"Stop! Who goes there?"
Wang drew his saber with a "clang," the blade reflecting a cold light in the fire.
His companions immediately raised their spears, forming a rudimentary defensive line at the city gate.
"Halt——"
The leading rider suddenly pulled the reins, the front hooves of the chestnut horse raised high, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Only then did Wang see that there were seven or eight strong men, protecting a black lacquered flat-topped carriage in the middle. The carriage was hung with blue satin curtains, gently swaying in the night breeze.
"Forgive us, officer."
The leading rider cupped his fists in salute and spoke loudly, "We are the Protectors of the Wei Family..."
"Which Wei Family?"
Wang pressed his blade forward another half inch, noticing that these men wore indigo tunics, each equipped with identical horizontal swords at their waist.
