Prologue

    On the battlefield at the border of the Yan Region.

    The war drums thundered as dawn broke, stirring a fervent atmosphere. The air buzzed with heat and aggression, spreading across the land. The Yan Region had been at war with its bitter rival, the Li Region, for centuries. Both sides fought fiercely to conquer each other’s territories, soaking the soil with blood. It was another battle in their endless conflict, and both had ceased to keep count.

    “When will older brother’s troops arrive?”

    “Within four days. At the earliest, the day after tomorrow, Your Highness.”

    “That’s too late.”

    A formidable man stood towering on a cliff above the battlefield, looking as majestic as a god overseeing the world from above. His tall, robust frame was equipped with his trusted bow, and a sharp sword hung at his waist, ready to slay enemies. The Li army’s flag fluttered behind him in the strong wind.

    Li Xuanlong, the prince of the Li Region, was facing a grueling battle.

    Amid his robust soldiers, the prince stood out with his elegant stature. His tanned skin spoke of rigorous combat training. His sharp features bore fresh wounds carelessly treated. Despite the cold piercing through his armor and chilling his bones, the warrior’s heart within him blazed with fire, pumping flames through his veins. Now, the battlefield was littered with corpses of his soldiers and the enemy’s. Several places on the hill were burning, creating smoke, reminded them of how harsh the combat from the day before was.

    His gaze fell on the Yan troops positioned below, encircling the hill. His Li forces were outnumbered. The supplies his older brother was sending had been cut off, and this natural fortress could be torched by the Yan troops at any moment. Yet, the young man’s eyes showed no fear, only satisfaction at the prospect of proving his mettle.

    “They will not burn this hill. They aim to capture me alive.”

    Prince Li Xuanlong was appointed commander in his first battle, leading five thousand skilled soldiers of the Feilong Unit to seize a strategically important city for their advantage. But now, he found himself ambushed and pushed to stand on this distant hill, about three li from his target city, with nearly half his forces lost and only three thousand tired soldiers remaining.

    “Your Highness, there is a shift in the Yan troops. They suddenly divided their forces and retreated from the battlefield. It might be a strategic feint.”

    The second-in-command, Zhu Zi, reported. His face filled with concern. Thirty thousand enemies surrounded three thousand Li soldiers; they were everywhere they looked. This was Prince Li Xuanlong’s first battle at the age of fifteen. Since joining his older brother on the battlefield at twelve, this was his first command, and his pride was evident. He impulsively changed the army movement plan, leading to them being chased by the Yan. Zhu Zi looked concerned all this time. If anything happens to the prince, they will surely face the severe punishment from Li Wang.

    After a meeting, it was clear that reinforcements from Li Wang, the prince’s older brother, would not arrive in time. Prolonging their position would only weaken their remaining soldiers further. They did not know how to solve this situation. Their morale was declining.

    “We’ll break through.”

    Li Xuanlong calmly stated, his expression seemed unbothered, as if his resolute eyes would not blink even if the other party were attacking them now. Though a novice leader, his combat skills were unmatched. Zhu Zi and the other soldiers turned to him in unison as if they were asking whether he was certain or not. Thirty thousand and three thousand, ten to one, a certain death.

    “You are Li’s finest soldiers. What is there to fear? Each of you just needs to slay at least ten Yan soldiers, and there will be no problem. Who leads the troops today?”

    “The Yan troops fly the flag of the demonic... Yan Sanqi, Your Highness.”

    "Good, yesterday there were only those boring deputy generals," the beautifully curved lips smiled, the gaze piercing and fearless. "I want that man's head."

    Although Yan Wang remained quietly secluded within the palace, he was nevertheless a highly accomplished figure, for he had three sons, all liked powerful swords. The first was Yan Shen, the second Yan Sanqi, and the third Yan Shijin—three Celestial Generals of the Yan Region. The second prince, Yan Sanqi, renowned for his exceptional combat skills, was born on the battlefield and got all his baby teeth there. Despite being in his early twenties, his prowess with the spear had earned him the nickname ‘Dragon Spear.’

    Li Xuanlong stretched a grin, pleased with a divine gift for his fifteenth birthday. He was eager to test whether his Thunderbolt Bow was faster than the Dragon Spear!

    "Prepare for confrontation. We will break out and thrust forward in a wedge formation."

    Li Xuanlong, eager like a kid wanting to use his skill, was ready to face the challenge. Breaking through the encirclement, they needed to pierce through in one swift motion. Easier said than done, as a single misstep would allow the thirty thousand troops to press forward continually, exhausting his men and eventually killed them.

    The atmosphere tensed with the rhythm of the war drums. The heavily armored soldiers reformed into smaller contingents. The young prince turned to rally his soldiers, his eyes blazing black as if lit by thousands of stars. Suddenly, something struck him squarely in the face.

    The object was a small and beautifully embroidered silk shoe. It smacked him in the face before falling to the ground. The soldiers were stunned, particularly the one now marked by the shoe print on his face.

    A child with a clear face, dressed like a young noble, stood conspicuously among the encircling enemies. Large, purposeful eyes glinted defiantly as he held the other shoe in his left hand and a small knife at his waist, exactly right for his size. Judging by his muddy and dew-soaked appearance, he must have climbed through the wilderness during the night, stealthily approaching the commander like this. What a spectacle!

