They met at the junction leading into the forest, where the national army had already arrived ahead of them, having come by vehicles. King Yibo was the first to dismount from his horse. Instantly, the soldiers saluted him in unison. He acknowledged them calmly and ordered them to stand at ease.
As they did, the army commander stepped forward, a tablet in his hand, and passed it to the Fourth Uncle standing beside him. The Fourth Uncle accepted it and moved closer to King Yibo. The King was well known for his expertise in terrain analysis and map navigation, and with practiced skill, he began working through the tablet, tracking routes and setting up what they needed with precision.
When he finished, the tablet was returned, and everyone....including the army commander.....settled into attentive readiness.
King Yibo took one step… then another… then stopped. His hands clasped behind his back.
"It is impossible for us to walk into this battle without losing at least one life among us," he said steadily. "And if a life must be lost… I hope it will be mine."
His words struck them like thunder. Every single person jerked in shock and turned toward him.
Unfazed, he continued as though he had not noticed their reaction.
"Every leader fights to protect his people and his land. And every people fight to protect their leader and their land. On this battlefield, I want you to fight for our country....and for yourselves."
"Do not concern yourselves with protecting me. I will take responsibility for my own safety."
"The people we are about to face are extremely dangerous. Anyone who does not already understand that should understand it now. Their hearts have been raised on vengeance....nurtured by it the way a mother feeds her child from her own body."
"Among us here are men with wives and parents, some with wives and children, some with only children, and some with only parents. All of us left them behind in tears....tears filled with pain and uncertainty, wondering whether we will return… or part forever."
"We must carry that wound in our hearts. And even if we do not return, we must ensure that those we leave behind are safe....by erasing these enemies from the face of this land, once and for all."
"None of us has ever fought a real war. But every son of Beiping is trained by his parents from childhood in swordsmanship...especially us men. That alone leaves me with no doubt in you, my warriors."
He paused briefly, then continued with renewed force:
"We will face them with the strength of our will, the power of our unity, the sharpness of our blades, the discipline of our training, and our determination to protect our land and our people.
Remember this: your ancestors fought with these same strengths so that you could stand here today, free and unoppressed. If we fail to honor what they built for us, then we will condemn ourselves to live under the rule of those unworthy to govern us."
"That is not the future I want for us."
Together, they responded in one voice, firm and resolute.
For the first time, King Yibo smiled. He glanced toward Grandfa and the army commander.
"The three of us will serve as the commanders of this battle. Do not harm the younger ones....we may yet guide them onto a better path once they fall into our hands. Anyone else is a legitimate target. While you are engaged in battle, I will confront their leader myself."
They all answered with solemn respect.
Preparations began immediately. Some soldiers boarded the aircraft. A special aircraft was prepared for King Yibo, but he refused it, insisting on riding his horse instead.
Among the younger fighters, those who were uncomfortable on horseback or lacked the stamina joined the army vehicles, while others stayed mounted alongside him.
Once final preparations were complete, the reconnaissance teams activated their tracking systems. Horse-mounted units took the lead, armored vehicles followed, and above them, the aircraft spread out across the sky, monitoring every possible movement that might threaten those advancing on the ground....especially the riders.
As King Yibo had advised, each man moved forward in silence, focused, carrying his own thoughts.
Across the land, tension spread. Within the palace and beyond, people waited anxiously....children and elders alike....hoping for protection for those walking the thin line between life and death.
Crowds gathered near the forest from every direction, standing in uneasy anticipation, waiting for news of what fate would bring.
The sun barely filtered through the depths of the forest, where no signs of human life could be felt....only the calls of birds of every kind. At the outskirts, they passed through scattered villages. In every village they crossed, word spread that the King himself had arrived, and soon the young men of those villages strapped on their gear and followed behind them. No one knew the forests better than they did....its paths, its traps, and its hidden dangers.
Above them, military aircraft relayed constant updates, tracking every direction they advanced toward. After two solid hours of movement, they reached the outer perimeter of the encampment Cao's people had built near a settlement. On the King's orders, they halted immediately. The aircraft continued circling overhead, conducting surveillance in a way that would not easily alert their enemies.
What they did not know was that Cao had already planted informants in nearby villages. Beyond that, she had laid elaborate traps and defensive measures, anticipating exactly this kind of confrontation. By now, her spies had already reported that King Yibo himself was among those advancing.
