0003.

As the sun descended towards the western horizon, a fiery glow painted the sky, casting long shadows across the arid plains before Serene Jade City. 

Commander Fang's eyes narrowed as he watched the fading light, his gaze fixed on the darkening expanse beyond. In the deepening gloom, he knew the bestial tide was gathering once more, readying itself for another assault.

The commander turned, his silver armor glinting red in the dying light. 

"Veterans Vanguard!" His voice rang out, strong and uncompromising. "The hour is upon us. Tonight, we meet the tide head-on!" 

As a veteran himself, he was supposed to be among them, but as a commander, he needed to stay on top of the gate to maintain command.

A cheer rose from the silver-clad soldiers, their weapons brandished high, their voices amplified by their new helmets.

"We shall face the darkness with courage and steadfast determination. And when the dawn breaks, our city shall stand proud and undefeated!" Commander Fang raised his sword, its unique silver blade glinting in the fading light. "Open the gates!"

With a resounding creak, the towering metal gates swung wide. The veterans marched forth, boots thudding in unison, their forms melting into the gloom. 

Just behind them stalked rows of archers, bowstrings taut, eyes piercing the shadows for any sign of movement.

Along the entire expanse of the western wall, a formidable line of silver-armored soldiers stood in formation, their attention focused on the area in front of the gate. 

Behind them, another line of archers awaited, their bows ready but their swords still at rest. Despite the stillness, their eyes were sharp, muscles tensed in anticipation of the imminent battle.

As the sun finally vanished into the western horizon, a blanket of darkness descended over the city. No torches were lit, and an eerie silence settled over the entire city. 

Every member of the Veterans Vanguard stood poised, their anticipation eating them from inside. They knew today was the day of reckoning, and they were ready to face it head-on. Their role was clear: to take the first blow and soften the enemy's advance.

For many of the city's forces, this would be their first taste of true warfare. The veterans understood the importance of showing their new recruits how to handle themselves in battle before they joined the fray. 

Novice archers lined the walls, nervously fidgeting with their arrows as they watched their veteran counterparts below, preparing for the inevitable clash.

"The sun is really taking its time today to set," remarked one of the soldiers near Commander Fang.

"What? What are you talking about? The sun has already set," replied Fang, puzzled.

"Already set? But it is still too bright if the sun has set," the soldier exclaimed, quickly removing his helmet. His eyes widened with shock. "It's really dark. Why was it not dark when I looked through this glass? What kind of glass is this?"

Commander Fang swiftly put the helmet back on. It clicked into place, sealing the entire armor, and his vision lit up. 

The darkness vanished, and it felt like the evening sun had returned. His shock added to the previous shocks he had experienced with the sword and armor. 

His views towards Su Jin now had completely reversed. The price he had forced upon us was still a bargain, and this newfound feature would undoubtedly aid them greatly in the impending battle.

"What's wrong? Something wrong with the armor?" Mayor Yi Nang inquired worriedly.

"No, this is the best equipment we could dream of," the soldier added, heaping more praise. But Mayor Yi Nang didn't take his words seriously, looking to Commander Fang for confirmation.

Commander Fang turned to Mayor Yi Nang, his eyes gleaming with wonder beneath the sleek silver helmet.

"Mayor, there's nothing amiss - rather, something extraordinary!" He gestured enthusiastically to the soldier. "This armor grants us an advantage I never dared hope for. The helmets allow the wearer to see clearly even in total darkness!"

Mayor Yi Nang regarded the unassuming headgear skeptically. "Truly? But how?"

"I know not, but it is the truth."

"Amazing..." the Mayor breathed.

"Yes, it is, it's like dusk evening in this darkness."

"You say all your soldiers possess helmets like this?" Mayor Yi Nang inquired.

"Indeed, every last one," Fang confirmed.

Understanding dawned on Mayor Yi Nang's face, and he grasped the Commander's shoulder eagerly. "A fortunate advantage! Even in the deepest night, victory remains within reach. Perhaps... perhaps we stand a true chance now."

For the first time that day, hope overcame the worry in the Mayor's eyes.

The news of the helmet's ability to let them see in the darkness spread quickly among the ranks. Soldiers removed their helmets to confirm, their expressions filled with awe, before putting them back on with renewed hope and enthusiasm. 

It was as if the heavens themselves were with them, and they believed they would not only survive but emerge victorious.

Amid the anticipation and wait, nobody noticed a cup of water placed atop the western city gate, directly in front of Commander Fang. 

His gaze remained fixed on it, watching intently for the telltale ripples that would signal the imminent arrival of the beast tide, as the ground would tremble under their approaching onslaught.

