Ascent of Hero on the Dragon Throne

"Commander Marin!" Rocky called out trying to catch up with Marin.

Instead of slowing down, she sped up as if she didn't hear him.

Seeing this, Rocky shot forward to block Marin. This caught her off guard and forced her to bump directly into him.

Shocked at their closeness, Marin immediately blushed. She quickly stepped back and took a few, quick breaths. "You're in my way," she warned with a glare. "Step aside!"

"Before you leave, please let me finish what I have to say." Rocky begged her.

"I don't want to hear it," Marin replied through clenched teeth.

"I know you're mad that I left and didn't eat the gruel you prepared for me. Please let me explain," Rocky replied with a smile.

Surprised, she wondered how Rocky knew the gruel was for him. 'Did one of the army cooks inform him?' she thought.

"What gruel? I don't know what you're talking about," Marin said in a low voice, looking uneasy.

"I wasn't aware you took the time to cook for me. If I had known, I would've stayed to eat. I'm sorry. Thank you again for taking care of me last night," He replied with utmost sincerity.

Hearing this, Marin bit her lower lip and clenched her fists. Her heart began to pound furiously against her chest. As she raised her head to look at Rocky, her mind suddenly went blank and her tongue failed to find the words.

"Consider this my apology." Rocky retrieved from his silk bag a bottle containing ten drops of magical saliva and handed it to her.

"What's this?" Marin asked him as she observed the bottle in his hand.

"Something useful. When you need to cultivate, have one or two drops. You'll be

of the beast.

"Deputy Commander in Chief." In awe, everyone greeted the commander in unison.

Isis had just arrived from the frontline.

With a look of seriousness, she stepped into the commander's camp and spotted Rocky studying the map. Rocky looked up with surprise and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Is that really the right way to welcome a commander? I think all those praises you received from successfully taking back the Hippo Land have turned you arrogant," Isis snorted as a reply.

Shaking his head, Rocky couldn't help but smile at Isis' sarcasm. He then asked seriously, "What happened?" He knew that whenever Isis showed up, bad news was bound to follow.

"The Nine Grottoes was conquered by the Timber Deity Empire's main force," Isis explained.

"What does this mean for us?" Rocky questioned as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"It means that the Timber Deity Empire's forces will most likely attack our main camp. We're outnumbered, Rocky. Our soldiers can't handle it," Isis explained, emphasizing the dire situation they were all in.