"Boom-!"
Three thousand riders of the Great Xia Bloodslaughter Dragon Cavalry halted outside the north gate of the Great Zhou Divine Capital like a dark crimson storm cloud, their killing intent surging skyward.
At their head was Great Xia's War King, Xia Zhan, who had once met Yun Qing in Desolate City.
Xia Zhan wore a Dark-Gold Battle Robe. Broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with deeply set brows and eyes sharp as blades, he radiated a staggering fighting spirit forged through a hundred battles of slaughter.
He reined in his Dragon Steed and looked up at the capital's walls towering into the clouds. Drawing a deep breath, he was just about to bellow for Great Zhou to come out and welcome its guests.
The next moment, the gates opened, and Great Zhou's newly appointed Minister of Rites, Ji Chen, hurried out with a group of Ceremonial Officers.
Their steps were so quick, their manner so urgent, that they looked less like a welcoming party than refugees fleeing a disaster.
"War King of Great Xia, you must be weary from your journey. Forgive Great Zhou for failing to welcome you farther afield." Ji Chen strode forward, his smile perfectly measured as he cupped his hands in a greeting that left no opening for criticism.
Xia Zhan grinned and laughed, his voice booming like a great bell. "Minister Ji, what act are you putting on here? Has Great Zhou changed its rules? Are you trying to disgust me with ceremony first so you can lure me into a trap?"
Xia Zhan looked like a crude brute, but beneath that rough exterior lay a meticulous mind full of little schemes.
Great Xia and Great Zhou stood as rival dynasties and had long contended in secret. Each knew exactly what the other was like. Thus,