Kingdom: Hyou Ren

We kept on riding through the smoke-screen, as I hunted down the bells. I had honed all my senses from a young age, my hearing, my sight, my smell. And it was easy for me to track them down, leading to almost no archer volleys hitting my cavalry as we continued through the smoke for what seemed like hours.

But eventually, I felt the wind shift. And the smoke-screen drifted towards the main camp of the Wei Forces, whereas I had heard the Hi Shin Unit rushing a few minutes ago.

And with that, I rode up. Catching up to my cavalry, and taking point beside Ishiro.

"Now's the time, speed up." I said, as I kicked my horse into gear. And we rushed forward, heading towards the sound of the deep gong bell, whereas the main force could be seen.

Or more so the forward command centre. 

It didn´t take long for us to reach the point where the smoke cloud was the heaviest, and we quickly rode through it. 

Luckily, I had made sure to properly hunt down the sound corps or whatever it was called, and my ears made sure none of them were too close, and as such we managed to ride through the smokescreen untouched. 

But as we cleared the smokescreen, a horrifying sight appeared before us.

Almost half of the Hi Shin Force had been decimated, by both arrows and horse traps, with Xin and 15 or so men trapped behind enemy lines, on foot. Having lost their horses.

"Split up into 2, ride around the barricades!" I shouted, as our formation split, I headed right and Ishiro headed left. 

We rode around the fortifications, as we smashed into the unguarded flanks of the Wei Troops, whom was busy surrounding Shin.

I stopped beside Shin, as my men crushed his opponents.

"Get back on a horse, Shin. Ishiro needs you upfront." I said, as a horse was handed to him, and Kyou Kai, who led the remaining 40 or so cavalry, caught up with them. And they found some spare horses for the other 20 cavalrymen who lost their horses.

"Thanks, Ren. You saved our arses there." Shin said, as he got onto his horse. Before rushing forward, catching up with Ishiro at the front.

"I suggest you head to the front as well, Kyou Kai. They'll need you." I told the girl, and she nodded. Rushing forward as well. 

Instead of rushing straight forward, I headed to the side. Intending to get a better view of the situation, 

And it was quickly becoming clear that Shin wouldn't reach the General, for the man had no pride. He had organised his men, with a rear guard, and he was retreating at the first sight of danger.

He had closed up to a heavy infantry unit, tasked with stopping the cavalry. And behind them were 2 units of light infantry, spread out to engage them.

Said formation was not used to defeat a cavalry, but rather delay them long enough, and meanwhile. The Cavalry of the General was being reformed, intending to retreat most likely. 

Additionally, coming out of the smoke. Although slightly late, the Gyoku Hou Force, and their Commander were weakened. A deep cut in his left shoulder, likely during the duel with the man-child.

But anyhow, they were too far away to matter, and they had been too slow. I don't know what caused them to appear later, as in the original. They saved Shin, not me. 

Perhaps due to my infantry managing to retreat and me hunting down its sound corps, and therefore they were targeted. I don't know, but that'd make some sense.

However, I turned my attention away from the wounded spear-man, and refocused my attention on the General.

He was an old man, with a bald head and a white beard. And he´s extremely small. However, he was sitting on an elevated seat. Which gave him a good overview on the battle, but unfortunately. It made him vulnerable to arrows.

He was 350 meters away, but his elevated position meant I´d have to be within 275 meters of the man. Which meant I´d have to hurry up. 

So I kicked my horse into gear as I rushed forward, and at the same time. I locked eyes with Roku, and he immediately understood what I wanted. And he gathered 15 men, who formed up in front of me. Serving as my guard as we charged forth.

Luckily, we were on the side. And I hadn´t been spotted by the General originally, so we passed their rear guard fairly easily.

Shin, Kyou Kai and Ishiro were slowed due to the rear guard, but they also pushed through. But I had passed them already, and was gaining on the general.

300

290

280

275

I was within range, as I reached for my bow. Aiming at the head of the old man, he was smiling. His head leaned on his hand, which was positioned at the arm-rest of his chair. 

I could see the corners of his smile, even from here as I raised my bow. And drew it back.

265 meters.

260 meters

250 meters

I saw a few of the enemy cavalry had turned their heads and spotted me, meaning I didn´t have the option of getting any closer to the man, so with that. I drew the bow back with all my might, did my last changes to my aim. As I released the string, and the arrow shot forth. 

It spun in the air, all the while I saw the head of the old man slowly turn, until his eyes caught my arrow, but it was too late.

The powerful arrow pierced his eyes, before exiting on the other side of his head, ending his life and his happiness. 

As the small body fell down from his elevated seat, and all fighting ceased. 

I couldn´t help but smirk, I had gotten that sly son of a bitch. He was a tactical genius, with the mind and pride of one, namely none. But he had my respect, his strategy almost annihilated 16,000 Qin Troops, with minimal casualties on his side.

But his death would serve me well, and perhaps even earn me a promotion. 

But with that, I picked up a horn from my horse's saddle, and lined it up with my mouth. Before blowing it hard.

Most of our and Wei´s forces were awestruck, fighting having stopped. But they were forcefully awakened by my horn, as all my men retreated, falling back.

For we had accomplished our goal. 

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