The night sky remained eerily silent after the battlefield settled. The bodies of fallen assassins and Zhao warriors alike lay scattered across the courtyard, their blood seeping into the cracks of the stone pavement. The scent of death still lingered, but the Zhao Clan had emerged victorious.
Zhao Tian stood tall amidst the wreckage, his aura slowly fading as he retracted his immense qi. For the first time in three decades, he had unleashed his full power, and the destruction left in its wake was proof of his terrifying might. His long, flowing robes fluttered in the wind as his piercing gaze swept over the battlefield. His enemies had underestimated him, believing him to be past his prime. Tonight, he had proven them wrong.
Zhao Wei, bruised and bloodied but still standing, stepped beside his father. He let out a heavy breath and wiped the sweat and blood from his forehead. "We've won, Father. But this battle has made one thing clear—someone wants our clan eradicated."
Zhao Tian nodded, his expression grim. "Indeed. This attack was well-coordinated. The assassin leader wasn't an ordinary mercenary. He was someone trained in dark arts, someone who had deep ties to a larger power. This was no mere act of revenge… this was a declaration of war."
Zhao Ying, still clutching her sleeping child, stepped forward. Her eyes, filled with worry, glanced between her father and brother. "If they were after my son, then they will return," she whispered. "This was only the beginning."
Zhao Tian turned to her, his gaze softening slightly. He looked down at the child in her arms—so small, yet at the center of something far greater than any of them could comprehend. "Then he will be protected. From this moment on, this child will be raised under my watchful eye. No harm shall come to him within these walls."
Zhao Ying hesitated for a moment before nodding. She knew that if anyone could ensure her son's safety, it was her father.
Zhao Tian straightened his posture and turned to the remaining warriors of the Zhao Clan. "Gather the wounded. Tend to them immediately. As for the dead, honor them properly. They have given their lives for the Zhao Clan, and they shall be remembered as heroes."
A collective chorus of agreement resounded from the warriors as they immediately moved to carry out his orders. Even in victory, the cost had been heavy.
A Decision That Would Change Everything
Hours passed, and the bodies of the fallen were prepared for burial. The Zhao Clan's elders gathered in the grand hall, their faces grim as they discussed the events of the night. Zhao Tian sat at the head of the room, his fingers interlocked as he listened to their concerns.
"This attack proves that our enemies have grown bold," one of the elders said. "We cannot remain idle. If we do not strike back, they will see us as weak."
"Our forces have suffered heavy losses," another elder interjected. "Retaliation now would be reckless. We must strengthen ourselves first."
Zhao Tian remained silent for a long moment before speaking. "Our priority is not revenge—it is preparation. If these enemies are willing to send assassins to our doorstep, then we must be ready for whatever comes next. For now, we fortify our defenses and train our warriors harder than ever before."
The elders nodded in agreement, though the thirst for vengeance was still evident in their eyes.
Zhao Tian then turned to his daughter. "Ying, have you made your decision?"
Zhao Ying tightened her grip on her child before taking a deep breath. "Yes. I will leave this child in your care. If he is truly destined for something greater, then he must be raised in the strongest environment possible."
A small smile crossed Zhao Tian's lips. "Then it is settled. From today onward, this child will train under me and the finest warriors of the Zhao Clan."
A Child's Destiny Begins
Dawn approached, painting the sky in hues of red and gold. The Zhao Clan had begun to rebuild, repairing the damages caused by the battle. Amidst it all, the young child remained oblivious to the events unfolding around him. In his peaceful slumber, he had no idea that his life was about to change forever.
Zhao Tian stood over his grandson, watching him sleep. Though the boy was still young, there was something in him—something powerful, something waiting to awaken. His heart swelled with emotions he rarely allowed himself to feel. This child was special, and he would ensure that he grew into a warrior unlike any other.
Turning away, Zhao Tian gave a final order to the Zhao warriors. "From this day forth, his training begins. He will be trained in every technique of our clan. He will learn discipline, combat, and strategy. He will surpass even me."
The warriors nodded, determination in their eyes. They had seen their clan leader's strength firsthand, and if this child was to surpass even him… then he would become a force beyond comprehension.
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, the Zhao Clan prepared for a new chapter in their history. The battle had ended, but the real war had only just begun.
And at the heart of it all was a child who would one day shake the very foundation of the world.