The news from the northern frontier spread through Kanyou like wildfire.
Within hours, the royal palace convened an emergency war council. Ministers, military officials, and Qin's greatest generals assembled before the throne of King Ei Sei.
An exhausted messenger knelt before the court.
"Your Majesty! Zhao has launched a full-scale invasion! Their army numbers one hundred and twenty thousand strong and has crossed into Qin territory!"
The court erupted into chaos.
"One hundred and twenty thousand?!"
"They're aiming for Bayou!"
"If Bayou falls, the road into Qin lies open!"
Chancellor Ryo Fui calmly rose from his seat.
"Your Majesty, we must respond immediately. Mobilize one hundred thousand troops at once."
The ministers quickly agreed. Orders were immediately issued throughout Qin to raise an army of one hundred thousand men to march north.
However, another question immediately divided the court.
Who would command the army?
Several ministers proposed the mighty General Mou Bu.
"General Mou Bu possesses unmatched martial strength. No Zhao army can withstand his charge."
Others immediately opposed.
"This campaign requires more than brute force."
"The northern front is already unstable."
"The Commander-in-Chief must possess the experience to command a war of this scale."
As the debate intensified, one name gradually echoed throughout the hall.
Ou Ki.
The Monstrous Bird of Qin.
Although he had withdrawn from the battlefield for years, no one questioned his ability.
Even the ministers who supported Mou Bu acknowledged that if Qin wished to guarantee victory, there was no greater commander.
Before the debate could continue, the palace doors burst open once again.
A second messenger hurried inside, covered in dust after riding without rest.
He immediately knelt before the throne.
"Urgent report from the northern front!"
The entire court fell silent.
The messenger continued.
"General Hyou Ren has already marched north!"
"He has united scattered Qin forces and now commands an army of seventy-five thousand soldiers."
Shock spread throughout the chamber.
"Seventy-five thousand?"
"How is that possible?"
The messenger lowered his head before explaining.
"Commander Ri Yue reached Baou three days before our previous messenger."
"Finding Baou already surrounded by one hundred and twenty thousand Zhao soldiers, she refused a direct assault."
"Instead, she ordered a scorched-earth strategy throughout the Baou region, evacuating civilians while destroying supplies before they could fall into Zhao hands."
Several ministers nodded in admiration.
The messenger continued.
"Commander Lu Shen then carried out continuous guerrilla warfare against Zhao's supply lines while commander Ri Shou led nightly raids and assassinations against Zhao commanders."
"Their operations delayed Zhao's advance and severely damaged enemy morale."
"During those three days, commander Ri Yue also gathered every available soldier, militia, retired veteran, and volunteer from the surrounding region."
"Their force increased from fifteen thousand to forty thousand."
"At dawn on the fifth day, General Hyou Ren arrived with thirty-five thousand reinforcements."
"The combined Qin army now numbers seventy-five thousand and has advanced toward the Kan Plains to intercept Zhao."
Silence filled the royal court.
Even veteran ministers were astonished.
In only a few days, Hyou Ren and Ri Yue had transformed an impossible situation into one where Qin could still fight.
King Ei Sei slowly stood.
"Then there is no longer any time to waste."
He looked toward the assembled generals.
"Our reinforcements require five days to reach the Kan Plains."
"For five days..."
"Hyou Ren and his army must stand alone."
The king then turned toward the towering figure standing silently within the chamber.
"General Ou Ki."
"The fate of northern Qin now rests in your hands."
"I hereby appoint you Commander-in-Chief of the Qin Reinforcement Army."
For several moments, the great general remained silent.
Then, with his familiar smile, Ou Ki laughed.
"Kokokoko..."
"So..."
"The bird shall fly once more."
The hall became deathly quiet.
The legendary Great General of Qin had accepted command.
The Bird of Qin had returned to the battlefield.
Soon after, war horns echoed throughout Kanyou.
Across the capital, soldiers assembled beneath countless Qin banners.
Infantry formed into endless columns.
Supply wagons rolled through the city gates.
Archers, engineers, and cavalry prepared for the long march north.
At the head of the army stood Ou Ki.
Beside him rode Mou Bu, whose immense presence alone inspired the soldiers.
One hundred thousand Qin troops began their march toward the Kan Plains.
The earth trembled beneath thousands of galloping horses as Qin's cavalry surged ahead to reunite with the advancing infantry.
The Bird of Qin had spread its wings once again.
Far to the north...
Kan Plains.
Inside Qin headquarters, a massive map lay spread across the command table.
Hyou Ren stood before his commanders.
Around him sat Ri Yue, Lu Shen, Bao Jun, Tian Hao, Ri Shou, Mo Yun, and the other officers.
Outside the command tent, seventy-five thousand Qin soldiers prepared for the coming battle.
Inside, only one question remained.
How could they withstand an army of one hundred and twenty thousand Zhao soldiers...
...for five long days?