Prologue

    Poets have remarked that Yan Region during the late autumn is the pinnacle of beauty in the realm. The various shrubs with different shades of color is arranged as if painted with the brushes of celestial beings. The air is fragrant with blooming flowers, inviting joy, while two yellow birds chirp melodiously from the branches of willow trees, their voices carried by the breeze. And beyond the vast mountain ranges that stretch as far as the eye can see, a line of great egrets soar gracefully.

    Jianyang, the capital of Yan Region, proudly sits on a plateau at the foothills. Its robust, grey walls stretch along the mountain line, solid and unyielding, as if destined to stand for a thousand more years. As the sun begins to rise above the horizon, casting powerful rays, the unique beauty of this land becomes even more impeccable.

    Amidst the vibrant flora of the autumn season, large chrysanthemums, as wide as bowls, are in full bloom, displaying their beauty. The majestic royal palace of Jianyang stretches within the embrace of the mountains—serene... warm... and eternally so.

    A young girl named Yong’an meandered along the corridors, passing by clusters of court ladies and eunuchs who bowed respectfully to her.

    "Where is Second Brother?"

    The seven-year-old princess inquired of her nursemaid, her eyes calm and serene, her long hair neatly tied into twin buns framing her delicate face. She wore a bright pink dress, stained with mud and clay, a short old dagger tucked at her waist and a long sword dragging on the ground, trying to show that she knew martial arts, a childlike behavior.

    "The Prince is currently dressing for war to lead the troops into battle, Your Highness."

    "Thank you."

    Yong’an held the rank of princess of Yan Region, yet she loved to play and fight like a boy, always seeking to accompany her second brother to the battlefield, though never permitted. Her big brother wouldn't allow it, the third brother paid no heed, and not to mention their father—who would never allow her to experience the battlefield, even over his dead body. The conflict her second brother was to manage was said to be an instigation by Li Region, Yan Region most powerful enemy, whose young prince was entering the battlefield for the first time to test his skill and gather fame. This prince has boldly captured an important frontier city, prompting Second Brother to mobilize forces urgently to respond without underestimating the opponent.

    "He is called Li Xuanlong, leading his troops into battle for the first time, but his prowess should not be underestimated."

    The Second Prince Yan Sanqi discussed with his brothers in the Majin Palace. In front of them is a sand table for strategizing. This palace was heavily guarded as it served as the command center. High-ranking aristocrats from related departments constantly rotated in to present their reports.

    "This man made a name for himself at the age of fourteen, advancing from the rank of Commander of Hundred to Commander of Three Hundreds, then a Commander of Thousand, and most recently, he had been appointed as the Deputy General under Li Wang. He had been ordered to wreak havoc on the borders."

    Yan Shen, the eldest brother, sat among a pile of documents awaiting his approval. Meanwhile, the third prince, Yan Shijin, sat on a windowsill, resting his legs along it, manipulating chess pieces representing military units on the sand table. He tried to place them on strategic point, finding a plan to win the war.

    "The western area of Jianyang is a complex terrain of mountains interlaced with plains. I don't understand why he chose such a difficult route for the invasion."

    "If I were to guess, this young man is certainly eager to prove himself..."

    "The more eager he is, the better for us," said Yan Sanqi with a smile and a wild look typical of a frontline general.

    "Princess Yong’an," the trusted guard of all three princes, stationed in front of the palace, saw the little princess striding towards them. They were about to announce her arrival to the high-born lords, but the princess gestured for them to stop.

    "His planning skills may seem scattered, but this man is daring and takes risks. You must beware of the cornered dog situation."

    "Understood, Big Brother. I think he wants to prolong the battle... It could be a strategy to distract us, allowing Lian Region to seize the opportunity to attack us. If we falter, Li Region will definitely collaborate with Lian Region to corner us," Yan Sanqi then increased the troop deployments on the border with Lian and organized forces to counter Li Region.

    "Third Brother, keep an eye on Hua’er. She wants to accompany me to the front lines. If she slips away, Father will surely have my head."

    "Understood, Second Brother. I’ll handle it."

    The three brothers were plotting to thwart her again. The young girl furrowed her brows and quickly softened her footsteps, retreating from the restricted area. Just the other day, she overheard her father lamenting that the treasury was becoming increasingly depleted due to the prolonged conflict among the three regions, a malaise eating away at every life. The princess with the title of Yong’an like her thus wanted to do something to help resolve this issue.

    The princess' nursemaid was surprised that she did not approach her three older brothers but quickly rushed back to her own palace. "Where are you headed, Your Highness?"

    "To prepare."

