Qin Empire, the palace, the night before the attack.
A luxurious room with tall, towering pillars, carvings of mythical dragons engraved there. The ceiling was very wide, as far as the eye could see. The floor was also made of black and white marble. In the center at the very end, there was a large seat with a backrest three meters high. In the middle of that backrest was inscribed: Qin Empire.
A dignified aura was carved from that throne, as if to say: whoever sits here is the highest authority that no one may oppose.
Someone wearing a robe full of Phoenix and Dragon engravings made of gold walked toward the throne. He sat down while flicking the typical robe of an emperor. Full of great authority. The ministers, generals, and other palace officials who were there prostrated in respect. After a moment, the emperor flicked his right hand forward, signaling that the ceremony of respect was over. Everyone there began to lift their bodies from their prostration.
The 30th Emperor of Qin sat majestically. His posture looked slim. His face had a short beard and mustache, along with a few wrinkles on his face. His name was Qin Loong. He was around 59 years old, yet his physique looked like he was only 30. Emperor Qin Loong looked around at the ministers and generals who seemed to be yawning slightly from sleepiness. They had all been summoned suddenly to the palace at night, while some of them were sleeping comfortably.
"I have heard from an informant that I sent to the northern border region between the Qin Empire and the Falling Star Empire to spy on the movements of the Falling Star Empire. The informant reported that there are remnants of the rebel family, the Xiao Clan, hiding in an ancient forest abandoned by the gods." Emperor Qin Loong spoke with a serious expression. This matter was not something to be taken lightly.
"What! The descendants of the Xiao Clan still exist?!" The palace room echoed as the people there exclaimed with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. Some of them stepped back a few paces, too trembling to hear the Xiao Clan mentioned again.
"The Xiao Clan, which has caused chaos from the past until now? Your servant thought they had been annihilated!" One of the palace ministers interjected, not believing that the Xiao Clan still existed.
"That's right, Your Majesty. How could the Xiao family, that adopted clan, still exist after being destroyed by the 10 Divine Warriors!" Exclaimed one of the Empire's generals. The others responded with words of agreement, 'Yes!' Several others also belittled the Xiao Clan.
"Actually, the Xiao Clan has been discovered several times and has even taken a small portion of the Empire's territory by seizing distant villages. I have often killed them with the help of the 10 Divine Warriors. They have not been seen since more than ten years ago. I never expected that they still exist within the Empire's territory." Emperor Qin Loong revealed the secret about the Xiao Clan, who had risen several times.
"What! So it's true that they never learn!" Everyone present was startled and exclaimed. It turned out that all this time, they had still been haunted by the Xiao Clan.
"Actually, this is the Empire's private secret, but since things have come to this, there is nothing more to hide from the ministers and generals present. However, you must never leak this to the public, because they have never known about this matter." Said Emperor Qin Loong, staring sharply at the attendees there.
"Understood! Your Majesty!" Everyone present simultaneously promised not to leak the Empire's secret. After they all promised, among the many ministers present there, everyone was busy with their own thoughts. No one wanted to provide a solution, and they could only make a commotion.
In the midst of that great commotion, there was a young soldier who, with bravery and courage, proposed to Emperor Qin Loong that he send several people to investigate and destroy it, if it indeed existed.
"Your Majesty, your servant requests permission to offer some advice in the midst of this long night's commotion. I am sure Your Majesty is already tired of this commotion." The young soldier was Zhang Jiangxi, the son of one of the leaders of the Zhang family. The Zhang family was known for their calm and humble attitude. They always prioritized others' opinions, and when those opinions were irrelevant, they would refute them humbly. Zhang Jiangxi bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
"What is your advice, young man?" The Emperor asked, his face full of curiosity. He smiled slightly, pleased that someone as young as him dared to offer advice to an Emperor, with a firm, unshakable authority.
"Before we attack them all, we must first check whether they are truly the Xiao Clan or just ordinary villagers. Tonight, we go there, and then in the morning, the soldiers and generals will survey the area around that village. Once it is confirmed that it is indeed the Xiao Clan, we will attack exactly that night." Zhang Jiangxi explained his plan. He stood upright, his expression firm, his eyebrows slightly lowered.
"Very well! I like your idea. General Gu Huang, prepare your troops who will lead this mission." Emperor Qin Loong stood up and flicked his hand, signaling that this meeting was over.
"Understood, Your Majesty. Your servant requests permission to prepare the troops," General Gu Huang bowed, saluting the Emperor. He then went to the Empire's military camp and began preparing the troops to depart tonight.
