He is the provincial Lord of Aspen, Master of the 12 Zodiac Vassals, a Lord of Warring States, and our new Chancellor of War. It all makes sense now that the truth is known. His shadiness and uncomfortability outside of his territory this is probably one of the first times he's been out of that region without a guard or and his martial skill and most importantly that aura he's had to be ready to be Lord for a long time. His authority is in question to inside his region and so he's needed to assert his authority since the beginning in he is truly a monster in the making." Sei thought shocked.

So you are a noble why didn't you just say so!? Ten asks.

This caused everyone, but the three that had been traveling with Ten look at her with absolute shock.

Because 15 years ago in a few months or so, a father and mother were killed, and a grandfather and baby were almost killed in a failed push for power from noble families. and like I said, just a few moments ago, he didn't know his full family name, and if he had told either of you the city he was the master of you two would have spilled it to him. Imagine if he told the wrong person that information especially in times like these, child." Gan Tong says.

Excuse me but at this current moment you've been the Lord for the last two or three years, why didn't you answer any of our calls to come to court?" Shou Bun Kun said stepping forward which got a I almost got a nasty response from Gan.

When you first sent us the summons, it was because your two chancellors couldn't get along and that wasn't our problem to handle. Plus he had just taken over for control of the region. The second time you didn't really elaborate much more beyond the chancellor's fighting had gotten worse so in a year after he was told properly, he probably would've showed up there one day end handle what you couldn't. What did you really expect him to put down everything and risk leaving his place untidy to come tidy up your home." Gan Tong says tightening his grip on his battle axe.

Stop all of you before we start fighting amongst ourselves. What he said is true Shou Bun Kun I had just taken over governance at a quite young age and and I need to get my region under control and learn the truth before I came and handle anything in the capital for an extended period of time. If I was really forced to come there earlier your brother and his entire faction wouldn't be alive and much less this other chancellors faction and I'm not in the habit of purging entire courts just because someone's too ambitious for their own good or because some spoiled little boy didn't get what he thought what he deserved. You should've locked him up the second the king took the throne. If you knew he was that big of a threat. But all that doesn't matter at this point. For now we are all on the same side one way or another. The princess fraction has pulled us until a damn Civil War. When the Civil War is done if you still feel the need to go in circles about political things, we can do that then." Shin said walking away follow by some blue armor wearing guards.

Thirty minutes later everyone was eating, the group were separated into the king's loyal vassals and Twenty or so men Gan Tong brought who had already formed a defensive circle around Shin.

My advisor guys always told me there were things I couldn't know until shit hit the fan or I was older and I would say we have reached that point so I need answers right now to know how to respond and keep my people safe." Shin with authority.

"Yes sir. Like I said before I cannot explain it all to you that it's not my duty but what I can I will. You're great great grandfather Shi Ba Shi was an incredibly low ranking Noble in the court of one of the independent states generations ago. The only reason his family was relevant at his time was because he and his three brothers were probably the best at their specialties in their generation but they still did not get the respects they were due. A situation happened at court and your great great grandfather decided while all this was happening to take his family and leave. During his older years your great great grandfather settled here in Qin where he and his brothers begin to grow their family strength and renown through some of their incredible abilities and begin building up their own system of Vassals and started creating businesses and becoming real power houses in the political game." Gan Tong said. "Your grandfather finished all but one thing that your great great grandfather started when he settled here. In finishing most of the ambitions your grandfather rose in power and took over a position as a lord of the warring states. But your family had no true power in its military. But your father went on to create what your grandfather came to know as the 12 zodiacs even though they were only 10 at its highest point and later on be named to the six great generals but 16 years ago three families who were set aside during your families rise started colluding together. Your father had been serving as deputy to Bai Ki when he heard that The family had been attacked, but he and your mother were killed trying to get back to Aspen to protect you. Before the two of them left earlier that month the leaders of the family and vassals had come together and made a plan in case of emergencies…"

Shin have you eaten?" Ten asked, stopping the story.

Yes." Shin said.

