Original subtitles

"255 BC"

"255 BC" "Qin State, at the western edge of the Middle Kingdom"

Look!

That looks like General Wang Yi.

So that's one of Qin's six greatest generals?

His army's so majestic.

The great Wang Yi, who leads an army of thousands.

Amazing...

The Spring & Autumn and Warring States periods:

an era of upheaval that stretched back to ancient times.

Seven states were at war on the great continent.

Kings sent out generals with armies of hundreds of thousands,

but the 500 years of bloodshed showed no sign of ending.

In the great western state of Qin,

a chance meeting between two boys was about to change the course of history.

Come!

You'll start work tomorrow at daybreak.

Understood?

Look after him.

I'm Piao.

My name is Xin.

No! How many times have I told you?

Ow, ow, ow!

Live up to the price I paid for you!

Piao! Show him how to do it.

That lying slave merchant...

Dammit, I'm gonna escape this hole!

You can't.

If you're born a slave, you're a slave forever.

Your kids are slaves, too.

There's no climbing out of the slave class.

But there is one way...

With swords.

Swords?

This is not a sword...

Ouch!

What was that for?

We'll spar 10,000 times.

Ten thousand?

How many is that?

Many. Let's go!

Will we get out of here if we do this?

Not just that! We'll be the greatest generals on earth!

The greatest generals...

If we fight 10,000 bouts like our lives depend on it, I know we can be great generals.

I'm gonna be a great general!

Let's escape this hole together!

Yeah!

You brute!

A bird!

Oh, no, you don't!

Look.

--Who's that? --That old trick!

Yes! I won!

334 wins, 332 losses, 587 draws out of 1,253 bouts.

I'm two ahead. That's the first time in a year.

Uh-oh, did you pass out?

Hey, old man! You made me lose!

Back off, will you?

He's a noble warrior.

Who taught you swordsmanship?

No one taught us!

I'll take my leave.

Wait, old man!

Cut it out!

Why?

Who are those boys?

This encounter just might...

...change fate.

Fate?

My Lord, you came all this way to my forsaken farm...

I am humbled.

Look, Piao. It's that man we met!

He's back!

Good work, Piao, dear boy!

Never mind these sticks.

"Dear boy"...?

That is Lord Changwen.

He's one of the king's chancellors.

He has offered to buy your freedom!

That's it! He recognized our swordsmanship.

I'm in!

Xin, you go to the hut and work!

Piao, you come over here.

Huh?

Piao.

You'll work in the palace as of tomorrow.

Get ready. We'll leave now.

Me... at the palace...?

A war orphan can't pass up an opportunity like this.

Only if Xin comes with me!

Xin...?

Xin is as good as me. He will surely be of use.

Piao, you're the only one I'll take.

Accept the offer, dear boy.

What an honor to work for the king!

Can I have a day to think it over, sir?

Piao!

As you wish.

I know you were listening.

We've been working hard to leave this life.

And one day become...

...the greatest generals.

So it's unfair if only I take this shortcut--

Don't worry about me, you idiot!

You thought I was worried?

I'm going.

Go ahead, Piao.

Xin.

We're headed for the same place!

I'll get ahead of you in no time!

We have more bouts to fight. Keep training.

Just you wait, Piao!

It won't be long before we meet again, Xin.

Just you wait, Piao.

I'll get so strong.

I'll get strong and get out of here!

Damn!

Wait for me, Piao.

I'll catch up!

I'm back, Xin.

Piao!

Hey... Hey!

What happened?

Wake up.

Open your eyes! Come on, open them!

What is it, Xin? Robbers?

Li Dian! Call the doctor!

Piao... Why are you bleeding so badly...?

I won't need a doctor.

I'm glad I heard your voice one last time...

"Last time"? That's not funny!

Piao!

The king's brother staged a mutiny at the palace.

His men will trace my blood to this place.

Li Dian, when that happens...

...tell them you found me dead, and you don't know me.

Let them take my body.

Never!

They're all dead if they try.

I love that attitude of yours...

But now...

...I need you to do me a favor.

Go here.

A map?

It's near Heibei Village.

I came to give you this. Leave now.

Why? I have no idea what this is about!

Okay, Xin? I'm counting on you.

Yes.

Yes, I'll do it. Just don't die...

You said we'd be the greatest generals on earth!