"Hahaha... You are truly impressive, young man. When others are distorted by their own thoughts, you can still think clearly and give good advice," said Emperor Qin Loong. A wide smile on his face signaled his satisfaction.
Zhang Jiangxi only bowed to the Emperor in response to his praise.
At the Empire's military camp, Gu Huang suddenly felt that his children were in danger, but he could not just leave at the Emperor's command. In fact, he was also worried about ordering the Gu twins to help Zhen Ji, because the timing coincided with the Emperor's summons. He had no choice but to have the two of them help Zhen Ji.
"I hope the Gu twins can help Zhen Ji."
Drap! Drap! Drap!
One hundred cavalry troops marched together. The vibration of the hundred horses made the ground feel like there was a small-scale earthquake. Rocks shifted just from the vibrations of the horses' steps.
They lined up in front of the palace, waiting for the Emperor's command. The Emperor walked out through the palace door, which measured 4x6 meters. That door had dragon carvings made of gold and pillars supporting the palace ceiling.
Emperor Qin Loong stood on the dozens of steps leading to the inner palace door. He looked at the military troops ready to fight in the ancient abandoned forest. The Emperor's right hand was on his front hip, and his left hand was behind his back. He spoke with a loud voice, his voice echoing throughout the palace courtyard, which was filled with a hundred cavalry soldiers ready to fight to the death for the Empire.
"All of you are the chosen ones tonight! This is a very important mission! For anyone who dies there, your families will receive compensation, and their monthly living expenses will be borne by the Empire! I expect you all to handle it safely without any injuries."
The soldiers shouted. Their voices were heard for dozens of li from the Imperial Palace courtyard. They raised their spears upward, shouting: 'Long live His Majesty Emperor Qin Loong! Long live the Qin Empire!'
"Depart now." Emperor Qin Loong flicked his right hand as he turned and re-entered the palace.
One hundred cavalry soldiers, along with General Gu Huang and Zhang Jiangxi, moved together toward the north, to the ancient abandoned forest.
The ground vibrations made the sleeping residents around suddenly wake up, opening their windows with pale faces and constricted pupils. They imagined that a great war was about to happen.
Their journey seemed smooth until they reached the entrance of the ancient abandoned forest, where they experienced a dilemma of worry.
All the troops crossed the border directly into the ancient abandoned forest. Before they entered, they initially hesitated because there was a killing aura, and it felt like something was watching them all from inside the ancient forest. Gu Huang firmly gave dopamine to his troops not to be afraid, because he was there leading as the team's brain.
"Never waver just because of a mission like this! Remember, you have families, children, and loved ones waiting for you to return home safely and with pride!" Gu Huang's voice was loud and clear, his attitude firm. Yet in that loud voice, he was also thinking of his children at home.
His troops shouted loudly, 'Yes! All for honor and the Empire!' They continued their journey into the forest with a hundred horses, pushing through bushes and trees without any fear.
Rawr!
A lion the size of an elephant attacked the rear guard led by Gu Huang. They all reined in their horses to stop and attack the lion. Its movements were agile. In an instant, the lion had already wounded four soldiers. The wounded soldiers managed to injure the lion. Because of those wounds, drops of blood revealed its location when it was about to attack. With their experience from several battles, bringing down the lion was not a big problem.
"Lord Gu Huang, we need to heal the wounded soldiers. We also need to find a place that is safe and close to our target," said Zhang Jiangxi, bowing his head slightly in salute from atop his horse.
"Very well. Everyone, we will rest first tonight, but not here. We will go a little deeper, closer to the target, and then set up tents." Gu Huang and his troops walked a little deeper into the forest. They stopped in the middle of the forest, then began setting up tents, making campfires, and treating the wounded.
When they thought it was safe, they began to sleep, dividing shifts to keep watch outside the tents. Gu Huang also kept watch, monitoring his soldiers. As he was looking at the sky, he felt a great pressure, as if being pressed down by a mountain. His pupils constricted as he looked around. The soldiers, and even the fire that was flickering in the wind, stopped instantly. At that moment, he saw a three-tailed silver fox spirit carrying a young man who appeared to be unconscious by the collar of his clothes.
"Wh-who is that child! Why is he being carried by it!"
The silver fox turned its gaze toward Gu Huang with narrowed eyes, as if trying to warn him.
"Damn! Why does that fox look annoyed staring at me?!"
After the silver fox passed, Gu Huang could finally move again. His face was pale, sweat poured down, and his breath was heavy and ragged. He felt as if his soul had just left his body.