Following the banquet from which he ate little,General Xue Lei felt drained and decided to rest early in his bed chamber specially prepared for him by his servants.
Only to find himself in the same nightmare which had been haunting him time and again.
For years of relentless war against their Shibeibu adversaries, fighting side by side with his royal men who held him in high regard and laid their lives for him, and his captivity by enemy ruler had taken a toll on him.
However, another matter weighed heavily on his mind. It was one secret only he knew that haunted him and why he no longer wanted to live anymore.
It happened two years ago.
Just as his mentor Master Zhang trained him to be better apprentice, he passed on his knowledge to his men to be better soldiers. Zhan Bao, Qiang Shi and Kang Jie stood out as among the most outstanding. However, there was also a woman who volunteered to join his battalion after her parents perished in the First Capital Invasion.
It began as just the commander and subordinate relationship. As commander, he took responsibility to look after, train and being accountable for her with same treatment as his men. Yet there was something about Ling Er that attracted him eventually. Besides her beauty and intelligence, she showed genuine concern for him and others. Yet one incident changed her perception when she saved him from a certain death.
It was not an incident that he wanted to share or even think of. The superiority of their adversaries in terms of numbers, resources, technology and weaponry was already common knowledge, even if their combined territories were still slighter smaller than Dai Dynasty.
His recollections, though he was striving to suppress them, still lingered, and served as a painful reminder of how his own exceptional abilities were still eclipsed by his enemies eventually.
It not for her intervention, he could have perished along with others. Though he could have selected his three closest men to be his deputies, Ling Er was still the first to come into his mind despite her lack of experience in both individual and mecha combat.
Long story short, they combined their skills to defeat what was supposed to be just average but turned out to be more formidable - than they thought - enemy twins in their almost identical assault units. Though they barely won their last battle, and the enemies managed to escape, that incident brought them closer despite teasing from his men just out of fun in post-battle celebrations.
On the eve of their final fight together, he did what he had never done before. Sensing her sincerity, he decided that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Not just the first woman that entered his life but the only one he decided to marry. For years of battling had made him forget what it was like to be in love rather than fighting until one or the other died.
As the evening sun set down upon their base, he proposed to her on the balcony. As they kissed, he presented and put the made-shift copper ring on her middle finger. She looked shocked but probably sensing his sincerity as he already felt in her, she agreed.
The fateful day began like any morning in their remote base hidden among Mount Chong An.
Even though their enemies' moves were uncertain, his resourceful soldiers received troubling information - from aerial tower control stations - that the large continents were heading towards them and possibly preparing for another attack, with looming threat of a revenge-driven assault obviously from their last defeat.
That was precisely why he and his men made it a point to remind one another to be on guard and prepared always. Besides their weapons and Gladiator MK battle units, their readiness, strength and unity were as critical since their numbers were smaller than their enemies.
The exact timing and what weapons their enemies might deploy this time remained a mystery. Yet, one thing was clear. The returning enemies would be more formidable, and the blow they struck could be heavier than their previous encounters. The weight of this impending threat and burden of responsibility for his men weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Now in their full Dai body armor and piloting their mecha, Xue Lei addressed his men through his pilot monitor screens: "I sense our enemies closing in on us fast. So, everyone, keep your eyes open and follow my lead! Until we know for sure what they are up to, do not fire!
Everyone - including Kang Wei, Qiang Shi and Zhan Bao complied by acknowledging: "Yes, sir!"
To ensure his impartiality even though she had accepted his proposal the night before, he reminded her instructing, "And you too, Ling Er!"
"I will!" She copied his instructions in her pink and white armor with helmet mask which complimented his as the new warring couple while his men remained in standard white and blue.
Despite the red skies caused by past eruptions - which also resulted in their other half of their base being deep underground for shelter and protection, sunlight rays penetrated through the hazy smoke and equally polluted clouds turning from once white to light red. By right, these should be positive omens for anybody waking up at early dawn.
But not for Xue Lei and his men.
"General, there they are!" Wei Cong called out via his monitor.
This time, there were three Shibeibu hive carriers instead of just one.