The moment she heard his name, Cao burst into wild, unrestrained laughter....sharp, unhinged, echoing violently through the forest. When she finally exhausted herself, she issued orders for everyone to take their positions.
At once, her men and women moved. Some climbed trees, others took positions atop rocky ridges. The children were herded into a stone cave near the village and sealed inside.
At that same moment, the military aircraft fully covered the area from above. What they saw, however, was unsettling....only livestock roaming freely. Nothing else.
They immediately reported back to King Yibo: the village appeared completely empty.
With disbelief, he asked,
"Completely empty?"
The commander replied,
"Yes. Only animals."
King Yibo ended the call. Grandfa, standing beside him, had heard everything. Without lifting his head, he spoke calmly,
"They haven't gone anywhere, Your Majesty. This means they already know we're here. Inform the pilots....no aircraft is to land until we make the first move on the ground."
King Yibo handed the communicator to the Fourth Uncle, who relayed the order. When the commander attempted to object, King Yibo took the device back himself and said firmly,
"Do as instructed."
The response came immediately, respectful and unquestioning.
They mounted their horses. Grandfa turned to face them all and said,
"Stay focused. Whatever you see, do not panic. Fear is exactly what they want."
Everyone acknowledged him. With that, King Yibo moved forward. He and Grandfa took the lead, followed by the mounted unit, then the military vehicles carrying those unable to ride.
When they reached the center of the settlement, it was still the same.... nothing but livestock wandering freely. They stopped, spreading out cautiously, eyes scanning every direction, waiting for the first sign of movement.
For three long minutes, there was nothing but silence....broken only by the hum of aircraft above.
One of the younger men finally spoke,
"Should we dismount and search?"
Grandfa raised a hand, signaling silence. The young man nodded at once.
Before another second passed, the forest erupted with a horrifying wail....unnatural, shrill, and deeply unsettling. Even the pilots overhead felt their hearts race.
The sound grew louder, closing in on them.
Then they appeared.
Grotesque creatures, twisted and terrifying to behold, emerged from all sides, encircling them. Grandfa spoke calmly, though the danger was unmistakable:
"No one panic."
Outwardly, everyone acknowledged him. Inwardly, fear gripped many of them. But before the creatures could strike, the riders surged forward as one....charging straight into them without hesitation, despite being outnumbered.
The soldiers in vehicles leapt out. Those in the aircraft descended rapidly, boxing the creatures in from above. Soon, the formation was complete....King Yibo and Grandfa at the center, the creatures surrounding them, and the soldiers closing the outer ring.
With unwavering resolve, King Yibo plunged into the fight. Heads fell beneath his blade.....his movements precise, relentless. Grandfa fought beside him, just as fierce. Seeing this, many of the younger fighters joined in with renewed courage.
The creatures counterattacked, swarming in groups of three or more against single fighters. Still, the battle was contained. Within less than twenty minutes, most of them were cut down....though not without injuries on both sides.
Seeing this, Cao sent in another wave.
This time, Grandfa dismounted in a powerful leap. He faced the new attackers and shouted with fierce contempt,
"You spineless wretches! If you're not complete cowards, show yourselves properly! Or has fear finally caught up with you? You were raised on tricks alone.....no courage, no spine, no honor!"
His words struck deep.
Far away, inside the shrine chamber where Dowager Taihou lay surrounded by ritual artifacts and symbols of power, Cao's body trembled with fury. She rose, her voice breaking into a harsh, distorted scream:
"Bring them out. I want their leader's head before me. I want the throne of Beiping delivered to me....now. And I want the head of that old man as well… the head of his husband he left guarding the Palace."
Her words acted like a battle horn—like drums being struck for war. Almost instantly, the sharp whistle of arrows slicing through the air filled the forest.
"Shields!" the Fourth Uncle shouted urgently. "Form up....now!"
Without hesitation, they closed ranks, surrounding King Yibo, placing him at the center. Their shields locked together, forming a solid wall as arrows rained down, striking metal again and again with deafening force.
Using that opening, members of Cao's clan who had been hidden in trees and atop rocks leapt down, quickly encircling them. By the time the arrow barrage stopped and the shields were lowered, the enemy had fully surrounded them.
Yet no fear showed on their faces. Every one of them burned with fury....hatred sharpened by resolve. They had sworn that no matter the cost, not a single blow would reach their King.
As Grandfa had planned earlier, they shifted formation with precision.
Mistaking this movement for fear, Cao's forces charged headlong, believing their enemies were retreating. That misjudgment became their first great mistake.
