Beside the newly lit fire on the mudflats, everyone differed in dress, posture, and expression.
Some wore leather armor, others iron armor; some wore helmets, others had leather caps hanging from them; some had stripped off their armor and outer clothes, leaving only their underclothes, while others were actually bundled in fur robes in Hebei's warm, blossoming spring. Their weapons included long lances, straight sabers, meteor hammers, and iron maces. Some stood talking, some squatted against mounds of earth to rest, some sat tending the fire, some watered their horses, and some ate. Some smiled, some frowned deeply, and some were expressionless... Even when Zhang Xing's streak of light, carrying Ice True Qi, flew toward them, they merely looked up, making no particular movement or showing any new expression. Only a few of their leaders released their own true qi to mark their positions.
Clearly, judging by the streak of light alone, everyone thought this was a messenger.
Even when he landed, they still thought he was a messenger, since he wore no cloak, carried no decent weapon, and certainly displayed no banner.
But after Zhang Xing landed and gave his name, almost everyone fell silent... Partly because they were astonished to meet the True Dragon right away, and partly because his question had left them dumbfounded... He was your own maternal uncle, and you had to ask which one he was?
At a time like this, should they step forward to greet him, or stand there without interrupting?
As everyone exchanged glances, a red-faced man in the middle stood up. Without cupping his hands, he merely took a few steps forward and stopped again, his voice subdued. "You've been gone so long, you seem like a different person... I'm your uncle. My name is Huang Ping."
Without hesitation, Zhang