"Power does not lie in the blade, but in the hand that holds it." – Huai Shan
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a cold light over the fortified walls of Longchuan. Inside the city, the pulse of life was steady — soldiers patrolled the streets, merchants shouted for trade, and the distant murmur of tavern revelry echoed across the town square. But beneath the surface, the city was a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark.
Huai Shan's heart hammered in his chest as he crouched within the shadow of a crumbling wall, the scent of wet earth and smoke filling the air. He had infiltrated Longchuan with a single purpose: to cripple the city's defenses from the inside. His goal wasn't just a strike at the military, but to fracture the very core of Longchuan's leadership — to expose the weaknesses that had made it so formidable, so unassailable.
The plan had taken weeks to set in motion. The rebel council had been hesitant at first — too cautious, too fearful of what might happen if their forces were caught. But Huai had been relentless, pushing them forward, convincing them that the rebellion's survival depended on an act of this magnitude. Now, as the time had come, he realized just how much was riding on this moment.
"You ready?" Xu Liang's voice was low, a whisper cutting through the tension of the night.
Huai nodded without turning his head. Xu Liang, Yi Fen, and a small group of loyal rebels were stationed at strategic points within the city, ready to act when the time came. Every move had been rehearsed, every detail accounted for. Yet, there was always the threat of something going wrong, of someone tipping their hand, of Longchuan's watchful eyes catching the wrong glimmer in the shadows.
"Stay quiet. Stay focused," Huai's voice was a soft command. "We do this, and we break them from the inside."
A few heartbeats passed before Xu Liang slipped back into the darkness, disappearing from view. Huai took a breath, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword, feeling the cold steel hum with anticipation. His eyes scanned the city in front of him, taking in the fortified walls, the watchtowers, the well-guarded gates. It all seemed impenetrable, but it wasn't. Not anymore.
The plan was simple, yet daring. There were cracks within Longchuan's leadership — cracks that Huai had spent weeks carefully prying open. Corrupt officers, disillusioned soldiers, a few high-ranking officials who had grown weary of serving under a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist. These were his allies. With their help, Huai had managed to infiltrate the heart of Longchuan's military structure. But now, it was time to push.
In the dead of night, Huai crept closer to the inner gates, his footsteps soft against the ground. At his side, a small group of trusted rebels moved with him, the shadows swallowing them whole. Their mission: to sabotage Longchuan's supply lines, to cripple the city's defenses from within, and to send a clear message to their enemies.
"Over there," Yi Fen's voice whispered, breaking the silence. He pointed toward a nearby supply wagon, half-hidden under a tarp. The men were bringing in crates of salted meat — provisions meant to last the defenders for weeks.
Huai motioned for them to stay low and quick. They moved like shadows, slipping into position with a practiced grace. Yi Fen, his cleaver ready, cut through the rope securing the tarp, revealing the crates beneath. But Huai's eyes weren't on the meat. Instead, they fixed on a small chest in the corner of the cart. Gold.
"That's what they've been hiding," Huai murmured.
It was a rare glimpse of the wealth that flowed through Longchuan's gates. Wealth that was being hoarded by the ruling class while the common people starved. The sight of it fueled Huai's resolve. This wasn't just about defeating Longchuan—it was about taking what was rightfully theirs.
Huai moved toward the chest, his fingers brushing the cool wood of its surface. "We take this too. Let them know the cost of their betrayal."
In one swift motion, he pried open the chest. Inside, glimmering jewels and stacks of coins lay in neat piles. But his satisfaction was short-lived. The distant sound of boots on stone grew louder, too close for comfort. The guard patrol was returning.
"Move," Huai hissed. "Now."
The rebels scattered, vanishing into the night as if they had never been there at all. Huai, chest tight with adrenaline, followed them, clutching the chest of gold as though it were the key to their survival. They made their way toward the hidden passageways beneath the city — secret routes known only to the few who were trusted enough to learn them.
But fate was not so kind.
Just as Huai rounded the corner, the flash of a torch caught his eye. A soldier. One of Longchuan's patrols. They'd been discovered.
"Get to the tunnel!" Huai barked, shoving the chest into Xu Liang's hands. "I'll hold them off."
"You're mad!" Xu Liang's voice was filled with urgency. "We don't have time!"
"There's no turning back now," Huai growled, pulling his sword free from its sheath. "Go!"
With a final, desperate look, Xu Liang and the others sprinted for the tunnels. Huai stayed behind, his back pressed to the stone wall, his heart racing. The sound of footsteps grew louder, and a dozen soldiers appeared, torches flickering as they surrounded him.
"I thought I recognized that face," one of the soldiers sneered. "Huai Shan, the peasant who thinks he can lead an army."
Huai's eyes were cold, unwavering. "I don't just think. I know."
A moment of silence passed. Then, the charge came.
The fight was brutal and fast. Huai moved with a predator's precision, his sword flashing in the dim light, cutting down the soldiers who dared to get too close. But there were too many of them. And his strength was waning. He could feel his body tiring, his movements slowing. This wasn't a fight he could win.
But it was a fight he had to start.
With one last swing, Huai disarmed the nearest soldier, knocking him to the ground. He didn't give him a second chance. But before he could finish the others, a sharp pain lanced through his side. A spear had found its mark.
Huai gritted his teeth and pushed forward, managing to take down another man before everything went dark.