Zhai Jiang was a cousin of Duke Wuli Yuan of the Huoyan Kingdom, the neighboring kingdom of Tianqin. This was his first visit to the Tianqin Kingdom, and so far, his experience had not been very pleasant.
Zhai Jiang rode up to the Xiang stronghold on a weak horse, with his tired, low-level spirit beast trotting along behind him. He had lost most of his attendants and bodyguards in the fighting; only one attendant, a boy too young to swing a sword effectively, had somehow survived with the pack horse.
Zhai Jiang pounded on the west gate of the town, which was below the stronghold. A pair of scared-looking guards opened the main gate just wide enough for one horse to let him in.
"There is an army of the demonics out there," Zhai Jiang gasped. "Take me to your lord."
The lord arrived soon enough. To Zhai Jiang, the lord of the town seemed old for a warrior—gray-bearded and tending towards excessive weight—but he was dressed as a warrior should be.