Then raising his hand to stop Gan Tong from continuing pointing to Sei who was about to speak to Shou Bun Kun.

Now let's hear it why did all our plans fail to come to fruition." Sei said.

Sure everything was going fine until we actually got out of the castle think about enemy waiting for us outside." Shou said.

Who.." Sei asked.

"General Ouki."

Flashback

Ouki had just chopped One of the rear guard in half.

Wait right there Shou Bun Kun?" He said ride up to the next.

It's almost on me." Said raider screamed.

Dammit I'll stop Ouki, you guys protect our king."

"Shou Bun Kun." Hyou said.

Hyou, forgive me. I never thought this man would be here." Shou thought, before moving back to engage the Great General of Qin. "Ouki!"

Here I am." Ouki said, swinging his glaive at Shou, almost knocked him off his horse in one hit.

They began to fight, but it was clear that Ouki was the better.

It's been so long since we've been this close while mounted, hasn't it?" Ouki said attacking then getting ready to block. " we're enemies right now! This is the first time!"

That aside you said you weren't interested in this fight over the throne. So why are you fighting now!" Shou asked.

"Because I love the blood curling feeling of having your life on the line in battle." Ouki responded.

You're making no sense." Shou Bun Kun said attacking.

Don't give me that. You understand!" Ouki said counter attacking and slicing Shou Bun Kun's armor. "Ever since Qin became a merchant country, battles have become seriously boring. Things haven't gone this damn since the time of the shining king."

You're right since this country has become more of a merchant country the battles that take place are between men trying to be in political and financial ground. But that has nothing to do with you guys that fight real battles right?" Shou Bun Kun said.

I get serious. Do you really think I'd get excited over such a silly fight? I'm much more delicate than that?" Ouki said.

Then you're saying that fighting an old Castle soldier like me gets you excited." Shou Bun Kun said.

It just might. There was a time when we were both on the same battlefield, and you always stood out. So getting a chance to fight you will definitely make me happy." Ouki said, doubling his pace in the fight.

Sir." a soldier screamed pointing.

Oh it's the Sheaf Hill! All right now that we've made it this far.." Shou Bun Kun thought.

Oh looky here, when did we get into such a backwater place? and to top it off it looks like the perfect place to have back up troops waiting." Ouki said with a knowing voice.

That's exactly right, Ouki." Shou Bun Kun said.

Then they saw riders coming from the sides of both hills in front.

Divisions one and two protect the carriage with the king! Divisions three and four aid our leader!" Someone yelled.

Oh here they come. With these numbers I'd say that's all of the personal units you have." Ouki said completely unbothered.

Ouki stand down, you can't win this fight." Shou Bun Kun.

And you don't need to worry about me. I figured something like this would happen, so I prepared some extra units of my own! See?" Ouki said pointing to a cliff on their right which had more soldiers who began charging.

What's..the!? Shou Bun Kun thought.

Now then Shou Bun Kun, let the battle start." Ouki thought as the two forces charged right at each other.

Flashback end

While the battle was going on we continued our fight. But I took one of Ouki attacks and fell off a cliff. Luckily for me there was a river below and I was saved, but I was separated from my men in the battle."

Hold on a minute, what happened to Hyou after all that." Shin asked very dangerously.

"Sir, while I am well-versed in the noble families of our country, the way you told me to retreat earlier. What I'm trying to say is "who" is that boy?" The man named Heki said.

That's Hyou friend, and the Lord of Aspen. His name is Shin, Shi Ba Shin." Shou Bun Kun said.

"My king I was with Hyou and throughout the whole ordeal, so I'll continue off where the captain left but before that would it be all right if they joined us." Heki asked.

Granted." Sei said.

Lord Shin if you and your men would please come here. You have the right to know exactly what happened to us after the Captain fell." Heki said, looking over to Shin's group.

Shin and the group came over and sat down among them, Gan Tong between him and most of the soldiers.

My name is Heki. After the captain fell off the cliff…"

Flashback

Captain." Heki screamed.

