As Qin's banners flew proudly above the captured second hill, mounted messengers galloped toward the royal capital, carrying news that would echo throughout the Kingdom of Qin.
The Battle of She Gan Plains was over.
Wei's armies had been utterly crushed.
Go Kei one of Wei fire dragon, the great strategist of Wei, had fallen beneath Duke Hyou's glaive.
The victory belonged to Qin.
As military reports flooded the royal court, one army was repeatedly mentioned above all others.
The army of Hyou Ren.
Commanding fifty thousand soldiers, Hyou Ren demonstrated both martial prowess and exceptional battlefield command. His strategies repeatedly disrupted Wei's carefully laid plans, while his decisive actions created the opportunities that ultimately shattered Go Kei's army.
The official records of the campaign spoke for themselves.
Under Hyou Ren's command, the army had slain Huang Lixian, the renowned 5,000-man commander of Wei, who fell to Bao Jun after a fierce struggle. Lieutenant General Gong Yuan was cut down by Hyou Ren himself after his carefully planned chariot assault failed to break Qin's formation. During Mo Yun's desperate battle against two enemy commanders, Hyou Ren's perfectly timed arrow pierced the throat of Zhu Gui, allowing Mo Yun to immediately slay Ma Gui and seize the momentum of the battlefield. On the second hill, Ri Yue's surprise assault ended with the death of Lieutenant General Bai Guixi, destroying the final defensive pillar protecting Go Kei's army.
Five distinguished commanders of Wei had fallen in a single campaign.
It was a victory that would be remembered throughout Qin.
The names of Hyou Ren's commanders soon spread across the army.
Lu Shen, whose calm leadership stabilized Qin's center against impossible pressure.
Bao Jun, whose overwhelming strength slew Huang Lixian and spearheaded the assault on the second hill.
Mo Yun, whose unwavering courage endured a desperate battle against two enemy commanders before claiming Ma Gui's life and breaking through Wei's defenses.
Tian Hao, whose disciplined army served as the perfect bait, forcing Go Kei into making crucial decisions throughout the battle.
Ri Yeu, whose flawless surprise attack captured the second hill and slew Lieutenant General Bai Guixi, ensuring Wei's complete collapse.
Yet another name also began circulating among Duke Hyou's soldiers.
A young infantry commander.
Shin.
Though still only a rising youth, he had fought alongside Duke Hyou's Fourth Army and First Army during the assault on the second hill and personally slew a Wei 5,000-man commander. Many veterans dismissed it as youthful fortune.
Others remained silent.
Because every Great General of the Heavens had once earned his reputation with a single impossible feat.
As the sun disappeared beyond the western mountains, tens of thousands of Qin soldiers raised their weapons toward the sky.
"Victory!"
"Victory for Qin!"
"Long live Duke Hyou!"
The thunderous cheers rolled across the She Gan Plains.
Standing atop the captured second hill, Hyou Ren looked over the sea of Qin banners fluttering proudly in the evening wind.
The victory had come at a terrible cost.
Thousands of Qin soldiers would never again see their families.
Many comrades had fallen before the dream of unification could move one step closer.
Hyou Ren quietly lowered his head in respect for the fallen before turning toward the victorious army.
Tonight, they had earned the right to celebrate.
As darkness settled over the plains, the Qin camp erupted into celebration.
Bonfires illuminated the camp as soldiers laughed, sang, and raised cups of wine to honor both the living and the dead. Stories of heroic deeds spread from fire to fire, and every conversation eventually returned to the same conclusion.
Qin had won a complete victory.
Away from the celebrations, Hyou Ren quietly entered his command tent.
Ri Yue was already waiting.
She had removed her armor, though traces of the day's battle still lingered upon her face.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Ri Yue stepped forward, a gentle smile replacing the cold expression she had worn throughout the battle.
"You came back," she whispered.
Hyou Ren smiled warmly.
"I made you a promise."
She rested her forehead against his.
"And you kept it."
Hyou Ren gently took her hands in his.
"You saved the second hill."
Ri Yeu shook her head.
"We won it together."
Outside, the cheers of victorious soldiers echoed through the night as the camp celebrated one of Duke Hyou's greatest triumphs.
Inside the command tent, far from the noise of war, husband and wife allowed themselves a rare moment of peace. The burdens of command gave way to quiet affection as they embraced, grateful that fate had returned them safely to one another after the bloodshed of She Gan Plains.
The night became a private celebration of both their victory and their reunion, as the sounds of laughter and triumph outside gradually faded into the darkness.
Tomorrow, new orders would arrive.
New enemies would appear.
New battlefields would call.
But for one peaceful night...
The heroes of She Gan Plains could finally rest.