Chapter 12

More provinces break from the Empire as the southern Warlords—Boar (Cao Charouk), Monkey (Liu Gurubai), and Rooster (Gong Takha)—arrive in Arlong. War councils stall over command integration and leadership, with General Hu urging unified divisions and the Warlords resisting. Reports name Chang En to lead the Imperial fleet. Tensions flare as Jinzha is challenged for naval command and Rin is told to stay quiet.

Ang Tsolin arrives, secures protection for his family, and corrects the strategic picture: Horse mustering at Yinshan and Tiger moving their fleet toward the Autumn Palace, narrowing attack routes. He begins revising plans with Vaisra. Meanwhile, Arlong mobilizes; Rin, shut out of decisions, channels frustration into daily sparring with Nezha, confronting her weakened stamina, the Seal on her powers, and her attachment to Altan’s trident. A bitter exchange exposes Nezha’s contempt for Altan and Rin’s unresolved grief.

Vaisra and Tsolin settle on an indirect strategy: starve the north by halting southern grain, with Moag’s fleet interdicting coastal smuggling. Jinzha reveals prior sabotage of Hare’s seed grain to hasten famine. Kitay denounces the plan as immoral and strategically unnecessary, argues for a swift offensive, and is dismissed after clashing with General Hu and Vaisra.

As autumn advances, Arlong pivots to defense, suggesting the northern assault may wait until spring. Rin struggles with inaction, integrates the Cike into Republican protocols, and prepares for war. The stalemate breaks when alarms sound: great white ships from the west enter Dragon waters, revealing that Vaisra has been waiting for external reinforcement.