The camps of the two armies lay shrouded in silence beneath the vast night sky. The wind stirred only lightly, carrying with it the faint scent of blood and steel. Soldiers sat by their fires, sharpening blades, checking armor, whispering prayers, and staring into the darkness with tense eyes. It was calm, almost deceptively so—like the stillness before a storm destined to swallow all.
Inside the command tent of the Heaven Battling Army, a scar-faced general leaned over the map spread across the wooden table, his calloused fingers tracing the drawn lines of battle. His voice was gruff, steady, but beneath it lay a tension even he could not conceal.
"Princess, what are your thoughts on the upcoming fight?" he asked, eyes flicking up to the woman seated at the head of the table.
Tie Hongchen's gaze was fixed upon the map, her crimson robes glowing faintly in the lantern light, her expression grave yet composed.
"It will not be an easy fight," she replied solemnly, her voice cutting through the thick silence. "Just let the soldiers prepare. Against Tai Jian, there is no perfect plan or flawless scheme. One can only meet him head-on."
Her generals exchanged glances. They had all fought countless battles under her command, but even so, it was rare to hear their princess acknowledge an enemy with such weight. Tie Hongchen had already marked Tai Jian not merely as a foe—but as a rival worthy of her respect.
---
Meanwhile, in the Qin Army camp, Tai Jian sat beneath the open sky, the silver moonlight reflecting off his steel armor. He looked calm, almost indifferent, as though the looming war were but another passing event. Song Chen, his trusted guard and sworn brother, stood beside him.
"Your Highness," Song Chen said softly, "the final battle is tomorrow. After this, you can finally return home."
Tai Jian's eyes did not shift from the stars above. His tone was calm, almost detached, as he asked, "Song Chen, how many of our brothers do you think will survive this battle?"
The question hung heavy in the night. Song Chen opened his mouth, then closed it, his gaze following his lord's toward the endless sky.
"Fate is unpredictable," he finally said, sighing. "I cannot answer that, but I place my trust in Your Highness."
A rare smile tugged at the corners of Tai Jian's cold lips. "My good brother, I will try not to disappoint you. She is a worthy opponent. At least I am not without equal in this world. It is not so lonely standing at the peak, with such an adversary to meet me there."
Song Chen's brows rose in surprise, then he chuckled. "Ice cube, you rarely smile. For the first time, I see you wear one while speaking of someone other than Her Majesty, the Empress. Could it be true, as the rumors claim… that you have fallen for the princess?"
Tai Jian turned his head, his gaze sharp as a blade. He gave no answer, but the chill in his eyes was warning enough.
"If you dare to spout nonsense," he said coldly, "I'll beat you black and blue."
Yet still, he did not deny it.
---
Far across the field, Tie Hongchen also stood beneath the same sky, her slender figure outlined against the stars. Jin, her loyal guard, kept silent watch beside her.
"The stars are beautiful tonight," Hongchen murmured, her tone tinged with a quiet melancholy. "Jin, how long has it been since we left the capital?"
"Your Highness, it has been about six years," Jin replied softly.
Hongchen's smile was faint, almost bitter. "Six years… I never thought that after struggling so hard to escape from him, I would still be forced to return."
"Your Highness," Jin said carefully, "many years have passed since that incident. Perhaps… it is time to move on."
"I came here to prove something," Hongchen interrupted, her eyes still fixed on the sky. "That being born a girl does not make me a tool of the empire. That I can stand at the front lines, and not only endure—but command. I only hope… that when I return, he does not disappoint me."
Jin hesitated before speaking again. "Your Highness, there are… rumors spreading."
"Oh?" Hongchen's gaze shifted briefly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You've never cared for gossip before. For one to capture your attention, it must be unusual. Speak."
Jin's fists clenched. She drew a breath, then said firmly, "They say… that you and Tai Jian have fallen in love. That when he heard you would return to the capital, he too resolved to abandon the battlefield."
At once, a crushing pressure descended, suffocating the air around them. Jin's face paled, her knees nearly buckling, until the oppressive aura faded as quickly as it had come.
"Find out who spreads such rumors," Tie Hongchen said coldly, her voice like frozen steel. "I am going to rest."
Her expression was unreadable as she walked away, but her earlier peace had shattered. The sky no longer seemed beautiful.
---
Dawn came.
The two armies gathered upon the battlefield, the ground trembling beneath the thunder of marching boots and hooves. Steel clashed against shields as lines of soldiers formed, their banners fluttering in the cold wind. The cries of battle horns split the air.
At the front, both commanders advanced—Tai Jian and Tie Hongchen. Their gazes locked across the field. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Tai Jian removed his helmet. The princess did the same.
"Tai Jian," Tie Hongchen said, her tone calm, composed, yet sharp as her drawn bowstring. "Have you come to surrender? Or will you lead your soldiers to death?"
Her words carried across the battlefield like ice.
Tai Jian only stared, his expression unreadable. "I have long heard of the princess' beauty. Seeing it now… I must say the rumors fall short."
He had no intention of jesting, yet his words sent ripples through both armies. The Qin soldiers looked on in disbelief, while the Heaven Battling troops exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Tie Hongchen smiled faintly. "And I have long heard of the God of War of Qin. Indeed, your bearing is as the legends say."
For a moment, the battlefield stilled, the silence almost fragile. Soldiers on both sides were stunned—not threats, but compliments, exchanged as if the two stood not in war, but in courtly greeting.
Tai Jian finally spoke, voice calm and resolute. "It has been a long time since I met a worthy opponent. I hope you will not disappoint me."
"I could say the same," Tie Hongchen answered. "Let us see who fate favors today."
She raised her bow. He mirrored the motion.
Two arrows whistled through the sky—meeting in midair, splintering into fragments before either could reach its mark.
The crowd roared.
At once, the two commanders withdrew to their armies, their voices rising above the chaos with commanding clarity.
"Northern Wind Cavalry—attack from the left flanks! Southern Wind Infantry—fortify the center! Eastern Wind Cavalry—strike from the right! Eagle Team—support the infantry at the center!" Tai Jian's orders flowed like water, swift and precise.
His troops moved instantly, as though the battlefield itself bent to his will.
"Battling Tortoise Squad—take the right flank! Third Unit, advance sixteen meters forward, four steps left, begin your assault! Heaven Battling Cavalry—strike the center and crush their defense! Heaven's Eye Archers—sixty degrees, fifteen meters ahead, unleash!" Tie Hongchen's voice rang like a war drum, steady and commanding.
Her soldiers obeyed without hesitation, their formation shifting seamlessly.
The armies collided with a thunderous crash, steel against steel, cries against cries. Blood sprayed, banners toppled, but neither side gained the upper hand. Each order countered the other, as if two grandmasters of chess were pitting their final gambits.
On this day, the battlefield belonged not to mere soldiers—but to the clash of two fates, bound by respect, rivalry, and something unspoken beneath the stars.
And as the sun rose higher, it became clear—this was not merely a war of nations. It was the beginning of a legend.