Thirty li outside Lonely Wolf City.
Rows of large, white tents stood upon the yellow sand. Patrolling troops could be seen from time to time, while teams of scouts moved in and out in a ceaseless stream.
A tense atmosphere permeated the army.
Although things appeared peaceful on the surface, it was merely the calm before the storm.
War could break out at any moment.
「Inside the Central Army Tent.」
"Report, Grand General! We've spotted signs of the Ximo Army three hundred li to the west."
...
"Report! The one leading the Ximo troops is Wumu!"
"Report..."
One report after another was delivered by the scouts, and the discussion within the tent grew exceptionally fierce.
Gao Xiong sat at the head.
Bai Yuan's seat was positioned almost level with Gao Xiong's.
Their seats should have been perfectly level, but out of respect for the old general, Bai Yuan had deliberately shifted his back by a slight margin.
He was the Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, a Second-Grade Official.
