A light, dull sound echoed from a distance, faint, unable to alert the entire settlement. Only a few who were on high alert were disturbed. They glanced around, and finding nothing unusual, they resumed their slumber.
In another place, immersed in darkness, Xu Haishui stood on Ah Fu's back, his eyes intensely fixed on the red glow in the distance that lit up Jialing City like daylight. Murmuring, he said, "It seems that something has happened. I wonder which power is this bold to confront the military?"
The commotion roused Tang Ye from his sleep. His eyes flew open, and he climbed out of bed. After sparing a quick glance at Nannan sleeping in her cot, he ignored her and opened the door, his gaze locked on the distant red light.
The red light was blinding. Tang Ye immediately recognized it as fire—the glow of something burning.