Commander Fang held his breath, ready to spring into action at the first sign of disturbance, but as the water in the cup rippled faintly, he hesitated. The ripples were too feeble, not the telltale tremors of the approaching beast tide.

Then, a resounding horn blast shattered the tense silence, echoing from the Eastern Gate. A messenger arrived, breathless, delivering dire news: "The Shadow Wolf Gang has breached the city!"

"What? But why was the gate opened?" Mayor Yi Nang's disbelief was palpable.

"Patriarch Wu Zhi has seized control of the Eastern Gate and allowed the Shadow Wolf Gang entry," the messenger explained, his voice trembling with urgency.

"Why?" Mayor Yi Nang's voice was tinged with incredulity.

"Panic, greed... what else?" Commander Fang's disappointment was evident in his voice, though not surprising. He had been expecting something like this.

"Let me talk to Patriarch Wu Zhi," Mayor Yi Nang suggested, his anger evident.

"No, do not leave my side," Commander Fang stopped the Mayor, then whispered, "You hold the Earthly Mandate of Serene Jade City, the symbol of authority, the law. If they snatch it from you, it will be a disaster, at least for the common people. Think about them first."

Mayor Yi Nang's eyes went wide as realization dawned on him, filling him with guilt. Commander Fang sensed something was amiss.

"Where is the Earthly Mandate?" Commander Fang asked calmly, though he was holding back his rage.

"With my daughter, Yi Qing," Mayor Yi Nang admitted, his voice heavy with regret. Commander Fang understood the situation now. 

It would have caused much commotion if a skirmish had broken out at the eastern gate, but no such thing happened because it was the Mayor's daughter who had helped Patriarch Wu Zhi.

The guards of the eastern gate had no choice but to obey the owner of the Earthly Mandate.

"You have spoiled your daughter too much; she is now out of your hands. Do not regret it if she gets pulled into further trials later," Commander Fang warned with disappointment. 

He no longer bothered with the eastern gate situation; his duty now was to defend the western gate. He would worry about city politics after surviving this night.

_____________________________

A handsome man held Yi Qing in his arms, gently playing with her bangs, lightly touching her nose, and then softly brushing his fingers against her lips. 

Yi Qing felt both happy and embarrassed to be in his embrace, especially with all the other men nearby watching them with longing eyes.

"You are not happy to see me?" The man asked, noticing the embarrassment and awkwardness in Yi Qing's eyes.

"I... I am happy but..." She glanced around, avoiding eye contact with the surrounding men, members of the Shadow Wolf Gang.

"They are my brothers, they share everything with me and I share everything with them, blood and life bounds us. After the exile, they took care of me and I took care of them or else I would have died a long time ago." The handsome man's voice was filled with grudges, rage, and regret, but vengeance was clear.

"And your time has returned to give tenfold, hundredfold, my son," an old man walked closer, revealing himself as Patriarch Wu Zhi.

"Father!?" The handsome man, Patriarch Wu Zhi's son, quickly left Yi Qing's embrace and gave a respectful kowtow to his father.

"Rise, my son. We both have waited for long, for a chance, against the Clans of Serene Jade City. Today, we will take our revenge." 

The handsome man rose from his kowtow, determination burning in his piercing eyes.

"Today is the day the Wu Clan regains its rightful power, my son," Patriarch Wu Zhi declared, pride and anticipation threading his voice.

He placed a weathered hand on his son's shoulder. "When those treacherous Serene Jade clans exiled and disgraced you, leaving you to perish, I swore vengeance upon them all." His voice dropped to a vengeful hiss. "How they will repent turning against Wu Yan, the most talented warrior of his generation!"

Wu Yan's fists clenched, jaw tightening. "After years being hounded and oppressed as exiles by those hypocrites, barely surviving in the harsh borderlands, I have returned at last."

He met his father's flinty gaze. "We will tear their gilded lives asunder, as they did ours. I will make them pay ten-thousand-fold for every indignity suffered in my exile.

"Yes, my son, starting with seizing the immense wealth of that presumptuous Su Jin!" Patriarch Wu Zhi added while nodding at Yi Qing. He quickly explained the entire situation to his son.

A cruel smile curled his lips. "Such fortunes gained from selling weapons to those who shamed our clan will be put to better use funding the Shadow Wolf Gang's ascendancy. And if the fool resists..." His hand drifted to the hilt of his sword.

Patriarch Wu Zhi nodded, mirroring his son's ruthless expression. "Serene Jade shall soon learn that the Wu Clan's revenge has only just begun..."