Withered Stone Town lay about twenty li southeast of Linjiagang, in a barren hilly region.
Most of the townsfolk made their living quarrying gray stone. Though not prosperous, it was one of the main routes leading into the northern mountains.
At that moment, the roar of military trucks shattered Withered Stone Town's afternoon stillness.
A convoy of twenty trucks, trailing clouds of dry yellow dust, came to a steady halt beneath the somewhat dilapidated archway at the town entrance.
Adjutant Mo was the first to leap down from the lead truck. He wore a crisp officer's uniform, gleaming riding boots, and a pistol at his waist, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.
Behind him, over a thousand elite soldiers swiftly disembarked and silently spread into a defensive formation.
Their uniform military dress, finely made standard-issue rifles, and the killing aura forged through rigorous training instantly cowed the crowd.
The local gentry and respected elders, who had long been waiting at the town entrance after receiving notice, immediately stepped forward to greet them.
At their head stood an elderly man in a silk long robe, his hair and beard streaked with white. He was Withered Stone Town's town leader.
His face was piled high with an eager, humble smile as he hurried forward and bowed deeply to Adjutant Mo.
"Zhao Deming, town leader of Withered Stone Town, together with the local gentry, welcomes Officer Mo and welcomes the Royal Army of the Southern Pacification Army!"
Behind Zhao Deming stood more than a dozen well-dressed gentry and wealthy householders. They too bowed one after another, their manner incomparably respectful.
Deep awe and unease filled every pair of eyes.
Who in Azure Prefecture did not know the Southern Pacification Army's mighty name? They were the sky over northern Azure Prefecture.
They dominated