The Poppy War, #3
The Burning God
by R. F. Kuang
Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Rin and Souji infiltrate Leiyang, discovering a coerced coexistence under Mugenese occupation. Chief Lien reluctantly permits an ambush if civilians are protected. After Nezha’s secret letter offers Kesegi’s freedom for Rin’s surrender, Rin rejects it. During the assault, the Mugenese hold Leiyang hostage until Qinen leads a civilian charge, forcing Rin to summon the Phoenix and burn soldiers and civilians alike, securing a pyrrhic victory and redefining the war’s brutal calculus.
Summary
Rin’s force reaches Leiyang’s outskirts and, at Souji’s insistence, she infiltrates the “Beehive” in disguise. Inside, she finds a grim collaborationist order: Mugenese troops run rations and patrols while Nikara civilians labor and move about under watch. Souji brings Rin to Chief Lien Wen, who initially rejects any revolt, fearing reprisals that have already targeted dark-skinned girls because of Rin’s legend.
To win Lien’s support, Rin reveals her fire, promising overwhelming force if civilians can be evacuated. Lien gives guarded permission and conditions: fight far from the town and mark soldiers distinctly from civilians. Outside, Lien’s son, Qinen, secretly pledges aid, revealing a prepared resistance network and small acts of sabotage, but Souji and Rin forbid civilian participation to avoid reprisals.
Back in camp, Rin receives a covert letter bearing House Yin’s seal: Kesegi, her foster brother, is hostage in the New City. Nezha proposes a truce, disarmament, and Kesegi’s release if Rin surrenders alone. Doubting the offer and fearing Hesperian designs, Rin and Kitay agree to tell no one and refuse to act. Rin burns the letter.
The next day, the Southern Coalition arranges a four-pronged ambush, improvising red mud markings to distinguish troops. As sunset nears, Souji warns that the Mugenese have anticipated them. Instead of deploying outward, Federation soldiers block the town gates and hold civilians hostage, forcing negotiation.
Before talks proceed, an arrow drops the Mugenese flag-bearer and an immense column of Leiyang’s civilians—mobilized by Qinen—surges from the gates with makeshift weapons. Mugenese archers cut them down, but the column keeps advancing over its dead. Confronted with certain slaughter and no path to a clean victory, Rin calls the Phoenix and incinerates the battlefield, killing enemies and civilians alike as her troops charge through the flames. The field is won by sacrifice, cementing a brutal strategy of liberation through overwhelming, often self-annihilating, southern resolve.
Who Appears
- Rin (Fang Runin)Commander; infiltrates Leiyang, secures conditional support, refuses Nezha’s hostage bargain, then unleashes the Phoenix, immolating enemies and civilians to win.
- SoujiGuerrilla leader; insists on civilian consent and protection, negotiates with Chief Lien, detects the Mugenese counter, and supports restraint with locals.
- KitayRin’s tether and strategist; advises against taking Nezha’s bait, keeps the letter secret, and helps plan the ambush and identifiers.
- Chief Lien WenLeiyang’s leader; wary collaborator seeking survival, grants conditional permission to fight away from civilians and demands clear markings.
- Lien QinenChief Lien’s son; leads clandestine resistance, mobilizes the entire township into a desperate frontal charge, triggering Rin’s devastating response.
- Nezha (Yin Nezha)Rival commander; sends a secret letter offering truce and Kesegi’s release for Rin’s surrender, revealing reach and psychological warfare.
- KesegiRin’s foster brother; writes from captivity in the New City, used by Nezha as leverage to lure Rin.
- Lien Wen’s daughter (unnamed)Young girl; hosts Rin and Souji, part of Qinen’s network, subtly poisons Mugenese mess rations.