[*]
A faint, smiling glance from Gao Zheqi was all it took to silence the official.
*
*
「Upper Monarch Hall.」
A servant added some incense and was about to withdraw. From behind the beaded curtain, a lazy voice chuckled. "What's this? Is that old codger Gao Zheqi here?"
The servant was slightly startled and quickly lowered his eyes. "A messenger just came to report that Mr. Gao is already on his way to the Imperial Palace."
"I'm tired," came the carefree, smiling voice. "If he arrives, just have him wait."
The servant quickly acknowledged the order and withdrew.
*
*
The wind picked up.
The territory of the Dayong Dynasty was vast, and the farther west one traveled, the more barren and desolate it became.
Huge ravines crisscrossed the land like scars from a divine whip. Carriages and horses bounced over the uneven ground, and occasional gusts of yellow sand would rise up, blinding travelers.
