The morning mist clung low to the ground, curling around the boots of soldiers as they stood in formation. The Qin encampment buzzed with quiet energy. Somewhere in the distance, a horn sounded once — sharp, measured — and the murmurs faded into silence.
Outside the main command tent, Shin stood at the head of his unit, flanked by Kyou Kai, Bi, and the rest of the familiar faces who had followed him through fire and blood. Opposite them, Ren waited with his men. At his side, as always, stood Kai, calm and alert, a quiet strength that matched Ren's own.
The tent flap stirred, and from within emerged the towering figure of General Ouki, his presence casting a shadow larger than his body. At his side stood Tou, ever composed, holding two scrolls — official military documents.
Ouki halted before the two young captains.
"You two have drawn attention," he said, voice like distant thunder. "Word of your actions on the border reached me before the wind did."
Shin scratched the back of his head, grinning. "We just did what we had to."
Ren gave no reply. His gaze remained level, unreadable.
Tou unrolled the scrolls.
"As of today, your squads are formally recognized under the command of the Qin military."
He handed one to each of them. Shin unrolled his first.
"Hi Shin Tai…" he read aloud, smiling wide. "This is it."
Ren opened his scroll, studying the characters with quiet focus.
Gu Ren Tai. The Unyielding Lotus Unit.
Behind him, Kai nodded once in approval. The rest of Ren's men straightened subtly. The name meant something — not just words, but a mark of identity.
Ouki stepped forward and motioned to the large map laid out on a table beside them.
"The Zhao army has splintered across multiple lines. Two enemy commanders have pulled back to different strongpoints. Each of you will target one."
He pointed to two locations on the map — one nestled in a ridgeline west of the Saki Plains, the other entrenched in the forested lowlands to the east.
Tou spoke:
"These two commanders are working to regroup Zhao's forces. If they succeed, the entire front will solidify again. We need to cut both heads before they can fuse their forces."
Ouki looked at them each in turn.
"Shin — take your unit west. Terrain favors a straight charge. It'll suit your style."
Shin's eyes lit up. "Leave it to us!"
Ouki's gaze shifted to Ren.
"Ren — you'll strike the lowland position. More concealment, less structure. You'll have to rely on your instinct."
Ren nodded once. "Understood."
Kai leaned closer, voice low. "Could be an ambush."
Ren didn't respond, but his hand hovered briefly over the hilt at his side. He already knew.
Tou added, "Eliminating either of them would be a victory. Eliminating both will be a shift in the tide."
As the units began to move, Ouki's voice called after them one last time.
"One more thing…"
They stopped.
"These aren't just small missions anymore. From here on, you stand as part of Qin's blade. Cut clean… or break trying."
A pause.
"This smells like a trap. But I'm sending you anyway — not because I want blood, but because I want to see what kind of fire you truly carry."
The two young commanders nodded and turned away, their separate paths now marked — two missions, two battles, two chances to prove they could shake the earth.