On the first week of December 1913, in Daxu Province, the controversy began to heat up. The excessive taxation and marginalization of the people of Daxu can no longer be tolerated by both the poor and rich.

Life in Daxu is a good definition of hell. The Province Governor Chang Yichen has already cut off ties with the government of Cao Heng.

"Sound the Bell, I want every statesman in the Council Hall. Governor Yichen Ordered.

The Messenger nodded and ran off. Not long, the bell to summon the statesmen began to chime.

Dang! Dang!! Dang!!!.

Within a short period, the statesmen of Daxu assembled in the Council hall. Confusion could be seen on their faces, agitation, and murmuring followed up.

"Statesmen of Daxu! Calm your nerves! " Governor Yichen broke the commotion.

"Governor Yichen! The primal bell has not been used for 30 years now. We all knew what happened the last it was used" Statesman Xiang spoke out.

The clamoring and agitation continued.

"Enough! Governor Yichen barked. I understand how everyone feels at this moment, but the capital has trampled down on us for too long" Governor Yichen cried out.

" Yes! But we don't have the manpower to go against the capital at this moment" Statesman Zhao advised.

" I have already cut ties with the Capital, Daxu is now an independent state" Governor Yichen declared audaciously.

" Governor Yichen you have finally lost it, why do you want to destroy the peace we managed to build with the Capital? Are you certain you want to burn bridges? Statesman Zhong, who is on the brink of collapsing in rage shouted.

" Statesman Zhong, are you going to turn on me now? Governor Yichen questioned.

"Why won't I! You have crossed the line this time, making decisions without the authorization of the statesmen! Audacious! Statesman Zhong blew up.

Governor Yichen sees that altercations won't solve the problem, decided to conduct a vote. As for Statesman Zhong, he decided to teach him a bitter lesson later on.

" Since it has come down to this, why don't we do it the democratic way? Governor Yichen Proposed.

Governor Yichen knew very well if it came down to voting, almost all of the 12 statesmen were loyal to him but only Zhong, Xiang, and Zhao were the stubborn goats. They always oppose him, and he would smile at any chance to get rid of these fellows.

"I Statesman Jiang support Governor Yichen's idea of cutting ties with the capital" a middle-aged man stood up as the voting began.

"Statesman Jiang! I have known you to be shameless!! But don't know you are also a Chicken incapable of his own words" This time around Statesman Zhong could no longer hold himself any longer, he puked amidnight of blood.

"Statesman Zhong! How dare you call me a chicken!! Losers like you shouldn't have been given a seat with the council in the first place, either you accept the inevitable, or you leave the hall" Statesman Jiang roared in anger.

"Why don't you leave with your fat pig face, because it's obvious you have nothing to offer to the council" Statesman Zhong fired back.

"Fat pig face! Statesman Zhong is pure savage" Statesman Xiang laughed gleefully. Make sure to avoid any verbal confrontations with him in the future" He advised his friend Statesman Zhao.

" Of course, I will " Statesman Zhao replied as he almost faints from laughter.

Statesman Jiang, who was still boiling in anger yelled at Statesman Zhong .." why don't we let our fists do the talking, instead of running your mouth like a rejected old lady?

"You are asking for a fight with me? Hahahahaha.....you knew what happened last time. You ate a lot of sand, are you now asking for more? Statesman Zhong chuckled.

"Enough! Statesman Zhong control yourself or I will be forced to throw you out'' Governor Yichen lashed out.

They all sat back in their various seat. The voting continued, Out of the 12 statesmen, only 3 voted against cutting ties with the Capital while 3 statesmen chose to remain neutral on the matter, so it's 6 against 3.

" Statesman Zhong! Do you still have anything to say? As Governor Yichen questioned, with a deep frown on his face.

"I might not have anything to say but let me warn you, this is a suicide mission and I won't be part of your madness," Statesman Zhong said as he stood up to leave.

"Hold on! Governor Yichen yelled. I have 2 things for you. First, if you step out of this hall while the meeting is still going on! I will make sure your seat goes to someone else.

Secondly, Zihao your son has come of age to join the army" Governor Yichen said as he sneaked a creepy smile at Statesman Zhong.

"Governor Yichen! Leave my son out of this, he is only 17 and not 18 yet " Statesman Zhong replied.

" Hahaha! Nonsense! We both know this night will be his 18th birthday night. Do you think we have time for your nonsense act" Governor Yichen reprimanded him.

" Statesman Zhong! You called me a chicken earlier, between you and me, who is the chicken now? Just go home and get your son ready for military service" Statesman Jiang taunted him gleefully.

