Feng Shuo's heart was a jumble of nerves. He had no idea whether His Majesty had arrived as the emperor or was still using his previous identity as Commandant "Cheng Li." In any case, he could hardly go wrong by kneeling first.
Seeing this, Li Chen dismounted and walked over to Feng Shuo, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Commandant Feng, what is the meaning of this? Why such a grand salute? Have you forgotten who I, Cheng Li, am?"
The soldiers guarding the pass, unaware of the truth, burst into laughter. "Fatty Feng, what's wrong with you? You've met Commandant Cheng several times already. Why are you still such a coward?"
"Exactly! Your knees gave out awfully fast!"
Feng Shuo paid no heed to their mockery. Knowing that Li Chen was still traveling incognito, he hurriedly scrambled up from the ground, plastered an honest, simple smile across his face, and bent his waist low. "L-Lord Cheng! Look at me, getting so excited that I lost my footing! Just lost my footing!"
He would never dare conduct an inspection. Instead, he immediately became the most attentive of guides, leading Li Chen into the pass while quietly reporting on recent affairs at Cold Iron Pass. "My lord, ever since that traitor Sergei's cavalry raid failed last time, things have been pretty peaceful here. No major battles, just a few minor disputes over resources between some sects and rogue cultivators inside the pass. We handled them all according to the rules."
Li Chen listened, nodding slightly, then suddenly asked, "Feng Shuo, you've been stationed here for quite a few years, and you're capable. The fighting at the front is fierce right now, and Grand General Han Wu needs men. Would you like to gain some experience on the front lines and