    The troop dispatch ceremony was held in front of the command tower outside the city gates. Yan Wang, as the ruler of the region, performed the ritual offerings to the ancestors. Thousands of soldiers stood ready for inspection in a firm and disciplined array. In the front were cavalry troops with swords and bows, followed by infantry arranged in tight rectangular formations, immobile. Aristocrats from six departments and nine bureaus, along with the citizens of the capital, all stood waiting to receive him. Every household set up altars with offerings of food and drinks to send off the troops and bless them with victory.

    "Come play, Hua’er... Will you come out yourself or do you need me to scold you first?"

    Yan Shijin, the third prince of Yan Region, was tasked with watching the child. He held a rattle, swinging it back and forth so that the beads strung next to it would hit the cellophane, making a clattering sound. He moved back and forth, looking for the child among the bushes, but no matter how much he searched, he couldn't find her.

    Yan Shijin scratched his head, there was only one possibility… Sigh! I shouldn't have taught her to ride a horse and shoot arrows.

    At noon, bells and war drums resounded more rapidly, echoed by the bells and drums stationed at each tower of city's four walls. It signaled that the general had declared military law and was ready to go to war.

    Second Prince Yan Sanqi, dressed in his armor adorned with leopard skin and a dragon-emblazoned belt, his sharp eyes blazing with intensity, was known in the war as 'The Beast'. This name wasn't self-proclaimed but was the last cry of enemies as their spirits left their bodies. His imposing figure sat arms-folded on his horse, a slight smile on his face, exuding confidence in his skills and his army.

    "Li Region sends Prince Li Xuanlong to seize our city, such a presumptuous young man," he declared loudly. "All you silly, follow me and let's kick his butts."

    His brief but resonant words were to the point, no need for lengthy intro. The thirty thousand well-trained soldiers roared in unison, filled with vigor.

    "Kick his butts!"

    The Beast's flag fluttered defiantly against the strong wind, his Dragon Spear gleaming menacingly. Among his brothers, Yan Sanqi was the most robust, his stature large and radiating the intense aura of a commanding general, muscles visible under his black and gold armor. The young man raised a jar of liquor, drank it in one gulp, then hurled it to the ground before thunderously ordering,

    "March out of the city!"

    The soldiers also got the liquor. Their eyes blazing, they drank and smashed their bowls on the ground, shattering them with a resounding crash. The sounds of animal horns and war drums boomed through the earth and sky. Yan Wang stood sending off his troops from the command tower until they were out of sight, his gaze lingering on the flags atop the poles before he sighed deeply. Despite pondering ways to end the war until his hair turned white, he could find no solution.

    "Where is Hua’er? Why didn't she come to send off her brother?"

    "Uh..." The princess's personal nursemaids exchanged looks before nervously reporting, "The princess said that the second prince allowed her to go to the battlefield..."

    "And you believed a child?!! I explicitly ordered that no one should take her..."

    Yan Wang’s mustache twitched in anger, his fists pounding the city wall with thuds. This kid was so mischievous, no one could compete. The Third Prince Yan Shijin laughed as he approached to pay his respects, "No one took her, Father. She went on her own. Look there, Father's little princess is riding off over there."

    Yan Sanqi, arms folded, maintained his posture while riding his horse. Sensing the clamor and shouts from the command tower, he leaned back slightly and ordered his confidant to return and inquire about the commotion. However, Yan Sanqi didn’t need to wait for an answer as the seven-year-old princess was already galloping at full speed to catch up with him.

    The veins on the young man's temples bulged visibly. Such a tiny creature, yet so daring!

    "Second Brother, I will help you," the little princess shouted boldly. Yan Sanqi then massaged between his eyebrows. Barely able to ride a horse, what could she help? So stubborn and foolish that no one could compete.

    "If I send you back, you’ll just run away and join anyway, won’t you?"

    "Exactly, Your Highness. I want to be a great general like you. If I only stick to sewing and embroidery, when will I ever lead an army?"

    "Hua’er... I won’t stop you from wanting to see and learn, but are you prepared to be punished with the rod by Father?"

    "Of course, I'm not afraid at all, Your Highness."

    "And what about the spanking from Big Brother, from me, and from Third Brother as well? Are you prepared for that too?"

    Father and Big Brother are kind; they’ll only spank enough for appearances. The third brother focuses only on scolding. But if Second Brother, say so, expect no respite unless the rod breaks. The princess hesitated, sweating profusely before responding, "If you want to beat me, then beat me. I won’t complain at all. Even if Second Brother breaks my legs with the beating, I won’t cry out in pain."

    "Good! That’s my little sister."

