The Qin war machine stretched endlessly across the plains. Thousands of soldiers moved in formation as the army prepared for its next great campaign under Duke Hyou's supreme command.
Within this massive army stood the headquarters of General Hyou Ren, commander of fifty thousand men.
Inside the command tent, five commanders gathered beneath the flickering lamp light.
Ri Yue, the Hunter Commander, stood quietly at his side blade-ready even in stillness. She was not only his most trusted commander, but also his wife.
Lu Shen, the Strategic Commander, studied battlefield scrolls with calm precision.
Bao Jun, the Berserker Commander, leaned forward with a grin, eager for war.
Tian Hao, the Champion Commander, stood like a pillar of steel.
And Mo Yun, the Instinctive Commander, remained silent, eyes half-closed as if sensing distant movement.
Lu Shen spoke first.
"All units are prepared. We await the signal to begin the march toward She Gan Plains."
Hyou Ren nodded once.
"Good."
A brief silence passed until Bao Jun suddenly laughed.
"General… your son has been making noise again in the capital."
Ri Yue immediately sighed.
"…That boy again."
Lu Shen continued in a steady voice.
"This time, it is not simple misconduct. He has become involved in the royal succession conflict."
The tent grew quiet.
Mo Yun opened his eyes slightly.
"The rebellion involving King Ei Sei's half-brother."
Lu Shen nodded.
"Yes. Shin has directly entered the capital conflict."
Ri Yue's expression sharpened.
"What exactly did he do?"
Lu Shen unfolded the report.
"Shin infiltrated the capital during the rebellion. He joined forces with King Ei Sei and the Mountain Tribe forces led by the queen of the mountains. Together, they launched an assault on the royal capital to retake it from within."
Tian Hao's eyes narrowed.
"He entered a royal war without being assigned?"
Bao Jun let out a loud laugh.
"That sounds exactly like him!"
Lu Shen continued without emotion.
"Reports confirm Shin fought on the front lines during the capital siege. He assisted the Mountain Tribe in breaking through enemy defenses and played a key role in pushing back the forces loyal to Ei Sei's brother."
Ri Yue closed her eyes briefly.
"…He's supposed to be training under us."
Mo Yun spoke quietly.
"He was not training. He was surviving a civil war."
A heavy silence followed.
Lu Shen added the final detail.
"The rebellion has ended. Ei Sei has reclaimed the throne."
The tent remained still for a moment.
Even Bao Jun stopped laughing.
Hyou Ren finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"So he chose to stand in the center of a royal rebellion…"
Ri Yue looked at him.
"And survived it."
Hyou Ren exhaled slowly.
"…That boy."
Lu Shen lowered the scroll.
"The capital now speaks of him as one of the key figures in restoring King Ei Sei's rule."
Tian Hao crossed his arms.
"That is no longer simple misconduct."
Mo Yun nodded slightly.
"It is the beginning of a name that will spread beyond the capital."
Bao Jun grinned again.
"So your son didn't just cause trouble… he helped change the king of Qin."
Ri Yue shook her head.
"He never thinks about consequences."
Hyou Ren turned toward the tent opening, where the wind carried the sound of distant war horns.
"…Ei Sei has secured the throne."
A pause.
"Then the kingdom will begin to move."
He stepped forward.
"Prepare to march. The She Gan Plains campaign begins."
The five commanders straightened immediately.
As the banners of the Hyou Army rose into the wind, fifty thousand soldiers prepared to enter the next great war of Qin.