Two years had passed since the Great Coalition Army's invasion of Qin.
The greatest war in the kingdom's history had ended in a miraculous victory, but its consequences continued to linger across the land.
Along Qin's frontier, the devastation remained painfully visible. Entire villages that had once been reduced to ashes had slowly risen again, their new homes standing beside the charred remnants of the old. Fields abandoned during the war had finally begun producing crops once more, while craftsmen labored day and night rebuilding watchtowers, roads, and defensive walls that had been destroyed during the Coalition's advance.
The people believed peace had finally returned.
But those who stood upon the frontier knew otherwise.
Almost every month, enemy patrols crossed the frontier. Supply convoys were ambushed. Border forts were tested. Small raids became increasingly frequent, as though they were patiently searching for a weakness in Qin's defenses.
It was not peace.
It was merely the calm before another storm.
Within the capital of Duke Hyou Ren's domain, the great audience hall bustled with activity.
Officials and military officers lined both sides of the chamber while servants carried reports from every corner of the northeastern territories.
At the center of the hall stood a massive map stretching across an entire table.
Duke Hyou Ren silently studied the frontier.
Since inheriting Duke Hyou's title two years ago, the burden upon his shoulders had grown heavier with each passing season.
The northeastern border was no longer merely another frontier.
It had become Qin's first line of defense.
Footsteps echoed through the hall.
A royal messenger from Kanyou entered before kneeling.
"My Lord Duke."
"A military dispatch has arrived from the capital."
Hyou Ren turned.
"Read it."
The messenger unrolled the bamboo scroll.
"By order of the Military Affairs Bureau..."
"The Hi Shin Unit has once again distinguished itself during the recent border campaigns."
"Commander Ri Shin has officially been promoted to the rank of Four Thousand-Man Commander."
Duke Hyou Ren army generals exchanged approving smiles.
"So the young master has reached four thousand men already."
"He has climbed faster than most nobles."
Hyou Ren allowed himself a faint smile.
There was unmistakable pride in his face.
Although they seldom met, Hyou Ren had watched Shin's rise ever since the Battle of Bayou.
The messenger continued.
"Lieutenant Kyou Kai has likewise been promoted."
"She has been granted command of one thousand soldiers."
No one reacted with surprise.
One veteran general folded his arms.
"Expected."
"Her strength alone surpasses many generals."
Another nodded.
"She has earned that promotion countless times over."
Hyou Ren agreed.
"Kyou Kai's talent was never in question."
The messenger paused briefly before reading the final report.
"Military strategist Karyo Ten..."
"...has also received promotion to One Thousand-Man Commander."
The hall grew noticeably quieter.
Several officers looked at one another.
Even Ri Yue looked surprised.
"Kyou Kai was inevitable..."
"But Karyo Ten?"
The messenger bowed respectfully.
"The Military Affairs Bureau states that during the campaigns over the past two years..."
"Commander Karyo Ten repeatedly assumed command of detached formations whenever Commander Shin led the main assault."
"Her battlefield judgments allowed the Hi Shin Unit to overcome enemy forces several times their number."
He continued reading.
"In addition..."
"Her proficiency with the bow has become renowned throughout the frontier."
"Reports confirm that she personally slew numerous officers and several enemy commanders from extreme range while simultaneously directing troop movements."
The room murmured.
Ri Yue couldn't help but smile.
"I never imagined the little girl carrying maps behind Shin would one day earn such a title."
Hyou Ren's expression softened.
"The battlefield changes people."
"When one's resolve surpasses fear..."
"...even the impossible becomes reality."
He looked toward the open window overlooking the training grounds.
"Shin..."
"Kyou Kai..."
"Karyo Ten..."
"The younger generation has continued moving forward."
"They are becoming the pillars upon which Qin's future will stand."
Before another word could be spoken…
The great doors burst open.
A scout, covered from head to toe in dust and dried blood, stumbled into the chamber before collapsing onto one knee.
"My Lord Duke!"
His ragged breathing immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Emergency dispatch!"
Every conversation ceased.
Hyou Ren's gaze sharpened.
"Report."
The scout swallowed.
"Three days ago..."
