Not long after, Li Yuan arrived at the encampment where the Fragrant General’s troops had settled. Rather than rush in, he crouched among the trees, patiently observing.0

Half an hour later, a bandit emerged to relieve himself. Li Yuan let him be, having already noted that these outlaws wore mismatched gear. Stealing a uniform wouldn’t help. It was better to remain hidden.0

Eyes closed, Li Yuan focused on the vision from his two white finches perched high overhead. From there, he studied the bandits’ patrol habits, only to find no discernible pattern at all. As midnight approached, the guards grew lazy, some nodding off by the fire, others huddled in makeshift watchtowers, cursing their lot and stifling yawns.0

Through his finches, Li Yuan pinpointed the Fragrant General’s location. He mapped a path through the camp in his mind, going over every step again...0