Don't break our promise.

We will be.

Xin, you're as strong as me. We share the same spirit.

You and I are one.

If you soar... I'll soar with you.

Xin...

Take me with you...

...when you conquer the world.

Piao...

Piao...

Piao!

I'll kill them...

I'll kill them all!

Xin? I'm counting on you.

Is he there?

Go inside.

He's a double.

What?

Your assassin clan has 200 years of history, but you were tricked.

Lord Zuo Ci.

The villagers are restless and asking questions.

Lord, it's late. What's going on?

Kill all the villagers who saw us.

Set fire to the village!

His sword is gone...

You're right. He's carrying a valuable sword.

You scored big for once.

Out of my way.

Give up your sword and you'll live.

Master!

He's good.

Get him, all of you!

I have no time to waste on you!

It wasn't King Ying Zheng.

His double was in a village burned down by General Zuo Ci.

We have tracked him, Your Highness.

We'll soon deliver your brother King Ying Zheng's head to you.

King...?

I am the king.

The head I want isn't the king's or my brother's.

It's Ying Zheng, the criminal's.

Piao...

Why did I come here...

...instead of avenging your death?

You owe me an explanation, Piao.

Piao...

Piao.

How come...?

You're alive.

You're Xin?

My explanation will have to wait.

I'll take your life, Ying Zheng... King of Qin.

King of Qin?

You're a Vermilion Slayer...

I had no idea the kid was your double. You fooled me.

He was some warrior.

Wait a second! What are you talking about?

What about a double?

What do you mean, "king"?

The king's brother staged a mutiny at the palace.

Abandon hope, King.

No one in history has ever escaped my sword.

The king's head belongs to the Vermilion Slayer Clan.

I'm beginning to understand...

I know what's going on!

You're the king...

...of Qin State.

Piao closely resembled you...

So he was taken to the palace to replace you...

...and was assassinated instead of you.

Piao died in your place.

You asshole!

You can kill the king if you want, kid.

But his head is mine.

I will.

I'll kill him!

But first, I'll kill you.

You killed Piao.

I'll gut you for what you did to him!

You're as good as the double.

Stay down.

You can still move? Impressive.

Just focus on one thing.

Avenge Piao. That's all you need to do.

Shut up.

Don't you dare mention his name!

You killed Piao...

He...

Piao...

Piao will...

...never live again!

Die!

Your Majesty.

If I am killed, please rely on Xin.

I know that he...

...will fly higher than anyone.

You killed Piao...

Wait!

I have a family. I have four kids.

They'll be orphans if I die.

They'll become slaves.

Please let me go...

Your children are irrelevant to your crimes.

What's next?

Will you kill me?

In that case...

... won't die without a fight.

To honor those who died protecting me.

Including Piao.

We have a problem.

Hey!

Is that...

...my village?

They'll come for us.

My brother must control the army now...

They're the ones who were after Piao?

Shit. Looks like I have to fight some more.

Coming?

Hey! You'd take on an army?

Sure.

Stay close.

Close?

I'll decide whether to kill you after I'm done with them!

So don't you dare run.

This way!

It's on fire!

You coming or what?

Yes. Do I have a choice?

Let's go!

You're that guy from before.

Follow me. I know a way out.

A way out?

I don't trust this robber!

Why help us?

Because you're the king. Kings are rich.

--You want money. --Is that bad?

No. I can trust your motives.

You trust someone who hides behind a mask?

I'm He Liao Diao.

You're a kid!

You know my face and name, so let's go.

Lead us, He Liao.

Call me Diao.

Hey!

I said hey!

Hey, King, I heard your brother staged a revolt.

Can a runaway king like you really pay me?

What kind of guy loses his throne to his kid brother, anyway?

Which way?

To the left...

Don't be scared, sissy.

I'm not scared.

The mutiny happened because I simply wasn't strong enough.

Lord Changwen, sensing that we couldn't prevent it, came up with a plot.

He's the man who took Piao away from me.

He met a young man who looked exactly like me.

He became my double, just in case. That saved me.

Wait a second.

"Just in case"?

And you were saved?

Damn you!

Stop it!

You thought Piao's life was of no value.

We promised to become the greatest generals on earth.

Win many battles, live in grand homes...

...and eat incredible feasts!

I'm fighting a war!

I'll use anything to win.