"Two Zhao armies crossed the border simultaneously."
"They have surrounded the cities of Chiku and Kokugan."
"The invading force numbers approximately twenty thousand soldiers."
The chamber fell silent.
Twenty thousand.
That was no mere border raid.
It was an invasion.
Hyou Ren slowly approached the campaign map.
His eyes moved across the northeastern region.
"Twenty thousand..."
He placed one finger upon Chiku.
Another upon Kokugan.
Then...
His hand slowly drifted south.
"...No."
"They're not after either city."
The surrounding generals looked confused.
Ri Yue stepped closer to the map.
After a moment...
Her eyes widened.
"...Tonryuu."
Hyou Ren nodded.
"Exactly."
He pointed toward the fortress city.
"Chiku and Kokugan possess little strategic value."
"They are sacrifices."
"Their purpose is to force us into dividing our forces."
He looked toward every general.
"Once our attention is fixed upon rescuing those cities..."
"...the Zhao main army will descend upon Tonryuu."
"If Tonryuu falls..."
Hyou Ren finished his sentence.
"...the entire northeastern frontier collapses."
"The enemy would gain a direct road into our lands."
"The villages we spent two years rebuilding..."
"...would once again become battlefields."
No one spoke.
The weight of his words settled upon every officer.
Suddenly…
Another messenger entered.
Unlike the first scout...
His expression carried genuine terror.
"My Lord!"
"A second report!"
"It concerns Tonryuu!"
Hyou Ren turned immediately.
"What happened?"
The messenger hesitated.
Then spoke.
"The capital dispatched Lord Seikyou with reinforcements to strengthen Tonryuu's defenses."
Several generals nodded.
That much had been expected.
But the messenger's next words froze the room.
"...Lord Seikyou has declared rebellion."
Silence.
Utter silence.
"He has seized Tonryuu from within."
"The city's gates have been opened to Zhao envoys."
"Our spies report that he has entered into an alliance with Zhao's commanders."
One general slammed his fist onto the table.
"Impossible!"
"Has he lost his mind?!"
Another shouted,
"He would betray Qin itself?!"
Ri Yue's face darkened.
Hyou Ren remained silent.
His eyes slowly closed.
Then...
He spoke.
"The sieges..."
"...were never the real battle."
He looked once more toward the map.
"Chiku."
"Kokugan."
"They were bait."
"The real objective..."
"...has always been Tonryuu."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"If Tonryuu falls through treachery rather than force..."
"Then Zhao gains what they could never seize on the battlefield."
"A gateway into Qin."
"A foothold inside our borders."
"And from there..."
He looked toward the northeastern territories under his protection.
"...my lands become the first battlefield."
The atmosphere grew impossibly heavy.
Every officer understood the gravity of the situation.
This was no ordinary rebellion.
Nor was it a simple invasion.
It was a carefully orchestrated plot, combining military assault with internal betrayal.
After several moments of silence, Hyou Ren ascended the command platform.
His cloak billowed behind him.
His eyes swept across every commander assembled before him.
"Generals."
Every officer straightened instinctively.
"The enemy believes they have already won."
"They believe Qin will fracture from within."
"They believe treachery will accomplish what hundreds of thousands of soldiers could not."
"I shall show Zhao..."
"...that the spirit of Duke Hyou still protects this frontier."
He raised the blade high.
"Sound the war drums!"
"The Hyou Army shall march!"
The assembled generals struck their fists against their armor.
"YES, MY LORD!"
Outside the palace, enormous bronze war drums thundered across the you ruling capital.
BOOM!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!!
Their echoes rolled across the city like approaching thunder.
Barracks burst into motion.
Cavalry hurried to their stables.
Blacksmiths reignited their furnaces.
Supply wagons formed long columns through the streets.
Thousands of soldiers gathered beneath the fluttering banners bearing the black and crimson colors of House Hyou.
From atop the palace walls, Duke Hyou Ren gazed toward the distant northeast border, where dark clouds loomed over the horizon.
A cold wind swept across the battlements.
"The flames that consumed Qin two years ago..."
"...have begun to burn once again."
"And this time..."
"They burn within our own borders."
The campaign for Tonryuu had begun.