Serving as carriers and transports for Shibeibu assault units, the upper parts of their dark oval-shaped hulls had triple setups connected to central cores and served as control stations for command crew. The lower parts had red and amber oval eyes on all sides, implying the presence of hidden weapons besides surveillance sensors.
Shortly, one of them lifted open its top cover, revealing four compartments, each containing what seemed like thousands of smaller oval objects. These smaller shapes emerged in a massive swarm, accelerating like angry hornets from their mother hive upon sensing intruders.
Xue Lei, closely examining the scene through his monitor's zoom-in feature, promptly identified them as Shibeibu pod fighters, also referred to as Gerwingers.
The aircraft had a striking resemblance to helmets, with a red fin protruding from the forehead and twin cannons positioned on either side. Each helmet was also adorned with red tubes that appeared to provide support for other components. From observation and considering the findings by his tech crew, he estimated that those Gerwingers could reach speeds of up to 1900 kilometres per hour.
Their appearance as main strike force drastically increased the intensity of the forthcoming battle, even though he and his men recognized them as just standard heavy-assault units having faced and defeated them time and again.
Within his imposing pink and white Gladiator MK-O otherwise known as Leo by nickname, General Xue Lei took immediate command of the situation. He swiftly issued orders to his men, his voice cutting through the tension: "Prepare to fire at my mark!"
Upon his command, his squadron sprang into action, equipping their MKs with gatling guns and wrist-mounted shields. The purpose was twofold: to prepare for counterattacks against the formidable Gerwingers and to ensure their protection from impending heavy fire.
The Gerwingers, it seemed, were one step ahead, as they initiated their assault by unveiling their twin-mounted cannons. Intense orange flames erupted from these weapons, intensifying the brightness of what was already a clear dawn. The battlefield was set ablaze, both figuratively and literally, as both forces clashed.
Realizing the urgency of the moment amidst the cacophony of heavy cannon fire, Xue Lei bellowed: "Fire NOW!"
His authoritative voice resonated, ensuring that all his men received his crucial command despite the deafening roar of battle. This was a pivotal moment in which their focus, discipline and coordination were put to the ultimate test.
As the Gerwingers closed in on their targets, they underwent a seamless transformation in their configuration.
Despite their cannon guns firing continuously, they swiftly adjusted their form. Their lower sections, initially supported by what appeared to be red tubes, underwent a rapid shift. These segments separated from one another, forming lower body wrists and legs. Simultaneously, their helmet sides, upon which those cannons were mounted, split open to reveal articulated arms.
This transformation revealed both their versatility and combat readiness. It was as though their configuration had been designed to serve a dual purpose: to efficiently engage in both aerial and ground combat. Within their right hands, each wielded hand-held beam javelin doubling as automatic beam rifle for both short-and-long-range shooting.
Their alternate modes as Gerwalkers, along with their weaponry, made them deadly adversaries in any battle scenario - even as basic strike force by Shibeibu standards, further raising the stakes for General Xue Lei and his troops as they faced this potent enemy force.
While their Dai Gladiators were modelled upon Shibeibu mecha, transformation remained one area their research and development teams were struggling to come up with as counter measures due to limited resources.
Their only other weapon was the will to fight and defend against overwhelming odds.
Using his imagery helmet, Xue Lei controlled his Leo's arms and legs effortlessly. Using those arms and hands, he withdrew his auto beam rifle, one of his two reliable weapons, from his mecha's backpack. This state-of-the-art firearm was known for its smooth and ergonomic appearance, with a streamlined barrel and a digital targeting system. Powered by those, it utilized energy to shoot concentrated projectiles in the form of continuous beams.
With swift and menacing strides, the first Gerwalker accelerated towards him, its weapons ablaze. Xue quickly responded with a strategic maneuver, seamlessly converting his Gladiator into a defensive configuration.
He pulled the trigger of his MK-O's beam rifle and fired two shots with calculated accuracy. The first shot at the enemy's helmeted head, and the second at its lower legs. They proved devastating as assault unit erupted in fiery explosion.
