"The first drumbeat signals the preparation of battle rations. The second drumbeat tightens the battle robes. The third drumbeat draws the swords. The fourth drumbeat signals the clash of armies. Advance and retreat must follow the commands, or face the blade. The three armies return to camp with their lord!"
Chen Ji looked up and saw a figure in a brown robe, humming a tune as they walked up the riverbank and disappeared behind a row of willow trees.
The figure had come and gone in a hurry, like a famous actor on stage, who, after performing their highlight, retreats into the darkness offstage.
This time, Chen Ji was prepared to use the furnace fire within him to resist the dream, even attempting to pull the Dream Chicken into the green mountains of Xuanyuan.
If things went south, he might be thrown into the inner prison.
If he could secure a chance to be exiled, he would focus on cultivating the path of the sword in exile.
When he returned to the Central Plains, he would slaughter all those traitors with a single sword strike!
Of course, he might not even get the chance to be exiled.
In that case, he would come up with some small inventions to try and secure a lighter punishment.