Ch 8

The battle against Ji Yuan would not be won with brute force alone. Unlike Kan Mei, who relied on raw power, Ji Yuan was a master of deception, traps, and psychological warfare. The moment we set foot on the battlefield, we knew something was wrong. The enemy was nowhere to be seen, yet our scouts kept disappearing one by one.

Then, it began—an ambush unlike any other. Hidden trenches opened beneath our advancing troops, swallowing them into spiked pits. Arrows rained from the cliffs, cutting down my men before they could react. Ji Yuan had turned the battlefield into a death trap.

But I was not without counters. Using my AI system, I quickly analyzed the enemy's formations and found gaps in their deception. Signaling my troops, I led a countercharge that turned the tide. With Shin's Hi Shin Unit breaking through their lines and Mou Ten striking from the rear, we forced Ji Yuan into open combat.

But as I clashed swords with Ji Yuan, I realized the battle was far from over. He was smiling, as if he had already won...

Ji Yuan suddenly stepped back and raised a signal. From the hills behind him, massive boulders were rolled down toward our forces, crushing many under their weight. His troops, previously in hiding, rushed in from all sides, surrounding us in an iron grip. He had anticipated my counterattack and prepared for it meticulously.

I quickly ordered my troops to form defensive formations, using shields to block incoming attacks and creating small openings for counterstrikes. Shin and Mou Ten fought fiercely, their units cutting through the encircling Zhao forces, but Ji Yuan's tactics kept adapting, making it difficult to gain ground.

Realizing that prolonging the battle would lead to severe losses, I made a decisive move. Activating the AI system's enhanced perception mode, I detected a weakness in Ji Yuan's strategy—his command structure was centralized, meaning if I took him out, the Zhao forces would fall into disarray.

I signaled Shin and Mou Ten to push towards Ji Yuan's command post while I personally engaged him in battle. Our blades clashed again and again, his movements swift and calculated, but I was faster. Feinting an overhead strike, I twisted mid-air, bringing my sword down diagonally, slicing deep into his shoulder.

Ji Yuan staggered back, his confident smirk replaced by shock. He tried to counter, but I parried effortlessly, driving my blade through his chest. He gasped, blood spilling from his lips as he fell to his knees. "Even the greatest plans... can be undone by power," he muttered before collapsing.

With Ji Yuan dead, the Zhao army lost its coordination. Shin and Mou Ten took advantage of the confusion, leading their units in a final charge that shattered the enemy ranks. By nightfall, the battlefield was ours.

The aftermath of the battle was grim. The once green fields were now stained with the blood of thousands, bodies of both friend and foe scattered across the land. The air was thick with the scent of death and burning wood as the remnants of the Zhao forces retreated into the distant hills. Victory had been won, but at a great cost.

I stood at the center of the battlefield, surveying the damage. My armor was cracked, my sword stained with the blood of Ji Yuan, and exhaustion weighed heavily on my body. Yet there was no time for rest. The wounded needed tending, the dead needed burial, and the remaining Zhao forces had to be pursued to ensure they would not regroup.

Shin approached, his face hardened by battle but his eyes reflecting his youthful fire. "That was too close," he muttered, sheathing his sword. "Ji Yuan nearly wiped us out."

I nodded, my gaze scanning the horizon. "Zhao won't stop here. This was just a test. They will send stronger generals, more refined strategies. We need to be ready."

Mou Ten rode up, wiping sweat from his brow. "We should take advantage of this victory while we can. If we push forward now, we could capture a key Zhao stronghold."

I considered his words, but the truth was, our men were exhausted. A reckless advance could lead to disaster. "No," I decided. "We consolidate our gains, fortify our position, and prepare for Zhao's retaliation."

With that, the next phase of our strategy began. I sent messengers to Kanyou to report our victory, while my officers ensured the battlefield was cleared and the dead honored.

A week later, we returned to the capital, greeted by cheering crowds as our troops marched through the gates. But beneath the surface of celebration, the shadows of political war loomed large.

Ei Sei welcomed us personally, his approval evident. "Your victory has secured another step in our unification," he declared. "But I fear the war within our own court is only just beginning."

He was right. Ryo Fui wasted no time in making his move. Seizing on the heavy casualties suffered in battle, he proposed sweeping reforms that would shift military power away from generals like me and place it under direct control of the state—under his influence.

I was summoned to a council meeting, where Ryo Fui's faction presented their case. "The military cannot operate unchecked," one of his supporters argued. "We must ensure that our forces serve the kingdom, not individual ambitions."

I met Ryo Fui's gaze across the chamber, understanding his game. This was not about safety or control; it was about power. If he could bind the military under his authority, he would hold the key to Qin's future.

But I had allies as well. General Mou Bu stood and slammed his fist against the table. "Without our generals, Qin's armies would have fallen long ago! You speak of control, but what you want is a leash around our necks!"

Ei Sei remained silent, observing both sides. The meeting ended with no resolution, but the battle lines had been drawn. I knew this was only the beginning of my fight against Ryo Fui.