(Flashback: A Meeting Before the Official Banquet)
That night, the sky above Medang's western border was pitch dark. Senapati Anom Sri had just led an ambush on the remnants of rebel troops fleeing toward the frontier.
But before the attack command was given—
BOOOOOOM!
A loud explosion echoed from the hillside to the right. Sri's troops ducked on instinct. Horses reared in panic. Some soldiers nearly struck their own shadows.
As the dust settled, a young man with an eerily calm, soot-streaked face stood near the blast's origin, holding a charred bamboo tube.
"Eh?" the young man muttered, inspecting his device. "Too much gunpowder, apparently..."
Sri approached, her expression cold, eyes sharp as blades.
"Who are you?!"
"Me? Prince Chen Lu Han of the Yi Dynasty. I was testing an emergency communication device based on air pressure and—"
"You almost ruined an ambush I spent two months preparing, Prince."
Chen blinked slowly. "Oh... is that so?"
Moments later...
Chen stood with his hands tied, blindfolded with military barracks cloth.
In the distance, Sri stood poised with a bow and a quiver of arrows.
"First target : right above the Prince's head. Second target..." she squinted, "...five fingers below the stomach."
"You're joking, right?"
"No."
Mei Lin and Han Yue watched solemnly from the training camp's edge.
"I've never felt so appreciated as a commoner," Mei Lin whispered tearfully.
"Our ancestors still care," Han Yue murmured, bowing deeply in reverent gratitude.
That night, Han Yue—the shadow guard who could appear from even an ant's shadow—could do nothing.
Earlier, Chen had disguised himself as one of the cooks supplying Sri's forces. He had sabotaged Han Yue's meal, knocking the guard unconscious for several hours.
By the time Han Yue woke up, Chen was already tied up—and the target was set.
"You do know she's the Senapati Anom, right?" Han Yue asked weakly.
"I do," Chen answered calmly, smiling. "But look on the bright side, Yue. Now we're getting to know her better."
Two days later, during the official banquet welcoming the Yi envoys to Medang Palace—
Chen spotted Sri from afar, standing tall in her ceremonial armor.
"Ah... The Lady General who rained arrows upon me."
Chen gave a small smile, and a sly glint sparked in his eyes.
"Very well, Senapati. Now it's my turn."
Mei Lin and Han Yue, seeing that look, exchanged glances and muttered :
"We're going to die, aren't we?"
"But it's worth it."