Far outside the Supreme Citadel, the northern wind grew noticeably stronger as twilight approached. Snow drifted heavily across the rugged mountain paths as Wang's massive army continued its steady forward march.
They were now remarkably close, only two and a half days away from reaching the outer valley of the Supreme Citadel.
The vanguard of the army stopped briefly near an ancient, ruined watchtower built into the side of a steep cliff. Several senior captains and elders gathered around Wang, who stood beside a temporary wooden table set up in the snow.
Captain Bren spread a detailed tactical map across the wood, placing small stone weights on the corners to keep the wind from blowing it away. "The next pass is right here, Patriarch. If we continue straight along this primary route, we'll reach Black Wolf Ridge by tomorrow evening."
