A Heated Battle is the 13th chapter of the Kingdom Manga.
Summary
Ka Ryo Ten distributes food amongst Shou Bun Kun's soldiers noticing that many have injuries among them. Ka Ryo Ten invites Shin over to join them, he sits brooding away from everyone. Ei Sei questions Shou Bun Kun about why his plans had failed. Shou Bun Kun admits everything was going according to plan until they were stopped by an unthinkable enemy, General Ou Ki.
That night General Ou Ki cut down a number of Shou Bun Kun's soldiers before forcing Shou Bun Kun himself to turn back abandoning Hyou. General Ou Ki proves to be a formidable opponent outclassing Shou Bun Kun in mounted combat. Shou Bun Kun questions why Ou Ki would interfere. Ou Ki explains that he is doing it for his love of battle. Shou Bun Kun does not understand. Ou Ki is tired of the merchant state Qin has become, he longs for the days of the shining king. Shou Bun Kun agrees but does not understand still he wonders why Ou Ki would want to fight him. Ou Ki once fought alongside Shou Bun Kun and he feels that if he fights him, he might just feel that feeling he longs for. Ou Ki and Shou Bun Kun continue their duel as they pass into a hilly terrain. Ou Ki remarks that this would be the perfect place for an ambush, and he is right. Shou Bun Kun's ambush troops pour out to protect the carriage and Shou Bun Kun, Ou Ki had anticipated this and had his own ambush troops reveal themselves turning their conflict into a small battle.
Shou Bun Kun explains that he lost his fight with General Ou Ki and that he'd fallen into a river and just barely survived. Shin demands to know what happened to Hyou, one of Shou Bun Kun's men steps forward to continue the story, he asks Shin to join them so he can hear what happened to his friend next.
Characters
- Royal Palace
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei
- Shin
- Ka Ryo Ten
- Shou Bun Kun (flashback and main story)
- Hyou (flashback)
- Heki (flashback and main story)
- Unidentified others (flashback and main story)
- Sei Kyou Faction
- Ketsu Shi (indirect mention)
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Ryo Fui (mentioned)
- Ei Sei Faction
- King Sho (mentioned)
- Ou Ki Army
- Ou Ki (flashback)
- Unnamed soldiers (flashback)
Chapter Notes
- Flashback is shown of Shou Bun Kun facing Ou Ki.
- Qin is a merchant country.
- Ou Ki stated his is bored and that is the reason he is facing Shou Bun Kun.
- The battle between Ou Ki and Shou Bun Kun took place at the sheaf hill.
- Heki wants to talk to Shin about Hyou.
Trivia
- First appearance of Heki.
- King Sho is mentioned for the first time.