I'd certainly use you slaves.

But...

...Piao knew.

A double...?

You'll be safe. There are escape plans in place.

Don't fool him, Lord Changwen.

Is your name Piao?

The truth, Piao, is that there's no guarantee.

The enemy's blades may reach you.

In that case...

...you'll be killed instead of me.

No words?

Piao.

I never dreamed I'd be assigned such an honorable duty.

You could die.

My friend and I had a dream that defied the odds.

We'd make our mark as great generals.

I'd already prepared to risk my life for that.

Piao took a risk...

...to seize something out of a slave's reach!

And he lost. That's all.

Xin.

With those tears, your mourning ends.

You walk your own path.

You're at a crossroads now.

Go back to being a slave...

...or help a flailing king and walk a path of strife.

Xin.

We share the same spirit.

If you soar, I'll soar with you.

Take me with you...

...when you conquer the world.

Piao.

Let's go.

Don't get me wrong. I'm just using you for my own gain.

And you're not my retainer.

You're a sword that I'll throw away if it breaks.

Fine by me, you ass.

Now what? Got a plan?

Lord Changwen is my only hope.

We'll rendezvous at the border.

That man...

We should get going.

Don't forget that you owe me!

The Vermilion Slayer was killed?!

But Ying Zheng won't elude

General Zuo Ci and his army.

And there's Mu Ta, the assassin from the Basha Clan.

His head will be yours.

It's your fault we lost our best assassin!

I apologize.

You keep promising to deliver Ying Zheng's head.

I might as well have you beheaded!

Please calm down.

Damn it!

Lord Changwen used a double to help my brother escape.

So bring me Lord Changwen's head, too!

Rest easy on that score.

General Wang Yi...

You're here, General!

He's the last of the six greatest generals of Qin.

Didn't he lose interest in fighting and retire?

We haven't met for a long time, General.

What do you want from us?

What unkind words!

Especially when I'm here to satisfy one of your desires.

--Teng! --Yes, sir.

This is Lord Changwen's head.

Amazing...

General Wang Yi did it!

You remain the best, General!

The face is unrecognizable in this condition.

What's that? You dare to doubt me, Si Shi?

I do not question you...

...but it's my job to determine the facts.

Anyone who dares to fight me ends up

with a pulverized face.

I can prove it with one of your men if you like.

What is it that you want?

I want a world that enthralls me.

What?

He's a clown. He's fooling with us.

I'd like Lord Changwen's domain in exchange for his head.

You're out of line!

He can have it.

Your Highness!

I'm humbly grateful, Your Highness.

Are you sure?

General Wang Yi is not to be trusted.

Maybe not, but it's good to have him on our side.

How far will we go, King?

We're almost in the mountain tribe's domain. It's dangerous there.

I heard they're cannibals.

They massacred my ancestors around here.

You're from the mountains! That explains the outfit.

Four hundred years ago, the mountain tribe and Qin were allies.

Qin and those barbarians?

Because they trusted Duke Mu, the ruler of Qin at that time.

It's hot!

Take that off, then.

This is my combat gear.

Not like it's armor.

You think I'm lame? Look at yourself.

The mountain tribe?

No, assassins. Watch out-- they're poison darts.

Ying Zheng!

Your life is mine!

That shorty would be nothing without darts!

Fight like a man!

You're fast!

Ying Zheng!

Xin!

This guy's abnormal...!

We have no chance if you can't even handle him, Xin.

I know!

You're going to die!

Stay!

He had me scared...!

No more!

Ying Zheng!

Stop there!

He won!

Xin!

Xin.

You came to.

Where are we?

An ancient summer resort.

Ancient...?

It was built 400 years ago as a meeting place for Qin and the mountain tribe.

It's well maintained.

Hey...

How did I get here?

Kings don't often piggyback slaves.

What? You carried me?

Stay still. Diao extracted the poison, but you're wounded.

Poison...?

Thanks, Diao.

You're asleep!

Can't you say something?

When you're silent, you remind me of Piao.

Piao often talked about you.

That's when he was his happiest.

I could tell that you two had a bond stronger than siblings.

Not like you and your back-stabbing brother.

--That's messed up. --You're awake!

What's your brother like, Zheng?

He and I have different mothers.

My mother was a dancer.

Cheng Jiao's mother had royal lineage.

