Outside the study, snowflakes danced and blanketed the ground. Inside, the crackling charcoal fire drove away the cold. Two bronze candleholders stood on either side of the table, with the wick casting a dim yellow glow that stretched the shadows long.
There were no scrolls or ink on the table, but instead, a sand table depicted the mountains, ravines, passes, and forts, with several bamboo flags marking two different colors.
Behind the sand table, seated in a large chair, was Helian Mountain, the Daqian National Master, armored and upright upon it. The scales of his armor shimmered coldly under the dim light, his gray-white hair tangled into a topknot. His face was furrowed like an elderly man close to the end of his days, yet his posture was like a lean tiger crouching, back straight, exuding an aura that made one gasp for breath.
