Nan Xun paused. His second in command must have come for something important. He ordered a servant to keep anyone from entering his study before making his way to the main hall. Once Nan Xun got out of eyeshot, the servant smiled and entered the study when no one was looking.

He picked up the letter from the desk and memorized every word. Before he could leave, he heard conversation coming from outside the room. Panic flashed through his eyes, but he was well trained. He took a deep breath and opened the window to make a silent escape.

Nan Xun opened the door and walked in as he talked to his second in command about issues within the military. His second in command told him what had happened at the training ground.

Nan Xun frowned and walked to the desk when he noticed the letter was now open.

“What’s wrong?” his second in command asked.

Nan Xun told him. The second in command looked at the open window and said, “Perhaps it was the...