He disapproved of me because I have commoner blood.

So what?

It's you who ascended to the throne.

I was a puppet.

My father was only king for three years when he died, so I was king at 13.

I was regarded as a child...

...so I had no authority.

Who did, then?

Lú Buwei, who'd once been a successful merchant.

He was away fighting the Wei state when Cheng Jiao revolted.

My brother is backed by Chancellor Jie Shi.

So Lú Buwei is on your side?

Lord Changwen is the only one I trust.

And I'm supposed to rendezvous with him here.

Look, Xin.

It's the enemy!

I'll take them all on.

This is bad!

The blow dart...

I stole it.

Zheng, get back!

You're late.

We fought off men who tailed us.

Your retainers...

Hey, you.

Piao is dead.

My escape plan was full of flaws.

I apologize for my incompetence.

Give the order, and I'll kill myself now.

But now...

...more than anything...

I'm thankful that you're alive.

You, too.

Ying Zheng is as good as dead without Lord Changwen.

The time to strike is now, Your Highness.

Our only remaining concern is Lú Buwei.

I suppose you're prepared for that prospect?

Yes.

I suggest you see it for yourself, Your Highness.

This army of 80,000 men will defeat Lú Buwei.

This is more like it.

Dun! Step forward.

Rise.

Men!

Look at him.

He was born into a peasant family.

His parents had to sell him for lack of money.

He's good with swords and a pen.

So he climbed his way up to a position serving me.

He has a grand house and supports the parents who sold him.

Right, Dun?

Yes!

It's all due to His Highness' generosity--

Lan Kai...

I can't stand men like him!

A peasant in fine clothes is still a peasant!

Ying Zheng is the son of a lowly dancer.

Only one of us has noble lineage.

That's me.

And you men are the sons of noble soldiers.

This is delicious! I feel so alive!

You cooked this?

Who are you, anyway?

I'm He Liao Diao from the mountains. Call me Diao.

Can I have more, Diao?

Me, too!

Now, then. Let's hear it...

What happened in Xian yang while I was in hiding?

Your Majesty.

On the night of your brother's coup...

...we left Xian yang Palace through the secret passageway.

We took your double, Piao, with us.

Piao...

He was with you?

Our escape seemed to go without a hitch...

But we were pursued by an unforeseen enemy.

Unforeseen?

Yes.

General Wang Yi.

I thought he had retired years ago...

...but he suddenly appeared before us.

I thought we were doomed.

Just when it seemed hopeless...

...Piao came out of hiding and rode to the front.

Piao...?

He led our men, who were in despair,

and boosted their morale as a king would.

Don't give up!

Defensive formation!

Penetrate the enemy front!

It was unbelievable.

I'd heard he was just a peasant.

But at that moment, Piao was a general.

With a few words, he raised the spirits of all the men.

To lure the enemy away from us,

Piao broke off and rode into the darkness.

Alone? Why?

He wanted to save us.

Because His Majesty needed us.

He rode off, diverting Wang Yi's army, and wasn't seen again.

Piao, I knew you were amazing!

Hey, Zheng, now that Lord Changwen is with us,

let's get your palace back.

--Behave! --You're in the king's presence!

Leave him.

I forgive his manners.

It won't be that easy, Xin.

Someone bring me the map!

We can't enter Xian yang, because Cheng Jiao controls it.

We can only rely on Lú Buwei.

When he returns--

No.

He won't come.

--Why not? --Lú Buwei wants His Majesty dead

and Cheng Jiao to become king.

Then he'll accuse Cheng Jiao of treason

and overthrow him.

--No...! --Yes.

Lú Buwei wants to be king.

Wait a minute!

I thought Lú Buwei was on your side.

For 500 years, all the powerful men of Qin have sought to be king.

We'll watch out for Chancellors Lú Buwei and Jie Shi

and find the right opportunity to go back.

No. They'll divide the state if we wait.

I must go back to Xian yang to protect my people.

But right now...

...NO armies are on our side.

Forget it, then! You can live here.

Be quiet.

You.

What?

Not you. That one.

Yes?

Did you say you lived in the mountains?

Isn't his costume hilarious?

That's it!

There is an army!

An army that can overpower Lú Buwei and Jie Shi's armies!

Yes, they've been on my mind since we arrived.

