Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

A small village called Jiang Village, temporarily deserted due to the emperor's fleet, houses over thirty Sui soldiers led by the notorious bandit Xiong Kuo Hai. Xiong, seeking to eliminate the emperor, is unaware of a failed assassination attempt that has heightened the Sui army's vigilance. After learning that a Sui general, Zhang Xuan, wishes to meet him, Xiong is initially skeptical but agrees. Zhang Xuan reveals he knows of Xiong's assassination plans and informs him of the true orchestrators behind the attempt on the emperor's life, the Bohai Society, who intend to use Xiong as a scapegoat. Zhang Xuan advises Xiong to leave Chen Liu County immediately to avoid capture. Grateful for the warning, Xiong decides to flee with his men, vowing to remember Zhang's kindness.

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