After decades of humilitation, Huoshan finally has the chance to redeem itself. For seventy years, the Empire of Huoshan was in decline. Weak monarchs, bad harvests, and civil unrest, the nation has never been more vulnerable.

Growing up, Tianhuo has never seen the days when the empire had its head held high. She remembered being taught in school of how mighty and prosperous Huoshan was in its heyday. It was difficult for the Captain of the Royal Guards to imagine this with today’s Huoshan.

After news of the Predators returning reached the country, the Mandate decided that a tournament should be held. The victor shall be the champion of the nation, for only the strongest is worthy of such task.

Empress Caihong suggested that her best guard, Tianhuo, should join the tournament, for she believe that the captain was the strongest. Tionhuo, however, believe that the title belongs to the longma that trained her, General Changzheng. He disagreed, stated that he was too important in safeguarding the country. And so, Tianhuo entered the tournament.

The tournament was no challenge for the captain. Under Changzheng’s training, she easily overpowers her opponents. Within seconds, the contenders would always lay down exhausted.

She then faced her final opponent, a larger, orange longma with brown eyes. The opponent bragged about how he will enjoy hurting Tianhuo, just as he did with the other combatants.

Tianhuo recalled the time when she was younger, when she was a different longma. She wasn’t always the respectful, stoic longma. Rather, a complete opposite.

When she was twelve, she would always bully anyone weaker than her, which was common, as she was very strong even at the time, and strength is considered to be the merit of an individual. It was when she was conscripted that her life changed.

When she entered the military, she attempted to bully the others into submission, but was foiled when a smaller, blue longma defied her. The smaller soldier said to Tianhuo they will always have a fight every morning and evening, to which Tianhuo agreed.

Unexpectedly, Tianhuo lost fights to her challenger. Time and time again, she lost. When she tried to flee, she was often chased down by him. No matter what, she will always end up being beaten.

During the eight day, she tried so hard to flee from the small soldier. When the soldier demanded her to fight, she broke down in tears, pleading she doesn’t want to fight anymore.

General Changzheng intrude the scene, saying that it was his idea for the small conscript to bully Tianhuo, in order to teach her a lesson in humility. He explain that the smaller longma was his student. The general saw potential in Tianhuo, interested in training her under his wing, only if she would change her ways. Tianhuo then promised to him, and herself that she will be better. While strength is a merit, it is no good if it’s only be used to hurt others into submission.

Now, at the tournament, she will do the same to her haughty opponent. He tried to land hit on her, but she was too quick, and instead would weaken him with quicker punches and kicks. The tournament ended with the larger longma yielding, pleading to stop. The crowd cheered as Tianhuo becomes Huoshan’s champion.

Changzheng noted how Tianhuo humiliated the last combatant like how she was humiliated year ago. He was proud that Tianhuo had come a long way. The empress will miss having Tianhuo by her side, as she will be gone for a while. The general ordered Tianhuo to be the best of who she is, for she is now the pride of Huoshan.

She bids them all farewell, as she sets off with Huoshan’s Prophet’s Key to meet with the champion of the Meadows, in hopes of mending the two countries relationship, and a better future.