Chapter 17

Rin leads the Southern Coalition into narrow mining tunnels to evade Republican reprisals, refusing rest despite the wounded, mindful of Nezha’s potential pursuit and gas. They finally reach a cavern open to the night sky and make camp. Rin tours the ranks, rekindling morale by recounting Chuluu Korikh, the Trifecta’s return, and Arabak, and notes many new northern miners who have joined.

Amid this tenuous respite, Jiang is conscious but shattered, trapped in terror and incoherence, while Daji insists he will recover. Kitay warns that Gurubai and Souji plan to split the army, prompting Daji to urge immediate elimination. Accepting that shared power will invite a coup, Rin decides on executions to secure uncontested leadership.

Rin confronts Gurubai first. He dismisses his officers and submits, condemning Rin as catastrophic for the country. Rin stabs him poorly; as Gurubai bleeds out in silence, Kitay mercifully slits his throat, ending the Monkey Warlord’s threat.

Rin intercepts Souji’s flight at the western exit. Reading the Iron Wolves’ hesitation, she orders them to disarm and restrain him; they comply. After a calculated beating to preserve his face for spectacle, she defers the killing to morning to maximize political effect.

At dawn, standing under a shaft of light, Rin indicts Souji for selling her to Nezha and trapping the coalition. She declares the Southern Coalition finished and her sole command established. Forcing a public reckoning, she incites the crowd; the soldiers tear Souji apart, transforming collective guilt and rage into allegiance. With Souji mutilated and Gurubai dead, Rin’s takeover is complete.