At the East Gate of Jīnhuá, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the city wall.
Twenty-six riders and a single carriage approached the East Gate. Zhao Lie rode at the very front, his tall, imposing figure resembling Hei Zhangfei in the fading sunlight, casting a giant shadow against the city gate that made man and mount look like celestial beings.
It was three quarters past the Hour of Shen—precisely when the city gates were due to be closed.
Chapter 27