After the Splendor

"By imperial decree."

Recently, the Outer Gallery has been stirring with unrest. Renwu Lord Chen Tianxuan is specially dispatched to investigate the situation beyond the borders. Should the need arise, you are to act at your own discretion.

"Your servant accepts the command."

…

The Capital, General’s Residence.

"The demonic sects beyond the pass were once scattered and disorganized, but in recent years they have united under the name Outer Gallery. General, you must be exceedingly cautious on this journey."

Chen Tianxuan looked at his wife’s worried face and spoke gently to reassure her.

"My lady, you need not worry. I am merely going to investigate in secret; nothing will happen. If all goes well, I shall return in about three months’ time."

With these words, he mounted his horse, tightened the reins, cast one last glance back at his wife, and then galloped away…

The tenth year of Jinyuan, autumn.

Unrest in the Outer Gallery beyond the frontier, and the Great General of Renwu is commissioned to investigate.

…

Outside the capital, atop a tavern’s pavilion, a figure clad in black released a carrier pigeon from his hand, letting it fly straight toward the borderlands.

The tenth year of Jinyuan, Winter Solstice.

News arrived from beyond the pass: Renwu Lord’s whereabouts had been exposed, he was beset by masters of the Outer Gallery, and his fate became unknown. The capital dispatched many experts to search, but all attempts proved fruitless. That same