The Poppy War, #2
The Dragon Republic
by R. F. Kuang
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
The Imperial fleet smashes Arlong’s gates and advances in a chained formation. Rin takes to the air, burns the lashings, and splits the fleet. As Nezha’s ship is overrun, Rin intervenes; Nezha maims and executes Chang En. A ground column threatens the valley, and as Rin warns allies, an eerie stillness precedes the ship tearing away.
Summary
From Arlong’s cliffs, Rin, Kitay, and Venka brace for the Imperial assault. Chang En’s fleet appears lashed into a massive battering ram, and Arlong’s chained gates are quickly smashed. Republican traps and cliff guns detonate but only slow the advance. With artillery faltering and Nezha’s ships pinned, Rin launches into the air.
Rin dives, ignites ropes and decks, and drops oil to spread fires, splintering the chained formation. She spots ground troops moving through the lowland valleys toward refugees and writes a flaming sky warning—“Valley invaded”—prompting some forces to peel off. Seeing Nezha’s ship being boarded, she dives to assist despite the Feylen risk.
On deck, Rin carves a fiery path and finds Nezha dueling General Jun. After Nezha severs Jun’s hand, Jun throws himself overboard. Chang En ambushes Rin with a soaked canvas; Nezha draws him off as Rin struggles to re-ignite. Chang En corners Nezha, taunting him about Jinzha’s death, until the Phoenix surges through Rin, wreathed like armor.
Rin immolates Chang En to the brink of death, then yields her sword so Nezha can finish him. Nezha gouges out Chang En’s eye and executes him. As they catch their breath, an uncanny stillness falls over the channel; flags droop and sounds sharpen. Rin grips Nezha’s hand as the ship violently tears away beneath them.
Who Appears
- Rin (Rinzhha)Leads aerial fire strikes, splits the Imperial fleet, warns of a valley incursion, saves Nezha, and triggers the Phoenix to subdue Chang En.
- NezhaCommands a frontline warship, is overrun, duels General Jun, survives Chang En’s assault, and personally executes Chang En.
- KitayCoordinates defenses from the cliffs, planned mines and artillery timing, and guides Rin’s attack vectors.
- VenkaMans a mounted crossbow on the cliffs, covers Rin’s attacks, and spots the valley ground column.
- Chang En (Wolf Meat General)Leads the chained Imperial fleet, ambushes Rin on deck, is burned and then executed by Nezha.
- General JunBoards Nezha’s ship, loses a hand in combat with Nezha, and escapes overboard.