The hero standing in the light merely hides their weakness and helplessness within the shadows.

　　Before his diplomatic mission, Great Chief Gong Dian convened a family council attended by his wife Yu Jiao, Gong Yi, Gong Kong, Gong Min, and Gong Jie.

　　Since his disagreement with the Great Chief, Gong Kang had not been seen in the inner city for a long time, and his whereabouts remained unknown.

　　Gong Dian surveyed the family members. "In two days, I will depart for the Baihuo Clan and journey to the capital with Lian Kui to pay homage to the Eagle God King. I have notified all tribes of our clan that during my absence, my wife Yu Jiao will act as interim Great Chief. All clan affairs, great and small, shall be decided by her. Madam, I leave this responsibility to you."

　　"Great Chief, we are family—no need for formal words. Who will accompany you on this mission to the capital?"

　　Gong Kong volunteered eagerly, "Father, allow me to accompany you to the capital and guard your safety."

　　"You cannot go, Gong Kong," Gong Dian firmly rejected the proposal. "While your mother serves as acting Great Chief, Gong Yi will remain to assist her. Gong Kang will accompany me to the capital."

　　Hearing his father's decision, Gong Yi urgently interjected, "Father, let our elder brother assist Mother. I should be the one to accompany you."

　　"No. You are the future Great Chief of the Gongyou Clan—our people's hopes rest on you. You must stay and learn governance from your mother. Your elder brother's martial skills make him the ideal companion for this journey." Gong Dian's tone sharpened. "Speaking of Gong Kang, where has he been these days? He's nowhere to be seen."

　　"Father, we haven't seen Elder Brother in the inner city for days. He may still be upset with you. Please calm your anger—if you meet now, you'll only argue again. The Baihuo Clan might ridicule such discord. Let me accompany you instead."

　　Gong Yi's words struck a chord. Seeing his father fall into silent contemplation, he pressed on, "I lack Elder Brother's capabilities and prestige. He is the rightful future Great Chief. When we return from the capital, the three of us should sit down and properly discuss the succession matter."

　　Gong Jie piped up suddenly, "Dad, I want to go to the capital with you too! I’ve never seen anything outside our home—please, won’t you take me this time?" Still young, she always called him "Dad," unlike her older brothers, who addressed him more formally as "Father."

　　"Absolutely not. Do you think this is some sightseeing trip? The road to the capital is long and our task is demanding. Gong Jie, you’re still too young. Stay home. Gong Min, keep a close watch on your sister—make sure she doesn’t cause your mother any trouble. Understood?"

　　"Understood, Dad," Gong Min replied gently. "She’s just speaking on impulse. I’ll look after her, don’t worry."

　　Gong Jie slumped back, pouting, her face clouded with disappointment.

　　Gong Dian observed this but paid no heed, continuing, "Our mission to the capital is to have the Eagle God King adjudicate the dispute over human sacrifices between our clans. We also seek to petition the Celestial Gods, through the Eagle God King, to reduce the quotas for human sacrifices and forced labor."

　　"Our delegation bears a heavy responsibility, constantly risking the grave danger of angering the Celestial Gods. To fulfill our mission honorably, I have decided to bring Gong Yi, General Gong Wei, Guard General Yi Wu, and Head Instructor Lü Jin on this journey to the capital."

　　Early morning, Outer District of Windwood Citadel.

　　Ji Jie and Yu Kai, fully geared, pushed open the door of their treehouse to find Gong Kang lying on his back, an emptied animal-skin wine pouch slipped from his hand, spilled liquor staining the floor. Clearly, he had drunk through the night again.

　　Seeing Gong Kang's disheveled state, the two men shook their heads.

　　They were Gong Kang's sworn brothers: Gong Kang was the eldest, Ji Jie the second, and Yu Kai the third.

　　After his argument with his parents, Gong Kang left the inner city and retreated to the outer district, seeking refuge with his sworn brother, Ji Jie.

　　A bachelor with only a single treehouse to his name, Ji Jie generously gave up his own quarters for Gong Kang and moved in with their mutual friend, Yu Kai.

　　Each day, Ji Jie and Yu Kai would invite Gong Kang to join them on hunting trips, but he always declined with a silent shake of his head. He remained alone in the treehouse, never once stepping outside, losing himself in drink and drifting through days clouded by wine and regret.

　　The military strength of the You Long Clan was organized as follows: the garrison at Windwood Citadel served as a standing army—a regular force under the direct command of Great Chief Gong Dian, led by his third brother General Gong Wei, numbering approximately 80,000 troops. The defenses at the Western Pass and Eastern Pass were commanded by Gong Dian’s second brother Gong Hui and fourth brother Gong Yao respectively, each with garrisons of about 5,000 soldiers.

　　In the You Long Clan, hunters lived dual lives—civilians during peacetime, but soldiers ready to answer the call of war. Gong Kang and Gong Yi had mobilized the most skilled among them to form a Spear Corps and an Archer Battalion, units that blended military training with daily hunting. They assembled weekly for intensive drills, while spending their ordinary days hunting in small groups throughout the forests. Each militia unit numbered around ten thousand members.

　　The women’s company attached to the foraging parties also operated as a militia. Under the direction of Lady Yu Jiao, its three thousand members provided protection for the foraging teams working deep in the woods.

