26 A fallen star that soared through the Heavens

Eastern Qin , Near Shouchun

Two men were sitting in a dark room dimly lit by candles. one of them spoke," So do you accept our offer?

The other replied ," It is too soon to reply.I know you have your own interests in this, so I'm not sure about it. If you pull back, I would be the one in trouble."

The other man laughed and replied," if you wish to be king, you must take risks. Such is the path towards kingship. We can help each other, so think carefully."

The man left the room leaving the previous guy by himself who stood and walked next to a candle. The shadows he cast had an ominous aura like his face, which was hidden behind a mask. He had an amused look behind it as he uttered ," Xiang Yu, hoh ?"

OuKi PoV

I have a bad feeling today. My instincts telling me to retreat yet I can't. Bayou can't be lost at any cost. This place has not only strategic importance, it holds a sentimental value to Qin. This is afterall the last conquest by KouRyu, me and Kyou. Where both naof us would have fallen if not for his intervention.

This is unlike me, wallowing in the past . Maybe I shouldn't have returned. Family life was something I got used to. I heard Lu Bu has been travelling West to East, appearing in every battlefield just to find a challenge. He was disappointed to never get back at KouRyu. I hope he doesn't turn his eye on Qin as there isn't anybody who can face him and win. I sighed and got on my horse. Today would be a long day it seems.

Riboku PoV

the stage has been set. OuKi have not noticed anything. Houken has served as a great bait to lure him out. With his demise, Qin would only have Kyou who is out of battlefield as a reliable great general. MouGou and ChouTou are average generals and they can't stop Zhao. With OuKi gone, even if that monster's vassals rise again, they can't defend Qin for long.

Afterall, once there is blood drawn, the sharks would swarm the prey to take a bite. A whale maybe big but in front of a pack of sharks it's nothing. I have waited a long time for this. Even if Northern Qin is defended well, it is only one fifth of entire Qin and the land is quite barren. Let them hold those lands and we can take the rest.

I asked Kaine to accompany me to observe the battlefield for any abnormalities. Last time I was overconfident , KaRin taught me a lesson . I can't repeat that mistake again. Specially since she isn't dead unlike her beloved general.

After we reached the tower, we were surprised to see two young kids already there. They were apprentice of Shouheikun it seems. I wish they wouldn't witness the tragedy about to unfold. But this is life, and the hopes of youth can only last for so long before reality strikes them down.

Zhuge Liang PoV

It is time. My joy is limitless as I have the chance ride beside my lord again. We all are excited. Sadly all of us can't come as someone needs to defend the lands.

Lu Meng and Han Xin was left with KaRin to oversee the territory. There is one thing my lord often says," never reveal all of your cards , always have a final trick hidden that can turn the tide."

My thoughts were interrupted by him entering the tent. My lord asked me with a smile," is the preparations ready?"

I saluted and replied, "everything is in place. The army is ready. But are you sure it's okay to let the Qin army fall into that trap ? OuKi is a great general and his loss would be a shame. "

He sadly smiled and spoke," His death isn't something I wish. But its necessary for what's about to come. In the grand scheme of things, there needs to be sacrifices.

I need to cripple the Riboku army and that would leave the northern Zhao open. Don't forget there is Lu Bu, Ma Chao and Guan Yu who can be a threat. I can only make sure Riboku let down his guard by letting him achieve victory."

I fanned myself and said," I know that much. But are you sure this is the best way ? I know this isn't like you to follow fate. "

He just sighed and replied, " This is all to ensure there is a coalition war against us. We need to lure the kingdoms by feigning weakness but also posing threat. They would want to kill me once I re emerge as I would be the last great general of Qin who can threaten them.

They will come to me , That way I can destroy them all at once. It's too much of a hassle to go after them one by one don't you think, Kongming?"

I dropped my fan as I heard his words. Manipulation of that level is beyond even me. This is why I can show my full might, because I have a lord who is a greater talent than me; someone who can use a battle to plant the seed of a greater victory which is years away. To predict such an outcome is magnificent.

I grinned wildly for the first time in a while and spoke," That indeed saves our time, and less tiring my lord"

Narrator PoV

The 4th day of the battle was more intense than ever. The Qin army charged at Zhao from the start. OuKi rode out with his main army and rushed towards Houken's HQ while Rihaku the true strategic commander of Zhao was attacked by Tou.

Things were going well for Qin. But it was at that moment, hearing the continuous cheer from the main army, MouBu chose to abandon his defensive formation and chased the Zhao army into the valley. He fell right into Rihaku's trap . His army was crushed by rocks thrown by Zhao soldiers above the cliffs.

MouBu ordered a greater charge ignoring all logic thinking he can force his way out of it by killing the enemy. This indeed caught Zhao off guard for a while but the soldiers at the cliffs were out of reach for MouBu. Eventually, cost of the 20,000 army he brought was killed but a few managed to send the message to OuKi making him choose.

He could sacrifice MouBu and break through here or they could go rescue him, forcing them into a difficult position .

At that moment , another scout rushed in and reported ," It's not good. The scouts you assigned to the Eastern cliffs are all dead except me. There's a large Zhao army coming this way my lord. Their numbers are over 100,000."

OuKi laughed hearing this and spoke," Nfufu, so this battle was designed to kill me it seems. This reeks of deceit and I think I know who is the mastermind behind this. "

He turned to the army and ordered," Gather 10,000 men Rokuomi and lead them to rescue MouBu. Give 700 men to the "Hi Shin Unit" and have them move to the forest on North. They are to await orders for a surprise attack. Give Kanou 5,000 soldiers and have him assume the western defense. Tell Tou to wrap things up immediately and return."

