The grand hall of the county government was brightly lit, with songs and dances prevailing.

This was originally a place for officials to work, usually not lavishly furnished, yet possessing a sense of authority. But now, the laughter and drum music had swept away its solemnity, with the person seated in the main seat laughing heartily and shouting—

"Drink, keep drinking, and the song and dance should continue!"

This person was Cha Ci.

He was about thirty years old, with his lower face almost completely covered by thick whiskers, revealing only his deep-set eyes and a flushed, bulbous nose from drinking. Presumably immersed in wine and lust, his eyes were bloodshot from alcohol, with dark circles beneath, embodying a person indulged excessively in pleasures, living in dissipation and dreams.

Originally, in Western Turks, no matter how noble the status, one could only enjoy common beef, mutton, and liquor. However, upon entering the Central Plains, arriving at Qi County on the Taihang Grain Road, he realized for the first time how abundant the food and drink were in the Central Plains, how captivating the song and dance were, and hence, how life could be so enjoyable. He became unstoppable, hosting banquets at the county government every night, appreciating the song and dance, and not stopping until dawn.

However, no matter how much he drank or amused himself, there were two things that always accompanied him—

Firstly, the birdcage he constantly touched with his left hand at his waist.

The birdcage was only slightly larger than a palm, and it was pieced together using exceptionally thin, brittle wooden strips. Although it appeared robust, it could easily be crushed with a gentle squeeze, or even if he accidentally fell, the birdcage could immediately shatter.

And the red-feathered small bird inside, about the size of an egg, would immediately fly away.

Secondly, the two samurai standing by his side.

He brought twelve samurai to Qi County, two were on duty, while the rest went to rest, rotating every two hours, only to ensure his safety.

These two were tall and stood on either side like a screen, guarding him without expression, with their right hands placed on the handles of the blades at their waists, vigilant, ignoring the enchanting dance of the beautiful dancing girls before them.

Seeing such "Demon Gods," the companions present were all cautious, not daring to take a deep breath.

When Cha Ci issued a command, they naturally dared not neglect it.

These individuals were notable gentry of Qi County. Because Taiyuan fell and Qi County also became part of the Western Turks’ dominion, they could only come to flatter this Western Turks envoy to protect their property and lives. So when he spoke, everyone raised their cups and drank, while in the center of the grand hall, several dancing girls began dancing again to the accompaniment of silk and bamboo music, their alluring figures dancing out a charming scene before everyone’s eyes.

Cha Ci raised his cup and drained the excellent wine inside. By now, he was somewhat drunk.

After putting down the cup, and looking again at the enchanting figures before him, feeling annoyed as the alcohol rushed over him, he frowned and said, "What are you dancing? Get down, get down!"

The dancing girls, not knowing where they offended him, dared not neglect, hurriedly stopped and withdrew.

The surrounding companions also watched him carefully.

Cha Ci poured another cup of wine, drank more than half in one gulp, then stroked his beard and said: "The women of the Central Plains, when dancing, are still too soft, not as vigorous as our girls of the grassland!"

No one dared to refute, forcing smiles and echoing in agreement—

"Yes, yes."

"The envoy speaks rightly."

"The envoy indeed appreciates the beauty of women. The dance of grassland girls is indeed more agile and powerful."

Hearing their flattery, Cha Ci felt irritated again, slammed the cup on the ground with a "crack," causing wine to splash, and he said with a thick tongue: "Hurry, give me a splendid dance, or I will kill you all!"

Everyone was frightened.

Originally, they only prepared these songs and dances, usually pleasing Cha Ci happily. How could they have known he would suddenly change today; and in such haste, where could they find grassland girls to dance for him?

Just when everyone didn’t know what to do, suddenly, from behind the screen on one side of the grand hall, came the sound of drumming.

The drums thundered, although in the previous silk and bamboo music, it was just an accompaniment, seemingly mixed quietly. But now, with other instruments stopping, only the drumming sounded, that majestic spirit suddenly filled the entire hall, enveloping everyone.