The north wind howled.
In Red Dragon City, banners fluttered and war drums shook the heavens.
Inside the city lord's residence, dozens of Ming's finest military officers stood ready, fully armored and solemnly arrayed.
Xu Hongru, the Five Elements Ancestor, Ye Gucheng, Yan Shisan, and the other martial experts belonging to the West Depot were also waiting there.
Bai Tianyu, Zhang Sanfeng, and a host of other Ming Wulin martial artists were among them as well.
Even Lu Xiaofeng, Fu Hongxue, Old Man Tianji, Tie Zhongtang, Chu Liuxiang, and the others who had gone to Divine Dragon Island to join the excitement had returned. All of them had received orders from the Imperial Court and gathered here, ready to march north with the army and attack Great Yuan.
This time, Ming had mustered six hundred thousand troops, and more than half the Wulin martial artists from the Jianghu had come as well. Their determination was beyond question!
Tap, tap.
Sun Chengzong and Sun Chuanting, the army's two commanders, walked over side by side. They cupped their hands toward Xu Hongru and the others and said gravely, "We will be troubling you all for your assistance on this march north!"
Everyone hurriedly returned the salute.
"You are too courteous, Generals. This is our duty!"
"Indeed. As people of Ming, we ought to contribute to Ming!"
"The Imperial Court has issued its orders. Naturally, we shall obey!"
Sun Chengzong and Sun Chuanting nodded slightly.
Then they turned to Ma Jinliang and asked with cupped hands, "My lords, today is the departure date Lord Yu set. Why has he not emerged from seclusion yet?"
At this, the others also turned toward Ma Jinliang and the other West Depot officers.
Ma Jinliang frowned. "Since the Director said we would depart today, then today it