The capital had not yet recovered from Jun Lin's escape.
Rumors flooded the streets like a plague.
"Jun Lin vanished!"
"Minister Jun Hao nearly died!"
"Lei Yue interfered again!"
And in the military camp outside the city—
A storm was already forming.
---
### IN THE MAIN MILITARY TENT
Bo Qiang stood before the map of the borderlands.
His armor reflected firelight.
"Reinforce the western line," he ordered calmly.
"The enemy's supply route has shifted."
The soldiers saluted.
But from the shadows—
Shen Wu watched silently.
His eyes were cold.
Jealous.
Burning.
(*That position should have been mine… those 6,000 troops should kneel to ME.*)
---
### THE POISONED COMMAND
Late into the night.
Bo Qiang finally returned to his tent.
He removed his armor slowly, exhaustion heavy on his shoulders.
His cup of water waited on the table.
Unmoved.
Unquestioned.
He drank.
And instantly felt his chest tighten.
His vision darkened.
"Kgh—!"
He stumbled.
His sword fell from his hand.
Outside—
Shen Wu stood calmly beneath the stars.
"It has begun," he whispered.
---
### BACK AT THE LEI RESIDENCE
Lei Hua suddenly woke up from her sleep.
Her heart pounded violently.
(*Why do I feel like someone just fell into hell—*)
The Gossip System chimed violently.
[DING! Emergency Alert! Bo Qiang has been poisoned. Life-threatening.]
Lei Hua screamed.
"BO QIANG—!!!"
Lei Yue was already standing at the doorway.
Her eyes were no longer calm.
"They finally moved against him."
Lei Hua's voice shook.
"W-We have to save him—!"
Lei Yue grabbed her cloak.
"We move now."
---
### THE CAMP AT MIDNIGHT
Fire torches lit the long road.
Soldiers rushed around in panic.
"The General collapsed!"
"He isn't responding!"
Lei Hua arrived breathless.
Her legs were shaking.
(*PLEASE DON'T DIE. PLEASE DON'T DIE. I HAVEN'T EVEN PAID YOU BACK—*)
They burst into the medical tent.
Bo Qiang lay on the bed.
His skin was cold.
Breathing weak.
Lei Hua's hands trembled.
The system chimed again.
[DING. Poison source: Shen Wu.]
Lei Hua spun around in shock.
"SHEN WU DID THIS—!!"
The soldiers froze.
Lei Yue's eyes turned into ice.
"So he chose rebellion."
She stepped outside the tent.
Her voice echoed across the camp.
"Shen Wu."
Silence.
Then—
Slow footsteps.
Shen Wu emerged calmly.
Smiling.
"You really came," he said lightly.
Lei Hua's whole body shook with rage.
"You tried to kill him! He trusted you!"
Shen Wu laughed.
"Trust is a luxury only victors deserve."
Lei Yue walked forward slowly.
Every step crushed the ground beneath her aura.
"You poisoned my chess piece."
Shen Wu's smile faltered.
"This chess piece should have been me."
Lei Yue stopped in front of him.
And said softly:
"You were never worthy."
Shen Wu roared and charged.
The air exploded.
The soldiers were blown back by the pressure.
Lei Hua shielded her head.
(*THIS IS NOT A FIGHT— THIS IS A NATURAL DISASTER—*)
Lei Yue raised her hand.
The sky seemed to bend.
**BOOM!!!**
Shen Wu was slammed into the earth.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
He stared up in disbelief.
"This… isn't possible…"
Lei Yue looked down at him coldly.
"You touched the wrong life."
She turned away.
"Imprison him."
Guards dragged Shen Wu away screaming.
---
### BACK INSIDE THE TENT
The palace physician rushed in.
"The poison is rare… but not unbeatable."
Lei Hua nearly cried.
"So he'll live—?"
The physician nodded.
"Yes. But he will be unconscious for days."
Lei Hua collapsed into a chair in relief.
Lei Yue stood beside the bed.
She looked at Bo Qiang's pale face.
For one quiet moment—
Her gaze softened.
But only for a breath.
Lei Hua whispered:
"They're really trying to kill everyone around us now…"
Lei Yue replied calmly:
"That means we are very close to the core."
Far away—
In the palace—
Zhen Ruo listened to the report.
His eyes darkened.
"Shen Wu failed…"
He laughed quietly.
"Then I will move personally."
Lei Hua suddenly shivered.
(*WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THE FINAL BOSS JUST STOOD UP FROM HIS SEAT—*)
END OF CHAPTER 15