The morning mist still clung to the rooftops of XingzhaoTownwhen the first whispers began. A traveler, dusty from the southern trails and clutching a half-broken cart wheel, arrived at the outer checkpoint in a sweat-drenched panic. The guards, sharp-eyed and silent, scanned his Smart ID and led him to the intake center.
"There's a caravan… imperial robes, at least ten horses, banners with the golden sun… they're heading this way."
Within the hour, word had spread through every market square and back alley. The YunEmpire'senvoy was coming.
In the town's central market, where food stalls sold grilled river fish, steamed buns, and foreign spices, the hum of conversation took on a sharp edge.
"An envoy from Yunjing?"
"Why now?"
"Have they come to demand our allegiance… or our lives?"
Some reacted with suspicion. Others, fear. But many, especially those who had fled the empire's cruelty, clenched their fists in quiet defiance.
In front of a tea house, an elderly woman whispered to her grandson, "Don't look them in the eye. Men from the capital smile with knives in their sleeves."
Near the southern wall, children who once played soldier now stood at attention as real scouts passed by in full training gear. The mood shifted from wonder to unease. And yet, amidst the tension, none dared raise alarm. Xingzhao had faced worse and risen stronger.
In the heart of Xingzhao, inside the CommandHall, a panel of ten advisors gathered around the obsidian-plated strategy table. Holographic maps glowed above the surface, displaying the envoy's route and estimated arrival time.
SongLianstood at the head, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. YunZhenstood just behind her, silent but alert, flanked by the heads of military defense and internal intelligence.
The council comprised trusted individuals:
ZhouFei – head engineer, managing all internal systems and surveillance
LiangMeiyun – chief logistics officer, former noble-turned-supplier
GeneralBaiHong – commander of Xingzhao's armed forces, a veteran of the southern border wars
WuXinyan– director of diplomacy and records, quiet but sharp as flint
DengShu – lead strategist, known for his obsession with contingency planning
Song Lian activated the main projection, displaying the envoy's known composition.
"Eleven riders. Two carts. One closed, heavily secured." Her finger tapped on the display. "Too well-guarded for tribute. I suspect either weaponry or something enchanted."
"Could be a trap," General Bai grunted. "Or a gift laced with poison."
"They won't strike openly," Wu Xinyan murmured, adjusting her thin spectacles. "The Empire's too cautious. They want control, not destruction. Not yet."
Yun Zhen spoke for the first time. "Their goal will be to test us. To measure our reach, our response, and the strength of our alliance. They already suspect I'm here."
"They're not just here for you," Song Lian added. "They're here for Xingzhao itself. To see if we're worth breaking."
Zhou Fei leaned forward. "Then what's our official stance?"
"Neutral," Yun Zhen said. "For now."
"No," Song Lian interrupted, her voice soft but final. "Not just neutral. We're welcoming, cooperative—on the surface. But underneath, we watch everything. No assumptions. No mistakes."
Orders were dispatched immediately. Surveillance drones disguised as birds took to the skies. Secret microphones were placed along the envoy's intended path.
All entry checkpoints were upgraded with thermal and mana scans. A temporary diplomatic pavilion was built near the southern gate, grand enough to impress, far enough to contain.
Behind the walls, soldiers trained in silence. ScoutDivisionAlpha rotated in two-hour shifts, each member wearing the non-reflective armor designed by Zhou Fei to minimize visibility under moonlight or magic detection.
In the town square, Wu Xinyan stood before a crowd of gathered civilians and announced calmly:
"An imperial envoy is arriving. This is not a threat. We will respond with discipline and respect. Maintain your routines. Avoid speculation. All shops will remain open, and children will attend classes as usual."
The calm tone worked. The people nodded. They trusted her. They trusted Song Lian. They trusted Yun Zhen. Because for the first time in their lives, they knew they were no longer pawns of the empire.
From the watchtower, the guards spotted movement just before dusk.
Eleven horses. Banners bearing the golden sun. Crimson robes flowing in the wind. A closed carriage that gleamed even under the fading light.
At the head rode ZhangYu, the emperor's envoy. His face bore a smile that was too sharp to be warm. Behind him, two attendants whispered while marking down observations. Flanking the caravan were six armored guards, their weapons too polished to be ceremonial.
A light fog clung to their heels as if the forest itself resisted their presence. Zhang Yu raised his hand and pointed toward the distant town of Xingzhao, now illuminated by electric streetlamps, glowing blue and gold against the dark.
"Well," he murmured, "let's see how far the wolves have come."