The many memories he shared with his senior and junior sisters made Zhang Tie fall silent for a moment. Then he looked seriously at Sun Qiming, softening his tone. "I called you here this time because I don't consider you an outsider. You needn't be so formal with me either..."
Sun Qiming nodded, then stepped aside.
Everyone who came down from the second airship wore the grayish-green uniforms of the Torch Dragon Legion. They all looked exceptionally valiant and upright. On every cap badge was a pair of crossed swords formed from steel gears and wings. Beyond that, each uniform bore a distinctive patch on its sleeve—the image of Zhang Tie's Thunder Falcon streaking through clouds amid lightning.
The cap badges showed that they belonged to the Torch Dragon Legion, while the Thunder Falcon patches held a special meaning within the legion: these were Torch Dragon Legion air cavalry pilots who had undergone rigorous training and fully mastered the skills of flying aircraft.
A great many people came down from the second airship—more than four thousand in all. Leading them was Zhang Tie's cousin, Zhang Su. Some of Zhang Tie's disciples, including Liu Xing, were also among the crowd. Dressed in uniform, they did not stand out at all. Perhaps only those familiar with Liu Xing and the others could see the excitement in their hearts at this moment.
The entire Torch Dragon Legion contingent that disembarked from the second airship was quiet and solemn, without a trace of clamor. Yet they carried an iron-like bearing and a pride that soared to the clouds. That distinctive temperament made even Lu Yanyu unable to resist giving Zhang Su and the others a few extra looks.
"What does Lord Lu think of the soldiers from my Torch Dragon Territory?" Zhang Tie asked