At the end of Vermilion Bird Street, in front of Mingde Gate, a crowd of people was milling about, and Chen Ji slipped through them heading out of the city.
Just a few dozen steps from the city gate, he saw the Imperial Guard pulling aside some eighteen or nineteen-year-olds for questioning from those leaving the city. Dozens of youths already stood by the gate, and not one of them matching the age range was allowed to pass.
Chen Ji glanced up at the crossbowmen on the gate tower and immediately sent the sword seed flying out of his sleeve, skimming the ground towards both sides of the street. With a flash of the sword light, the lanterns on the lamp wheels had their ropes severed, dropping like raindrops.
The light, airy lanterns fell to the ground, and the candle flames ignited the paper, making people dodge and flee in alarm, surging out of the city.
The slow-moving crowd suddenly began to flow.
