Water and Fire Show No Mercy

The army was still climbing the mountain. Zhang Hu's contingent was the last of the several armies to head up.

The troops moved up the mountain while remaining alert for pursuers behind them.

Just as Gong Lince and Meng Shanming were speaking, someone suddenly began shouting, "Marshal Meng! I want to see Marshal Meng! I want to see Marshal Meng..."

The men in conversation turned around to see a soldier shoving against the guards and shouting at the top of his lungs.

Such a thing was rare. Gong Lince and Meng Shanming exchanged a glance, while Zhang Hu asked one of his subordinates, "Whose man is he? What is going on?"

He could be sure the man belonged to his own side. Only his own troops were here, yet this fellow was making such a public uproar and demanding to see Meng Shanming. It irritated him somewhat.

Seeing that even Zhang Hu did not recognize him, and that a low-ranking soldier dared to clamor about seeing him without anyone knowing why, Meng Shanming said, "Bring him over."

At his order, the soldier was immediately escorted over. Two of the cultivators responsible for protecting Meng Shanming quietly moved closer to the newcomer, guarding against any mishap.

"This lowly one greets the Marshal!" The escorted soldier lowered his head in salute. Being able to see Meng Shanming and speak with him at such close range clearly excited him.

He was a young man barely past twenty, tall and lean, with an intelligent-looking face and immature whiskers around his mouth. Meng Shanming looked him over, then waved to either side, signaling the men gripping the soldier's arms to release him. Smiling, he asked, "What is your name? What position do you hold? Why have you come to see me?"

Zhang Hu glared at