The Arrival of Fei Zhong at Chentang Pass

Chentang Pass.

The city walls towered majestically, banners snapping in the wind.

Sea winds carried salty dampness as they battered this strategic stronghold guarding the gateway to the East Sea.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The rapid pounding of hooves tore through the tranquility before the pass.

A squadron of elite riders clad in Black Bird patterns escorted a carriage with little extravagant decoration as it raced toward them.

Fei Zhong lifted the carriage curtain, and the blowing sand filled his mouth.

He spat twice. Not only was he not angry, but his face was instead brimming with barely concealed excitement.

This was a task personally assigned by The King.

If he handled it well, he would win the favor of the emperor, and glory and advancement would be within reach.

But if he botched it? He had better feel the head on his own neck. It might be less secure than the bricks in those city walls.

The guards atop the gate tower had spotted the banner representing the royal command long ago. How could they dare neglect it? The massive gate slowly swung open.

The convoy entered Chentang Pass and went straight to the entrance of the Commander's Residence.

Fei Zhong poked his head out. His face, usually three parts shrewdness and seven parts calculation, now wore just the right measure of reserve and authority.

He straightened his wind-tossed collar and swept his gaze across the vermilion gate.

So this was the Commander's Residence of Chentang Pass.

"Go. Announce me to Commander Li."

"Tell him the envoy from Chaoge, Fei Zhong, has arrived."

The Commander's Residence.

Li Jing, dressed in military uniform, strode out.

Though he guarded a region and commanded powerful troops, he did not dare show the slightest negligence before the royal envoy from Chaoge.

What was more,