Within moments, chaos erupted. Dust and screams filled the air as the battlefield dissolved into violent disorder. Cao's clan had prepared themselves in a way that made blades and bullets nearly useless against them.
As Grandfa had advised, they allowed the enemy to close in....only then deploying the special compound prepared specifically to break through their unnatural defenses.
From above, military aircraft released the substance. Almost immediately, the forest exploded with screams. One by one, members of Cao's clan collapsed as fighters moved in, cutting them down. The echoes of battle thundered through the trees.
In less than three hours, nearly two and a half thirds of Cao's forces had been wiped out.
For the first time, Cao's confident laughter faltered.
Realizing the tide was turning, she immediately issued new orders. Those surrounding her were told to proceed with Plan C—to act against Dowager Taihou at once. Plan B was already in motion: a separate unit sent toward the palace to seize the throne itself.
THE PALACE
Zhan's relentless crying left him with a splitting headache. No matter how much he resisted resting, Dowager Ruyan insisted. He finally lay down....but less than twenty minutes later, he jolted upright in panic.
Dowager Ruyan and Daneen rushed to restrain him, but Zhan shook his head firmly.
They understood instantly....something was terribly wrong.
"Momma," Daneen said quickly, "let him go. Something is not right."
Dowager Ruyan's anxiety doubled. Even Daneen herself was visibly changed.
At that moment, Dowager Ruyan's most trusted attendant burst into the room, breathless and pale. She reported urgently that unknown figures....creatures no one could identify....had infiltrated the palace from every direction.
Some security forces had opened fire, but the bullets had no effect....not even slowing them down. Others among the intruders were heading straight toward the imperial court, where the throne was kept.
Before she could finish speaking, Zhan was already moving....Daneen following close behind.
The palace had descended into complete chaos.
People fled in every direction, scrambling to save their lives. Courageous police officers, palace guards, servants, and the young men left behind fought back desperately.....but the attackers showed no fear.
Instead, they laughed.
A strange, chilling laughter....untouched by pain, immune to force, as though power itself flowed through them.
No one knew how it happened....or from where. One moment there was chaos, and the next, their heads were already hitting the ground.
The palace guards were thrown into panic when they realized it was Zhan Ruilan himself, not an envoy or substitute, standing there.....alongside Daneen, whose power was now undeniable to everyone who witnessed it.
Anyone who dared approach Zhan lost their head. He was completely beyond himself, his expression altered, his movements ruthless and precise. Meanwhile, the remaining assailants spat flames from their mouths, forcing their way toward the Imperial Court Hall, which had already been sealed shut.
The palace plunged into absolute turmoil. Women and children wailed uncontrollably. Some of the men had already fled to hiding places. Even Prince Deng and Prince Langya, locked away in prison, knew without being told that something was terribly wrong in the palace that day.
But Zhan and Daneen continue fighting those creatures without mercy....
Elsewhere
Cao's people were in the midst of surrounding Dowager Taihou, her body drenched in ritual fluids, positioned at the center of their idols, when King Yibo stormed in.
With terrifying courage, his horse reared and charged straight at them. In that instant, both King Yibo and his horse seemed to transform into something otherworldly in Cao's eyes.
For the first time, Cao sprang to her feet, leaping up from her ritual throne in sheer panic....because the horse was charging directly at what they regarded as their greatest idol.
Before she could react, King Yibo struck the massive statue with all his strength, horse and rider united in the blow. The idol shattered violently, crashing to the ground in pieces.
A sickening crack echoed....his arm had taken the full impact, the sound alone confirming the bone was injured. As he reached instinctively with his other hand, still gripping the reins, a sharp blade slashed deep into his forearm.
The pain tore through him, fierce enough to blur his vision.
As he turned toward his attacker, the assailant head hit the ground instantly.....Babiy, who had followed him inside. The moment King Yibo entered, Babiy had sensed danger and rushed after him.
Boom!
Cao retaliated, smashing a massive piece of wood down onto Babiy's head. Babiy cried out as blood spilled freely. He swayed on his horse, close to falling, but with sheer determination, King Yibo twisted sharply and caught him, lifting him up despite his own injury.
He hoisted Babiy fully onto the horse.
In one swift motion, King Yibo seized the enchanted chain meant to bind Dowager Taihou and hurled it forward, looping it around Cao's neck just as she attempted to draw a ritual blade from one of the remaining statues.
