After a moment, he spoke. “You’ve been summoned to State Shiyu,” Jinhai said.

Xue Li’s expression dropped. “State Shiyu? That’s not far from here, but I wanted to relax a bit,” she said with a short laugh. “Is it important?”

“Have you forgotten?”

She frowned. “What is it for?”

“General Ding De-Shi has called for all Generals near the area to come for a meeting. Two Dragon Generals will be in attendance, along with three other generals.”

Xue Li’s lips twisted into a frown. She remembered receiving a letter about that a month ago, but hadn’t thought much of it, since she had been in the midst of battle. State Shiyu was nearby, but she hadn’t planned to visit there after finishing her business here. She had thought to take a little break before delving back into the war.

The Dragon Generals were six young generals that were assigned the titles of Dragons for their success on the battlefield. She was just as young as they were, but because she was a woman, she hadn’t been able to receive a title. Any time she heard about the Dragon Generals, annoyance filtered through her. Their accomplishments were amazing, but all the accomplishments of those not given that title were washed away by the brightness of the Dragon Generals. Once, she had partaken in a battle with Yulong—Xia Zengguang—but her accomplishments were barely mentioned in the face of the brilliance of Yulong.

Xue Li picked at the blood crusting beneath her fingernails. “The Dragon Generals again? They’re as annoying as ever, but I can’t deny them, now can I?” She shook her head. “Well, when’s the meeting?”

“In about three weeks.”

“That gives us enough time to get to State Shiyu.” She rolled her shoulders. “Which Dragon Generals will be present?”

“Bailong and Huanglong.”

The White Dragon and the Yellow Dragon. She had heard Huanglong was the most beautiful man in the entire empire, while Bailong was known to be a notoriously intelligent and cunning man.

“Have you ever met Huanglong? He comes from a noble family, right?” she asked.

“Yes, he does.”

“So, have you?”

“Yes, when we were children.”

“Ah, so your family is pretty up there?”

His lips thinned down once more. “I don’t understand what you mean, General.”

“I mean, isn’t Huanglong’s family pretty famous? If your family is in that circle, you must be in a pretty good family,” she said.

“It’s been years since you’ve known me,” he said. “How can you not know that?”

“I know it, but it still amazes me sometimes.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m in the presence of someone important,” she said mockingly, before laughing and removing her hand.

He was still as a rock, a muscle on his jaw throbbing. Apparently, he didn’t find her sense of humor funny.

“So, what’s he like? Is he as pretty as the rumors say?”

He shrugged. “We were children; I don’t remember.”

Before she could answer back, a soldier on horseback approached them. The soldier stopped in front of her and leapt off the horse ungracefully. He stumbled forward before bowing down to her, his cheeks heating up with different shades of red.

“General Jin, I’ve received word from Lady Wen Ming that the city has been successfully captured,” he said, clearing his throat before straightening. “Also, our reinforcements have arrived.”

They were completely successful, then. Meaning, they could head over to State Shiyu since their work there was done. “Great,” she said. “The fortress has been successfully taken over. Spread the news to everyone.”

“Yes, General.”

It didn’t take long before news had spread to everyone. They knew they had won the battle, but it wasn’t until that confirmation that it was alright to celebrate. Chants rang in the air.

Bloody General Jin.

Bloody General Jin.

Bloody General Jin.

She frowned at her title, but couldn’t help but laugh along with the rest of her men. Any battle they won should’ve been met with relief and happiness, even with the bitterness of the dead weighing heavy in their hearts. Xue Li smiled at her men and clapped with them as they sang praise of Huo, but in the back of her mind, thoughts of vengeance stirred.

I’ll kill him, she vowed with each laugh. I’ll send that bastard to Hell.

She was the Blood General of Huo, the only woman general in the army, and known for her violence and skill with the blade. Duan He Ping could run all he wanted, but she would capture him. She could run her blade through his heart and taste his death on her lips.