Piao's Determination is the 6th chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
Ei Sei, Shin and Ka Ryo Ten continue their walk through the underground tunnel. After Ka Ryo Ten points it out how strange it is that Ei Sei wouldn't know about his brother's plans, Ei Sei explains that there is one man within the palace that is his ally, the man named Shou Bun Kun. Shin recognizes the name as he was the man who came and convinced Hyou to leave with him. He explains that Shou Bun Kun was securing a number of hideouts and that he'd come across Hyou, a boy who resembled exactly like him. Ei Sei tells Shin that the shack they'd met in wasn't actually a meeting place but rather a hiding place for him and that Hyou was a drastic measure taken to make sure the young Qin king could reach the shack. Shin is angered by Ei Sei's seemingly merciless demeanor when talking about his friend in which he lets loose a rage filled barrage of punches despite Ka Ryo Ten's interventions. After a few moments, Ei Sei stands to clutch Shin's throat in an effort to prevent him from attacking him any further.
Ei Sei warns Shin that there is a war going on and that he will use anything and anyone to win his throne, even if it's means using a servant boy as a decoy. As he holds Shin above him, he reveals that Hyou was actually thrilled to fill this role and accepted the dangerous task of becoming the king's double. He considered this opportunity a huge step towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a great general. Shin begins to calm down before bursting into tears. Ei Sei tells Shin that this is the last time to mourn Hyou and that he'll have to move forward on his own. Ei Sei gives Shin a choice, he can either return to his village and live the rest of his life a slave as a servant or to follow him in taking the chance to regain the throne. Sei tells him that only one of these paths will lead Shin to a chance of achieving his and Hyou's grandest dream. As the sun rises Shin decides to follow Ei Sei.
Characters
- Royal Palace
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei
- Shin
- Ka Ryo Ten
- Hyou (Flashback)
- Shou Bun Kun (Flashback)
- Sei Kyou Faction
- Ei Sei Faction
High Points
- Sei manages to escape the castle full of enemies thanks to Shou Bun Kun's plans.
- Shou Bun Kun was a talented and skilled commander in the Qin Military in his younger years before retiring to become an official.
- Shou Bun Kun is capable of making strategic plans.