In the Chen Kingdom, an emperor was said to be backed by seven powerful generals. Each general possesses distinct strengths and characteristics, and each is well-known. Their emperor was known for being merciful to those who deserved it while being a tyrant to those who opposed his will.
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In the deep night, when everyone is sleeping soundly and peacefully, silence seems to lull the people to sleep. Chen Reizei, the emperor, is sleeping in his bed inside his room. A group of strangers in black clothes and black hoods enters his bedroom through the window and door with the intent to kill.
One of them slowly approached the sleeping king and silently drew his dagger. He raised his arm, holding a dagger, and pointed it at the sleeping king without hesitation. He pushed the dagger down with great force toward the king's chest when a hand grabbed his wrist.
The assassin is taken aback and widens his eyes as he notices the king's eyes wide open and awake. Reize pushed away the assassin's hand and kicked him away. He immediately gets off his bed and realizes there are more than ten assassins in his room.
"Oh? Your master managed to send a higher number the more I saw the morning sun the next day, huh? "He smirked at his own sarcastic remarks.
The assassin lunged at him at the time, but with his hand-to-hand fighting skills, he was able to dodge and kick them away. Reize grabbed his sword, leaning on the side of his bed and slashing every one of the assassins inside his room.
Blood was pooling and splattered around his room, even on his sleeping clothes. After killing all his uninvited guests, we stood up and checked his surroundings.
"Huh? This is unusual," he said, talking to himself. Reizei glanced at the door of his room.
"With all the commotion that happened, my soldiers should come around at this moment."
Reizei waited for a moment and then furrowed his brow after a few minutes passed by, but the door did not open, nor did a soldier come in to check on him.
"That's weird. Are my soldiers showing their hatred to me? Or giving me a sign that they are rebelling against me? "
The door suddenly opened wide, and a few soldiers crowded outside.
"Finally, you came," he said with a big smile. "I was thinking about punishing you through our training in the morning."
"Your Majesty, we must run now! " the soldiers urgently said.
"What? "
Reizei's smile faded away, and his face became serious.
"The palace is under attack! "
"The rest of us are keeping them at bay and giving us time to escape."
The soldier opened his mouth to add a few statements but then closed it when he saw dead bodies lying in the king's room.
"Assassins came? " he blurted out with surprise.
"Why so surprised when it is the usual? "
"But in time the palace is being attacked. Is this a coincidence, Your Majesty? "
Reizei brushed his hair up with his free hand, showing a hassled expression.
"Who knows? "he answered and grabbed his robe to wear. He stepped outside his room and led the way to his escape.
"While we're on our way, report what's going on," Reizei ordered, striding quickly.
"We already informed Lord Sanjo and told him that we will help you escape the palace, your majesty. We also told him the meeting place. About the enemies, we could not identify them since they are wearing the same military force as us."
Reizei stopped in his stride. "What? "
The soldiers behind him came to a stop as well.
"Their faces are not familiar, and we are sure that they are not part of the imperial military forces. However, we are investigating as well how they got our imperial uniform even though the imperial crest was imprinted on them."
"And their sword? "
"It also has the imperial crest on it, your majesty."
"Ha-ha-ha," Reizei laughed at his stressful and dangerous situation, holding his hair up, looking more frustrated than he ever had.
"Continue with the plan of escape," he commanded.
"Yes, your majesty! "
They continued on their way to escape. The soldier told him where the enemies attacked to avoid crossing paths with them and left the palace without the enemies knowing. As they continue on their escape route, they encounter a few enemies, but it is insufficient to stop them.
They arrived outside the palace, climbed the wall, and ran towards the nearby woods. Sanjo and his men are already waiting for them.
"Your Majesty, we are glad to see you well," Zhuan Sanjo, one of the seven generals guarding the emperor in the capital, greeted him.
"Yes, I'm well, Sanjo. But I don't think this is a good situation for us," Reizei said, his temper flaring.
"We'll continue our investigation once we've found a safe place to hide temporarily."
"Let's go."
One of the soldiers of Sanjo gave Reizei a horse, and he rode it. Before Reizei left, he looked at the soldier and helped him to escape.
"Announce that I went missing. Since they were wearing the same uniform as you, act like one of them so they'll believe your report. When everyone is looking for me, Sanjo and his men will try to attack them. When they get confused and chaotic because they are looking for me and Sanjo's arrival, use that chance to escape with the others together with Sanjo."
The soldiers were surprised and touched by their king's compassion.
"Y-your majesty…" They bowed their heads.
"Sanjo, where are the others? "
"They are on standby in designated positions."
"Proceed with the plan. I will send a message indicating where I will be waiting. In doing the plan, act as if you did not know that I went missing. We don't know who the enemies are, so we better be careful. Preserve your men."
"Yes, your majesty," Sanjo glanced at the soldier and gave them a sign to follow him.
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A soldier reports to the general of the enemy.
"The king is missing."
"What?"
"The king was not inside his room when we went there. There is only the assassin's corpse there."
General Shun Kai grips his sword, which is sheathed at his side.
"I'll inform the lord myself. Proceed with the plan," he told the soldiers around him before leaving the palace.