News of the assassination attempt spread through Shen City by morning.
Rumors moved faster than patrols.
Some said assassins slipped through the walls like ghosts. Others claimed imperial agents had already marked the city for destruction.
Fear—subtle but dangerous—began to creep into conversations.
Qin Wang Shan knew this was the enemy's real weapon.
Not knives.
Fear.
He summoned the city's military officers at once.
Commander Han and several captains gathered inside the command hall, armor still bearing marks from the previous night's fight.
Qin Wang Shan stood before a map of Shen City and the surrounding territory.
"Our enemies have changed tactics," he said calmly.
"They are no longer testing us. They want leadership removed."
Silence filled the hall.
"If they cannot burn the city," he continued, "they will cut off its head."
Commander Han clenched his jaw.
"Then we tighten protection around you, Your Highness."
Qin Wangshan shook his head.
"No."
The officers blinked.
"If I hide behind guards," he said, "the city will believe I am afraid."
He turned toward them.
"Instead, we make the entire city harder to kill."
He pointed to the map.
"From today, the army changes."
The officers straightened.
"First—soldiers will train daily, not weekly. Real combat drills, not ceremonies."
Some captains exchanged glances.
Training every day was rare outside active war zones.
"Second—night patrols will move in rotating squads. No predictable routes."
Assassins depended on routine.
He intended to remove it.
"Third—select fifty men. The fastest. The most disciplined."
Commander Han frowned slightly.
"For what purpose?"
Qin Wang Shan's gaze hardened.
"To create a unit that moves before danger reaches us."
An elite force.
Hunters instead of guards.
Later that afternoon, soldiers gathered in the training yard.
Word had spread that the prince himself would appear.
Many expected speeches.
Instead, Qin Wang Shan walked into the yard carrying a wooden practice sword.
Murmurs spread among the ranks.
He stopped before them.
"Last night," he said calmly, "someone tried to kill me."
The soldiers stiffened.
"If they succeed," he continued, "this city burns next."
Silence gripped the yard.
"So I ask you one question."
His eyes moved across their faces.
"Do you want to defend ruins—or defend your homes?"
The answer erupted instinctively.
"Defend our homes!"
The shout echoed across the walls.
Qin Wang Shan tossed the training sword to Commander Han.
"Then training begins now."
For the first time in years, Shen City's soldiers trained with urgency.
Not as neglected border troops.
But as men protecting something worth defending.
Sweat replaced complacency.
Shouts replaced boredom.
And slowly, confidence replaced fear.
From a distant tower balcony, Lu Zheng watched the drills in silence.
The prince stood among soldiers—not above them.
Unusual.
Dangerous.
Effective.
Lu Zheng exhaled quietly.
"This city," he murmured, "is becoming something the capital will fear."
And fear always led to escalation.
As night fell, Qin Wang Shan stood once more atop the walls.
Commander Han approached.
"The men are motivated," Han reported. "Morale is higher than ever."
Qin Wang Shan nodded.
"Good."
Han hesitated.
"But… Your Highness…"
He glanced toward the city.
"If stronger enemies come?"
Qin Wang Shan's answer came without pause.
"Then we become stronger first."
Beyond the horizon, storm clouds gathered.
War was still distant.
But preparation had already begun.
And this time—
Shen City would not wait to be attacked.