Sishui Pass.
Just as Martial King Huang Feihu led an army of fifty thousand men toward Sishui Pass.
Han Rong, the commander of Sishui Pass, Deputy General Yu Hua, and numerous other generals waited quietly at the pass.
At that moment, a vast army approached swiftly from the distance.
Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals were cultivators, so they spotted Martial King Huang Feihu from afar!
Han Rong said, "They're here!"
Before long, Martial King Huang Feihu led his army of fifty thousand men to Sishui Pass.
Han Rong, Deputy General Yu Hua, and the other generals stepped forward before Martial King Huang Feihu and respectfully saluted him.
"This subordinate, Han Rong, commander of Sishui Pass, leads the generals under his command in paying respects to Martial King!"
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Commander Han, and all generals, rise."
Han Rong said, "Martial King, this subordinate has prepared a place for the army to camp southwest of Sishui Pass."
"Please accompany this subordinate to the Commander's Residence first. This subordinate will arrange for men to guide Martial King's army to the encampment!"
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Good. I'll trouble Commander Han, then!"
Han Rong said, "Yu Hua, immediately lead the army under Marshal Martial King to the army encampment southwest of Sishui Pass."
Yu Hua respectfully replied, "Yes, Commander!"
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, Xiao Yin, lead the army and follow General Yu Hua to the encampment."
The four generals, Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and Xiao Yin, respectfully replied, "Yes, Marshal!"
Afterward, the army of fifty thousand followed Yu Hua toward the encampment southwest of Sishui Pass.
After watching the army depart, Han Rong said, "Marshal Martial King, please follow this subordinate to the Commander's Residence of Sishui Pass!"
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "All right!"
With that, Han Rong led Martial King Huang Feihu toward the Commander's Residence of Sishui Pass.
Han Rong and Martial King Huang Feihu arrived at the reception hall of the Commander's Residence.
After Han Rong and Martial King Huang Feihu took their seats, servants from the Commander's Residence brewed tea for them.
At this moment, only Han Rong and Martial King Huang Feihu remained in the entire reception hall.
Han Rong looked at Martial King Huang Feihu and asked doubtfully, "Martial King, this subordinate has a question and asks Martial King to resolve it."
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "Commander Han, what is your question?"
Han Rong said, "Martial King, as the Grand Marshal of the Great Shang Dynasty's forces, you have guarded Chaoge's safety year-round."
"Why would His Majesty the Human Emperor dispatch you to Sishui Pass with fifty thousand troops?"
"Moreover, after your departure, who will be responsible for holding down and guarding Chaoge City's safety?"
After voicing the doubts in his heart, Han Rong looked at Martial King Huang Feihu.
Martial King Huang Feihu knew that Han Rong, the commander of Sishui Pass, Deputy General Yu Hua, and the other generals were all utterly loyal to the Great Shang Dynasty.
Martial King Huang Feihu decided to tell Han Rong about the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
Before leaving, Di Xin had told Martial King Huang Feihu that Han Rong, Yu Hua, and the other generals were trustworthy.
Thus, after pondering for a moment, Martial King Huang Feihu said:
"Commander Han, His Majesty the Human Emperor personally ordered me to lead fifty thousand troops to Sishui Pass this time."
"Because the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is imminent. Before long, Sishui Pass will become a battleground contested by two factions!"
Upon hearing this, Han Rong's eyes widened so much that they nearly popped out of their sockets.
Han Rong shot to his feet and cried out, "What???"
"The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is imminent? Sishui Pass is about to become a crucial pass fought over by two factions???"
Han Rong asked skeptically, "Martial King, are you certain everything you said is true???"
Martial King Huang Feihu's expression turned solemn. "Commander Han, do I look like I'm joking?"
"Of course it is all true. And it will not be just Sishui Pass—other border passes will also become battlegrounds fought over in great wars!"
At that moment, Han Rong was utterly shaken by Martial King Huang Feihu's words.
Still finding it difficult to believe, Han Rong asked, "Martial King, the two sides you mentioned..."
"Other than the Great Shang Dynasty, which side is the other one???"
Martial King Huang Feihu said, "The Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Han Rong said in astonishment, "The Great Zhou Dynasty? How has this subordinate never heard of such a dynasty?"
"Could it be a dynasty from another continent seeking war with the Great Shang Dynasty?"
As a cultivator, Han Rong naturally knew of the four great continents of the Primordial World.
Moreover, the Primordial World was boundlessly vast. Apart from the sects of the Heavenly Dao Sages, there were countless dynastic factions and sect factions throughout the Primordial World!
Han Rong said, "Even if a dynastic faction from another continent wishes to attack the Great Shang Dynasty."
"Our Great Shang Dynasty has powerful troops, a prosperous nation, and a vast population!"
"Furthermore, our Great Shang Dynasty has countless ties to the sects of the Heavenly Dao Sages."
"Any dynastic faction from another continent that wishes to attack the Great Shang Dynasty must think twice!"
Martial King Huang Feihu shook his head. "Commander Han, it is not a dynastic faction from another continent!"
"It is Western Qi, which borders the Great Shang Dynasty."
When Han Rong heard Martial King Huang Feihu say it was Western Qi, he could scarcely believe it.
"What? Martial King, you mean Western Qi???"
"Western Qi, where the Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, resides?"
Martial King Huang Feihu nodded. "That's right!"
"Ji Chang has openly established the Great Zhou Dynasty in Haojing, the capital of Western Qi!"
Han Rong hurriedly said, "Martial King, even if Ji Chang has established the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"With the Great Shang Dynasty's strength, we could easily crush the Great Zhou Dynasty established by Ji Chang!"
Martial King Huang Feihu shook his head. "Commander Han, matters are not as simple as you imagine."
"Behind the Great Zhou Dynasty stand several Heavenly Dao Sage factions."
"Otherwise, why do you think Ji Chang would dare openly establish the Great Zhou Dynasty and stand in opposition to the Great Shang Dynasty?"
Han Rong was even more shocked upon hearing Martial King Huang Feihu's words!
There were only a few Heavenly Dao Sage sects in the Primordial World at present.
And several Heavenly Dao Sage factions were supporting Western Qi?
For a time, Han Rong was shocked beyond measure.
After a moment, Han Rong asked, "Martial King, when do you think the Great Zhou Dynasty will launch a major attack on Sishui Pass?"
Martial King Huang Feihu shook his head.
"At present, I cannot determine when the Great Zhou Dynasty will launch a major attack on Sishui Pass!"
Han Rong said, "Martial King, even if we cannot determine the time."
"We must still prepare countermeasures to guard against a sudden attack by the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Martial King Huang Feihu nodded. "Indeed."
After pondering for a moment, Martial King Huang Feihu said:
"Commander Han, dispatch more elite scouts to secretly patrol the region between the Great Shang Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"Once any suspicious situation is discovered, report it immediately."
"That way, we will have ample time to make preparations!"
Han Rong nodded. "Yes, Martial King!"
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