On Zhuque Street in Chang'an City, the snow was ankle deep. It was not yet fully dark, and the Jinwu Guards who were keeping watch at night had just knocked on the wooden clappers at the fifth watch. A group of black armored cavalry were already galloping through the empty long street, stepping on the jade-like snow flakes. The sound of horse hooves sounded dull in the snow, but it was as fast as a war drum, startling the jackdaws huddled under the eaves.
