Eikyuu – Zhao-Occupied Fortress, Northern Heiyou | Year 234 B.C.
From the first trumpet of war, the Battle of Eikyuu was tilted in Zhao's favor.
The Numbers
Qin Invasion Army – 80,000
Left Wing: 10,000 soldiers under General Ou Hon (Gyoku Hou)
Right Wing: 30,000 soldiers under Rai Do, reinforced by Ren's Gu Ren Tai
Center: 40,000 soldiers under Koku'Ou and Rin Gyoku
Zhao Defense Army – 240,000
Commanded by Supreme General Ko Chou
Left under Gaku Haku Kou, Center under Ko Haku Kou, and reserves stationed across Eikyuu's heights and cliffs
The disparity was enormous — three Zhao soldiers for every one Qin. And worse, the terrain belonged to Zhao.
Days 1–6
On the left, Ou Hon's 10,000 men smashed against the cliffs day after day, trying to push through Gaku Haku Kou's elite force. Blood stained every stone. Each foothold cost dozens of lives. Ou Hon refused to retreat.
On the right, Rai Do's 30,000 soldiers, bolstered by the Gu Ren Tai, suffered from his erratic leadership. While Ren's unit fought with precision and caution, Rai Do's men threw themselves at the enemy like animals.
"Kai," Ren muttered, surveying the carnage. "If this goes on another day, the right wing will collapse under its own stupidity."
Kai spat blood from his lips. "That idiot Rai Do only knows how to bark and die. Half of his army's dead already."
Behind them, corpses piled high.
Day 7
Just when the wings thought they had it worst, disaster struck the center.
At noon, Ko Haku Kou made his move.
From hidden ravines and crags, Zhao's elite shock troops poured down onto the 40,000-strong Qin center, cutting it in half in a single assault.
One half was pushed back toward the cliffs. The other was cornered and shredded.
Ren, watching from afar, clenched his fists. "They've divided the army. The command line's broken."
Kai's eyes widened. "If they press this, they'll hit HQ before we even regroup."
Ren glanced west toward Eikyuu's towering shadow.
"Kan Ki better have something up his sleeve... or we'll all die before the real battle even starts."
Day 8
The sun rose on a battlefield drowning in red.
But with it came thunder. The Hi Shin Unit had arrived.
Shin's army roared into the field, charging through the remains of Rai Do's lines and crashing into Zhao's flank like a spear of hope.
The few remaining soldiers of the Gyoku Hou Army, including Ban You, were barely holding on when the Hi Shin banners flew above them.
Inside the makeshift command tent, Shin took in the damage.
"Ou Hon?" he asked quickly.
Ban You shook his head. "Still breathing. But barely. We lost nine-tenths of the force."
Ten unfurled a map and pointed to the northwest slope. "There's a path here — steep, but not sheer. We can scale it and strike from behind."
As she spoke, Ban You stumbled in again, dragging a barely-conscious Ou Hon behind him.
"He… insisted on coming."
Shin stepped forward. "Ou Hon—"
"Don't…" Ou Hon rasped. "Don't take that path."
Ten froze. "Why?"
"They know. Mines… archers. We tried it. Lost hundreds."
Shin frowned. "Then what?"
Ou Hon's finger moved, dragging itself over the map to the steepest cliff wall.
"There. Sheer face. They didn't bother to guard it. Because… no sane man would climb it."
Ten stared. "And you're saying we climb it?"
Ou Hon gave the faintest nod. "If you want Eikyuu… that's the only way."
Ren's Encampment
Smoke from dozens of fires rose from the Gu Ren Tai's camp.
Kai returned to the command post. "Zhao's eyes are still on us. They think we're the ones preparing to strike."
"Good," Ren murmured. "Then we've done our job."
"They're shifting their troops west. Toward Shin."
Ren looked up at the fortress cliffs in the distance. "Then the real assault begins."
Kai smirked. "They say the Hi Shin Unit can do anything."
Ren turned away. "Let's make sure they can."