"County Lord, County Lord!"
Lord Qingyuan was fast asleep, yet she was abruptly awakened by Han Shanggong, her eyes still clouded with confusion.
"What has happened?"
"Disaster has struck!" Han Shanggong answered, "We have been calculated against, I fear we've fallen into a trap."
Lord Qingyuan jolted awake, suddenly clutching the pendant hanging from her pure white neck.
It was a bronze protective amulet shaped like a flying bird, with a simple, ancient design.
At that moment, streaks of light began to flow along the bronze patterns, and the bird's eyes came alive with spirit, its wings unfolding as if ready to take flight.
The bronze bird seemed to come to life, emitting a clear and piercing cry.
Yet Han Shanggong's face became expressionless, then suddenly, her flesh seemed to dissolve, falling off her face in chunks.
Lord Qingyuan's expression turned blank.
She had merely instinctively activated the protective amulet secretly bestowed by the Imperial Family.
