雨点噼里啪啦砸在身上， heralded by the jingling of ice chunks dripping from the eaves. The water-soaked documents clutched in Shen Zhiyi's hands felt as cold as the beginning of winter, each sheet a heavy weight against her chest. "His Majesty!" A sharp, panicky voice broke through the curtain of rain, sounding like a sparrow startled from its nest. "Urgent report from Jiangnan! The 'Firehead Army' has crossed the river. They're heading straight for Lin'an City!"

Firehead Army. Shen Zhiyi's mind flashed to the rumors, the whispers of a ruthless fighting force, their ranks filled with battle-hardened veterans and demoted soldiers. They didn't fear death, only order. And their order was clear: burn, kill, plunder until they reached the capital. The rain plastered her hair to her face, dripped into her eyes, blurring the vision of the towering city walls behind her. She forced her gaze to focus, though her hands trembled slightly.