Da Liang, year 641, April 19th.
Late at night, Chongde District south of the city.
The Li Residence, a large estate that covered five acres.
The yard was scattered with artificial mountains and ponds, and the spacious houses were arrayed in hedged rows of green tiles and bricks.
Protectors moved in groups of three, carrying lanterns, patrolling the vast estate in an orderly fashion.
In every concealed nook near the walls, black-furred watchdogs lay prone. Under the moonlight, their eyes occasionally reflected a faint red glow.
At this moment, a group of people in black abruptly scaled the wall and entered.
They landed without a sound, as if they were already familiar with the patrol arrangements within the estate.
Without delay, they shot darts as they landed, and the watchdogs that had just stood up silently fell to the ground.
They promptly hid themselves and, when the patrolling Protectors passed by, they suddenly attacked.