The chain released a piercing shriek that echoed far beyond the chamber....its power alone was enough to alarm everyone outside. Yet it had no effect on King Yibo.
Though wounded and exhausted, he remained standing.
By now, the others had finished clearing the outer grounds. Those who survived were captured and bound on Grandfa's orders.
They rushed toward King Yibo in alarm, but he shook his head, signaling them to stop.
He dismounted on his own. The others lifted Babiy, who had lost consciousness, and carried him away along with his horse.
King Yibo personally secured Cao with the chain, then ordered the young warriors to destroy her magic idols before her eyes.
They obeyed immediately.
One by one, the statues were smashed apart. Cao screamed in grief and rage, thrashing violently against the chain that bound her, powerless as everything she had built was reduced to rubble.
King Yibo stepped forward slowly until he stood before Dowager Taihou. He reached out and pulled away the red veil that had been wrapped around her. At that very moment, she opened her eyes....and found herself staring straight into his.
They held each other's gaze for nearly ten seconds.
King Yibo was the first to look away, his expression tightening as something fierce and unreadable flickered through his eyes. Without lifting the white veil beneath the red one, he slid both arms under her and lifted her up. His injured left arm trembled violently....the knife wound still bleeding, the pain making his hand shake....but he did not stop.
Hot, silent tears streamed down Dowager Taihou's face. Only her eyes and head could move; the rest of her body was completely unresponsive. No matter how intensely she stared at him, he refused to meet her gaze again.
The emergency medics who had come with the army rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He carried her himself all the way to the military aircraft that had just landed.
Carefully, he laid her down inside. He made sure to adjust the veil around her properly....she was unclothed beneath it....before turning to the pilot, who stood with his eyes lowered.
The pilot understood immediately. He straightened and gave a crisp salute.
Nearby, Grandfa stepped forward, instinctively King Yibo reaching for the knife still embedded in his arm, preparing to pull it out. He stopped abruptly when Grandfa raised a hand.
"No, Your Majesty," Grandfa said firmly. "That would cause serious complications. This isn't an ordinary blade....there's something harmful embedded in it. You need to board the aircraft. Riding back on horseback is no longer an option."
King Yibo did not remove the knife. He only replied quietly,
"I'm returning with you, Grandfa."
Grandfa and Fourth Uncle exchanged a brief smile. It was the first time King Yibo had ever addressed him by that title, Grandfa.
At that moment, Cao was brought out, bound tightly in chains. She was questioned about the whereabouts of the village children, but she refused to answer. Instead, she burst into laughter and sneered,
"I won't tell you. I will never tell you. Destroying us without finding them is like striking a snake without cutting off its head....utterly pointless!"
No one responded. More military aircraft were arriving, and the commander ordered immediate evacuation. Many of the wounded were in no condition to travel by vehicle or horseback. Some lay completely motionless, while others were so badly injured they couldn't even lift a finger.
Because Cao refused to reveal where the children were, the commanders assumed they had been removed from the forest entirely. Once the evacuation was complete, the order was given to burn the settlement.
Cao did not hear this command. She and the remaining twenty-one survivors were already being transported in an armored vehicle. The rest of the fighters were loaded onto aircraft, with the injured evacuated first for emergency treatment.
Grandfa, King Yibo, Fourth Uncle, and the army commander were the last to leave. An aircraft had been set aside specifically for King Yibo, delaying their departure.
By then, the soldiers left behind had already set the entire settlement ablaze....only after confirming there were no neighboring villages close enough to be affected. Cao's people had deliberately lived in isolation, refusing proximity to any other communities.
The fire spread relentlessly, reaching the rock cave where the children had been hidden. The heat alone was enough to kill them....no one ever realizing that was where they had been concealed.
*
What had happened in the capital left Beiping City in total upheaval when they arrived. The aircraft that carried them from the forest had no choice but to land there first, and they were transferred into vehicles on the ground.
The area was already packed with civilians and journalists.
The blood King Yibo had lost....from the poisoned knife wound in his arm and several smaller injuries....had begun to take its toll. His vision blurred, and he nearly collapsed. With the help of the army commander and Grandfa, he was placed onto a stretcher and moved toward a waiting vehicle.
The crowd erupted in alarm when they realized it was their king. Soldiers formed a tight protective ring around the stretcher. When he was placed inside the vehicle, it was immediately surrounded by heavy security.....anyone who attempted to breach the perimeter would not survive the attempt.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