Twenty thousand cavalry soldiers were lined up in front of Red Mist city dressed in full armor with spears in hand and swords sheathed at their waists. Some held black banners with a golden threaded dragon head on them.

In the front of the army were four figures who we would recognize as Zhang, Yuying, Ai and Lu Xun. They were getting ready to head out to the Heilong kingdom. Zhang decided to leave Xi Ning in charge of Red Mist city and the rest of the province.

This was due to Xi Ning being the most senior of the three people were left behind and could be put in charge. Sima Yi was too new and could not be immediately put as the overseer of the city. And Sun Ce had yet to gain Zhang's complete trust yet. Although the man seemed trust worthy only time will tell.

At the very front of the army Zhang was fully suited in armor and had the Sky Piercer halberd out in his hand. On his waists were two dangling chains and daggers. While sitting onto power of a flaming black horse he gave off a very intimidating yet noble aura.

Beside him Yuying and Ai were both fully armed as well. On top of Yuying's helmet sat the Titanic Golden spider queen as usual only this time it was slightly bigger. Zhang has been constantly giving it the highly concentrated essence water from the underground lake helping hasten its growth rate. Next to Yuying was Ai who just happens to have a pitch black whip hanging at her side. This would be recognized at the Black Thorn whip.

Although she lacked experience with using a whip Zhang gave it to her simply so in a time of need she can use its special ability to grow. With that ability Ai could protect herself from people in times of need.

On top of the walls of Red Mist city stood one hundred thousand soldiers that had been recruited. Zhang left Xi Ning with orders to double the size of the army while he was gone. Within Jin Shos ring was a huge amount of gold that was enough to fund the entire city for the next fifty years even if taxes were not collected. This gave Zhang a lot of money to expand his army with.

Along with the huge amount of money there were a few very useful items as well. Such as something called as bottles of phoenix blood, seven colored mushrooms, elemental pearls which helped Zhang increase one level of cultivation and a few other things.

As the army was about to depart on their journey to the Heilong Kingdom a single lone rider appeared from the other side of the city gate and rode to Zhang.

My lord your orders have been carried out a gag order has been placed on the entire city and no new of us taking over the city will be spread. Also as for your other orders once you depart we will carry them out according to your wishes. The rider who turned out to be Sima Yi said.

Good we will meet again very soon. Zhang said.

Now it is time to head out! Zhang shouted to the rest of the army and his horse began galloping.

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In two weeks the tournament in the Heilong Kingdom will commence and for the past month many dignitaries of other forces have been arriving one after another. From princes, princess, ministers, lords to generals. Each of them would come in very lavish and awe inspire ways as a show of wealth for the kingdoms or forces they represented. Carriages of gold and diamonds would line the streets when these people came.

Beasts from the far reaches of the continent would be used to pull their carriages. Beautiful women could be seen accompanying men of power.

Seeing all of this the common citizens of the Heilong kingdom were awestruck. Rarely did their king or any of the people in high standing show up in such flashy ways so this was somewhat of a treat for their eyes. Thus many of the citizens would gather and tell tales or gossip of what they saw. The most popular place to listen to such things was the largest diner within the capital city called the Seven Spices Diner.

Today a middle aged man was in the middle of a crowd telling them about the dignitaries that came yesterday.

Yesterday a prince from the kingdom of Shu into our city while riding a giant sedan chair made of gold that took fifty people to carry and riding with him were ten of the most beautiful women Ive ever seen in my life. To top that off behind him were a thousand maids and servants. The man said.

As the man top them about the important people that has come into the city the audience sat there listening in awe. Many of these people were just commoners who were too busy working to see this for themselves.

Uncle! I heard everyone who our king invited has already arrived but the representatives from Aurora. A young boy asked.

Yes the representative from Aurora has not come yet but I heard that they are sending the successor of the lord of Aurora to attend. The man replied.

Successor of the lord of the city? Whats that uncle? The boy asked once more.

You see Aurora is a province in the far south east located in the warring states region and for now it is our only ally from there. Unlike us who is a kingdom they arent big enough to call themselves a kingdom. But although they cant call themselves a kingdom yet the lord of Aurora is not the least bit off influential than a king. So that means his successor is the equivalent of a prince. The man told the boy.

The man then continued to talk about the people that had already come into the city until suddenly a man wearing green outfit ran into the diner yelling.

Were under attack!! Were under attack!!! The man wearing a green outfit yelled.

What?! The man telling stories asked.

Thousands of cavalry soldiers are heading for the city from the south east!! The city guards not knowing whos soldiers those are even closed the city gates. The man wearing a green outfit yelled.

Lets go see! someone in the audience yelled.

Go see? You fool we might be under attack. Someone yelled.

Also thoughts? O___o lol