In the end, inspired by Zhang Ping's unwavering determination, many Korean soldiers who refused to surrender chose to stay, standing firmly by his side.
Of the tens of thousands of Korean troops remaining, fewer than 500 stayed behind.
"When a nation is on the brink of ruin, loyalty and righteousness are scarce," Zhang Ping sighed inwardly as he glanced at the dwindling numbers. Yet, as he looked at the soldiers who stood steadfast, he felt a sense of solace.
At least, there were still these few hundred loyal and righteous men.
Time passed gradually.
As dawn broke and the sun quietly rose, the Korean capital bore the scars of a day and night of fierce battle. Corpses littered the city inside and out, and the stench of blood hung heavily over the air.
In the inner city, where Zhang Ping and his troops were stationed, the enemy appeared.
Thousands of Qin soldiers, each drenched in blood, stood before them. It was evident from their appearance that they had slain countless Korean soldiers to get here.
The Qin troops didn't immediately attack. Instead, they stood their ground, their gazes brimming with murderous intent, eyeing the Korean soldiers like prey.
Yet, the general leading the Qin soldiers at the front did not give the command to attack, and so his troops restrained themselves.
"Identify yourself, Qin general!" Zhang Ping called out firmly, maintaining his composure despite the situation.
"Qin Captain, Zhao Feng," Zhao Feng replied coldly, sword in hand.
"Was it you who killed Cao Yi?" Zhang Ping's eyes shifted briefly to the severed head hanging from Zhao Feng's waist it was none other than that of Korea's newly appointed general.
"I don't know his name, but it seems he held some importance in Korea," Zhao Feng replied indifferently. "Still, I've slain those even more significant than him. Bao Yuan, for instance, also fell by my hand."
At these words, Zhang Ping was momentarily stunned.
The death of Bao Yuan Korea's last capable general was a crushing blow. His daring raid strategy had nearly succeeded.
"So it was you!" Zhang Ping exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief.
"It was me," Zhao Feng confirmed calmly.
"Good, good, excellent!" Zhang Ping laughed bitterly. "At least now, before my death, I know who killed our general."
With that, Zhang Ping took a bold step forward, gripping his sword tightly. He stared at Zhao Feng and bellowed, "Zhang Ping, Chancellor of Korea, stands before you. Do you dare face me in battle, villain?"
Zhao Feng said nothing. He merely raised his sword and began walking toward Zhang Ping.
"Kill!" Zhang Ping roared, charging at Zhao Feng with his sword.
Though he had learned some swordsmanship, Zhang Ping was still a scholar, not a warrior. Zhao Feng, his skills were utterly inadequate. With a sidestep and a swift thrust, Zhao Feng's sword pierced Zhang Ping's chest.
"Though you are a scholar, once you take up arms, you are no different from a warrior and therefore my enemy," Zhao Feng said solemnly. "To live and die with your nation... I respect your loyalty."
Zhang Ping's lips trembled. Gathering the last of his strength, he shouted, "Zhang Ping, of the Zhang family, has no regrets about serving Korea!"
Zhao Feng said nothing more. He pulled his sword from Zhang Ping's chest, and the chancellor's body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
"You have slain Korea's Chancellor Zhang Ping. Gained +10 to all attributes. Received a Tier 1 treasure chest." The system notification appeared.
"Farewell, Chancellor," a Korean soldier cried out, his voice choked with grief. "We will follow you soon!"
"Wait for us, Chancellor!"
"We are coming to join you!"
The loyal Korean soldiers, overwhelmed by despair at Zhang Ping's death, roared and charged Zhao Feng with their weapons.
In every era, there are always those who embody loyalty and righteousness, those willing to lay down their lives for their nation.
The destruction of a nation does not quench the spirit of its patriots.
"Kill them!"
Zhang Han and Wei Quan shouted in unison, leading the Qin soldiers to meet the charge.
"If I were in Zhang Ping's position, I might also have fought to the death," Zhao Feng mused. "When faced with an invading force, protecting one's homeland is a man's duty. But in the end, I stand here, cutting down another nation's army on their soil. Perhaps this was always destined, but it's not what I once imagined."
"In this era, human lives are as insignificant as grass," he continued, his heart heavy. "I've finally been drawn into the unstoppable tide of Qin's unification. Perhaps... I've truly become part of this era."
"Maybe Wang Yan was right. To end war and achieve peace, one must unify the world. Only by eliminating all other states can our Hua Xia people stop killing each other."
"But even after Qin Shi Huang's unification, history tells us that peace doesn't last. The emperor dies, and the empire fractures. The cycle of bloodshed begins again…"
Zhao Feng understood the inexorable flow of history. Qin would conquer the six states and unify the land, achieving what no one had before. But the dynasty's glory would be short-lived, lasting only two generations before falling apart.
"The first emperor's unification was essential. It set a precedent for future eras. It became the foundation of our cultural and national identity."
"But if the day comes when the Qin empire crumbles when Qin Shi Huang dies and the incompetent Hu Hai ascends the throne…"
"Then it won't be Liu Bang or Xiang Yu who restores unity. It will be me, Zhao Feng."
"I will be the one to follow Qin Shi Huang and reunite the land under a single banner."
As the battle raged around him, Zhao Feng stood still, lost in thought. Finally, he smiled faintly, and his resolve solidified.
"The host has embraced the heart of an emperor. Sub-panel for subordinate forces unlocked!"
"Unlock condition: Recruit followers."
"So, it seems my path is the right one. A sub-panel for subordinate forces... I wonder what it can do," Zhao Feng thought with anticipation.
At that moment, Zhang Han approached quickly to report, "Sir, the Korean soldiers here have been annihilated."
These few hundred Korean loyalists were no match for the battle-hardened Qin forces, both in skill and numbers. Their defeat was inevitable.
"Advance steadily toward the royal palace. The Koreans still have soldiers. This won't end so easily," Zhao Feng ordered.
"Yes, sir," Zhang Han replied and retreated to relay the command.
Zhao Feng turned to Zhang Ping's lifeless body.
A memory stirred one from the annals of history.
"Zhang Ping, father of Zhang Kaidi, and Zhang Liang's father…"
"I just killed the father of Zhang Liang, the great strategist of history."
"This is a grudge that can never be forgiven. Zhang Liang will hate me to the bone," Zhao Feng thought, a faint smile of irony on his lips.
The strategist Zhang Liang, who aided Liu Bang in founding his empire how could Zhao Feng not know of him?