256 BCE
STATE OF ZHAO: Kanrin
3RD PERSON POV
The sun was slowly setting on the horizon when Sei Chou and his retinue finally arrived at his destination. He wore courtly robes like the majority of the people he had brought along with him. The only people in armour were the few guards that had been assigned to work; their job was to escort the main core of the Sei Chou army towards Kanrin and get them back safely.
Reaching a grand manor, Sei Chou stepped out of the carriage and breathed in the fresh air with a smile. Before walking towards the gate doors, two guards stood on either side of the gate dressed in red Zhao armour. Upon recognising Sei Chou, their eyes widened, their eyebrows meeting their hairlines. They had not expected such a visitor and did not know exactly what to do at the moment.
The two guards side-eyed each other; the same thought flashed in their minds. 'Do we stop him or not?!' Before turning back to Sei Chou, who was walking towards them with a slight smile.
"I'm here to meet the old monster." Sei Chou said with amusement, the guards both nodded at his words before turning around to knock on doors, only to be halted by Sei Chou's voice. "It's a surprise visit, so I would rather it be that my arrival is unannounced." Sei Chou said calmly.
Before either guard could voice any complaints, Sei Chou patted their shoulders, "Good men." Before stepping past them and pushing the doors wide open, the sound caused a massive bang.
Following just a beat after Sei Chou were Fu Jin, Den Pou, Jo Rin, Jo Shou and Fu Jin. Gyou'un and Chou Garyuu stayed behind in Chuuzan, as they had things to do. Their job was crucial, and Sei Chou would not take them away from their work just for a small visit.
The two guards could only sigh in resignation, praying to the heavens that the face of Zhao's current military prowess would not scold them too gravely or even fire both of them.
"Hmmm," A tall man with wild white hair dressed in fine silk robes, turned to where the noise had come from. He watched as Sei Chou walked into his manor with ease. The intensity only grew as Sei Chou made eye contact with the man.
Great Heaven Ren Pa was joined with his four heavenly Kings and a few more soldiers of his army.
The lead strategist of his army Gen Pou, was an elderly short man with a bald head, a thick moustache and big beady eyes.
Kai Shi Bou, the right hand of the Great Heaven, is a man famed throughout the world as one of Zhao's greatest military commanders. A powerful warrior who led every charge of his army.
Kyou En, the blind archer who was also one of Zhao's greatest military commanders and a man whose archery skill was so great that his name continued to be ranked amongst the best ten bows of China.
The last to make up the Four Heavenly Kings was a short man, who, like the four before him, was another of Zhao's greatest military commanders. A general who was skilled in infiltration and had expert swordsmanship, Rin Ko.
As the two sides stood in front of one another, an unseen pressure seemed to take hold of the air. Almost becoming too unbearable for the nearby servants who started sweating nervously, hoping a major fight would not erupt in a single moment.
"Sei Chou… This is the first time I've met you… And yet…" Ren Pa took a step forward, and the pressure in the air only seemed to grow as he spoke dramatically. "You've made my body go numb." A grin instantly came to the Great Heaven's face, instantly lifting the heavy mood.
Sei Chou's smile became a grin at the praise that came from the legendary warrior. Clasping his hands in a salute, Sei Chou replied, "I thought it was just the right time to come and see you. Great Heaven."
"I am happy to have seen you come…" Replied Ren Pa, before he turned on his heels, "Now come on! I've liquor and delicacies prepared for us! I will not allow my nephew to leave before we've been drunk for ten days and ten nights! HAHAHA!" Ren Pa welcomed Sei Chou and his army.
"Hahaha, Uncle Ren Pa is very gracious. And I've a need to satisfy my thirst!" Sei Chou replied quickly, following after the man. Not even commenting that Ren Pa had called him his nephew. To Ren Pa, this was a chance to meet the boy his oath late oath brother had decided to take in and make the heir of his army, and just from the feeling of Sei Chou's battle aura.
He was not disappointed in Rin Shou Jo's decision.
