On the next day, at dusk, the blood-red sunset stood at the end of the sky, illuminating the eastern prefecture city bathed in its light.
A column of disgraced cavalry, like stray dogs, entered from the west gate.
The townsfolk recognized their identity.
"Aren't these the troops who escorted Mr. Su to Xiongshan County a few days ago?"
"Could it be... they encountered something supernatural?"
"Where's Mr. Su?"
The commander of the troops didn't care. Covering the wound on his shoulder—inflicted by a trusted aide—he quickly passed through the inner city gate and hurried to the Cao Mansion.
Upon seeing Cao Shuda, the commander burst into tears, crying out, "Lord Prefect, I have betrayed your trust."
Cao Shuda glanced over, not seeing Mr. Su, and asked calmly, "Speak, what happened?"
The commander, both pitiful and precise, recounted the events in Xiongshan County, including the deaths of Tian Yun, the Tian family, and Su Cangyuan.
