Step aside, let me take charge!.

Summary

Gongxi Qiu expresses frustration at a cowardly retreat, feeling pain from poisonous insects gnawing at his wounds. His brother, Jimo Qiu, advises him to control his emotions to avoid startling the insects. Despite his suffering, Gongxi Qiu reflects on the warrior's code of enduring pain without showing weakness. Meanwhile, Cai Yao Lang, who is busy polishing a knife, is involved in palace politics, rewarding soldiers while grappling with his own past and bloodline issues. The chapter explores themes of pain, resilience, and the complexities of lineage, as Gongxi Qiu and others navigate their injuries and the implications of their martial abilities. As they discuss the potential for reproduction and the pressures of warfare, the tension between personal desires and martial responsibilities becomes evident. The chapter concludes with a sense of foreboding regarding the consequences of their actions and the delicate balance of power within their world.

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