Once everyone had left, the Three-colored Cat finally dared to emerge from a hole in the ice.
It looked at the empty ice coffin.
Hua Manman, who was supposed to be lying inside, was gone.
Frantic with worry, the Three-colored Cat paced in circles before deciding it had to find help.
'I'm just a little cat right now. Even if I catch up, I won't be able to get Manman back. I have to ask someone for help.'
It bolted, dashing out of the secret passage.
Only after leaving the Regent Prince Mansion did it learn the truth. Li Ji had already led five hundred thousand soldiers to the very gates of the Celestial Capital.
Panic filled the city. The common people, terrified of being caught in the crossfire, all shuttered their doors and hid at home.
The once-bustling streets were deserted.
The Three-colored Cat wanted to leave the city to ask Li Ji for help. But by the time it arrived, panting, at the city gate, it discovered the gates had been sealed shut.
