Huang Feihu Leads His Army to Sishui Pass, Han Rong's Doubt and Shock!

Sishui Pass, Great Shang Dynasty.

Martial King Huang Feihu led an army of fifty thousand. After days of relentless marching, they finally arrived not far from Sishui Pass.

At that moment, Martial King Huang Feihu raised a hand. "Army, halt!"

At once, the fifty thousand troops stopped where they stood, awaiting Martial King Huang Feihu's orders.

Beside Martial King Huang Feihu, generals such as Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, Wu Qian, and Xiao Yin wore puzzled expressions.

Huang Ming asked in confusion, "Brother, why have you ordered the army to stop?"

Martial King Huang Feihu said, "In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, we will reach the borders of Sishui Pass."

"I wonder whether Han Rong, the commander of Sishui Pass, and Deputy General Yu Hua have arranged a place for the army to be stationed."

Huang Ming said, "Brother, send a general to Sishui Pass to inform Commander Han that the army is about to arrive."

"I am sure Commander Han and the others will have everything properly arranged."

Martial King Huang Feihu nodded. "Where is Xiao Yin?"

At once, a middle-aged man clad in black armor stepped forward respectfully. "This subordinate is here!"

Martial King Huang Feihu said, "I order you to hurry to Sishui Pass."

"Tell them the army will arrive at Sishui Pass in the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

"Have Commander Han arrange a place for the army to camp, as well as the supplies the army requires!"

Xiao Yin respectfully replied, "Yes, Commander!"

With that, Xiao Yin mounted a magnificent steed and sped toward Sishui Pass.

Then Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Let us go!"

Huang Ming and Zhou Ji immediately ordered the fifty thousand troops to move out, racing toward Sishui Pass.

A majestic and imposing pass stood in the stretch of land between Great Shang and Western Qi.

This pass was none other than Sishui Pass of the Great Shang Dynasty!

At this moment, soldiers patrolling atop Sishui Pass spotted a general riding a magnificent steed and clad in black armor.

At once, from the towering battlements of Sishui Pass, the patrolling soldiers shouted thunderously:

"Who goes there? This is the vital stronghold of Sishui Pass of the Great Shang Dynasty!!!"

Riding his magnificent steed, Xiao Yin arrived beneath the gates of Sishui Pass and called out, "I am Xiao Yin, a general under the Martial King."

"By the Martial King's order, I have come to request an audience with Commander Han of Sishui Pass. Please report my arrival at once."

Upon hearing Xiao Yin's words, the soldiers atop the battlements of Sishui Pass said, "So it is General Xiao under the Martial King!"

"Please wait a moment, General Xiao. I will report to the Commander at once!"

With that, one of the patrolling soldiers on the battlements hurried away.

Within the Commander's Residence of Sishui Pass, Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals were discussing something.

At that moment, a voice rang into the main hall.

A soldier hurried into the hall and respectfully reported, "Report, Commander! Xiao Yin, a general under the Martial King, is seeking an audience with you at the gates of Sishui Pass!"

Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals looked up at the reporting soldier.

Han Rong said in shock, "What did you say? Xiao Yin, a general under the Martial King, is seeking an audience at the gates of Sishui Pass?"

The soldier respectfully replied, "Yes, Commander!"

Han Rong said, "Quickly bring Xiao Yin to the main hall!"

Hearing this, the soldier gave a respectful salute. "Yes, Commander!"

With that, the soldier swiftly left the main hall.

After the soldier left, Yu Hua looked at Han Rong in confusion. "Commander Han, the Martial King is the Grand Marshal of the armies and has always remained in Chaoge to guard Chaoge's safety."

"Why has a general under the Martial King come to Sishui Pass? Do you not find that strange, Commander?"

The other generals all spoke up in agreement. "Yes, Commander, this matter reeks of something strange."

"Could it be that someone from another feudal lord or faction is impersonating a general under the Martial King?"

After hearing this, Han Rong also felt that the matter was exceedingly strange.

At once, Han Rong sank into thought.

After a moment, Han Rong said, "Whether the other party is truly a general under the Martial King or not..."

"Let us first see who has come."

"If the visitor is not a general under the Martial King..."

"Then he is someone from another faction impersonating one of the Martial King's generals."

"If that is the case, kill him outright!"

Yu Hua and the other generals nodded. "Good. We support the Commander!"

Just then, the soldier who had left not long ago returned to the main hall with Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin saw Han Rong seated in the seat of honor, with Yu Hua and the other generals beside him.

At once, Xiao Yin respectfully bowed to Han Rong. "This subordinate, Xiao Yin, pays his respects to Commander Han!"

Han Rong said, "Xiao Yin, rise and speak."

After Xiao Yin rose, Han Rong said:

"Xiao Yin, you claim to be a general under the Martial King. Do you have any proof? Or a token of identity?"

"Yes, Commander Han!"

With that, Xiao Yin hurriedly took a golden token from his robes.

Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals saw the character "Martial" engraved upon the golden token.

In an instant, Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals were utterly shocked!

Han Rong said, "General Xiao Yin, what brings you to Sishui Pass?"

Xiao Yin said, "Commander Han, under the Martial King's orders, this subordinate has come to Sishui Pass to inform you!"

"The Martial King personally leads an army of fifty thousand, and they will reach the entrance to Sishui Pass after the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

"The Martial King has ordered this subordinate to tell Commander Han to immediately prepare quarters for the army, as well as all necessary supplies."

Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals shot to their feet in shock upon hearing this.

Han Rong said in astonishment, "Xiao Yin, what did you say?"

"The Martial King personally leads an army of fifty thousand, and they will soon arrive at the entrance to Sishui Pass?"

"Yes!"

Han Rong said, "Good. Xiao Yin, return at once and tell the Martial King!"

"Tell the Martial King not to worry. Commander Han of Sishui Pass has arranged everything!"

Xiao Yin respectfully bowed. "Yes, Commander Han!"

With that, Xiao Yin rose and hurriedly left the main hall.

After Xiao Yin departed, Han Rong said, "Pass down the order. Immediately clear out a vast open area on the southern side of Sishui Pass."

"It will be used for the Martial King and his fifty-thousand-strong army to set up camp once they arrive!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Meanwhile, Martial King Huang Feihu led an army of fifty thousand to a valley not far from Sishui Pass.

At that moment, Huang Ming said, "Marshal, once we pass through this valley, the entrance to Sishui Pass lies ahead."

Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Mm. By all rights, Xiao Yin should be returning soon."

Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and the other generals nodded.

Just then, a general clad in black armor and riding a divine steed came galloping swiftly toward the army.

At once, Martial King Huang Feihu, Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and the others all turned their gazes toward the distance.

Before long, Xiao Yin arrived before Martial King Huang Feihu.

Xiao Yin swiftly dismounted from his divine steed, stepped before Martial King Huang Feihu, and respectfully bowed.

"Reporting to the Marshal, the Commander of Sishui Pass has asked this subordinate to inform you!"

"The Commander of Sishui Pass has prepared everything within Sishui Pass, and now awaits only the arrival of the Martial King and the army!"

Martial King Huang Feihu nodded. "Good. Let us go!"

Immediately, Huang Ming ordered the fifty thousand troops to continue marching toward Sishui Pass.