Huang De was meticulous. He spent nearly ten days making certain no one would invade Jiayu Fort again before settling the city's affairs and flying to Zhennan Fort with Mu Bai and Hu Meier. By the time they saw the city in the distance, Nangong Zhan was already waiting outside.
"Brother Nangong, this gentleman is Young Master Qi, the young lord of the Human Spirit Domain's Direct Lineage. And this lovely young lady is Hu Meier, who serves under Commander Hong Luo alongside me..."
Huang De introduced Mu Bai and Hu Meier to Nangong Zhan in a ringing voice. Mu Bai cupped his fist in greeting, while Hu Meier was already calling out a syrupy "Big brother..." that delighted Nangong Zhan.
"Please, come in! My humble abode is rather shabby. Should our hospitality fall short, I hope Young Master Qi and Sister Meier will forgive us..."
Nangong Zhan's words and conduct were courteous, his manner exceedingly polite. Mu Bai noticed that his arms were actually two black-edged scythes and knew that, although this man appeared belligerent, he was cowardly within and was certainly deeply calculating.
Nangong Zhan flew ahead to lead the way. The three immediately rose to follow, flying over Zhennan Fort and continuing straight north.
"Brother Nangong, have you arranged the banquet on Long Marsh?"
"Indeed. Only a banquet like this can show my sincerity..."
"Excellent, excellent! My sister Meier has long been impatient for it."
Huang De could not contain his delight, his wax-yellow face creased with smiles, looking quite comical. After flying for an incense stick's worth of time, they saw White Smoke Long Marsh. Its waters lay still without a ripple, its white mist never dispersing. Seen from above, it resembled a long sword of white water stretching across the entire breadth of Zhennan Fort's