Black Tiger Stockade lay deep within Dragon Tooth Mountain, where the slopes rose steep as blades and clouds and mist coiled around the peaks.
Sentry posts, traps, and hidden watchpoints dotted the mountain paths. Layer upon layer of stone walls and wooden chevaux-de-frise encircled the stockade, like a fierce tiger sleeping in the forests, silently baring its fangs.
At this moment, Black Tiger Luo Xiong, the stockade chief, and his six leaders had gathered in the council hall.
The atmosphere in the hall was grave. Only wisps of blue smoke rose from the bronze incense burner at its center, mingling with the pungent stench of herbs, human blood, and Beast Blood as it slowly lingered beneath the rafters.
Black Tiger Luo Xiong sat in the seat of honor. He was powerfully built, his dark skin like iron, his gaze like knives. A conspicuous slanting scar ran from his right forehead to his jaw, lending him an added air of ferocity.
He wore a thick robe made from black tiger hide, his right hand resting on the hilt of his saber. His knuckles were thick, as though cast from bronze.
He spoke in a low voice, his tone deep.
"According to the intelligence, the Commandery Soldiers have arrived. Are our defenses ready?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Kunlun, the second chief standing to his right, answered.
He was tall and gaunt, with a sinister face. He wore a dark green short robe and carried a long whip slung diagonally across his chest. His hoarse voice rasped like dry branches scraping together.
"Stockade Chief, the defenses are ready."
"The brothers have all been given Blood Wine. It can raise their fighting spirit and combat strength—"
"If they dare attack the stockade, I'll make sure they come but never return."
Luo