The great desert, along the Liao Kingdom's battle line.
Smoke rose straight from the distant beacon towers, conspicuous amid the Smoke Sand. Iron-gray clouds hung low, thousands of hideous beast heads continually manifesting within them, barring the battle line of Li Song.
The soldiers wore uniform black armor, like dark clouds massed for battle. Thousands of pure-white banners patterned with wind and clouds snapped in the breeze, the white horses and blue oxen upon them seemingly poised to leap free. The drums sounded mournful and solemn.
Strange four-winged horses neighed restlessly, demonic qi rising from them along with the stench of blood. A dozen hovering warships waited overhead, water and fire rolling across their banners as dim magical light shone over the wilderness.
Over the past several decades, the Li Kingdom's borders had retreated again and again. Of the Six Prefectures, three had already fallen, and Heavenwater was not far away. Once it was taken, the entire Song Clan's dignity would be trampled underfoot.
A young man stood quietly on a dark-yellow hill, dressed in pure-white feathered robes, a silver-white longsword on his back. His figure was straight and tall, his features stern, but inked on his right cheek was the Liao word for "slave."
Hoofbeats sounded behind him. A general riding a white horse leaped down, his heavy, dark-brown brocade battle robe billowing. His weathered face bore the marks left by years and blades.
The general slowly climbed the mound and gazed toward the opposing side alongside the man beside him. For a moment, the army fell silent, none daring to speak further.
"Liu Qi, His Majesty has sent a decree."
"Thank you, General Xieji."
The black-robed young man's expression softened slightly. He sighed and turned to leave, paying no heed to the gazes directed his way.
As he