A few days later, within the quiet yet imposing walls of the Shen residence, the air between two of the Hua Empire's greatest generals had grown thick with tension.
Shen Han stood opposite his father. It had been days since the coup in the Tughril palace had failed, and they were still thinking about the fate of the one hundred soldiers who were held in Tughril.
"One hundred soldiers from our army are currently in Tughril custody. If the Khan decides to speak, or if those men break under torture, our entire family will be executed."
Across the table, General Shen set the teapot down. "I am well aware of the math, Han'er. But rushing back to the border now would be like walking into a fire. We must wait for the dust to settle. We need to find out exactly what the Khan knows."
Shen Han stepped forward, unable to keep still any longer. His hands had clenched into fists at his sides without him realizing it.
"It isn't just the men, Father. What about Lian Zhi?"
