The King Goes to War

Chapter Seventeen

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of steel and sweat. From her window, Ping watched as Ling moved across the training grounds, his shirtless form glistening with sweat under the sun. His muscles flexed with every precise movement, his sword slicing through the air with effortless grace.

She swallowed hard, her fingers gripping the edge of the window frame. There was something almost hypnotic about the way he moved—controlled, powerful, and yet… dangerously calm.

Just then, Jian, the commander of the guards, approached Ling, holding a sealed letter. The moment Ling opened it, his expression darkened. Even from a distance, Ping could see the shift in his demeanor.

War.

Jian bowed slightly, speaking in hushed tones, but Ling's stance was rigid. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode toward the armory.

Ping's chest tightened. Something was wrong.

Moments later, Mei entered the chamber, her usual composed expression shaken.

"The king has left," she said quietly. "He received news of a war… He said you should rest, my lady, and that he will be away for several weeks."

Ping's breath hitched. Weeks?

She clenched her hands, trying to suppress the unease rising within her.

"What kingdom dares to challenge him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mei hesitated. "The Kingdom of Ryuu."

Ping's heart sank. She had heard of Ryuu's warriors—merciless and brutal.

And now Ling was marching into battle against them.

"Did he… did he say anything else?"

Mei shook her head. "Only that he will return."

But something about the way he left—the way his golden eyes burned like an enraged lion—told Ping that this war was not just another battle.

It was personal.

And for the first time, she realized just how much it unsettled her to see him leave.