    Yan Sanqi reached out and grabbed the collar of the young girl’s garment, pulling her to sit on the same horse as him. As a warrior who had been on the battlefield since his youth, if she was going to be so headstrong, he would let her experience the harshness firsthand. Yan Sanqi set strict rules and laid out a list of more than ten prohibitions, emphasizing that if she did not follow his commands, he would lock her in a cage and cover it, preventing her from seeing the sun or moon.

    Finally, the young prince’s troop reached the vicinity of Xuanwu Town, about a hundred li from the battlefield city. Yan Sanqi did not stop for rest but urged his soldiers to advance quickly to confront the forces of Prince Li Xuanlong. Yan Sanqi raised his hand to stroke his perfectly chiseled jawline, annoyed by the stubble that seemed to return despite having shaved that morning. His expression remained stoic, revealing no emotions.

    "Second Brother... look, turtles everywhere."

    "Indeed, these turtles are descendants of the Deity Xuanwu. That’s why this place is called Xuanwu Township," the young man laughed as his sister got excited over such a trivial matter. His rough, commanding tone made women throughout the land swoon, but to the princess, it was simply loud and grating. Among the three brothers, the second was indeed the loudest and most boisterous.

    In front of the general's favorite horse, the road was littered with small and large turtles, trampled underfoot by the cavalry, causing many of them to be injured or killed. The princess quickly pulled on her brother's sleeve.

    "Second Brother, can you order the soldiers to move these turtles to the side of the road first?"

    "No, it would be a waste of time."

    "Second Brother..."

    Seeing his only little sister looking sullen and troubled, the Second Brother of the princess growled annoyedly before finally ordering the soldiers to clear the turtles from the road. "Gather these turtles and take them to the pool near the Xuantian Shangdi[1]Shrine up ahead. Oh…, and light some incense to tell this to the Deity Xuanwu[2] as well."

    "Yes, Your Highness."

    "Second Brother is so kind-hearted, showing mercy to all creatures. No wonder you are popular among young women. Such good deeds will surely help you win this battle," the little girl flattered with a clear voice. Yan Sanqi then playfully ruffled her small head, knowing her too well. His sister did not believe in luck, never prayed for blessings, nor had faith in any deity. The only thing she believed in was herself, so any talk of karma meant nothing, could not believe. That was why Yan Sanqi knew she was being sarcastic.

    "Heh, a simple battle like this doesn’t need any divine help. Better to accumulate good deeds for later."

    "What are you accumulate them for, Your Highness?"

    "Do you really want to know?" The young man raised his eyebrow playfully, a charming smile spreading across his face that was irresistible to many women, but for the princess, this smile from her second brother meant, 'You really want to know, don’t you!!'

    "Tell me, please."

    "You don’t believe in gods or deities, why would you care?"

    The princess, now curious, momentarily overlooked her brother's irritating smile. "Please tell me, Second Brother, it's rare for you to do something good."

    "Hey, you, I’ll throw you down to join the turtles soon. Sigh!! Listen here, you little one." Yan Sanqi rolled his eyes as if about to share a secret, increasing her anticipation. The handsome man leaned in and whispered seriously, "I'm looking to find you a sister-in-law."

    "A sister-in-law? Whose wife? The Big Brother, you, or the Third Brother?"

    "Mine, of course. I plan to really settle down after this battle."

    The word ‘wife’ slipped from the brother’s mouth, and the princess looked unimpressed. "You’ve said this no less than eighteen times. I see you only charm the ladies."

    Yan Sanqi shrugged. "They are usually only interested in the sweet rewards I offer, and many are so pitifully desperate, how could I possibly reject them... You’re only seven, you wouldn’t understand."

    "One day, when you finally meet someone you truly like, she’ll turn away because of your behavior."

    "I’ve never met a woman who could impress me." The robust man dismissed the warning completely. "If Xuantian Shangdi blesses me with a beautiful woman, I swear I’ll devote myself to her alone."

    Yan Sanqi clasped his hands together, pledging solemnly to the skies above.

    "Are you sure?"

    "Absolutely. This stays between us. If any woman mentions Xuanwu, even if she's a slave or a commoner, I’ll keep my word. You’ll definitely have a new cousin to raise every year," a mischievous smile appeared on his handsome face. Deity Xuanwu, does he even exist? Confident in the impossibility, he teased lightheartedly. But then, a gust of wind swept through the tall treetops, carrying his words up into the heavens, unbeknownst to the siblings, the listener nodded his head before responding …

    "I grant this blessing as you wish."

[1] Xuantian Shangdi (玄天上帝), known in Hokkien as Hengtian Songde and in Teochew as Hiangtian Xiangdi, is a revered deity regarded as a granter of fortune, prestige, as well as commanding respect. In Thai, he is known as Tiger God.

[2] The retinue deities of Xuantian Shangdi.