However, his jubilation was short-lived, as a new threat approached from behind. The second Gerwalker launched a surprise attack which caught him off guard momentarily. He swiftly retaliate, unleashing a barrage of blue bolts from beam rifle. Simultaneously, he reached for his other weapon that had proved its worth time and again.
The Si Dao blade.
Also known as scimitar, it had been among the most renowned close-quarter weapons in Dai history. A masterfully curved blade known for its exquisite design and deadly effectiveness in combat, it was characterized by a slightly convex curvature, which enabled precise slashing motions. Featuring intricate designs and engravings that symbolized the rich history and heritage of Dais, the hilt was often ornately decorated and covered most of the blade except its top sharp tip.
But it could be extended by him as wielder if he wanted to as emergency measures. Such as now. With his Gladiator MK-0's one hand continuously firing with auto beam rifle, he deftly intercepted the oncoming javelin spear rifle with his other, equipped with the formidable blade. The clash of those lethal weapons created cracking bursts of sparks from Yin and Yang adversaries.
However, he had something else on his sleeve.
Upon battling the second Gerwalker, Xue executed a diversionary maneuver. Rather than continually firing at the enemy blasts, he swiftly executed a calculated lower body cut that involved his Gladiator severing the enemy's lower left leg. This unexpected assault temporarily disoriented the enemy, enabling him to execute his next move.
With impressive accuracy and agility, he skilfully combined the sharp slashes of the Si Dao scimitar and the powerful shots of the auto beam rifle into a single deadly weapon. In a seamless motion, he unleashed a series of blue bursts from his rifle, destroying both sets of its shoulder-mounted cannons and the enemy as well. All while protecting himself with his Gladiator MK-O's wrist shields.
After successfully defeating both Gerwalkers, he paused to evaluate his surroundings. The battle scene was evenly matched with success and defeat, as some of his soldiers rejoiced in their triumph while others had perished, adding to the solemn count of casualties incurred from this and previous battles. Amid the chaos, his primary worry shifted to his beloved woman Ling Er.
But he had no time to think further as his tracker revealed swarms of more dark flying helmet heads swooping, transitioning from their aerial Gerwingers to ground-based Gerwalkers.
Just as he got himself ready to confront more of those, a heroic act of camaraderie. disrupted his plans, as his three trusted subordinates, Zhan Bao, Qiang Shi, and Kang Jie, suddenly appeared in their familiar blue and white Gladiator MK-Is.
They swiftly arranged themselves in a protective formation, shielding his Leo. This sight served as a powerful testament to the unbreakable loyalty and connection shared between them, who had fought together for a long time through thick and thin.
His monitor screen flickered to life as Zhan Bao appeared, delivering a simple yet powerful message to their leader: "Go and find your woman. We'll cover you here."
Zhan Bao's words encapsulated the deep respect and camaraderie that existed among his men. For he and his other men recognized the importance of personal connections, even during battle, and were willing to put themselves on the front line to ensure his safety and give him the opportunity to reconnect with his beloved woman soon to be his wife assuming they both won this battle and still lived.
Xue Lei, confident in the abilities of his comrades, made a quick decision to break away from the frontline to locate Libra, another pink and white Gladiator piloted by Ling Er.
Nonetheless, he had a strong intuition that she was fully engaged in the fight against enemy mechas as well.
As the battle escalated, he and his troops soon realized that the challenges they were facing were far from over. The emergence of initial assault wave from first carrier was just the beginning. Through another monitor screen, he noticed the other two carriers reappearing and unleashing the second and third wave of aerial assault units. Only this time, they were not the familiar black Gerwingers or Gerwalkers but other types in plain green and violet also in swarms of thousands.
What made this particularly daunting was presence of what appeared to be two imperial warheads guiding those forces as well. These command ships were more elegant, intimidating and larger than the standard types, implying that they were the leaders and strategists behind this offensive.
Gerswoops! He muttered to himself in thoughts. Instead of cannon guns, these secondary aerial enemies were equipped with wing-mounted molar heads that unleashed a relentless hail of crimson beam arrows. When combined with the cannon fire from the remaining Gerwalkers, the squadron faced an overwhelming assault that tested their mettle and resourcefulness even in limited strength.