…
After several days filled with eating and drinking, Sei Chou sat across from the famed strategist Gen Pou, the elderly man who had wanted to challenge the youngster and test the level of the youth's strategic mind. He knew that Sei Chou was taught by Rin Shou Jo and Chou Garyuu in strategy, two people whose intelligence he respected deeply; his expectations for Sei Chou were high. And now that he was to face off against him, he only hoped that he would not be disappointed by the skills of Sei Chou.
GEN POU POV
"Nuhahaha!" His Lord was in a festive mood, as he laughed loudly and had a bright smile showing full teeth on his face. Gen Pou, however, was not so happy, his hand continuously pulling on his long moustache. The strategy board placed between him and his opponent was putting all of his anger into a glare, as he stared down at the little pieces depicting cavalry, infantry and archers. He'd never felt this angry since the day he lost against his own Lord, but this time, instead of losing to his Ren Pa in strategy, it was the youngster across from him whom he had lost to.
Sei Chou was as calm as a sage, as if he were Confucius himself reborn; the youngster was just positively outraging him.
"Hahaha, old man, you lost again." Kai Shi Bou only continued to further his annoyance; Gen Pou wanted to throw one of the pieces at the big buffoon. However, he stilled himself, knowing that it would only further the man's amusement and possibly everyone else's as well.
"It's only because GenPou does not wish to embarrass me in front of the troops." Sei Chou spoke calmly, once again, his hand itched to throw the border at someone, but if anything, Gen Pou knew to keep his composure.
"You're very talented, Sei Chou." The words came out harsher than he had wished, but so be it. Gen Pou could not know how to take them back. Sei Chou only smiled and thanked him further for a good game before standing up from the table.
"Thank you, Lord Gen Pou. I've truly learnt a lot, but now I must leave and head to the western borders." Sei Chou replied politely. Though Gen Pou was annoyed at the fact that the score was 3 wins for Sei Chou and 2 losses for himself, he was still happy to see the youngster was not just a brute like Kai Shi Bou.
"Young man, you've managed to beat this old fellow three times in a row, I will allow you to leave, but…" Gen Pou pointed towards Sei Chou, "We will definitely face off again, once you have beaten the Qin." That was Gen Pou's prediction, that Sei Chou would win against the Qin force, and once he was done there. Gen Pou would drag the youngster back here and ensure the score was settled.
"Hah, what old man, you're still in the springtime of your youth." Sei Chou replied, Gen Pou was sure that the youngster was quoting someone, but he had never heard the quote before, so he huffed in amusement.
"The only time I feel young is when I am on the battlefield." Gen Pou replied and smiled when he heard Sei Chou chuckle.
GEN POU POV END
3RD PERSON POV
Sei Chou walked with Ren Pa, as his retinue decided to pick up and head back towards the Western border. There was a wistful look in Ren Pa's eyes as he watched his brother's foster son getting ready to go to battle. Even if it was the first time he had met Sei Chou, Ren Pa would not allow anyone in the world to tell him that the boy was not his nephew.
"As I said, uncle, there is an interesting person amongst the Wei army." Sei Chou said, as everyone behind him packed goods, items and other gifts that Ren Pa and his Four Heavenly Kings had gifted their Lord.
"Hmm, interesting enough to get my blood going." Ren Pa ran his fingers through his beard in contemplation, thinking what kind of person had caught his nephew's attention for him to make such a claim.
"Well, that depends on whether he has grown since I last saw him, but if he has, then I would say he would give as good as he gets." Sei Chou said before pausing and then shrugging his shoulders, "But then again, it is you." He finished.
"You know I will not go easy because of your words?" Ren Pa replied, his eyes narrowing sharply; the battlefield for him is sacred ground. A place where only the best come to compete and face off against foes without holding anything back, it would be an insult to the sacred battlefield for Ren Pa to hold back.
"No, the opposite. He's not a soldier of Zhao, and that means he is an enemy. Should he die then that is that…"
"But you think he will not?"
Sei Chou chuckled before saluting Ren Pa and waving him bye as he started walking towards the open carriage door, where Fu Jin was sitting awaiting him. "Only heaven knows, uncle. I will see you soon."
"NUHAHAHAH!" Ren Pa bellowed with laughter. "Make sure to score a victory, Sei Chou," He said before slamming his fist into his palm and clasping. A fierce battle aura swirled around him, and the sun shone greatly on his figure.
