Panic gripped the high marble halls of Sovereign Peak as the midnight bells tolled across the upper terraces.
Inside his luxurious private chamber, young master Zhao Feng paced frantically across thick silk rugs imported from the capital trade houses.
Patter... patter... patter.
The nervous, rapid pacing of his leather boots across the luxury rugs echoed off the gilded oak walls, accompanied by the clinking of the jade rings on his shaking fingers.
"Report!" Zhao Feng shouted, spinning around to face a young inner guard who stood trembling by the curtained archway. "Where is the commoner vanguard now?"
"Young master," the guard wheezed, his face pale with fear. "They cleared the river bridge two hours ago. Senior Brother Bai is leading forty armored sword masters, and over three thous
