On the Eve of Battle, Part II

Hou Jingshu found Zhe Fēnglì in the reception hall. He wasn’t alone. Bèipàn Zhě, Hou Gun, Húndàn Wang, and even Húndàn Qie were present. She wondered what the Saintly Sword Sect’s sect master was doing here, but now was not the time.

She walked across the deep red carpet, passed the group kneeling before the throne, and sat herself down. Her shoulders felt heavy. Such was the weight of one who controlled the lives of millions. What she wouldn’t give to push this responsibility onto someone else, but there was no one present who could bear this burden.

“I’m happy to see you have returned,” she said, revealing none of her inner thoughts.

“I wish my return brought you good tidings, but sadly, the news I have is anything but pleasant,” said Zhe Fēnglì.

“From your words, can I infer that the Zhou Kingdom’s forces are marching on Shang Imperial City?” she asked.

He nodded. “That is correct. I did my best to stall them for as long as possible, but…”