We may not be welcome, but we must arrange a meeting...

...with the mountain chieftain.

Watch your step, Your Majesty.

I think it's too risky.

It was 400 years ago that we were allies.

That's when Qin cut off diplomatic ties.

I heard there were massacres.

They must hate you!

We have no choice, Bi.

They'll attack us!

No worries! If they do, I'll kill every one of them!

It's the real mountain tribe!

Guard the king!

Yes!

Stay put.

You want a piece of me?

Don't!

What did he say?

"We gouge trespassers' eyes out and push them off cliffs."

Talk to him!

What did you say?

The truth. That the king of Qin wants to meet the mountain chieftain.

Don't!

Stay put!

They held off killing us!

Let go!

They'll let the chieftain decide our fate.

Sneaky bastards!

It's our chance to infiltrate them.

Even if negotiations fail,

we can probably overcome these barbarians.

Yeah! Count me in on that!

Hey, don't move around!

--Xin! --Look!

What is it?

What the hell...?!

I am Ying Zheng, the 31st king of Qin.

I'm the mountain chieftain.

The name is Yang Duanhe. What do you want?

Your assistance.

Surely not, King of Qin.

We have old scores to settle.

My ancestors and Duke Mu of Qin were allies 400 years ago.

They hoped to live in harmony with you flatlanders

and forge a brave new world together.

But when Duke Mu passed away,

your people betrayed us, and the dream died.

Thousands of our people were killed.

The Qin people forced us back into the mountains.

The most fitting revenge is to behead you.

I know our history. The fault is with us.

As king of Qin, I apologize for my ancestors' crimes.

However, different ethnic groups with their own beliefs and cultures

can only coexist after blood has been shed.

Years of discrimination and resentment can't be erased.

A look at history shows how hard it is to overcome.

Beheading me won't resolve our problems.

The young king doesn't seem to understand our pain.

The pain of losing loved ones.

Beheading your men will teach you.

Hey, let go!

Xin!

Zheng, I'll take them on, okay?

--Wait. --Until I lose my head?

This is unnecessary.

I know that pain all too well.

Hear me, Mountain Chieftain. When a king takes up the sword motivated by hatred or grudges,

his kingdom will perish.

A king's sword should be wielded to secure the lives of his people.

Our two groups fight because we are divided.

And the Middle Kingdom is the same:

We are all "flatlanders," yet we have been killing each other for 500 years.

Your point is...?

It's simple.

We stop the wars by getting rid of our borders.

No borders?

Your Majesty, if the seven states had no borders, the wars would worsen.

Are you saying...?

Wait up! What are you talking about?!

My goal.

Your goal is getting your throne back!

Isn't that why we're asking for help?!

That is just the first step of my journey.

Your journey?

Yang Duanhe.

Join me on a journey.

We will have to blaze the trail ourselves, and it will be bloody...

...but there will be light at the end.

He's lying!

You can't fool us!

Kill them!

Oh, no!

Xin!

You'll be damned.

You intrigue me, boy.

What's your next move?

I have no next move.

Hey, you in the boss mask!

I don't understand one word of your story,

but this guy needs your help, so help him!

How unintelligent...

No hope now.

Do him a favor and you might get it back tenfold.

In treasure and great food!

Shut up, monkey!

Our ancestors' resentment is ours.

We won't forget their hardship.

Shut up!

You talk a big game, but what your ancestors resented most was losing their dream!

If you really care about your dead ancestors,

make their dream come true!

That wasn't bad.

Yang Duanhe...

I'm powerless right now,

but my objective is not impossible.

Let us revive the alliance of 400 years ago.

I need your help.

You know this is right.

That's why you kept the resort in good condition.

King of Qin, tell me one thing.

We are not gentle.

If we joined you, would you mind if we got blood on your throne?

That's how it was stolen.

I don't mind at all.

A woman...!

I, Yang Duanhe, welcome the king of Qin as our closest ally.

Assemble soldiers from all the mountains.

Prepare for war!

It worked, Zheng!

Now what?

I have a plan.

At the center of the palace,

there's an army of 80,000.

There's...

Thirty of us.

I can mobilize 3,000 soldiers now.

It's 3,030 against...

...80,000!

And so...

Which is more?

What's that?

We've got trouble... big trouble!

There are horses at Ancheng Gate

carrying approximately 3,000 soldiers!

