The waves of war were crashing near Qin, and panic was spreading everywhere, especially among those who feared being enslaved.
While some prepared for the inevitable, others remained calm, keeping a broader perspective on the conflict.
Jun, mounted on his horse, dressed in black armor and wearing a matching cape adorned with red symbols, stood in front of an open field. Behind him, tens of thousands of tents sprawled across the landscape.
He commanded 30,000 soldiers, far more than he had initially planned, not counting the crews manning the catapults strategically positioned nearby.
"My Lord, the mountain men are crossing the Zhao border. Half of them remain near us to provide reinforcements if needed," Shen, who carried an enormous red bow, reported as he approached Jun.
Jun nodded slightly, his calm demeanor unshaken, and asked, "What's the current status of the battle?"
"As expected, Qin's strategists decided the best way to defend the country was to abandon all outposts and gather as many troops as possible at the Kankoku Pass. It's the northern route leading to the capital city of Kanyou," Shen explained, well-informed about the unfolding events.
At Kankoku Pass, Qin stationed its top generals and great leaders: Mou Gou, Chou Tou, Duke Hyou, Ou Sen, Mou Bu, Kan Ki, and Tou. They formed a formidable defensive force to counter over half a million enemy soldiers.
Jun could have reinforced this position with his army, but he hesitated to defend a location he did not fully trust.
He remained skeptical of King Ei Sei's worthiness as a ruler. Words like "I want to unify all of China" rang hollow to Jun. He despised attributing the glory of unification to a single man who merely sat on a throne giving orders.
In Jun's eyes, the true drivers of war were ordinary men, terrified of seeing their families turned into slaves.
As Jun reflected, a knight wearing silver armor approached swiftly on horseback. "My Lord, a message."
"Speak freely," Jun instructed.
"General Kyou Kai is returning with her army."
Jun's eyes narrowed. She's back?
Initially, he had assumed she would join Shin in battle. Knowing her, she seemed destined for that war. But her return was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for Jun.
"Very well, you may go."
"It seems she has decided to come back," Shen remarked, pleased. Bowing respectfully, he left to attend to his soldiers.
Moments later, Kyou Kai, mounted on a magnificent white horse, approached Jun, who watched her intently.
"You didn't tell me you'd be off seeking a dangerous battle," Kyou Kai said as she rode closer, her gaze meeting Jun's now softer expression.
Jun's hardened demeanor eased, and he replied, "Weren't you interested in joining your friends in the war?"
"If I fight in a war, it will always be by your side." Kyou Kai reached out, tracing the scar on Jun's neck. "Though I admit they're good companions, my greatest fear is losing you if I stray too far from your side."
"Am I so special to you?"
"When the war ends." Kyou Kai's eyes spoke volumes, reflecting more than a thousand words could convey. She looked at Jun with something deeper than love—a bond forged through years of shared struggles that made them inseparable.
Jun was willing to live whatever remained of his life with Kyou Kai until the time came to leave this world.
However, knowing they might bring children into a world dominated by war, Jun resolved to reshape this world for the better before leaving it to his descendants.
"Don't get too close, or we might not keep our promises," Jun said, raising his right hand to gently hold Kyou Kai's. He brought her hand to his lips in a subtle gesture of affection.
The small act sent a shiver through Kyou Kai, but she didn't pull away. For a few moments, they spoke through their actions, cherishing the fleeting intimacy.
After a while, Kyou Kai asked, "Isn't our army too far from Kankoku Pass? If you plan to stay here, why not fortify the city of Sai instead?"
"The battle at Kankoku Pass will be a war of attrition. It will drag on for more than fifteen days, and the coalition army won't advance beyond that point," Jun said, fully aware of Qin's military strength. Even so, he knew it wouldn't be enough.
"And then?"
"What I would do is send small groups of soldiers through a secret passage south of Kanyue. I have informants there," Jun explained, his plan taking shape. "I also have more informants at the Bu Pass, where we plan to evacuate the cities and move their people to Sai."
Smiling, Jun added, "We will be Qin's hidden card, the force that intercepts or defeats anyone who gets past Kankoku Pass."
"With only 30,000 soldiers?" Kyou Kai noted, knowing these were elite troops equipped with top-quality armor and weapons, but still doubting it would be enough.
"We have more. But our duty here is to protect the innocent, the people who might lose their homes," Jun said, his mind focused on those who had done nothing to deserve becoming victims of war.