Surprise Attack

The rain developed for the worse, pouring heavier and heavier. Rain in winter was unpredictable. However, rainfall was always heavier in mountain and forest regions. The stores in the town closed shop earlier during the day. The only things visible on the streets were the lights households had lit up.

There was a drenched drunkard waddling his way along a street. Despite the rain bucketing down, he laughed heartily: "Big Head, Big Head doesn't need to fear getting wet. He has an umbrella to shield him from the rain. Still, I can easily smash his brains! Hahaha!"

The drunkard's walk almost caused him to trip face first into a pile of dog faeces. He continued marching in a drunken state, knocking on homes futilely.

"Fuck, man! I just want to use your toilet! Oh, this place isn't too shabby."

The drunkard ended up entering the inn. A man in the inn went over to support the drunkard and dragged him off to speak elsewhere.

The drunkard was Long Zaitian. The man who helped Long Zaitian was Tie Hanyi.

Tie Hanyi asked, "What did you find out?"

Long Zaitian sobered up a tad and replied, "The thorns are prickly (code for "The enemy is dangerous)."

"What exactly did you find out?"

Long Zaitian furrowed his eyebrows: "Bizarre. I did a lap outside, shouting, causing a ruckus and doing tricks, yet not one townsfolk came to check on me."

Tie Hanyi peered outside: "If my guess is correct… there are no more than ten actual residents in this town."

"Who are the rest, then?"

"Maybe… they are all martial world warriors in disguise…" Tie Hanyi wore a grave expression as he elaborated, "There's no doubt we have enemies on all sides. We need to hurry back to guard His M- , Master Li!"

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"This endless rain is not a good sign," bemoaned the Emperor, sighing and carving a secret signal on a bamboo pipe with a small knife.

Emperor Yuan Sheng didn't neglect the imperial court's business despite going on tour. His entourage already established a secret contact method with those stationed in the imperial palace, allowing the Emperor to send orders even from afar. The majority of those accompanying the escort were downstairs.