When the wind rises, it comes from beyond the mountains, whipping the hems of garments with a whooshing sound, making the old trees among the rocks sway violently, stones tumbling down in a flurry. The moment the word “rain” left his lips, the rain clouds drifting above the distant capital suddenly darkened, countless threads of rain converged into a single column, pouring down in torrents from the last vestiges of twilight. As he finished speaking, night had just claimed half the sky, as black as the eyes of the Lord of the Underworld.

The tall man slammed down his wine bowl, grumbling irritably, “It’s fucking dark.”

Chapter One: Rain in Weicheng, a Young Man with a Retainer

Spring, the thirteenth year of Tianqi in the Tang Empire. It rained in Weicheng.

This military border town, located at the northwestern edge of the empire’s vast territory, had its earthen walls built thick in all directions to guard against invasions from the barbarians of the grasslands, making it look like a sturdy earthen fortress.

In dry seasons, the dust on the walls would be swept up by the northwestern winds like knives, swirling everywhere before settling on the shabby barracks and the soldiers themselves, turning the whole world a dusty yellow. At night, when people shook out their bedding before sleep, it would stir up a miniature sandstorm.

Amidst a spring drought, this rain arrived at just the right time, warmly welcomed by the soldiers. The steady drizzle from last night until now washed the dust from the rooftops, as if it had also brightened everyone’s eyes.

At least, David Carter’s eyes were very bright at this moment.

As the highest military officer in Weicheng, his attitude was humble at this time. Although he was somewhat displeased by the muddy footprints on the precious carpet, he managed to mask his displeasure as just the right touch of surprise.

Bowing respectfully to the old man in the filthy robe beside the low table, he asked in a low voice, “Honored elder, may I ask if the distinguished guest in the tent has any other needs? If the guest insists on departing tomorrow, I can assign a hundred-man escort at any time, and I’ll immediately notify the military office for the records.”

The old man smiled gently, pointed at the figures in the tent, and shook his head to indicate he had no objections. At that moment, a cold and proud woman’s voice came from inside the tent: “No need. Just mind your own business.”

This morning, after the other party’s convoy braved the rain into Weicheng, David Carter had quickly guessed the identity of the distinguished guest in the convoy, so he had no objections to her pride and coldness—nor dared to have any.

After a moment of silence, someone in the tent suddenly spoke: “From Weicheng to the capital, the roads around Minshan are difficult. It looks like this rain will last for some days, and some mountain paths might be washed out… Assign me a guide from the army.”

David Carter was taken aback, thought of a certain troublesome fellow, and after a moment’s silence, bowed his head and replied, “There’s someone ready for the job.”

Outside the barracks, several captains exchanged glances, their expressions mixed—some regretful, some reluctant, some relieved, some shocked. Clearly, none of them had expected David Carter would actually choose that person to be the guest’s guide.

“General, are you really going to just let him go?” one captain exclaimed in surprise.

Weicheng was small, with no more than three hundred officers and soldiers in total. The remote garrison sometimes felt more like a bandit’s den than a proper army post, and the so-called general was merely the lowest-ranking assistant general. Yet David Carter was a strict commander—or rather, this Weicheng bandit chief liked being called “General” so much that even in daily conversation, his subordinates never dared forget the title.

David Carter wiped the rain from his face, looked at the yellow-brown puddles around the barracks, and sighed with emotion: “We can’t keep him in this godforsaken place forever. The reply to his recommendation letter came back nearly half a year ago. A bright future awaits that kid. He’s headed to the capital for the academy’s preliminary exam anyway, and it just so happens to be on the same route as the guest’s party. Even if it’s just to do the guest a favor, so be it.”

“I doubt the guest will appreciate it…” the captain replied irritably.

The barracks door behind them opened, and a delicate-looking maid stepped out. She looked at David Carter and the captains coolly and said, “Take me to see the guide.”

She was indeed a personal maid to a noble—facing a frontier general, she didn’t bother to hide her faint air of arrogance.

Gatekeepers of the prime minister, close maids to nobles, favored retainers of princes—these are the most troublesome roles in officialdom: too close, they breed resentment; too distant, they cause trouble. David Carter really didn’t want to deal with such people, so after a few perfunctory words, he waved over a captain and instructed him to take the noble’s maid to find the person.

The rain had paused, and Weicheng looked especially fresh after the light shower. A few willow branches by the roadside were budding green, but though the scenery was pleasant, the town was too small. After only a few steps, the captain led the maid to their destination—a simple but lively barracks.

Hearing the noisy shouts and drinking games from inside, the maid frowned slightly, thinking, Could someone really be drinking in the barracks in broad daylight? The door curtain was lifted by the wind, and the sounds inside became clear. Sure enough, they were playing a drinking game—but not a proper one. Hearing the content of the game, a flush of shame and anger flashed across the maid’s delicate face, and she clenched her fists inside her sleeves.

“We’re playing the lewd drinking game! Who’s lewd? You’re lewd! Who’s lewd? I’m lewd! Who’s lewd? He’s lewd!…”