As well as making his search for her even more difficult.
Their designs were unique and intriguing. Besides the upper portions with rounded structures, they featured unique brows extending upwards from the back as well as wing-like flaps from their sides. These not only enhanced their visual appeal but also served as the launching points for their destructive beam arrows.
Upon closer look, they were of elaborate metalwork, lacquer coatings, and steel plates around what appeared to be a formidable mouth-like structure at the bottom of the mecha. This gave them an imposing and distinctive appearance, evoking images of ancient armor and craftsmanship.
Upon transitioning to their humanoid forms, the Gerswoops underwent a remarkable metamorphosis into what Xue Lei identified as Gerwelders. These green assault units made a powerful impact as they landed on the ground, clearly showcasing their combat prowess.
Engaging in a fierce battle against the Dai Gladiators, they skilfully wielded beam spear rifles mounted upon and firing rapid burst of red bolts from their right shoulders while their hands were armed with green bows - configured from vertical brows and now detached - and firing deadly crimson arrows which caused spherical explosions upon impact.
They served as efficient mechanical archers, showcasing deadly precision and accuracy in their long-and-short range attacks. These was the result of their skilled pilots, also expert archers, enhancing their effectiveness and making them tougher enemy reinforcements.
Undaunted by their arrival and capabilities, Xue continued his search for his fiancée. When he finally found her in similar pink and white Gladiator but of latest MK-9 series, she despatched two Gerwalkers with rapid blue bursts of lightning bolts from her Techno Machine Pistol also known as TMP.
Activating the communications link, he attempted to reestablish contact with her. When her face was on his monitor screen with the same relief and joy as him, he felt completely at ease.
"Ling Er, please stay on my tail! We've new enemy reinforcements arriving at 4'o clock!" He warned her. Upon seeing his other five comrades on separate screens, he commanded, "And all of you too! Remain in my position and ready for counterattack formation!"
"Yes, sir!" All of them complied as they moved their mecha around his in a tight formation. As much as he wanted to, he was unable to contact with all his men as some were still engaging the combined enemy contingents.
However, their reunion joy did not last long, as the enemy's adaptability became evident. Looking at the situation, it seemed their enemies had not only identified him as main Dai commander but also devised new tactics to target him alone, while distracting his men with their combined forces of Gerwingers and Gerswoops, in the form of their leading command ships that had earlier emerged from the carriers.
The first possessed an intimidating appearance, blending elements of a sleek hover tank and a powerful mecha warrior. Its black and purple armor featured two curved protrusions on its shoulders, below which its arms were mounted with twin mega cannon blasters instead of hands. The mecha's central core resembled a helmet, with a metallic face mask and a visor that gave it a dark menacing presence. The overall design was a formidable fusion of advanced weaponry and imposing, humanoid-inspired design.
The second appeared like a black and red Samurai helmet mask with what resembled four energy beam ray guns - with two on each side of its upper head while the lower portion comprised of dark steel plates with red coaters and lower wrist jetpacks. These enabled both mobility and swift attacks while offering itself ample protection. The plates were contoured to its body to ensure a secure fit.
"Form a defensive ring formation!" Xue called out over his communications link. Instinctively all six of his available men around him - including his beloved woman Ling Er - complied despite knowing that even doing so would not guarantee them any winning chance.
This was a tactical maneuver designed to provide mutual support and protection for one another despite overwhelming odds stacked against them. This order demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the safety of his loyal comrades, including his beloved Ling Er.
As the approaching mechanical Gerwelders archers unleashed a barrage of crimson beam arrows streaking through the sky with deadly precision, the members of Xue's squadron took immediate action. General Xue, armed with his auto beam rifle, Ling Er, with her TMP and the others equipped with gatling guns, unleashed a storm of pale blue firepower to intercept the incoming threats.
Their synchronized response highlighted their resilience and determination to fight against overwhelming odds.
Despite being outnumbered twenty to six.
