Chang'an City, Zichen Hall.
The midsummer afternoon sunlight streamed through the enormous glazed window lattices, casting mottled light and shadow across the gold-brick floor, polished smooth as a mirror. Inside the hall, ambergris burned quietly in a gilded beast-shaped censer, its blue smoke rising straight up and lending the air a solemn dignity. Unlike the faint clamor of the streets outside, the depths of the great hall were so quiet that the faint crackling of the candlewicks could be heard.
Chen Yu, king of Hua Country, wore a black informal robe embroidered with a dark-gold Dark Bird Pattern, giving him a composed, restrained appearance. He stood with his hands behind his back before the enormous West Blue Map, his gaze deep, as though he could see through the paper to those waters that had only just entered his domain yet still harbored hidden dangers.
Now, before the Marine Admiral had even reached the West Blue, the empire's territory already encompassed the entire region. Yet several anchor symbols representing the former Marine Branches on the map had still not been replaced with Black Bird Flags.
"Hmph. I originally intended to show the Marines some consideration and let you withdraw your personnel voluntarily. Instead, you proved utterly incapable of taking the hint."
Footsteps approached from afar, steady and forceful. The newcomer wore no armor, only a formal black robe with a jade belt around his waist. It was Liu Bei, renowned for his benevolence and prestige.
His expression was gentle, but his eyes were bright and alert, and his every step carried a bearing that inspired admiration. Reaching the foot of the Imperial Steps, he bowed in salute and spoke calmly. "Your subject, Liu Bei, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Chen Yu slowly turned around, his gaze falling upon Liu Bei