"I await the day we fight alongside one another!" The only Great Heaven of Zhao shouted.
…
256 BCE
STATE OF ZHAO: KANTAN
SEI CHOU POV
The royal capital of Zhao was such a beautiful sight, even for someone who had seen future cities and the buildings that stretched towards the sky. This was my first time in the royal capital, and even my first time in the palace.
Any other time, I would've lingered and gone sightseeing in the capital, but I had been summoned by the King of Zhao, and it was not a summons I could refuse.
The current Zhao King was not actually shown in the Kingdom manga. King Xiaocheng sat on his throne and addressed me. As I looked at him, I could see the slight resemblance between him and the deplorable person who was King during the manga's timeline.
"The Qin mongrels have trespassed and started to ravage our lands. Following Houkudai, even Kaiya and Chiku have fallen." King Xiaocheng said gravely. Before continuing, "However… I have already seen the deep abyss, and my heart and my mind did not shake or falter. There is nary a hint of fear in my being, because you are here in my Kingdom." It was a grand speech that hit all the right notes; the King's eyes bore into mine.
"General Sei Chou." I looked down, knowing what was coming, " I HEREBY APPOINT YOU AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF! YOU ARE TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE 85,000 ZHAO ARMY! RID ZHAO OF THE QIN MONGRELS WHO DARED ENCROACH UPON ZHAO LANDS!"
I bowed my left knee, touching the wooden flooring of the palace, dressed in full armour.
"Understood, your majesty," I replied.
SEI CHOU POV END
3RD PERSON POV
In the newly conquered Hokudai…
"A report!" A messenger ran through the open doors and shouted, getting down on one knee, "A Zhao army has been spotted advancing out of Houmou! The number is 85,000, and it seems they're being led by General Sei Chou! Their target appears to be Hokudai, and they're heading here as we speak!"
"WHAT! How can a fresh 85,000-strong army appear here out of thin air?!"
"No one reported there was such an army in Houmou!"
"85,000 has been the entire army of Houmou!"
"So, you're saying the Zhao have come out themselves?!
"Damn that Sei Chou, who does the brat think he is! Does he think he can face our Great General!"
"For such an army to appear in Houmou…"
"What kind of trick is Zhao playing!"
The war room was filled with all of Qin's commanders, many of them with a high enough rank, who questioned the messenger.
The Qin army had just conquered three cities and halted their progress in Hokudai city; they had besieged and conquered three cities of Zhao. The army was in high morale, and it was led by one of Qin's Great Generals. A fearsome man who was respected and feared throughout China.
"Do not panic." Everyone instantly quieted as they heard the voice; heads swivelled to look at the person who had spoken. A large man with a warrior's build stood tall, his long grey head of hair high. Large ferocious grey eyes looked over everyone, with a beastly intensity.
Dressed in his usual golden armour with a red cloak on top of it, Duke Hyou commanded the room with ease. Every soldier in the Qin army respected the man, for his feats were credible and known, his ferocity in battle second to none. So when he spoke, everyone listened.
"Though I've never had a taste of Zhao General Sei Chou's type of warfare. I can see that he wants a decisive battle." Duke Hyou said calmly, which was strange because… "HOW INTERESTING!" The Duke suddenly roared like a beast, which was more his style.
"Then we will face him and battle on the plains! He had already stationed an army at Hounmou, knowing we would be coming for it next, and it will be there that we will face him! Set out immediately! Deploy our soldiers as soon as possible!" Duke Hyou decided on his next actions in an instant, shocking even the men of the Duke's army.
"Right now?!"
"But, Great General, we've yet to finish dividing up the infantry! And the rations have yet to get here!"
"Bah! That can be done after we get to Houku plains, and the rations will be of no use if you do not move out now!" Duke Hyou swatted away all complaints. He was hearing none of it, because he knew… his mind knew that his army needed to get to Houmou plains as quickly as possible.
"ALL TROOPS MOVE OUT!!!" Duke Hyou declared.
…
Even though Duke Hyou acted hastily and moved to catch up with General Sei Chou as fast as possible, knowing that if he tarried, the odds of his army losing would only continue to grow… He would still get to Houmou Plains second.
CHAPTER: DONE