Soaring across a Thousand Mountains, Sweeping North and South Like a Rolled-Up Mat, Part Two

The Marshal's Residence in Liang Province.

In the spacious, brightly lit council hall, Zhang Yong, supreme commander of the Longyou Army, occupied the seat of honor. Below him, fierce-looking officers reported on various important military affairs.

Zhang Yong had no mind to listen. An inexplicable irritation stirred within him.

The officers below noticed his distraction. Though none showed it, they wondered inwardly what was wrong. The short, burly officer making his report lowered his voice and said cautiously, "Marshal, the Cangshuo Army recently breached one of our commandery cities in Longyou, killing or wounding several hundred of our men and carrying off considerable wealth and captives. This matter-"

"I already know about this. We will discuss it later."

Zhang Yong suddenly interrupted him with a wave. "All of you, withdraw. Until I summon you, no one is to enter the Marshal's Residence without permission."

"Yes, sir!"

Though thoroughly bewildered, the officers dared not question him.

Their marshal looked ordinary enough and displayed little imposing majesty, but who could rise in the northern lands and command a Military Town without treading through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, ruthless of heart and hand?

The officers respectfully withdrew from the hall. Zhang Yong rubbed between his brows, his expression shifting uncertainly. "What is going on? With my cultivation, why would I feel so unsettled? It feels as though something momentous is about to happen. Could it be-"

A sudden pain stabbed between Zhang Yong's brows, like the prick of a fine needle. Yet it vanished almost immediately, as though it had been an illusion.

His anxiety only grew more intense.

Publicly, he commanded the Longyou Army, one of the north's twelve Military Towns. Secretly, he was the Holy Lord who held the Red Lotus Cult in his grasp. Whether in the