He turned around he saw that The enemy were already at the carriage and believes that everything they had done had failed. Until Hyou burst out of the carriage and kicked the person who was stabbing into it in the face taking his horse.

"Don't give up, we need to regroup! We're going to make it through this!" Hyou said riding now.

From that single yell of his we who had already fallen into despair were encouraged to fight once again. Because I was next in line to the captain I knew who he was… so I could barely believe my eyes. This is the personal army of General Ouki that we're talking about, that he didn't bat an eye at, but let us into the Lion's mouth. you would've never guessed that was a slave body double because he looked just like a true blue general.

We were getting through just fine and he had ordered us to send a group to find Lord Shou Bun Kun. When another division of the enemy army came at us from the left, but instead of being afraid he suddenly took off and fuck the new enemies on the hill because he did feed attack on the rest of the force we can significantly.

Flashback end

"I turned back once, I'll need to see him on the hill taking on the enemy forces. I truly thought we would meet up with him here again.. what a disgrace." Heki said as and the men around looked shamed.

A bit later

Shin looked over to Sei.

Hey Sei, there's something I need to ask you." He said.

Who's Sei. Is there someone here named that? What is he doing calling someone by the name like that." Were some of the mutters before they realized who he was talking to. " you're not talking about our king are you!? What the hell are you trying to pull, fool!? I think he's lost his mind!?"

Shin even considering you don't know much about how the world works, that was pretty bad. Very few people would dare to say the king's proper name, much less to say it without any respect." Heki said.

Can you please tell them it's all right." Shin said, looking at Sei.

This time it was Shou Bun Kun who started to get up.

Calm down, I've already overlooked his impedance."

"In short I took on an assassin and a rabid Hunter whatever the hell that dude was and beat them both and have more political power than you so you kind of have to let it slide." Shin thought while saying. " See, let go."

As Heki said, I'm not quite in the loop on how the world works outside of my city and minor battle decor per se so I need you to tell me something specific." Shin said.

What brought whatever this is to your mind." Sei asked.

Hyou was really amazing, that thought was reinforced no after hearing these men speak of him like a hero. He knew exactly what needed to be done to get what it is he wanted. I on the other hand tended to stay in the background to avoid unwanted attention, just never really got around to it. It was always simpler for there to be one terrible person and one really good one so that's just how we worked. What I mean is what do I need to do to become a general." Shin said.

The era where only nobles could become generals has ended not that that matters to you anymore. Within our country to strengthen supremacy and principle have pushed lineage to the back burner. The system that is in place now allows for anyone to go to war if they do it well they'll get promoted if they keep it up till eventually reach the level of general." Sei said. "The army is made up of men from noble families and regular citizens who either enlist or are drafted into the army."

Please explain." Shin said.

Shou Bun Kun sat down next to him.

You weren't lying when you said you really don't know anything. The only ones who can enlist are those who are registered and they must come from a village that meets certain criteria." Shou Bun Kun said.

"Oh I see then I shouldn't have a problem going on official campaigns. If I do, you just need to expunge the whole fake servant deal that was put together." Shin said, triggering Shou Bun Kun and his men.

That's exactly right." Sei said. " But you'll need to work 10 times harder because not only some will always be those who think of you as a servant from your act as one and others will hold you in high esteem due to your lineage."

You're right, I'll have work 100 times harder to earn the right to be one properly." Shin said.

Later

In the villa main room.

After our battle with Ou Ki we were in a state of complete disarray. We have lost the combative ability of what an army should be. Much two our dismay the traitors in the palace grow stronger by the day. However this this subordinate suggest we be patient and wait for Prime Minister Lou's army to return from way before planning our next move." Heki says.

Not that having him here wouldn't help us more but I am pretty sure it would put you into debt even more with him. But I feel the need to ask what you're going to do if he doesn't return because there's no way that little brother isn't going to find a way to control the entire military by then." Shin said.

He would immediately return." Heki said. "Right now his army is attacking Shaoliang, which is located in northwestern Wei . He's about a 10 days march away. I have already sent a number of fast messengers to inform him of the rebellion in the capital, right now he should be on his way home with his 200,000 man army."