Amid this chaotic and challenging situation, his trusted aides, Kang Jie, Qiang Shi, and Zhan Bao, continued to engage both Gerwalkers and Gerwelders somewhere. Nevertheless, their valiant efforts underscored their unwavering commitment to each other and their determination to face this formidable enemy force head-on.
In any circumstances, they could still win. But this time, those duo command flying heads had other ideas. While still firing with their cannon blasters and beam ray guns which added to those crimson arrows as artificial death lightnings, they headed straight for him.
The first one morphed from a hover-tank like aircraft into a cutting edge and imposing assault unit. Its sleek and aerodynamic form was painted in a dominant combination of deep metallic black and red, giving it a commanding presence on the battlefield.
Its head unit featured a unique angular design with a V-fin antenna and sinister crimson eyes that conveyed a sense of focused determination. The overall aesthetic of the head unit was reminiscent of samurai warrior with skull face and mythical hydra, with sharp, angular features and a fearsome presence. Its torso was well-armoured and bulky, providing both protection and a sense of mass.
Its shoulders were equipped with heavy armor plates, and powerful arms extending down to its massive, three-fingered hands. Its legs were sturdy and built for stability, with well-articulated joints that enabled agile movement. Its feet were large and flat, providing a secure foothold on various terrains.
On its back were five backpack thrusters, which give it impressive manoeuvrability and propulsion. These thrusters, arranged in a hexagonal pattern, attributed to the Its ability to engage in high-speed combat maneuvers in both flying headlike aircraft and present humanoid modes.
His companion took on a more oriental like form. The overall shape of the head unit was streamlined, featuring angular contours that enhance its aerodynamic quality.
Besides thrusters, it embodied a combination of strength and grace in its design. Its advanced features, versatile armaments, and medical support systems making it an effective assault unit capable of excelling in various combat and humanitarian missions.
Its torso was well-armoured and muscular, providing excellent protection to its vital systems. The chest area featured a prominent white V-shaped section, adding elegance to the design.
Its shoulders were equipped with sturdy armor plates that give it a broad-shouldered and imposing appearance while its arms looked powerful and muscular, featuring a well-articulated design enabling precise and agile movement. Its hands were multi-fingered and dexterous, making it highly effective in both close-quarter combat and handling various equipment.
Its legs were also well-proportioned, designed for stability and mobility. With its large and flat fee, it provided secure footing on various terrains.
Upon landing in their humanoid forms, both enemy commanders activated their own hand-held weapons with remarkable speed and precision. However, in a surprising twist, their blades materialized not as handheld weapons, but rather as integral components of their mechanical frames.
The first commander's blades extended vertically from its wrist, resembling a pair of long and slender swords. In contrast, the second's weapons were deadlier in forms of larger curved blades.
Immediately he activated his communication link to convey instructions to his beloved Ling Er. Emphasizing the importance of her role in supporting their comrades and maintaining a unified defence, he assertively expressed, "Ling Er, I'll take care of this. Please assist the others and relay my message to them."
Upon on his own facing his enemy counterparts, he could not help but whisper quietly to himself, Try picking someone of your own size! That despite realizing his adversaries being larger and more powerful than his own Gladiator Leo.
Realizing that his auto-beam rifle no longer effective in close combat, he stored it back into his jetpack, making his Si Dao his main weapon for this crucial encounter. His complete focus sharpened as he prepared for the intense battle ahead, further escalating the ongoing conflict on the battlefield.
With a swift and practiced motion, he activated his weapon hilt, causing the blade to extend an additional twenty inches in length. As his formidable adversaries circled closer, closing in for the imminent clash, he harnessed the capabilities to give his weapon the edge it needed. He added a surge of thrust power to his Gladiator's feet, granting him the ability to leap higher into the air, positioning himself for a decisive swing with his scimitar.
The initial confrontation between him and enemy commander was marked by their equal skill and agility. With a single wrist blade, the enemy mecha effortlessly deflected Xue Lei's powerful attack, while launching his own attack with the other seemingly with intent to chop off his Gladiator's weapon hands only to be blocked by his curved blade.
