Chapter 1

The city of Gai Wei filled in with travellers, coming from different villages, as they mingled around some carrying heavy loads on their backs. The locals do their daily routines. Creaking sounds of carts are heard, as they pass through inns and markets of the city.

It is a time of festivities so it is normal to see the city fully packed. Lanterns hang freely as the cold breeze touches one after the other. Children run around as they chase after the light-lit hot anvil lanterns floating in the air. Young misses of the rich families wandered around looking for dresses for the night. Some took interest in hair accessories. The young men were at a close distance trying their chances with these beautiful ladies.

Some men on horsebacks moved as fast as they could while shouting for the masses to disperse so that they could pass through. They wore shiny armour which was tainted with blood, carrying bows and arrows on their backs. Their swords were suspended at their sides. They were many for their horses shook the ground frightening those who were near watching them. Some are hoping to be one of them in the near future. Some looked at them with faces filled with hatred, some remembering sad encounters with them.

As they were moving away from the crowd, one of the people started, "they are finally back after a whole month of fighting, I am sure they won. After all, victory is always on our side as long as the hound is amongst them."

"Hound?" The other surprisingly asked. Unknowingly staring at the man leading the army. He had no expression as such he did not loook sideways like the other men. He would hit his horse here and there to increase its pace. 

"You don't know? Which world are you living in? It is our famous general who was enlisted at the age of eighteen after defeating several armies at war. He is said to possess the form of a hound when fighting. Some say he has never been scratched by a single soul."

"So he keeps clean. Sounds like a neat freak to me," the other man interjected as he continued to watch the back of the man on the horse who was so eager to reach the palace before sunset. He was weary of being late and dealing with the old man is tiring. He also could not stand the stench of blood on his body. He wanted to take a bath and rest for a while.

"General, we need to care for the injured. Wu and I will stop by the physician's manor to get them treated." The man beside the general lamented. He slowed down his horse leaving the general on his own. 

When he neared the palace gates, he slowed down for the guards to open it for him. He passed them and headed towards the inner palace. The palace was so spacious and strict. When he was walking he could see the maids bowing his way portraying the Palace etiquette. 

"General Xue Han is here to see your majesty," he called, letting the eunuch open the door for him. Inside this imperial hall, there an aged old man sat on the golden throne beside him was his favourite Consort Hui, who was feeding him tangerines like a baby. Sometimes Xue Han wonders why this old man was his rumoured fierce emperor of the West.

"General Xue, welcome. I heard you have defeated those barbarians. What do you want from this old man to grant you? Eight gold pieces? Women? Name anything."

"This servant sees it better if you would grant me a house of my own, your majesty." Xue Han replied as he bowed to the man who was now laughing at his loyal subject. The general had long wanted a house of his own. He is getting tired of changing cities each and every time he is sent on missions. Every time he has to find an inn where there will be a lot of noise from the other people. He hates loud places. So this was a chance given to rob this stupid emperor of his riches after all he sacrifices his life too many times.

"Sure, I will do as you say. You look a mess go and have some rest, general." The emperor dismisses him. He turned to look at his concubine and got busy kissing her with so much love. 

Xue Han rises and vacates his majesty's chambers and looks back feeling used for this man's gain before riding his horse and exiting the palace.

He stopped at the Xing Inn where he took one of the rooms and bathed for some time and slept for a few hours. 

It was early in the morning when he was awakened by loud noises in the next room. "Women," he snarled lowly whilst he got up putting on his outer gown. Two voices of women argued. And this didn't get so well to the man who so loved his nap. He took his sword which he had laid the night before and opened the door to the intruders. He searched to see what was truly happening at this point in time. 

He watched as one of the women neared the other pouring water on the head of the other woman who stood idly and stopping her maidservant who wanted to help her master.

"Min, you slut what were you talking about with my lord! Can't you leave him alone? He doesn't love you ...." She kept blubbering nonsensical things before she prepared to pour yet another bowl of water.

Xue Han looked at the other girl who was now raising her head high with eyes that could freeze an ocean. She lazily pulled her long black wet hair at the back of her neck revealing her pale white skin and sharp features which had earned her name: little beauty Cheng. Every young man at that moment was entranced by her beauty and that small gesture except the general who had an indifferent look.

"Sister, what have I done to you to treat me like that? Which lord are you talking about? I was all alone. If you mean the Lord I dined with yesterday. Then no need to worry I... wait what's it to you if he was with me tonight? Do you perhaps have feelings for him?"

The sister was surprised to see her standing up for herself. She had got used to bullying her at home and she felt happy to see her little sister away from home for a long time but when she came she had the nerve to invite her lover for lunch that afternoon. Getting annoyed she stretched her arm so to slap Min on the face but she was blocked by the little girl that had gained some guts these past months.

"Get your filthy hands out of my face sister if you still want them intact." She threatened with a strong voice that meant war. She threw her hands aside and continued glaring at her. The general was getting more and more irritated to the point where he didn't realise he was walking towards them before pointing his sword to a certain someone's neck.

"Stop all this drama and get to your homes little girls," he ordered the two women who noticed him now at this very moment. The two women wondered who he was pointing at with his sword.