Everyone rushed out to follow his commands as OuKi looked towards the east and sighed. He thought to himself," I wish I could go back and see my family one last time but looks like that won't be possible."

At that moment another soldier came and reported," Houken, Zhao commander is coming here with all the force he has. they number more than 50,000. "

OuKi picked up his glaive and replied," I'll go deal with him myself. I'm gonna see what makes him so special that even him warned me about it 9 years ago."

OuKi rode out and engaged Houken while the rest of the army held the enemies back. At that point, the rumbling noise was getting closer and soon they could see the army of Riboku coming closer. The Qin army despaired while Zhao soldiers cheered loudly. Riboku had 100,000 soldiers which was his army of Ganmon with Bananji, ShunSenju and Kinmou.

OuKi who was fighting Houken saw the flags and realized that this would be where he falls, but he didn't give up . Tou managed to get to Rihaku HQ and kill Rihaku but this cost him valuable time.

By the time he took care of Rihaku, Riboku army reached the battlefield and engaged the Qin army, creating a wall between him and OuKi. Despite that, Tou still rushed towards OuKi cutting a path between the soldiers. Riboku army held on and joined with the other Zhao soldiers to resist Qin.

Ouki went head to head with Houken and even managed cut off two fingers of his. Houken was angry and he fought with all his might . They were almost same at strength so none could easily defeat the other.

OuKi laughed and spoke," You might be strong but your blows hold no weight. No wonder He beat you so easily."

Houken was enraged and he charged wildly at OuKi who responded with his own might. Their blades collided and they were locked fiercely.

At that moment, Shin saw an archer pointing an arrow at OuKi and he rushed towards the archer. But he was a bit late as the arrow sailed through right before he took the head of the archer.

Shin screamed with tears running his face as he saw the man he admired and aspired to be pierced by an arrow and Houken's blade.

The entire Qin army was devastated and shocked by the defeat of Ou Ki, the last of the 6 greats of Qin.

Riboku sighed as he was prepared to give the order to all trops to disengage, suddenly he heard the thundering sound of thousands of cavalries approaching their location.

His face became tense as he looked towards the west. There was a storm of sands approaching and within it, he could feel about at least 50,000 soldiers rushing at him from all directions as if the devil was chasing them.

The Qin and Zhao soldiers both could feel the approaching army. Qin soldiers were hoping they would be reinforcement and the Zhao soldiers were dreading who it might be.

Everyone stopped fighting as they looked towards west. Soon they could see a Red and Golden Banner proudly flying with the gust. The words described in them spoke "Tian" and "Long" or Tenryu.

The Qin and Zhao soldiers were both a little confused but only about half them. Mainly the veterans who knew that flag, and the Ouki army, they all forgot their sadness momentarily and shouted with cheers as the famous banner of invincibility returned to battlefield once again. OuKi coughed up blood as he looked at the flags with hazy eyes and he spoke," He still lives, that is assuring to see before I die."

It was once one of the symbols of Qin's might. A general who's meteoric rise was so quick and faded away so soon due to his apparent disinterest in war and thought to be assasinated. Much like Zhao's Rinshoujo , he was called "Phantasmal" as his existence was like a fleeting dream and his legends began to be counted as myth.

Bananji muttered softly, "this is very bad". He looked towards Riboku, whom seeing that banner could only utter one word "Impossible".

Karyo Ten PoV

this was not looking good. For some reason general OuKi sent 10,000 soldiers away and it looks like another army was coming there. Riboku and Kaine who looked like pretty nice guys turned out to be the enemies. They Left us tied up here and Now they are going to kill general OuKi and we can't warn anyone. We were trying to break free for a while and then gave up.

MouKi was feeling down because his father was also there. I was also worried about Shin as he wasn't a general and if something happens, soldiers and small unit captains are always left to hold back the enemy.

All of a sudden , There was horse galloping towards us. When it got closer , We saw a beautiful woman riding atop it. She got down in front of the tower as if she knew we were here. When she climbed up and came face to face with us I was overwhelmed. She is everything I want to be.

A beautiful woman who is a warrior and elegant, dressed in a battle armor well designed. MouKi had a blush on his face despite the situation and I can't blame him.

The lady smiled and said," My name is Diao Chan. I was sent by my lord to get you two away to safety. You must be Karyo Ten and MouKi ?"

I nodded and replied," did sensei send you here ? nobody else knew we were here."

Diao Chan laughed and replied," I don't work for your sensei Shouheikun little one, although my lord is acquainted with him. "

I was curious as to who did she work for . Someone like her dressed in an extravagant armor must have a good standing. I was pulled out of my thoughts by MouKi's exclamation," look Ten, there's another army ! and this one bears Qin flags! "

Right on cue we heard the rumbling of thousands of horses from other directions as well. I was confused as to why is there so many soldiers prepared for an encirclement and who would be cunning enough to time it exactly right ? And how did they know that Zhao has set a trap here ?

MouKi pointed to the flag at North and yelled," what is going on here ! That flag shouldn't be here. The only flag that had the king's symbol belonged to General KouRyu , the person who actually inspired my brother to join the army as he basically worships him! But he died long ago, we all know it."

Diao Chan laughed with mirth and replied," My lord would be happy to hear the younger generation looks up to him so much. But we must hurry so we can witness up close the return of a legend."