Time had reached past noon.
Underneath the tall city tower with its blue-grey roof tiles, soldiers clad in armor stood between battlements holding long spears, their postures straight and imposing.
Below the city tower, the grey wall stretched endlessly, and right in its center, a grand entrance with one high and two lower archways stood wide open. The stream of people and horses coming and going was ceaseless, a portrait of prosperity.
The fierce sun hung in the sky as the gigantic shadow of the city gate enveloped the crowd entering and leaving, crossing the drawbridge and the moat, stretching all the way to Yuan Ming's feet.
Gazing at the familiar gates, Yuan Ming lifted his head slightly, his gaze finally landing on the grey stone plaque above the archway.
In the plaque were only two bold and vigorous characters: "Qu Jiang."
