Sidharta deliberately did not take the two of them straight to the provincial palace, choosing instead to find a place to stay for the night where they could observe the local people’s daily lives without drawing attention. After inquiring with a passerby, he led Fang An and A Long to a modest inn called The Traveler’s Rest, its wooden sign creaking gently in the evening breeze. The inn was clean and well-kept, with a small courtyard where they could stable their horses and a common room filled with the warm glow of oil lamps.Inside their shared room, the three of them took a short rest, easing the stiffness in their muscles after the long journey on horseback. The day had been hot and dusty, and the rough roads of Luman Province had left them weary. Fang An stretched his arms overhead, feeling the tension in his shoulders release, while A Long poured himself a cup of cool water from the jug on the table. Sidharta sat by the window, gazing out at the bustling street below as he massa

The oil lamp in the corner of the room flickered weakly, casting dancing shadows across the wooden walls as A Long and Sun Zu lay fast asleep in their cots. Their breathing was deep and steady, so neither of them noticed the faint creak of the door hinges or the soft scrape of boots against the straw-covered floor as someone slipped inside.Two figures moved through the dimness, their dark cloaks blending into the shadows. They paused near the entrance, eyes adjusting to the low light as they scanned the room. When their gazes finally settled on Fang An, who lay on the farthest bed with his arms folded behind his head, they exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible nod—silently confirming he was their target.One intruder, taller and broader than his companion, began to creep forward. Every muscle in his body was taut with caution; he’d trained for years to move without making a sound, his steps light enough that even dry leaves underfoot would have stayed quiet. To an ordinary traveler

"I would never dare to lie, My Lord. What I saw earlier was Lord Sun Zu with two young men, and one of them had hair as white as snow—so bright it stood out even from a distance, impossible to miss," the official spoke with a trembling voice, keeping his head bowed low as he addressed the man seated at the grand wooden desk.Duke Tsu Yun furrowed his brow deeply, his thick eyebrows knitting together into a sharp line. Luman Province was his domain, his stronghold where he had ruled for nearly a decade, and he wondered what business the Emperor’s most trusted advisor could possibly have wandering through his lands unannounced. The very thought sent a cold shiver down his spine.Deep inside, a familiar sense of dread began to creep over him. He feared that the same kind of damning report made against him to Emperor Siu Wen nearly a year ago might happen again—reports of embezzled taxes, seized lands, and unjust executions of those who dared to oppose him. Fortunately, back then Prime Mi

Sun Zu exited Emperor Siu Wen’s private chamber after paying his deep respects, his face grave with purpose. The heavy wooden doors of the chamber swung closed behind him, and he turned to face the six elite imperial soldiers stationed outside—their armor polished to a mirror shine, their expressions unwavering. Without hesitation, he issued his command in a clear, firm voice that left no room for delay.“By order of His Majesty Emperor Siu Wen, you are to arrest Chancellor Sung Wei immediately. He is charged with conspiracy to rebel against the throne, embezzlement of imperial funds, and brainwashing citizens to build an illegal army. Do not harm him unless he resists—but ensure he is brought to the palace dungeons without fail.”The six soldiers saluted in unison, their hands slamming against their chest plates with a resounding clang. “As you command, Lord Advisor!”Escorted by the six soldiers, Sun Zu walked steadily through the palace corridors toward the main hall, where Duke Ts

“Be careful! If he can see through the Shadow Illusion Technique, then we’ll have to fight hard to defeat him,” said one of the five figures, his voice low and urgent as he pressed himself against the trunk of an ancient oak tree. The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above did little to pierce the strange, shifting darkness that still clung to the air around them—remnants of the illusion they had woven to conceal their presence, now shattered by their target’s keen perception.“You’re right. He’s coming this way, get ready!” replied his companion, a woman whose form seemed to ripple and blur even as she stood perfectly still. She adjusted the grip on the sword at her back, her eyes narrowing as she tracked the sound of approaching footsteps—steady, deliberate, and utterly unafraid. The ground beneath their feet carried the weight of each step like a small tremor, a clear sign that the warrior they sought to waylay possessed both strength and control beyond the ordinary.“