Both combatants engaged in a vigorous clash of blades, each determined to overcome the other's defence and deliver a crushing blow. The outcome of the battle was far from certain, as both sides were evenly matched and fought relentlessly to gain the upper hand.
His scimitar whirled, spat and hissed against the equally deadly blades now displayed in the form of X defence by the enemy and dominated his entire viewing screen as his Gladiator fand enemy mecha stood nearly toe-to-toe, his own single scimitar locking against those.
Just when it appeared that the tide might turn in his favor, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. Out of the blue, from the rear, the second enemy commander, who had been forgotten by him momentarily, seized its opportunity. With a swift and precise motion, the second commander thrusted its formidable weapon – a larger and more curved blade – into the chest of Xue Lei's Gladiator Leo.
He found himself in a precarious position from surprise underhanded yet effective attack, which had left him and his combat unit reeling. The enemy's killer strike had not only caught him off guard but had also created a gaping breach in his Gladiator's core armor screen, creating cracks and falling pieces of shattered glass. With his other adversaries going in for the final blow, the battle had taken a dire turn.
But that was secondary to what was to happen next.
Despite being ordered by him to join his other men to hold off the enemy contingents, his beloved woman Ling Er suddenly appeared in front of him, her pink and white Gladiator MK-9 Libra armed with Yue Guang blade - made from finest Dai metals as his own Si Dao. She had obviously seen what happened and was determined to help him.
Problem was she never got to use it.
Another Shibeibu carrier suddenly emerged from behind her. Instead of opening its upper half to launch more Gerwingers or Gerswoops, it activated whirling blades around its mid-section.
Then it did the unthinkable.
It descended upon her Gladiator MK-9 with its whirling blades acting like a spinning wheel before vertically slicing her battle unit into half with relative ease in seconds like knife cutting through hot butter.
NO! His heart screamed as the resulting spherical explosions were both a visual and emotional shock, for the only woman Xue Lei had known and loved was taken from him in an instant while the carrier remained intact.
The shock and grief that coursed through him ignited an intense motivation, making his mind race and his blood veins boil with a newfound purpose.
He was unable to describe why but could clearly feel. Anyone would in that scenario. For the tragedy of the woman, he loved and was going to marry, filled him with blind fury. Despite being entangled in a fierce battle with his two enemy counterparts, his heart screamed in anguish at the tragic fate that had befallen his fiancée.
Determined to avenge her death and driven by his anger, Xue pulled out the blade that impaled his Gladiator, freeing himself from one enemy commander, only for his compatriot accelerating for fatal blow.
There were just three things left for him to do in that heated moment.
Firstly, he unleashed his MK-0's shoulder-mounted heat-seeking missiles in a desperate attempt to fend off the impending danger. However, the enemy commander swiftly countered by deploying its own shoulder plasma energy blasters, not only neutralizing his missiles but also sending destructive blasts towards him.
Secondly, he quickly maneuvered his Gladiator out of harm's way at last moment. The enemy's blasts meant for him inadvertently struck down the other enemy commander that had impaled his unit from behind moments ago.
Finally seizing that opportunity, he quickly extracted and pulled the trigger of his auto beam rifle before firing and eliminating his foes for good with a single but deadly blue blast.
With them destroyed, his next instinct was to hunt down and destroy the malevolent carrier responsible for his love's demise.
However, much to his anger, the carrier had inexplicably vanished from sight, leaving no discernible traces. Moreover, the remaining two enemy carriers, alongside the Gerwingers and Gerwalkers, appeared to have retreated or withdrawn, their presence vanishing as mysteriously as it had appeared.
It was just him, Kang Jie and Zhan Bao as only survivors of their squadron in the aftermath of battlefield now turned to wreckage graveyard. Their other comrades, who fought valiantly beside them, sacrificed their lives as well.
General Xue Lei felt a deep sense of loss, not only for the fallen soldiers but also for Ling Er, the love he had just lost in the chaos of war.
"Wake up, wake up, sir!"
The urgency in the servant's voice roused Xue Lei from his nightmare. Startled and disoriented, he found himself being seized by two Dai guards before he could even rise from bed.
