The sun had barely risen over Jade City, painting the courtyard in a pale gold as Alaric called the squad together. The 28 men and women, already sharpened from a year of intense training, gathered in perfect formation, their eyes fixed on him. Yue Rong and Liang Chen flanked him, standing tall and poised, ready to reinforce any point he would make.
Alaric took a deep breath, letting the crisp morning air fill his lungs. The weight of the mission ahead pressed heavily on his mind. The Jin Clan. One of the wealthiest, most influential clans in the northern region of the Qin Empire. A clan whose ambitions now threatened not just their city, but the stability of the empire itself.
He gestured toward the squad. "Listen carefully. This isn't just another skirmish. The Jin Clan has amassed a fortune of nearly a million gold coins. They control businesses, resources, and armies that make most cities tremble. And worse, they've been in contact with the Zhang Empire, plotting chaos in our lands. If they succeed, countless lives will be lost. If we fail…" His gaze swept over the squad, eyes narrowing, voice steady but carrying a weight that made each member shiver. "We die. Everyone dies. No misstep is allowed."
The squad stood silently, each processing the gravity of the situation. Even seasoned fighters like Yue Rong and Liang Chen felt the tension, though they concealed it beneath calm expressions.
Alaric moved forward, unrolling a large map of Rising Sun City. "The Jin Clan is situated here," he said, pointing to a densely populated area near the northern walls. "They've fortified their estate, and the surrounding districts act as a buffer. This mission is not about brute force alone. Precision, speed, and strategy are everything."
He paused, letting the squad absorb the information. Then he began breaking down the numbers. "At the top is the Jin Ancestor, an early 1st layer Sage Realm cultivator. His power is nearly unmatched within the empire, and even a single miscalculation could be fatal. Beneath him are four guardians at the mid 9th layer of the Origin Realm. Their role is to protect the Ancestor and enforce the clan's authority."
Alaric's finger moved down the map, tracing lines that represented the hierarchy. "Next is the Grand Elder, peak 7th layer Origin Realm, followed by the clan elders — nine of them, ranging from 1st to 6th layer Origin Realm. Then comes the Clan Leader, also peak 1st layer Origin Realm, overseeing daily operations and security. Don't underestimate him."
The squad stiffened slightly. The presence of even a single peak Origin Realm cultivator in battle could overturn strategies and crush an unprepared team.
Alaric continued, "There are fifty nominal elders in the Monarch Realm, from the 1st to 9th layers. They act as the backbone of the clan's enforcement, followed by three hundred people at Sacred Lord Realm, and finally between five and seven thousand lower-realm cultivators. Any misstep could alert them all."
The squad exchanged brief glances, and Alaric could see the unease, the sharp cold breaths drawn as they realized the staggering power of their target. He knew their faces hid confidence, but the truth was clear: one false move in this operation could mean death for the entire squad.
"Make no mistake," Alaric said, raising his voice just enough to echo through the courtyard. "The Jin Clan is ruthless. They've grown fat on wealth, power, and ambition. They will not hesitate to kill intruders. And they will fight to the last breath."
He let the silence stretch a few seconds before continuing, softer this time. "That's why we were chosen. Our team is small, but we are strong, disciplined, and loyal. Each of you has trained harder than anyone else in the empire. Your strength, your skills, your loyalty — that is why we can take them down."
Yue Rong stepped forward, her voice calm but cutting through the tension. "We must use the element of surprise, divide and conquer. Alaric, Alex, and the rest of us will coordinate our attacks to isolate the leaders. Any misstep, we retreat immediately."
Liang Chen nodded in agreement. "We've trained for this. Our team's growth over the past year wasn't for show. Every member knows their role, every skill has been perfected. We fight smart, not just hard."
Alaric turned back to the squad, his eyes lingering on each face. "Tomorrow we march to Rising Sun City. Today, we prepare. We study their numbers, memorize their defenses, and devise the plan that will allow us to dismantle them without alerting the Zhang Empire. Understand?"
"Understood!" the squad replied in unison, their voices sharp, clear, and unwavering.
Alaric exhaled slowly, letting the adrenaline settle. He knew that the mission would test them in ways no training could prepare them for. Every member would be pushed to their limits, every skill would be tested, and even he and Alex would need to call upon their full reserves of cultivation and elemental power.
But as he looked out over the courtyard, at the faces of his squad and the steady presence of his vice-leaders, Alaric felt a flicker of confidence. They had grown, trained, and bonded over the past year. They were ready.
"Rest well tonight," Alaric said finally, voice carrying a calm authority. "Tomorrow, the Jin Clan learns why we are the Vardar Brothers' squad. Every step, every move, every strike must count. Fail, and it's over. Succeed, and we cripple a threat that has loomed over the empire for far too long."
The squad dispersed to their quarters, a sense of solemn anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Alaric watched them go, then turned to Yue Rong and Liang Chen.
"Prepare the final reports. I want every detail of their defenses, patrols, and known abilities. When we move, there can be no surprises."
Both nodded, already moving to organize the information.
Alaric clenched his fists and looked toward the northern horizon. Rising Sun City waited. The Jin Clan waited. And in less than twenty-four hours, the first chapter of this six-month-long operation would begin.
The mission ahead was dangerous. Every breath, every heartbeat, every action would matter. And the Vardar Brothers and their squad were ready to write the first page.