The news spread throughout the warring states, and the death of Han's strongest general reached the ears of all kings and generals.
Han had successfully conquered Qin. On top of the Qin royal castle, the flag of the Ri Li unit waved.
The Han officials officially took over the Qin administration and started working to stabilise the state as part of the Han.
The Han soldiers, along with the former Qin soldiers, repaired the burned house in the royal capital.
The soldiers distributed rations to the civilians of the capital.
But miles away in the Han royal capital, the funeral procession was held...
******************
HAN ROYAL CAPITAL
A multitude stood on both sides of the market road; the man they had always looked up to, the symbol of power for Han, had left this world.
The children had tears rolling down their faces. The moments they played tag with the greatest general of Han all flashed into their minds.
The stories about the outside world, and how one day they will all be able to see it. Those stories flowed into their minds.
"General!!!!", one of the little boys shouted.
The procession was led by the Great General Ku Zan and Zen Shi along with the queen Hia.
The rays of rising shine lit Ri Li's face, his whole body covered with flowers and his belongings.
In the backdrop of a rising sun, fire was lit on his body. His flesh, the vibrant flowers, his belongings and journals, all of them burned.
The ash lifted off into the sky, disappearing into that red-basked sunlight.
"Where is Wan?", asked Ku Zan.
"No Idea, since the death of Ri Li, he has never shown himself", replied Zen Shi.
"Apparently, he is still in Qin, in the same royal capital", said Ku Zan.
**************
The sun's rays lit the Qin royal palace, and out of it came walking Sen Zhou.
The moment he descended the stairs, a messenger from Han approached him.
"Sir. Sen Zhou, the queen, will be coming within 2 days to visit the capital", he said.
"Oh... that is great. And is the funeral over?", Sen asked.
"Yes, Sir, the general's body has been cremated"
"..."
"And Sir, Zen Shi, the leader of the Zen Shi unit, has requested to send Wan Heian back to the Han capital", he added.
"Wanchi!!?"
"Wait, he still isn't there?", asked Sen.
"No, Sir"
Sen Zhou just ran after hearing that, desperately searching for Wan Heian in his quarters.
Dashing into his quarters, he asked the servant about Wan Heian.
"No, that boy left early".
"Left already!"
"Where the hell is he now?"
Sen Zhou ran off from his mansion. A certain place appeared in his mind, and he was sure that there was no other place he should have gone.
"He is surely there!!"
Sen Zhou ran along the paddy fields, the waters reflected his image, and the skies followed him.
The wind brushed his skin, and in his eyes reflected a field full of blue lotuses. The moon was already up there in the sky, reflecting the sun's golden rays.
The blue lotuses shone in that twilight meeting, and amidst them stood Wan Heian.
"Wanchi!", called Sen.
Wan Heian had his whole face downcast as he ran into the water. Sen approached Wan.
"You, who left for Han early!! What are you doing here!!?", asked Sen.
"Looking for Ryo", whispered Wan.
"Wan...Ryo is already gone", stated Sen.
"Why aren't you all even a bit sad!! Being with him all along!! You should at least cry, and you are all living like always!!", shouted Wan.
"Do you think Ryo was reborn in one of these lotuses?", asked Sen Zhou.
"..."
Wan stayed silent.
SFX: PUNCH!!
Sen Zhou punched Wan on his chest, and he fell into the water. Holding his left chest, Sen Zhou spoke...
"Do you really think that human souls reborn within lotuses....then you are a fool, Wanchi!!"
Wan stayed silent, lying on that water.
"Everyone has their own adventures, even after life. Ryo just went on an adventure. In heaven too, he must have formed a new unit to conquer the states there too, Ha..", laughed Sen.
"Senchi...", cried Wan.
"Wanchi, you are the inheritor of Ryo's silver armour; he lives on through you, with the will to protect you, with the intention of making Han greatest. Rejoice, Wanchi!", roared Sen Zhou.
Along with those rolling tears, a smile appeared on Wan Heian's face. Taking himself up from that water, he walked back.
Raising his right hand, Wan spoke.
"All Hail Han!"
**********************
Queen Hia descended the steps of the royal castle, along with Zen Shi. Looking forward in the direction of Qin, and in the direction of the setting sun.
"Shall we begin the administrative mission to Qin, Zen Shi!"
"Yes, my queen!", replied Zen Shi.
The queen got into her royal chariot, and Zen Shi stood on the front of the leading soldiers.
"Depart!!", ordered Zen Shi.
Zen Shi, along with the rest of the soldiers, the chariot carrying the queen, headed for Qin.
***********************
The little girl roamed around the streets of a peaceful Qin capital, or the capital of the Hi state - Zeihong.
The name of Qin was changed as it was not a state under the Han. It is the first state of Han - Hi with the capital Zeihong.
The girl's mother held her hand, scolding her as she roamed around recklessly.
"Mama! Look, there's a sakura tree", she said.
A sakura tree still flourished within the capital, without a single burned leaf. Pink in radiance and vital in elegance.
"Mama, the war has ended. Are we peaceful now?", asked the girl.
"Dear...I don't know about true peace, but I do know if we are hurt, our soldiers will protect us", said the mother.
The Han soldier stood before them, and the little child went and hugged him.
"Thank you for protecting us!!", he thanked.
The soldier smiled and hugged her too...the mother was overjoyed. A strong wind blew, and the sakura petals flew all around them.