"Well damn." Shin said, looking at Gan Tong.

SEI!" Ten screamed.

What wrong you look pale." Shin said.

I heard if Sei doesn't die, Lu won't return to the capital. Is this true?!" Ten said.

This caused Sei, Shin, Shou Bun Kun, and Gan Tong to narrow their eyes.

Wei - Shao Liang

Lord Chancellor there's a messenger from the capital. It's another message about chanjio's rebellion." A soldier reported.

"Execute them." A man looking at the city said, "It's only a ploy to save their city, arrest the messenger and have them executed."

The group

You're saying even if he knows about the rebellion he won't return..?" Heki said. " that can't be possible if the king is lost, the one that would be affected the most would be Lu! isn't that right?"

"Heki, you're still not clear why Chancellor Lu is terrifying." Shou Bun Kun said.

What does this mean?" Shin asked.

Trouble and a whole bunch of grey areas." Gan Tong said.

Lu has been waiting this entire time for me to be assassinated, and for Chenjiao to become king. Then Lu could declare Chenjiao and Jie are immoral and false leaders, he could then use this excuse to enter the Royal capital with his army." Sei said. " in the Capitol turned battlefield, it's hard to say the royal family won't be caught in the crossfire and killed. Once the royal family has been eradicated, who do you think the people would support as their new king?"

Lu.." Heki said shocked.

And what do we do now?" Shin said.

As deeply shamed as we are now, we cannot even take a step into the capital. The subordinate suggest that we wait and observe Lu and Jie's moments , Then decide what we should do.." Shou Bun Kun said.

No. I wish to return turn to the Capitol soon. Regardless of if I live or die, Jie Will prepare for all out war with Lu. Once he's done he will forcibly put Chenjiao on the throne. Lu and Jie's Battle is most severe and the consequence is splitting the country into. I must reclaim the throne before they begin the war."

No you must not my king. To take the cabinet back we must have a force of army size strength. The only one I can think of is the army of Aspen." Shou Bun Kun said, looking at Shin.

"The answer is no, I might not be completely in charge of the military affairs of my army but I know enough to say that's a no." Shin said.

Why." Shou Bun Kun said coldly.

We all know exactly why, but even if that measure wasn't in place it couldn't be moved from where it is, usually I'd leave this to Li Yan but the facts are simple." Gan Tong said. "Where do you think Mang Ao, Chou Tou, and The Duke are and with that knowledge where do you think our standing army is?"

"The Generals have probably posted themselves or were ordered to watch over the country lines to prevent an invasion while this is happening. Which means The Shi Ba Army is at the edge of your territory positioned to repeal the biggest threat that may come from Chu, Wei or Han." Shou said, lowering his head. " Which means right now in Qin a force that has yet to join Lu or Jie, or is not already busy protecting the country does not exist."

"It's like that huh? Let's just forget all this and just quietly live the rest of our lives." Ten said.

Right, who is this?" Heki, Hou Bie and Qu Ying said at the same time.

" 'Mountain Clan' Ka Ryo Ten is my name." Ten said, striking a pose.

"That's it.." Shou Bun Kun said.

Hmm, My Lord, what did you just say?" Heki asked.

Hours later

The group of men were going up the mountains, a lot of the men look tired some of them were beginning to slow down.

Sei, The climb is getting longer and longer." Shin said, looking behind him. "Even Shou Bun Kun has fallen behind."

Heki, let's take a short break." Sei said.

A few minutes later.

I feel the need to say that if we keep dragging our feet like this Chenjiao will be crowned. This isn't a pleasure trip." Shin said from a rock.

"What did you just say? Say it again I dare you!" A soldier said.

He said if we keep dragging our feet like this Chenjiao Will be crowned, this isn't a pleasure trip." Gan Tong said coldly.

That shut up any complaints anyone had.

Shou Bun Kun The path going deeper into the mountains will be even more treacherous. There would be even more people who will be left behind, but we don't have the time to care for them." Sei said standing up.

Later the top of one mountain formation.

