Bai Qi was a man who corrected his mistakes once he recognized them. After returning to Qin State, he stayed in his residence and carefully reflected on what had happened in the Heavenly Court. He felt that he had been wrong!
He should not have acted so rashly and attacked the Heavenly Emperor, offending him and getting his cultivation crippled. At the time, he should have admitted his mistake and begged forgiveness. Perhaps the Heavenly Emperor would have taken his contrition into account, punished him more lightly, and even left Qin State a way out.
Even if the Heavenly Emperor had not done so, things could hardly have turned out worse than they were now.
It was all because I'd grown too accustomed to being a great general these past years, always ordering others around. I'd met no worthy opponents on the battlefield, either, and it had gone to my head. I actually thought I could overpower the Heavenly Emperor and force him to change his decree. Ah!
From now on, I must stay calm-calmer still-before acting. The King of Qin has now ordered me to lead another campaign against Zhao. Clearly, he's acting on impulse. The King of Zhao's broken promises have enraged him, and he's desperate to teach Zhao a lesson.
There's nothing wrong with that intention, but... I'm not the right man to lead the army.
I slaughtered four hundred thousand Zhao People at Changping in one fell swoop. Now, the people of Zhao grit their teeth in hatred at the mere mention of my name. If I lead an invasion, their soldiers and civilians will unite from top to bottom and resist me at any cost. Qin State would have to pay a steep price to win. It would be better to send another general.
Thus,