"And what if my son has no intention of joining the military? What will happen? Humph! Statesman said as his face darkened.

"Statesman Zhong stop putting an act here, just go home and get your chicken you called son ready" Statesman Jiang Continued waving his hand angrily at him.

"Statesman Jiang! If I don't knock out your 32 teeth today, I will change my last name from Zhong to yours" Statesman Zhong charged at Statesman Jiang angrily like a wounded Lion. He smacked him on his face, Statesman Jiang was sent flying, and he landed like a sack of corn.

"Hehehehe! Statesman Zhong is indeed a hard puncher" Statesman Xiang Chuckled.

"The last time we sparred at Master Kong's dueling Ring I nearly lost my life" Statesman Zhao recalled.

"Enough! Statesman Zhong! Are you a mad dog that goes around attacking people as he pleases? You know the rules, don't you? Every statesman must induct a male offspring from their lineage and there is nothing you can do about it" Governor Yichen lash out angrily.

Statesman Zhong stormed out of the Council hall in rage.

"I will have him apprehended first thing tomorrow morning" Governor Yichen said as his darkened.

Meanwhile, at the Capital, President Cao Heng and his army generals were sitting at the round table discussing on how to punish the people of Daxu for treason.

"How long will it take our troops to get to Daxu? President Heng asked.

"If we use the technology, we got from the western power, I believe we will be ready to attack them by mid night" General Bai cheng replied.

"Excellent! President Heng chuckled. I want you and others to hit them hard, kill any thing that breathe in Daxu.

Yes President Heng! They responded.

At sunset, the city of Daxu began to buzz, vendors on the street were busy marketing their products. There is a vip restaurant at the extreme end of the street, with a placard boldly written FENG RESTAURANT hanging at the front of the entrance.

Statesman Zhong walked into the restaurant with a steady pace, after receiving an emergency call from his 2 friends, Statesmen Zhao and Xiang.

"What could be so urgent for two of you to call me out by this time of the evening" Statesman Zhong inquired.

"Governor Yichen is planning to arrest you tomorrow. From the way he sound, he doesn't mean well for you and your son. Both of you must leave Daxu tonight, if you want to keep your head" Statesman Xiang advised.

"That rascal! Statesman Zhong's face darkened. There is no way I will run away from Daxu just because of that scoundrel! No way" He further protest against the idea of running away.

" Don't be stubborn Zhong! This is serious, we are not messing around here" Statesman Xiang felt the urge to smack his good Zhong.

"There is no need to be stubborn here Statesman Zhong. It will be more easy to go against Governor Yichen if you send Zihao away, by so doing, Yichen won't have any leverage against you" Statesman Zhao urged his friend Zhong.

"Ok! I will send him away tonight just to be on a safer side " As Statesman Zhong finally caved in to their advice. He stood up and bid them farewell.

At home his son Zihao has been in their home library studying about a legend he believed to be true, a world where Cultivators reign supreme.His father barged into the library only to see his soon still reading in the library.

"Still soaking yourself in those fantasy of yours? Statesman Zhong's was corroded with anger. He wanted his son to be a great Politician one day.

"Father! I read about Ice and the cres.... "Enough! Statesman Zhong cut his son off. I don't want to hear your nonsense fantasy, go and get your things ready, you will be going to Thailand first thing tomorrow morning.

"But Father! Why?Zihao questioned.

"How dare you! Go and get ready before I beat some sense into you" his father berated him. Zihao left the library and start packing his belongs. 20minutes later he heard their dog barking outside.

Immediately his father ran into his room frightened.

"Zihao you have to leave now! .The soldiers have come to take you away, Here is the train ticket I bought for you, when you get to Bangkok, seek for your uncle at the railway station, he is working as a receptionist, now go! Statesman Zhong ordered his son.

"But father the rain is pouring down heavily" Zihao complained.

"Go now! Get out of here! He sneaked Zihao through the back door.

The rain is indeed dropping laboriously, accompanied by a thunderstorms which makes it difficult for mobility.

Zihao kept running inside the heavy rain, suddenly he heard an explosion from the direction of their residence, turning his gaze back, he saw their house set ablaze.

"Father! No! Fatheeeerrrrr!!!!!!!!!! Lu Zihao yelled.His scream alerted the soldiers.They began to chase after him.

On of the soldiers on horseback shot Zihao at the back and he fell into a pitch black pit.

Wailing in pain and agony in the pit, he passed out.