    The child stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Commander Li... I have come to negotiate. Put down your weapons and let's make an agreement."

    "I'm not familiar with negotiating by throwing shoes."

    "I'm also not familiar with the manners of bandits who raid villages. Now, such bandits like yours is being chased like dogs. I’m offering you a way out; you should be thanking me."

    "Who is this impudent brat? Asking for death."

    Li Xuanlong was furious. His hands clenched, nearly crushing the shoe. Zhu Zi grabbed the kid, lifting him by the back of his collar until his legs dangled, but the kid remained defiant, kicking, and throwing the other shoe at Li Xuanlong, hitting the same spot on his face. The soldiers watched, agape, as only the kid dared to laugh loudly.

    "You bring an army to seize a city, Commander Li... and yet you can’t even dodge a shoe. Perhaps you should reconsider your reputation."

    The kid knew who he was but deliberately called him ‘Commander Li,’ which infuriated the young prince of fifteen. He snorted angrily from his nostrils, but the kid showed no fear. Li Xuanlong's hand twitched, itching to draw his sword and threaten the child, but such an act would demean his own honor. His fierce eyes glared, and the other, undeterred, responded without flinching. Neither the small nor the large would back down.

    "Who are you, and where are your parents, little one? Do you even know that this is a battlefield?"

    Zhu Zi held the knife while shaking his head. A battlefield soaked with the stench of blood was no place for a child. The remained silent, his expression stoic. Zhu Zi guessed he might be an orphan because of wars, left to wander and beg since he had no one to turn to.

    "If you’re lost, you’d better scram."

    "I’m not lost. My family name is Chen, and I am seven years old. I came here specifically to find you," declared the boy dressed in old clothes, his red lips pursed defiantly, his delicate facial features almost too pretty, like a girl, but his brave demeanor was no joke. Even alone among enemies, he showed no trace of fear, but Li Xuanlong had lost any interest in this delirious kid.

    "Bind him and throw him away. We've already wasted too much time."

    "Li Xuanlong! I am Yan Sanqi!"

    A fierce voice like thunder echoed from the base of the hill. Even from a distance, his bold voice pierced through the ears, compelling Li's soldiers stationed at various points on the hill to cover their ears, indicating how fearsome Yan Sanqi was.

    "Where is Li Xuanlong!"

    General Yan Sanqi spurred his horse to step forward at the front of his troops, exerting immense pressure. His soldiers, putting their flame arrow on their bow, prepared to set the hill ablaze to cut off any escape. Hearing this booming voice, the child, who had never been afraid of anything, suddenly turned pale and immediately dropped his head.

    "You coward little turtle, Li Xuanlong, resorting to such filthy tactics in battle! Do you still dare to call yourself a warrior?! You scoundrel, Li Xuanlong, show your face to me now!"

    Yan Sanqi shouted, and Li Xuanlong, irritated to the brink of screaming, shouted back,

    "I am a man, killable but not dishonorable! Come on! Where have I acted dishonorably?"

    "A man like me has never slandered anyone. Taking a child hostage, is that the way of a man? You people of Li Region have no shame. Release her immediately, or I will crush you worse than death."

    Release her?

    Li Xuanlong quickly turned back to the Chen kid, his face turning crimson with anger. Why had this boy become 'her'?

    "This kid is clearly a boy," Li Xuanlong turned back to the Chen kid, looking him in the eye before reaching into the child’s trousers, "Here! He's a... boy... uh... girl."

    He faltered as his hand found nothing of what he expected, no matter how much he searched, he could not find that little jade stick. The supposed boy then let out a loud cry, further enraging Yan Sanqi.

    Heavens! The young man's face turned beet red in embarrassment. Li Xuanlong stood holding his forehead for a moment to calm himself, but the man’s cheeks burned as if scorched by fire. He roughly grabbed the girl from Zhu Zi, lifting her by the back of her little shirt’s collar to dangle at the edge of the cliff.

    "Who is she?"

    "She is Chen Taohua,[1] the Princess Yong’an of Yan Region!"

    "Do you see me as a three-year-old?" Li Xuanlong snapped immediately, his handsome face contorted with rage as he roared, "I've never heard before that Yan Wang had a daughter. Do you think I would believe that?"

    "You fool with a dog's brain!" Yan Sanqi shouted back, thunderously, "You think I am a liar?! Hua'er, don’t be afraid, your brother is here to save you."

    Princess? Li Xuanlong pulled Chen Taohua around to clearly see the princess’ face. Her features were plain, her eyes narrow, her teeth missing, her hair and clothes disheveled, and she bore no royal jade pendant. Only her young skin seemed fine. He scrutinized her briefly, pinched her chubby cheeks, turned her left and right, and lifted her by the neck for the soldiers to see the princess.

    "What do you think?"

    His muscular arm held the girl up high, shaking her until her small head bobbed. Zhu Zi rolled his eyes and shook his head, while the three thousand soldiers having seen Chen Taohua clearly, shouted back in unison,

    "Lies!"

[1] Taohua translates to "peach blossom."