Across the Bridge of Peace lay Mechu Forest, and deeper still stood the Ihuoin Mechu village. There, twenty-four-year-old Weilong Zhao prepared to enter his father's war room. He had spent days rehearsing, ready to announce to his father and the assembled generals what he intended to do.
Kill the Abbot.
And destroy Ishu Chu.
Just as Weilong reached for the door, a hand slapped onto the wood, stopping it from opening. His younger brother, Liang Zhao, stepped in front of him. Normally, Liang allowed Weilong to do whatever he pleased, but not this time. This crossed every line he stood for.
"Move aside, brother," Weilong snapped.
"If you walk in there and tell Father your plan, he'll have no choice but to agree," Liang said firmly, blocking the doorway. "He can't show weakness in front of the generals."
"You think I don't know that?" Weilong shot back. "That's why I'm doing it, foolish brother. Besides, wouldn't Father approve?"
Liang, only nineteen but wiser than most men twice his age, including his brother. He answered without hesitation.
"You are the fool if you can't see into your own father's heart. His spark for war is gone, Weilong. He no longer seeks power. He wants peace, true peace. How can you not see that?"
"Nonsense," Weilong scoffed. "Even if that were true, the people want this. They want to be rid of the Ishu Chu scum and their worthless Abbot! I'll go in there, say my piece, and you will not stop me!"
Weilong raised his fist, flames erupting around it. Liang, expecting exactly this, activated his own water magic in response.
"So that's how you want to play it?" Liang said, unimpressed.
The air between them tightened as the brothers squared off, fury sharpening both their gazes. But before either could strike, the war room door swung open, and Lord Kai Zhao stepped out.
At eighty years old, he still moved with startling strength and authority. He instantly shoved himself between his sons, stopping their attacks with ease.
"ENOUGH!" he thundered.
Both brothers straightened at once, as if the command itself carried weight.
"What is the meaning of this commotion? The audacity to interrupt an important war meeting, if this is not urgent, you will both be punished."
Weilong tried to compose himself, brushing off his coat.
"Well, Father, I came to speak to you ab-"
Liang cut in swiftly, plastering on a wide smile. "-about how proud of you we are!"
Lord Zhao raised an eyebrow, then softened. "If that is all, then you are dismissed. Do not do this again."
Weilong didn't wait. He pushed past and rushed into the war room.
"Father, that was not all," he declared loudly, drawing every pair of eyes. "I have a plan to take down Ishu Chu Village."
The generals turned toward him at once, interested. Lord Zhao's shoulders dropped a fraction, disappointment barely hidden. Liang covered his face with both palms.
Weilong continued proudly:
"I've already sent spies into Ishu Chu. They've lived there for a year, enlisted in their military. Their reports say the Abbot was injured in a training accident, he's weakened, confined to his chambers. Three new warriors have appeared, two vessels, and one swordsman, but resistance should be minimal. The monks have grown lazy without recent battles."
He stepped forward, voice rising.
"This is our chance. Give the order, and I will assassinate the Abbot and burn Ishu Chu to the ground."
The room erupted in approving grins. The generals wanted this. They wanted blood. And Lord Zhao was backed into a corner, he knew he could not refuse without losing their confidence.
With visible reluctance, he nodded. "Very well."
Weilong beamed.
A plan was formed:
In the dead of night, a medium force would cross the Bridge of Peace and ignite Nenchu Forest, serving as a diversion. Meanwhile, an elite battalion would slip past the chaos and strike Ishu Chu directly. During the battle, Weilong would infiltrate the Abbot's chambers and kill him in his weakened state.
Two days from now, it would begin.
As Weilong exited the war room, he smirked at his brother.
"Happy now?" Liang asked bitterly.
"Overjoyed, brother," Weilong replied with a smug grin. "At last... we journey into the wind."
And with that, a great battle was set in motion.