As Lu Sang steadied himself, he took a deep breath, feeling the dark power settling within him like a coiled serpent, lying in wait. The cavern was silent, yet the weight of the exchange lingered, pressing down like an unseen force. His soldiers, tense and alert, seemed smaller in the vast darkness, yet their loyalty held strong as they awaited his command.

  "Let’s move," he said, his voice carrying a new, sharper edge. The soldiers fell in line, though an uneasy silence hung in the air.

  They retraced their steps through the oppressive corridors, the dim torches casting shifting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. Cao Suyin walked beside him, her gaze flicking over his face, searching for any trace of the ordeal's impact. But Lu Sang’s expression remained impassive, his resolve like iron.

  As they neared the exit, she finally spoke. “You know they didn’t give you everything, don’t you? The power they granted today was but a fraction, a test of your resilience. They’ll watch closely, waiting for any sign of weakness.”

  Lu Sang met her gaze, his tone steely. “Then they’ll be disappointed. I am not some vessel for their schemes.”

  She gave a slight nod, though her eyes held a warning. “Power never comes without consequences, Lu Sang. I only hope you understand that fully before it’s too te.”

  They emerged into the pale light of dawn, the fresh air like a balm after the stifling darkness. The rising sun cast its glow over the camp below, illuminating the disciplined rows of tents and the banners fluttering in the early morning breeze. His soldiers outside looked to him, their eyes questioning yet resolute, as if sensing the shift within their general.

  With a gnce, Lu Sang could see the rumors swirling through them—glimpses of doubt, of fear. He straightened, his voice carrying across the encampment. "This rebellion is not merely an opposition; it’s an infection festering within our Empire, threatening to corrupt everything we stand for. But today, we take the first step to cleanse it. We fight not just with our swords, but with a purpose that darkness can’t consume.”

  His words steadied them, dispelling the murmurs, and the soldiers stood taller, their resolve rekindled.

  Cao Suyin’s gaze lingered on him as he spoke to the troops, a glint of approval in her eyes. She leaned in close, her voice low enough that only he could hear. “You command well. But remember, General—the Bck Hand won’t just sit back and watch you rise. They will test you, and they will come for you.”

  “They can try,” Lu Sang replied, his tone unyielding. "But I have faced death before and walked away victorious. Whatever power the Bck Hand holds, it won’t stop me from protecting my Empire.”

  She gave him a faint smile. “Then let’s hope your strength is enough, for both of our sakes.”

  As the sun rose higher, casting the first rays of morning light across the nd, Lu Sang and his army prepared to march forward, the shadow of the Bck Hand looming ever rger over them. The path ahead would be treacherous, filled with both allies and adversaries veiled in deception. But Lu Sang was ready; he had made his choice. And whatever the cost, he would pay it for the Empire.