Ancient and modern imperial dynasties are like morning glories, blooming at dawn and wilting by dusk; in chaotic times, heroes arise, making their names renowned through the ages. The Thần Võ continent has endured a thousand years of ceaseless warfare, with the common people living amidst the chaos of swords and soldiers, their suffering indescribable. It was not until Emperor Thái Tổ Vũ, born of humble origins, witnessed the disorder of the under heaven and felt indignation, lamenting with righteous anger: "Under heaven lacks heroes, and people die as if it were commonplace!"
Emperor Thái Tổ Vũ hailed from the land of Uyên, surnamed Phi, given name Lương, courtesy name Tử, commonly known as Phi Tử. Phi Tử served as a minor official in the county, renowned for his generosity and fondness for befriending wandering knights and martial artists. From commoners to great clans in the county, who did not know the name of Phi Tử?
In that year, the land of Uyên erupted in conflict between the armies of two warlords, Trương Giang and Tôn Bặc. Giang and Bặc were powerful figures in Trường Lạc district, who, seizing the opportunity of a weakened imperial court, rose in rebellion, occupying land and establishing their own rule. Each commanded thousands of troops, their reputations resounding in their time.
Initially, Trương Giang and Tôn Bặc formed an alliance to jointly govern Trường Lạc district, submitting a memorial to the imperial court stating: "The governor of Trường Lạc, Tề Uy, is unjust, embezzling from the counties to lavishly build his governor's mansion—that is his first great crime. Uy fails to win the hearts of the people in the district, often rewarding and punishing unfairly, acting with bias and violating the court's laws—that is his second crime. The treasury of Trường Lạc is empty, and for years, the counties' governance has been unclear, leading to local self-rule, long detached from the court's authority—that is his third crime. These three great crimes compel us to act first and report later, executing Uy to answer the will of the people, and we beseech the court to consider this!"
Thereafter, Trương Giang declared himself governor, seizing the official seal, issuing decrees in the district, promulgating orders, and altering laws at his whim. Tôn Bặc was appointed by Giang as Chief Clerk and Military Advisor, overseeing district affairs and managing the military camp. However, while Bặc was given command of the camp, Giang appointed his trusted confidant, Quách Kiệm, as the chief general of the camp, answering only to Trương Giang. To Tôn Bặc, Kiệm was outwardly respectful but inwardly disloyal, making Bặc a figurehead with nominal authority, his life and death in Trương Giang's hands.
Tôn Bặc, dissatisfied with Trương Giang's unfair appointments, grew resentful. His retainers, Lý Dương and his younger brother Tôn Nghĩa, urged Bặc to break away and establish his own power. Without hesitation, Bặc decided, escaping under the cover of night with his followers from the Chief Clerk's residence to Hoa Dương county, not far away.
On the way, Trương Giang learned of Tôn Bặc's disloyal intentions and personally led troops to ambush him. Tôn Bặc survived the attack, but from then on, he bore a deep grudge against Giang.
Bặc, along with Lý Dương, Tôn Nghĩa, and thirty loyal retainers, risked their lives to flee to Hoa Dương. The magistrate of Hoa Dương county, who had a prior friendship with Tôn Bặc, offered him refuge and pledged allegiance to him.
The next day, Tôn Bặc sat in the county hall, flanked by Tôn Nghĩa and Lý Dương. With a solemn expression, he addressed the magistrate of Hoa Dương, saying, "Chính Thuỵ, you aided me in my time of peril; this kindness cannot go unrewarded. I hereby appoint you as my advisor to assist me at my side!"
The magistrate of Hoa Dương, surnamed Hoa, given name Quân, courtesy name Chính Thuỵ, was moved by Tôn Bặc's appointment and bowed, saying, "This humble official thanks my lord!"
Hoa Quân, dressed in official robes, appeared unremarkable with his short stature. Speaking softly, he said, "My lord, Trương Giang, now your enemy, will soon bring troops to attack Hoa Dương. If we do not strike first to gain the advantage, I fear we will miss a great opportunity."