Sei since we're talking about the king of the mountains. Does that mean there's also a kingdom with an actual king." Ten asked.

No compared to the kingdoms and the kings on the plains that are significant differences." Sei said. "In the territory of the mountain clans live an innumerable amount of clans. These clans form alliances and choose a leader, someone whom they referred to as the king of the mountain clans."

From this State at least, we've fought with and against multiple Mountain Kings from other states." Gan Tong thought.

Oh then it's like the kings of Shang and Zhou Dynasties." Ten asked.

You're quite knowledgeable." Sei said.

"Our village hid various fallen royalty and former nobles you know, but they never seem to stay there long; they always end up leaving and not coming back." Ten said.

Hey Sei, you seem to know these mountain roads like the back of your hand." Shin said.

It's because the summer retreat is between the capital and the mountain king's city. That's how I approximately know where it is. And using those items on the road is marked so we should be able to find our destination. I'm guessing." Sei responded.

"I see." Shin said.

And then they heard a commotion behind them and saw that one of the soldiers had fallen.

Someone lend a shoulder to lean on!" Heki said.

We don't have time!" Shou Bun Kun said.

My lord?" Heki said.

The squad is in complete disarray. Those who can't continue will have to go back down and wait at the summerhouse for further orders." Shou Bun Kun said. "Bian, you've already reached your limit, go back down with Zhong."

My lord I can still.." Bian started.

Everyone listen up! Anyone who falls behind a group I want them to immediately descend! I want all of you to remember that." Shou Bun Kun said.

Oh wait a moment sir! Practically all of us would have to leave." Heki said.

If we let Chenjiao take the throne everything would've been done in vain. We need to pick up the pace." Shou Bun Kun said.

Yes but then there would be no one left to protect our King. Right now every soldier is needed, or opponents of those horrifying mountain people, the more soldiers to protect the king the better." Heki said. " if the mountain people want to attack with or without the soldiers we would be annihilated."

Horrifying?" Shin said, but he could've sworn he also heard Gan Tong and his group groan silently. " what do you mean horrifying mountain people! Are they the people who are keeping the summer house warm and clean?"

I see how it is. You haven't heard, the story of 'horses and wine for soldiers'." Heki said. " 400 years ago there was a benevolent king of Cain who gifted wine to the mountain people that ate war horses. He loved his people like his children and was an enlightened monarch. The 13th year of his reign your neighbor in kingdom of Jin what suffering from famine. Though our countries were enemies, Gan Gong I pitied the peasants of Jin and lent fast amounts of food to them. The next year it was our countries turn to suffer a famine The king of course asked Jin for help. But Jin raised a massive army and invaded Qin. Because of this event the benevolent Gan Gong was is enraged, he personally lead soldiers on the Front line to do battle with the army. In the initial stages of the war, the eagerness of our soldiers kept the advantage for our country even in the face of severely overwhelming numbers. But the Qin soldiers suffering from hunger and thirst and eventually exhaustion turned in the favor of the Jin. Eventually Gan Gong was surrounded, yet at that time from the eastern side of the forest suddenly appeared 300 mountain people wearing strange attire cloaked in malice that could have been felt. The mountain people came to the battlefield to repay the king's benevolence, to repay the favor of wine and horse meat. They greatly value honor in brotherhood. However what happen next can only be called brutal, one word, and that's brutal. The mountain clans battle could be said as extremely horrifying, even our soldiers that were saved by the mountain people were horrified and disturbed. 300 Mountain people beat back thousands of Jin soldiers and after they saved the king they attacked the enemy main camp and captured Jin King alive. they're an extremely terrifying war like people."

"Oh I see, yeah pretty strong huh." Shin said.

Just because they were guarding the summer house does not mean they're friendly to us, thinking so it's childish. Right now we are trespassing on their lands. If they see us as enemies the consequences would be catastrophic." Heki said.

Sei has already gone ahead." Ten said.

And everyone begin to move forward again, but something was wrong with Shou Bun Kun's leg. And just above them on a cliff were seven mountain men.