Three fine horses galloped southeast along the official road, leaving a trail of dust far behind. The riders were two men and one woman; though few in number, their speed exuded an unstoppable momentum. The horses were incredibly fast; by the time pedestrians on the roadside heard the hooves and scrambled to get out of the way, the three horses had already swept past like the wind. The astonished pedestrians standing by the roadside hadn't even gotten a clear look at the riders.
Not far ahead, dozens of local officials from Hedong County stood somewhat bored by the roadside. They were constables from the Guanle City County government. They had received orders early this morning to set up a roadblock here and intercept three suspicious individuals. The order had been personally given by th