Lý Dương, hearing Hoa Quân's words, silently praised his talent and stepped forward, bowing sternly, saying, "Chính Thuỵ's words are correct. I believe we should lead troops to attack Trường Lạc and seize control!"
Tôn Bặc nodded and shouted, "Where is Tôn Nghĩa?"
Tôn Nghĩa, standing to the side, clasped his fists and responded loudly, "Your general is here!"
"I order you to muster the county's troops within a few hours and follow me to attack Trường Lạc!"
Tôn Nghĩa acknowledged the order and turned to organize the soldiers. Lý Dương then stepped forward, pulling a map from his robe and said, "My lord, to attack Trường Lạc, our army must pass through the land of Uyên, where the terrain is flat—a battlefield for soldiers. If Trương Giang is not foolish, he will know this and engage us there."
As Lý Dương finished, Hoa Quân stepped forward, adding calmly, "Moreover, if our army can spread rumors in Uyên to sway the people's hearts, making them support our lord and encouraging the populace to voluntarily enlist, even if we lose the battle, we will win their hearts!"
Tôn Bặc, delighted, said, "With Chính Thuỵ and Hi Quân, my great cause is assured!"
Lý Dương, without pride, coughed lightly and continued, "Trường Lạc district will surely belong to you my lord, but we must act with legitimacy. I humbly suggest submitting a memorial to the provincial authorities, pledging allegiance and offering tribute in gold and silver."
Tôn Bặc, hearing this, said in a deep voice, "Hi Quân speaks wisely; proceed accordingly."
At the governor's mansion in Trường Lạc, Trương Giang and his retainers deliberated in the main hall. Giang's face was grave, his brows exuding a murderous aura, his eyes fixed on a map as he asked in a low voice, "Tôn Bặc betrayed my trust, survived my ambush, and will surely become a great threat to me! Who among you has a plan to eliminate this man?"
Silence fell over the hall until a man stepped forward. His movements were swift, his appearance refined; he was surnamed Quản, given name Vân, courtesy name Trọng Nhan. Quản Vân bowed to Trương Giang and said calmly, "My lord, Tôn Bặc, allied with Hoa Dương's magistrate Hoa Quân, will likely muster a large army today to attack Trường Lạc and seize power. Though our army is led by General Quách, the soldiers' loyalty is not yet firm, making large-scale mobilization risky and prone to mutiny. I suggest temporarily avoiding their advance, retreating to Ân county, reestablishing the governor's mansion, and bringing supplies and provisions. The current mansion and non-essential items can be burned."
His words stunned the room, all eyes turning to Quản Vân. Trương Giang looked at him and said, "Trọng Nhan, capturing Trường Lạc from Tề Uy was no easy feat, and now you suggest handing it to the traitor Tôn? How can I face such shame? Tôn has only just arrived in Hoa Dương and hastily mustered troops—his foundation is weak, nothing to fear! Moreover, to reach us, Tôn must pass through Uyên, a key battlefield. If our army defeats Tôn in a single battle, he is doomed!"
Quản Vân tried to persuade further, but Trương Giang waved him off, saying, "My decision is final, Trọng Nhan; say no more."
Turning to Quách Kiệm, he said, "Quách Kiệm, heed my command: gather five hundred soldiers from the camp and march to Uyên to confront the traitor Tôn! Victory is the only option; defeat means your head!"
Quách Kiệm, trembling inwardly but unable to defy orders, knelt and shouted his compliance. Quản Vân, seeing this, glanced at Trương Giang, sighing inwardly, "Arrogance will not lead to success!"
Soon after, Quách Kiệm led five hundred troops to Uyên, forming ranks to await the enemy. By noon, a distant army approached slowly, bearing banners with the red character "Tôn."
Quách Kiệm, seeing the enemy, spurred his horse forward and shouted, "Where is the rebel general? Come face your death!"
