The False Peace

In the year 188 CE…

The Realm has managed to recover a semblance of balance and peace after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled. And while smaller rebellions rose claiming to be the “successors” of the Yellow Turbans, without the strength of a powerful leader, they were easily destroyed by the more powerful warlords who had grown stronger and more ambitious.

And while the people of the Realm breathed with some small degree of relief, those who were in a position of power knew - this was only an illusion. The rise of the rebellion was not the cause of this chaos and misery, only a result of the true corruption that had poisoned the land and its people.

As the age turned from one of rebellion into one of relative peace, the Wheel of Fate continued to turn… and wait… for the next shift that will send the world into chaos once more…

The Imperial Capital of Luoyang

Lord Cao Cao’s residence was quiet on that particular night. Ever since he had been given governorship of Puyang, he had risen through the ranks and earned great respect and influence within the Imperial Court. Many lauded his shrewd political maneuvering as well as his strategic acumen. What many more renowned and experienced warlords had gained in decades, Cao Cao had managed to earn in only a handful of years.

This didn’t sit well with his rivals and detractors…

There were many who criticized his brutal tactics and cold disregard of mercy on the battlefield. Others were jealous that Cao Cao had managed to surround himself with the finest strategists, the strongest warriors and the most cunning of advisors. In a masterstroke of genius, the cunning warlord had managed to turn adversaries into useful allies and pawns. In a display of calculated ruthlessness, he gave surrendering enemies the chance to serve or die under his banner. As such, Lord Cao Cao was considered by many as the rising star in the Imperial Court.

A notion that troubled the Ten Attendants. Therefore, instead of removing the upstart, Cao Cao, through political maneuvering, they decided to simply send assassins to do the dirty work. Hiring an army of assassins would certainly be overkill… but they knew of one warrior that could easily defeat an army by himself who was in the employ of Cao Cao.

The Blade from Hell - Kai Jin.

Somewhere in the North…

The warcamp of renown warlord Gongsun Zan was bustling with activity and noises. The warriors were speaking of their recent victory while fighting more bands of rebels who claimed to be the next-coming of the Yellow Turbans. Their boasts usually ended with swift retaliation from local warlords who quickly quelled any signs of rebellion with brutal efficiency - the scars of the Yellow Turbans had left on the land were still healing and nobody wanted to deal with such rabble again.

While the elite cavalry members of Gongsun Zan were feasting and talking amongst themselves, in a shabby looking side of the warcamp, the soldiers and followers of Liu Bei were looking tired and barely able to maintain themselves in good spirits. There was an ongoing groan spreading amongst the soldiers that seemed to echo in the evening.

Once the groan had reached the final soldier, one lad stood up. The young man was on the cusp of adulthood, but his appearance was still the same as any reckless warrior - his blue hair had the look of a mop on top of his head which constantly shifted in the wind, his face was always easy to read whenever he was angry or happy, he hid nothing from anyone. Despite his youth, he was wiry rather than thin or malnourished which helped him maintain his flexibility whenever he fought. To top it off, his deep blue eyes always revealed what was on his mind, no matter how simple or complex it could be - he wasn’t known for his cunning, but rather his open honesty which often got him in trouble.

The Heavenly Sword of Freedom, Tien Shin spoke up...

Down in the south, in Changsha…

The contingent sent to defeat the Shan-yue uprising had just returned from the skirmish and the gates of the city welcomed the mighty warriors of the Sun Clan with cheers and respect. Leading his soldiers from the front, Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong, rode as a mighty example of what a true warlord ought to be.

The soldiers marched with discipline and battle hardened expressions. Even the youngest of recruits had the look of a veteran of battle thanks to the rigorous training they had received from the trusted advisors and warriors under the banner of the Sun Clan.

There was one part of the army that looked even mightier and disciplined than the others… They looked to be in perfect condition, even after such a hard fought battle. They were the rearguard - a position often looked down upon due to their lack of action and fewer chances of glory. But these soldiers knew that theirs was perhaps the most important job of all - protecting their brothers-in-arms from attacks from behind. They had been taught by a man who had earned the trust and respect of every soldier and warrior that served under Sun Jian. Even the warlord himself had learned a thing or two from him.

Leading the rearguard soldiers was the Heavenly Sword of Balance - Khan Bei, the wise Doctor, or as the soldiers knew him: the Jade Tiger...

Once more, The Heavenly Swords must take to the field for the sake of the Realm…