Northern Waterwood Principality, Cold Wind City.
Ten li northeast of the city, a vast camp stretched for several li, garrisoned there.
It was noon. Plumes of cooking smoke rose straight into the sky, and when they reached a height of more than a hundred meters, the cold wind blowing from the north scattered them, blending them together as they swirled and drifted south.
At the camp gate, a broad-faced, square-jawed man in armor strode forward with swift, decisive steps. Behind him, Ling Yi, dressed in pale blue cloth, carrying a bundle in one hand and a wooden chest on his back, followed closely.
Before long, the two figures, one ahead and one behind, stood before a tall, spacious tent.
"Little Brother Ling, wait a moment. I'll go report to the general," the square-faced man said, turning back to Ling Yi.
Ling Yi wore the same warm smile from beginning to end and nodded lightly. "Sorry to trouble you, Commandant Jiang."
Jiang Yuan nodded to Ling Yi, then looked toward the soldiers standing guard on either side of the tent entrance and asked, "Is the general here?"
Before the two guards could answer, a deep, powerful voice sounded from inside the tent. "Jiang Yuan? Come straight in—"
"Yes, General!" Even through the curtain, the moment Jiang Yuan heard that voice, he immediately squared his chest, straightened his posture, and answered loudly.
After answering, he did not hesitate. He raised a hand, pushed aside the thick door curtain, and stepped into the tent.
As Jiang Yuan entered the tent, Ling Yi, four or five meters outside the entrance, smiled faintly at the two guards on the left and right, then waited patiently.
The two guards looked at Ling Yi's smile and both froze slightly. Then they each gave an almost imperceptible nod