Tôn Nghĩa, enraged by Quách Kiệm's taunt, drew his sword and roared, "Soldiers, follow me to take the enemy general's head! Whoever kills him will be made a captain and granted a hundred measures of grain!"
With such a heavy reward, brave men emerged. Nghĩa's soldiers, eyes blazing, charged fearlessly. Quách Kiệm drew his sword, ordering his army to join him in the fray.
The two sides clashed in a fierce melee, blood and fervor rising, rivers of blood flowing. Quách Kiệm and Tôn Nghĩa dueled, both master swordsmen, their techniques swift and laced with killing intent, neither yielding, evenly matched.
Quách Kiệm channeled inner energy into his sword, unleashing a piercing sword aura to kill Tôn Nghĩa in one strike. Nghĩa, undaunted, infused his sword with inner energy, thrusting it toward Kiệm's face.
Quách Kiệm, his fighting spirit ignited, shouted, "Rebel general, my sword does not slay nameless men! State your name!"
Nghĩa, his voice brimming with unchecked arrogance, roared, "Tôn Nghĩa, Tôn Quân Lăng! This day next year will be your memorial day!"
Kiệm and Nghĩa clashed like lightning, seeking a decisive blow. Quách Kiệm fought with increasing ferocity, his sword aura blending with murderous intent, forcing Nghĩa onto the defensive.
A glint of killing intent flashed in Tôn Nghĩa's eyes, and his aura suddenly shifted. What was once a torrential onslaught became a calm, gentle stream, its edge concealed.
Quách Kiệm, seeing this, intensified his inner energy, aiming to kill Nghĩa before he could react. Tôn Nghĩa struck with a single sword strike, seemingly ordinary, a horizontal slash, but to Quách Kiệm, it was a blade infused with restrained inner energy—lethal upon contact.
Tôn Nghĩa's strike was swift as a storm. Quách Kiệm tried to parry but failed, taking a slash across his chest. Fortunately, his inner energy and sturdy physique saved him from instant death.
Spitting blood, Quách Kiệm glared at Nghĩa and shouted, "Tôn Nghĩa… what is that sword technique called?"
Tôn Nghĩa, standing calmly, replied, "Weak Water Sword."
Kiệm laughed heartily, saying, "A fine sword! If I survive this, I will return to test it again!"
Tôn Nghĩa laughed wildly, saying, "Quách Kiệm! You think you have a chance?"
As he spoke, Nghĩa charged to finish him. Kiệm, using his agility, retreated and shouted, "All troops, withdraw!"
The command echoed across the battlefield. Kiệm's soldiers scattered in retreat. Kiệm threw a sulfur-and-lead smoke bomb to distract Tôn Nghĩa.
Furious at Kiệm's escape, Nghĩa ordered his troops to pursue. Kiệm, skilled in lightfoot techniques, outran Nghĩa, hiding in the grass to heal his wounds.
Suddenly, hearing a noise, Quách Kiệm drew his sword and shouted, "Who's there?"
He lunged forward and saw a youth wearing straw sandals and tattered clothes, a basket of wild herbs on his back. Kiệm frowned and asked sternly, "Boy, why are you here?"
The youth, seeing Kiệm in blood-stained black armor with a chest wound, smiled and said, "You must be a deserter? That wound looks fresh from battle. My home is nearby—if you can still walk, you're welcome to rest and recover there."
Quách Kiệm, surprised by the youth's fearlessness, pressed his sword to the boy's throat and said, "You've got some courage, inviting me to your home! Aren't you afraid I'll kill you with one strike?"
The youth laughed loudly and said, "If you wanted to kill me, why bother talking so much? One quick strike would do, wouldn't it?"
Kiệm, sensing something extraordinary about the youth, sheathed his sword and asked softly, "Boy, what's your name?"
The youth answered decisively, "I am Phi Lương, courtesy name Tử!"