The skies shifted, revealing an army heading towards the royal capital of Qin as they traversed the dense forests, with the river running parallel to them. In the front rode Great General Ri Li, accompanied by Wan Heian and his lieutenant Sen Zou.
Heian observed the shining river as the terrain changed. They had reached the border.
"Seeing the Han River for the first time?", asked Ri Li.
Wan Heian turned and replied...
"Yes, Great General"
Ri Li smiled upon hearing that...Sen Zou also did the same.
"Wan Heian, in this unit, everyone has their unique names", said Ri Li.
"Unique names?", Wan Heian was confused.
"Ryo, why can't you just say that you are bad with names?," asked Sen Zou sarcastically.
"Ryo?"
"Wanchi, don't listen to a oaf like him", advised the general.
"Wanchi? Wait, I don't get it," Wan was more confused.
"From today, in our uni,t you are Wanchi", said Ri Li.
"And yeah, Ryo's names are absolute", said Sen Zou.
"Wanchi...just call me Ryo from today", said Ri Li.
"Eh? Yes Gener...I mean Ryo!!", said the puzzled Wan.
They diverted away from the river and entered the plateau region near the border. Climbing the plateau, Wan noticed the river disappearing away.
"Tell me your story, Wanchi!!", said Ri Li.
"My story?"
"Yeah, in our unit, each member tells their stories to Ryo", said Sen Zhou.
"My story is..."
"Don't hesitate, young boy...even Senchi, who joined me to marry a girl, told me his love story", the general said while smiling.
"Hey!! Ryo!!", words slipped out of the embarrassed Sen's mouth.
"Ha! See....see him getting angry?", asked the general, laughing.
Wan's eyes widened, and for the first time, he felt again...the feeling of being free to laugh.
"Ha!"
"Ha!!!! Ha!!"
Joyfully laughed, Wan Heian, seeing that the rest of them laughed too. Making Wan think if he was really going to war...
"Ryo...I am from Tianzhu, from a place called Varanas", told Wan Heian.
"Oh...I have heard about that place", replied Sen Zhou.
Wan Heian recalled his past and told them everything. He aimed to be a great general of China and to conquer his homeland. His journey from Varanasi to Han with the merchants who became his family, their sacrifice for him and the rest of his comrades. His life as a bounty hunter and how he joined the Zen Shi.
Hearing that Ri Li just stared into the sky, his pleasant eyes reflecting the blue sky, a smile appeared on his face.
"I am glad I got to meet you, Wanchi!!", thanked Ri Li.
"Eh..."
Hearing it from a great general, Wan felt something. Something he couldn't describe...a feeling that was a mix of admiration, nostalgia, and something else. He couldn't just discern.
"Wanchi...do you know who a great general really is?", asked Ri Li.
"Ryo...I.."
"Answer me honestly", said Ri Li.
"I don't know", muttered Wan.
"That is the answer...", told Ri Li.
"Wha...?"
"Yes...you don't know, and that is your answer", said Ri Li.
"That is precisely why you should become the greatest general of Han", Ri Li muttered.
"A great general has not conquered many lands, but one who has truly embraced his own," said Ri Li.
Wan Heian's eyes widened...he just looked into his own hands. The scar in his hands, his twin swords, given by his comrades, his headband and his very name, that man gave.
The sun shone upon the sky, reflecting Ri Li's silver armour. Sen Zou was quiet upon hearing that...he just looked at Ri Li.
"Hm...you have not changed, Ryo", said Sen Zou.
"Yu Shin!! Come here!!", ordered Ri Li.
From the back, a horse accelerated, appearing behind Ri Li. Wan turned, and on that horse sat a boy of his age.
"Um...um...nice to..meet you. I am Yu Shin", the tense boy introduced himself.
"Wanchi...this Yu Shin, I am leaving him in your army. If you have any difficulties keeping up with my tactics, he will help you", advised Ri Li.
"Yes, Ryo!!"
"Make sure to work him like an ox for sure, Wanchi!", said Sen Zou.
"A few li from here, we will split...", Ri Li was quiet all of a sudden.
The same was with everyone in the Ri Li unit, as if they had sensed something. Yu Shin was also calm.
"They are here, Ryo", whispered Sen Zou.
"Fine"
Only a single word was uttered from Ri Li's mouth. Wan Heian could feel it, a red aura emanating from Ri Li. Wan Heian's hands started to tremble. His sense of smell was distorted, and his auditory senses jammed.
He could only get the smell of purple lily, which always blooms in the presence of moonlight. A violet glow radiated from Ri Li's eyes, from both sides, plunging assassins. Drawing out their chains, arrows, and swords, all of it aimed at Ri Li.
With front flips cutting through the air, they surged toward Ri Li, the air brushing through their faces.
But...
The air got heavier and denser, as if something was being withdrawn. Ri Li, looking straight into the sky, said...
"FIRST MOON"
Wan Heian stared. Ri Li was still seated on his horse. No blood stained his armour. No sword was visible in his hand
In that instant, their throats burst—blood spraying, painting trees and horses red. Heads flew, struck the ground, and the falling bodies sent horses rearing in panic.
"He drew his sword?...so this is the moon sword style?"
Wan Heian could only widen his eyes in awe as he saw the general speed. Wan Heian could see the Qi around Ri Li. Circulating his body like his blood.
But he felt odd as he saw Yu Shin...
"I can't even sense an ounce of Qi from Shin?
Wan Heian believed that it was his own lack of ability or that Shin could mask his Qi.
"We have officially entered Qin now!! Get ready to go all out!!", ordered Ri Li.
"Yes, Ryo!!!", roared the soldiers.