Dawn broke, with the first pale light of day kissing the horizon.
Next to the grand entrance of a large estate in the eastern part of Zhao'an City,
a Blue Dragon Horse nearly ten feet tall, its body covered with scales, tossed its head and swished its tail restlessly as the stable boy tried in vain to calm it, its four large, bowl-sized iron hooves kicking the ground impatiently.
Sometime later, with a creak, the mansion's gate was slowly opened by someone, and then a tall, broad-faced middle-aged man with large ears emerged, surrounded by a throng of people.
"Madam, you should go back," said Zhao Shuo, pulling on the horse's reins and turning to speak to his wife.
"My lord, can't you avoid going? Otherwise, let An'er beg Grandfather. He is a Cultivator, he can surely get you out of this assignment."