"What's going on?" His voice wavered with a mix of shock and confusion, the remnants of his dream still lingering as he faced the equally bewildering reality unfolding before him.
"You've to come with us immediately," One of them answered firmly, their expressions grim and determined.
Before he had a chance to comprehend the situation fully, a familiar and unwelcome voice pierced the room. "Well, well, well, look what we've here?"
His heart sank as he recognized the voice even before directing his gaze towards Advisor and Decree Reader Chen Xi. His sly moustached look, red turban hat and official robes was an ominous sight in the dimly lit room. For he had long been serving Premier Hu as among his Imperial Royal Circle members.
His eyes darted to the table not far from his bed, where Shibeibu weaponry lay ominously.
A black blaster and a whip.
"Advisor Chen, what're you doing here?" He asked with suspicion, his mind already racing with the thought that Chen was up to no good.
"General Xue, we just did a random check on your chamber," Chen replied, his tone laced with an air of calm and sarcasm. "and found these." He gestured towards the weapons, maintaining a deliberate casualness.
Xue's disbelief was palpable. "That's absurd! My conscience is clear. I'll never do such a thing! And what other proof do you have? Who gave you permission to search my room?"
"With all due respect, General, or should I now just call you Xue Lei?" Chen's tone remained unfazed as he responded. "Those weapons are sufficient to prove your violation of our laws as official criminal under Section 6 Act 94. You now have every right to remain silent, even as a former commander. Guards, take him away!"
His servant Ah Nan, bearing a look of terror, chimed in with an apology: "I'm terribly sorry, sir. I told them you were still sleeping, but they insisted on searching your room."
Speechless and apprehensive, Xue was escorted out of his chamber, his once noble status and freedom stripped away as he was led away by the guards. The unexpected turn of events had triggered a treacherous path ahead, filled with uncertainty.
This is General Xue Lei.
Also known as Jiang Xue Lei by his full name, he is more popularly addressed by his last two names.
A highly respected Dai military commander renowned for his loyalty, patriotism, and exceptional martial prowess.
Born in the fishing and port island of Bao Dong among southern regions, he hailed from a family that struggled with poverty. However, he overcame his modest beginnings through his dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.
After successfully finishing his education and training in Dai Academy, he quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his exceptional abilities to lead and his bravery in combat.
He fights relentlessly for the well-being of his soldiers and the civilians, earning a reputation not only for his victories on the battlefield but also for his unwavering dedication to protecting the Dai Dynasty and driving away the Shibeibu adversaries, regardless of the sacrifices required.
He is also their friend and sworn brother, always taking time to listen and help in whatever he can.
Also plays a crucial part in enacting crucial military changes, such as implementing standardized training, adopting new strategies and weaponry which includes creation and development of Gladiators mecha modelled upon Shibeibu counterparts.
His unwavering allegiance and commitment to defending his homeland elevated him to the status of a national icon, embodying the virtues of filial piety and inspiring both military personnel and civilians alike.
Except Premier Hu and his Imperial Royal Circle who saw his war campaigns against Shibeibu Empire to reclaim what his kingdom had lost as complete waste of time, resources and more precious lives lost with no clear conclusion in their favour as their enemies were still superior in most areas.
Before getting promoted as General, he excels as among Master Zhang's outstanding pupils in fencing and swordplay during his Academy training. However, their collaboration was cut short when Master Zhang suffered a severe leg injury that took a year to heal. As a result, the Academy's board decided to revoke Master Zhang's teaching license.
The Jiang Manor, situated in Jiang Zhou, is the home of his family. He grew up there, surrounded by family members who shared his strong love for their country and dedication to protecting their land. Sadly, his father and brothers lost their lives in defending the First Capital City against the Shibeibu invaders.
This leaves the household with just women left, including his mother Jiang Xue Niang.
Speaking of women, the one and only he ever met, fell in love and decided to be committed throughout his military career - is his subordinate Ling Er - who sadly died in their last battle together.
However, these no longer matters now as he is now arrested and about to be imprisoned for crimes he does not even commit.