　　The Scout and Internal Guard Department, an intelligence agency led by Gong Kong, consisted of roughly five hundred operatives.

　　Ji Jie and Yu Kai served as deputy captains of the Spear Corps and shared a close bond with their captain, Gong Kang. Even before joining the corps, both were well-known hunters in Windwood Citadel. The Ji and Yu families represented two of the most influential hunting clans in the region, frequently organizing expeditions into the forest. At times, competition over game and territory sparked conflicts between them.

　　Ji Jie and Yu Kai stood out as the most promising youths of their respective clans. On one particular hunt, Ji Jie led twenty to thirty young clansmen deep into the forest. Moving with practiced stealth, they positioned themselves downwind and quietly encircled a small herd of five or six great-horned bison.

　　These massive beasts, common herbivores of the woodlands, were prized for their rich meat but feared for their fierce tempers and raw power, crowned by a pair of formidable horns.

　　At Ji Jie’s signal, spears flew from the hidden hunters. The lead animals fell, struck down mid-stride. But the last bison, wounded in the back by a spear, broke away and fled into the deep woods.

　　While some hunters stayed to secure the fallen game, Ji Jie led the rest in pursuit of the injured animal.

　　The wounded bison, desperate and panicked, crashed headlong into another hunting party—this one led by Yu Kai and composed of hunters from the Yu clan. With a single, well-aimed throw, Yu Kai brought the fleeing beast down for good.

　　Just as Ji Jie and his group arrived on the scene, a dispute erupted over who rightfully claimed the kill. With neither side yielding, they settled on a duel—victor takes all.

　　Cheering erupted from the onlookers as Ji Jie and Yu Kai faced off, each fighting for the honor of their clan.

　　The commotion drew the attention of Gong Kang, who happened to be leading a scout patrol through the area. His curiosity piqued, he joined the growing crowd.

　　He watched, impressed, as the two young men crossed swords—each move crisp, each technique refined, their skills so evenly matched that neither could gain an edge. Gong Kang found himself nodding in quiet approval.

　　Both hunters by upbringing, their styles were practical and lethal, devoid of flourish—every strike intended to decide the contest outright.

　　Gong Kang, recognizing their talent and seeing the duel turning deadly, decided to intervene. As Ji Jie and Yu Kai stood locked in combat, their swords straining against each other, Gong Kang drew his Dragonflame Sword and shouted "Break!" With an upward sweep of his blade, he forced their weapons apart. The impact sent a shock through their arms, numbing their hands and sending both swords clattering to the ground.

　　Ji Jie and Yu Kai turned, staring in confusion at the stranger who had interrupted their fight. "Who are you?" Ji Jie demanded angrily. "Why interfere in our affair?"

　　Gong Kang clasped his hands in respect. "Who I am matters little. I see two skilled warriors before me. Every man must die, but heroes should fall fighting foreign invaders—not in petty clashes that become others' mockery!"

　　His words struck deep. In truth, both men felt immediate gratitude. Their contest had revealed how evenly matched they were, and with their clans urging them on, they had been trapped with no honorable way out. As the saying goes, "When two tigers fight, one is bound to get hurt." They had no true grievance worth dying for, and this stranger's intervention had saved them both.

　　Ashamed, they bowed. "You speak wisdom, sir."

　　When Gong Kang learned the cause of their dispute, he laughed heartily. "The solution is simple." Walking to the bison carcass, he unsheathed the Dragonflame Sword and cleaved the beast cleanly from head to tail with a single stroke, leaving the onlookers astounded. "Let each clan take half. Is that fair?"

　　"More than fair!"

　　As noon arrived, they shared a meal of roasted bison, discussing martial arts with growing mutual respect. Finally, Gong Kang proposed they become sworn brothers, with himself as the eldest, followed by Ji Jie and Yu Kai. At that time, the two younger brothers knew him only as Gong Kang—unaware he was the Great Chief's first son.

　　A year later, when Gong Kang earned fame at the tribal sacrificial tournament, Ji Jie and Yu Kai finally learned their sworn brother's true identity.

　　One day in the latter half of the following year, Gong Kang approached Ji Jie and Yu Kai, seeking their help in forming a militia. The two enthusiastically rallied hunters within Windwood Citadel, and members of the Ji and Yu clans joined in large numbers, establishing the "Spear Corps."

　　Not long after, Gong Yi also requested assistance from the Ji and Yu clans to form the "Archer Battalion."

　　As more hunters continued to join, both units grew steadily. Gong Kang and Gong Yi conducted regular training sessions, and over the years, the combat effectiveness of the Spear Corps and Archer Battalion was utterly transformed.

　　Ji Jie shook Gong Kang awake. "Elder Brother, wake up."

　　"Stop bothering me, let me sleep a bit longer."

　　"Elder Brother, today is the Spear Corps' weekly training session. You must attend."

　　"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier? I forgot all about it." Gong Kang scrambled out of bed and hurriedly donned his armor. Though unshaven and weary, once fully equipped, his demeanor sharpened noticeably.

　　Gong Kang, Ji Jie, and Yu Kai stepped out of the treehouse, mounted their camel-horses beneath the trees, and headed toward the training grounds outside the city.