Yi Yang stood where he was, watching the figure who had suddenly appeared without lowering his guard.
There was no wind in the valley now, but the stench of blood hung in the air, refusing to disperse. Yi Yang gripped Mysterious Abyss, the flesh between his right thumb and forefinger torn open, blood seeping from several cuts. It trickled down the hilt and dripped into the cracks between the stones.
A man in silver armor stood before him.
The man drew his spear back to his side. Not a drop of blood stained its silver tip; Ye Hanqian's blood had been scattered in midair.
He turned his gaze toward Yi Yang, fixing him with eyes so sharp that one hardly dared meet them.
"I am Jiang Zhongtian," the man said, his voice as calm as still water yet carrying unquestionable authority. "Deputy Garrison Commissioner of Crossing Peak Stronghold."
Those two names reached his ears. Yi Yang's fingers tightened around the hilt.
Crossing Peak Stronghold was precisely the destination written on the transfer order he had received. Deputy Garrison Commissioner was the title of the stronghold's highest-ranking officer.
The name was anything but unfamiliar to him. Lu Quanan had mentioned him in Suining Prefecture's capital, and before Yi Yang left Qingzhou City, Yan Wuyuan had specifically briefed him about this man in the side courtyard.
Two hundred and seventy-eighth on Great Yu's Hidden Dragon Ranking.
An expert at the Profound Connection Realm Completion.
In other words, Yi Yang's immediate superior.
Yi Yang angled his blade to his side, straightened his back, and cupped his hands in the military salute of a subordinate greeting his superior.
"Your subordinate, Yi Yang, greets Lord Jiang."
Jiang Zhongtian waved a hand, indicating that there was no need for ceremony.
"At ease."
He did not look