chu Xisheng, Iron Banner Gang Banner Lord, age fifteen, Martial Dao Origin Power at seventh-rank lower, proficient with single and paired sabers, renowned for his swift saber, nimble and fleet of foot. Currently ranked ninety-first on the Azure Cloud Overall Ranking and ninth among the Ten Divine Talented Young Blades.
The Eastern Province Circuit Inspector Office has established that this man incited his gang to raise more than seventy thousand troops in Xiushui Commandery City, opposing the authorities, defying his superiors, fomenting disorder, and secretly plotting rebellion. Since raising his army, Chu Xisheng has occupied dozens of locations and led tens of thousands of troops into Xunyang Commandery, his advance aimed straight at State City.
During this time, he has slaughtered over thirty thousand commandery troops, exterminated more than seventy gentry families, and massacred over a hundred thousand commoners. The evidence is conclusive. For this heinous treason, his nine familial branches must be exterminated! Effective today, the Eastern Province Circuit Inspector Office declares Chu Xisheng wanted throughout Great Ning and offers a bounty of one hundred thousand taels of demon silver for his head!]
[Tie Xiaosheng, Iron Banner Gang Deputy Banner Chief, age thirty-eight, Martial Dao Origin Power at lower fifth grade, proficient with a greatsword and heavy armor, practitioner