The Hyou Mansion had never been this lively before.
For generations, the Hyou family had been one of the influential noble houses in the northeastern region of Qin. Their territory was vast, their military strength respected, and their name carried weight among the nobles.
Now, the entire mansion was decorated for a celebration that would be remembered for years.
The wedding of Hyou Shin.
The young commander who had inherited the blood of the Hyou family.
Yet, despite his noble birth, many outside the northeastern region still knew little about Shin's true identity.
To the world, he was simply the fierce young commander who had risen through the military ranks.
Only a select few knew that the man who stood on the battlefield was also the grandson of Duke Hyou.
Several days before the wedding, Shin received an unexpected message from Kanyou.
A royal messenger arrived scouring the northeastern villages trying to find Commander Shin before arriving at the Hyou ruling city.
"Commander Shin."
Shin immediately recognized the royal seal.
"From Sei?"
The messenger nodded.
"His Majesty King Ei Sei sends his deepest apologies. He will be unable to attend your wedding."
Shin became silent.
"Why?"
The messenger lowered his head.
"The conflict within the royal court has intensified. The struggle between His Majesty's faction and Chancellor Ryu Fui has reached a critical stage."
"His Majesty cannot leave Kanyou at this moment."
Shin clenched his fist slightly.
He understood.
Ei Sei was not refusing because he did not care.
The king was fighting his own battle.
A battle that decided the future of Qin.
"I see..."
Shin looked at the royal letter.
"Tell Sei that I understand."
However, the next two responses were far less complicated.
Shin had personally sent invitations to two people he considered rivals.
Mou Ten.
Ou Hon.
When the two young commanders received the invitations, they were surprised.
"A wedding invitation from Shin?" Mou Ten smiled.
"That idiot actually invited us personally."
Ou Hon looked at the invitation calmly.
"A wedding."
Mou Ten looked at him.
"You are not thinking of refusing, are you?"
Ou Hon crossed his arms.
"Of course I am."
Mou Ten blinked.
"What?"
Ou Hon looked away.
"I am the son of the Ou family. Attending a commoner's wedding would only create unnecessary attention."
Mou Ten sighed.
"You really are impossible."
Ou Hon continued.
"Besides, we are commanders. We have responsibilities."
Mou Ten looked at the invitation again.
"It's strange though..."
"What?"
"Shin personally invited us. He must consider us important."
Neither of them knew the truth.
The person they viewed as a reckless battlefield monster was not a commoner.
He was the grandson of Duke Hyou.
A noble whose family stood among Qin's great houses.
The irony was that the three people Shin wanted to see most at his wedding…
Ei Sei.
Mou Ten.
Ou Hon.
…were the only ones who could not attend.
The wedding ceremony began.
Nobles from the northeastern territories arrived in large numbers.
Representatives from allied noble houses came forward to congratulate the Hyou family.
"Congratulations, Young Master Shin."
"The Hyou family's name will continue to shine."
"Your achievements have brought honor to the northeastern lands."
Shin stood beside Kyou Kai and Karyo Ten.
Unlike the battlefield, where he faced enemies without hesitation, this moment made him strangely nervous.
Kyou Kai looked at him.
"You have fought thousands of enemies, but you look more nervous now."
Shin scratched his head.
"Battles are easier."
Karyo Ten laughed.
"You are unbelievable."
For the first time, Shin was not fighting for victory.
He was celebrating the family he was abou to create.
After the wedding ceremony ended, the Hyou Mansion returned to its usual rhythm.
But for Shin, life had changed forever.
He was no longer only a commander chasing the dream of becoming the greatest general under the heavens.
He was now a husband.
And a man responsible for protecting the future of his bloodline.
Despite the happiness of the wedding, the battlefield never stopped calling.
Shin, Kyou Kai, and Karyo Ten soon received orders to return to the frontlines.
Together, the three departed from the Hyou Mansion once again.
Before leaving, Shin looked back at his family.
His parents.
His grandparents.
And the family he had created.
He clenched his fist.
"I will return."
1 year passed.
The news arrived at the Hyou Mansion.
Karyo Ten had given birth.
A healthy baby boy.
Shin's first son.
The first male child of the new generation of the Hyou family.
When Shin received the message on the battlefield, he remained silent for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
"A son..."
For years, Shin had fought to achieve his dream.
But now, he had another reason to survive every battle.
Not long after, another message arrived.
Kyou Kai had also given birth.
Twin boys.
The Hyou Mansion celebrated once again.
Three children.
Three sons of Shin.
The future heirs of the Hyou family.
However, they were still only infants.
Too young to understand the world around them.
Inside the Hyou Mansion, Princess Ai You spent her days caring for her great-grandchildren.
The old princess watched the three infants sleeping peacefully.
She smiled.
"Your father is fighting far away."
She gently held one of the babies.
"But he is fighting for the world you will inherit."
Beside her, Hyou Ren and Ri Yue watched quietly.
The Generals who had faced countless enemies now found themselves enjoying a simple moment.
A peaceful family.
Something they had fought for their entire life.
However, that peace was interrupted.
One evening, Princess Ai You entered the room carrying several sealed letters.
"Hyou Ren."
Her son immediately noticed her expression.
"What happened?"
Princess Ei You placed the letters on the table.
"Reports from our informants."
Hyou Ren opened the first letter.
His eyes narrowed.
"Zhao..."
He opened another.
"Wei."
Another.
"Chu."
Another.
"Qi."
Another.
"Han."
Another.
"Yan."
Ri Yue looked at the reports.
"That is strange."
Hyou Ren remained silent.
Six different kingdoms.
Six different borders.
All showing unusual military movements.
But no declaration of war.
No official hostility.
Only preparation.
"This is..."
Hyou Ren stopped.
He did not finish his sentence.
Because he did not have enough information.
After years of war, he understood something.
Armies did not move without a reason.
But he could not yet see the reason.
"Do you believe they are cooperating?"
Ai You asked.
Hyou Ren shook his head.
"I do not know."
His eyes remained fixed on the map.
"Right now, all I know is that something is happening."
"Until we know their objective, we cannot make assumptions."
The Great General stood.
"Summon my generals and commanders."
Inside the Hyou war room, General Ru Yue, General Bao Jun, General Tian Hao, General Mo Yun, General Lu Shen, and the other commanders gathered.
Hyou Ren placed the reports before them.
"The movements of Zhao, Wei, Chu, Qi, Han, and Yan are suspicious."
The commanders studied the information.
Ri Yue frowned.
"But there is no proof of their intentions."
Hyou Ren nodded.
"So, we are making preparations…"
The room became silent.
The Hyou Army began preparing.
Not for a known war.
But for an unknown threat.
Far away on the battlefield, Shin continued fighting.
He had no idea what was happening beyond Qin's borders.
He only knew one thing.
His family was waiting for him.
His three sons were waiting for him.
And he would return.
No matter what enemy stood before him.
But beyond Qin's borders...
Kings and generals began making their moves.
Secret meetings.
Hidden agreements.
Armies gathering.
The world was slowly changing.
And Qin had not yet realized...