A year had passed since the great Coalition Army invasion.
The greatest threat Qin had ever faced had been repelled, but the victory came at a devastating cost.
Across the frontlines, the lands that once stood proudly beneath the Qin banner had been reduced to ruins. Fields that once provided harvests for countless families were now barren. Villages that had existed for generations had been turned into ashes.
Even after the enemy armies had withdrawn, the suffering of the people did not end.
The refugees who had fled from the approaching armies slowly began returning to their homes, hoping to rebuild the lives they had lost.
But what greeted them was not the villages they remembered.
It was destruction.
Homes were nothing more than piles of burned wood. Wells had been destroyed. Farms had been trampled beyond repair. The places where families had laughed and lived were now silent fields of ash.
For many, the war had ended.
But for the common people, another battle had only begun.
The collapse of Qin's defensive lines had also created another danger. With the outer defenses weakened, enemy remnants and wandering soldiers were able to move dangerously close to civilian settlements.
To prevent further suffering, Qin's central command dispatched numerous mid-scale military units throughout the frontier regions.
Their missions were simple.
Protect the people.
Drive away remaining enemy forces.
And rebuild the land that had been broken by war.
Soldiers who had once fought on the battlefield now carried timber and supplies. Commanders who had led armies now supervised the reconstruction of villages.
Qin understood that restoring its strength required more than victory, it required restoring the faith of its people.
And during this year of rebuilding, the names of Qin's rising generation continued to spread.
Duke Hyou Ren stood upon the walls of his estate, listening quietly as reports from across Qin were delivered before him.
"The latest reports have arrived, my lord."
The messenger bowed.
"Young Master Shin of the Hi Shin Unit has officially been promoted."
Hyou Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Promoted?"
"Yes. He has reached the rank of a 3000-man commander."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Hyou Ren gave a faint smile.
"So the reckless young soldier who once charged into battle without fear has finally taken another step toward becoming a true general."
The messenger continued.
"There are also reports regarding his strategist, Karyo Ten."
"Karyo Ten?"
"It appears she has shown considerable talent with a bow. She has begun training and fighting alongside the unit using one."
Hyou Ren raised an eyebrow.
"The little strategist who once stood behind the battlefield has now chosen to fight from the frontlines herself?"
A small laugh escaped him.
"The battlefield changes everyone who steps upon it."
But the next report caused his expression to become more serious.
"There is also news regarding Great General Mougou."
The messenger lowered his voice.
"Before his passing, Shin visited Great General Mougou at his deathbed."
The room fell silent.
Mougou.
One of Qin's most respected commanders.
A man who carried the burden of countless battles despite being underestimated by many.
Hyou Ren closed his eyes.
"So until his final moments, he continued guiding the next generation of Qin's warriors."
The passing of Mougou marked the end of an era.
But Qin itself continued moving forward.
The messenger then presented another report.
"Qin's military expansion has also achieved major success."
"During this year, two enormous Wei cities have fallen."
Hyou Ren looked toward him.
"Which ones?"
"Keito and Kyuu."
The messenger continued.
"Keito was captured under the command of General Ousen."
"Ousen..."
Hyou Ren muttered.
"As expected of him. A fortress that should have stood for years was likely dismantled through his calculations."
"And Kyuu was captured by General Kanki."
The room grew colder.
"Kanki..."
Unlike Ousen's precision, Kanki's victories were always accompanied by terror and unpredictability.
Yet there was no denying the result.
Two gigantic Wei cities had fallen into Qin's hands.
Qin had suffered a great wound.
But Qin was still advancing.
However, not all the news from the other states brought relief.
"There is also information from Zhao."
The messenger hesitated.
"Riboku has been stripped of his position as Prime Minister."
Hyou Ren's expression changed.
"Removed?"
"Yes. The failure of the Coalition Army has caused great outrage within Zhao's court. Many officials have placed the blame upon Riboku."
For a moment, Hyou Ren remained silent.
Riboku.
The man who had brought together the six kingdoms.
The man who had nearly brought Qin to its knees.
Even after defeat, Hyou Ren understood that such a man could not simply disappear.
"A tiger does not lose its fangs simply because it has been wounded."
The messenger nodded.
"But my lord... there is another matter."
Hyou Ren looked up.
"The situation within Qin has become increasingly unstable."
"The conflict between His Majesty and the Chancellor has intensified."
The messenger lowered his head.
"The struggle for influence between both sides has reached a dangerous level. Supporters of both factions are gathering, and the court of Kanyou has become a battlefield of its own."
The room became quiet.
For years, Qin had fought against enemies beyond its borders.
But now...
The greatest challenge facing Qin might not be an invasion from another kingdom.
It would be the conflict brewing within itself.
Hyou Ren looked toward the distant horizon.
"The scars of war remain upon our lands..."
His voice was calm, yet heavy.
"And before Qin can continue its march toward unification..."
His hand tightened around the report.
"It must first overcome the storm rising within."