What?

First...

...we'll dress as mountain men.

The mountain tribe are mounted on horses!

The mountain tribe?

Do I have to?

This is too weird!

And you're not?

This should do for you.

Yeah, this is my combat gear, idiots.

A messenger brought word.

The mountain chieftain wishes to revive the old alliance!

What's this you say?

Posing as guests, we'll be invited through the outer gate.

We won't even have to fight.

Smart.

In disguise, we might get in, but what about

the 80,000 soldiers guarding the palace?

The plan is...

Will they really let us in?

They will.

Their army of 80,000 might take on Lú Buwei's 200,000.

With that kind of disadvantage, they'll be desperate for help.

We have hundreds of thousands more soldiers in the mountains.

It's an offer too good to refuse.

Just what we need to fight Lú Buwei.

But why do they suddenly want to join forces after 400 years?

The gate!

I am Yang Duanhe, the mountain chieftain.

Chieftain Yang Duanhe, please enter.

The state of Qin welcomes you.

It worked!

Great!

However! Not all of you can enter.

Just the chieftain and 50 subjects.

Fifty...!

Very well.

Fifty against 80,000?!

Most aren't stationed in the throne room.

We'll kill Cheng Jiao before they arrive.

That's ten of us and 40 mountain tribesmen.

Yes, sir.

Wait here, Diao.

No, I'm coming.

Stay here!

No. I'll stay with you and help the king.

And get rich!

Whatever.

You want to exploit those monkeys?

Yes.

With the mountain tribe as allies,

we'll have access to tens of thousands more soldiers.

Our objective is to defeat Lú Buwei.

We can watch the monkeys fight Lú Buwei

for our amusement.

Your Highness. Yang Duanhe and 50 soldiers have entered through the Red Turtle Gate.

Halt!

From here, it is the king's domain.

Please leave your weapons here.

My tribe was once Qin"s ally,

but your people betrayed us.

We trusted you, but we were deceived.

Until we make a formal pact, we'll stay armed.

If that's unacceptable, I demand that you disarm, too.

Very well.

Remain armed until the alliance is restored.

Are you sure?

Get Wei Xing to stand by.

Even if they attack us,

what can 50 of them do?

Yang Duanhe.

I am truly grateful to you.

I can't wait for a battle.

Escape is possible through a secret passageway.

We used it when we left the palace.

It is an underground tunnel

connecting the throne room and the Red Turtle Gate.

Our war starts at that gate.

Not yet.

Only one man can start this battle.

King Ying Zheng of Qin.

Traitor!

Close the gate! Now!

What's that?

What is it?

Break up as planned.

Ten of you go through the passageway to the throne room.

The rest of us will be your decoys.

Xin, let's go.

--The king's a decoy! --The best there is.

Our fate depends on you, Xin!

Leave it to me, old man.

Zheng.

See you later.

Yes.

Come on, Diao.

Tajifu and Ba Jio!

Ying Zheng!

Did you enjoy your moment of glory?

Lord Changwen.

Wang Yi didn't behead him. It was a trick.

Behead Ying Zheng!

Fire!

Wei Xing, destroy them!

Oh, no!

They expected us.

I knew you'd come this way.

The plot of peasants!

General Zuo Ci!

A general?

A former general.

No Ying Zheng, huh?

Stop!

Kill them all.

Get back here!

Guess it's time!

Let's fall back and regroup.

No.

We'll stay.

Yang Duanhe.

But they'll wipe us out!

Arrows don't scare us!

We'll follow the mountain tribe.

What?!

Stupid monkeys...

Release all arrows when I say!

Fire!

They're not dead!

They're useless!

Get the ones in the front!

Bring in more soldiers.

Chancellor, to the keep.

If I retreat before Ying Zheng is beheaded,

His Highness Cheng Jiao won't like it.

I got him...!

Across the court is the throne room!

Advance!

He's delivered his own head to me!

Idiot!

It's over.

Qin is my state now.

Who's that?

That's Lan Kai the executioner!

Xin, hurry up!

You can't win! Just run!

Ba Jio!

Having Ying Zheng turn up

serves our purpose just fine.

If Ying Zheng dies in full view,

His Highness will be king in the public eye.

His armies will have a million men!

And we'll defeat that cocky Li Buwei.

Finally we'll have the power we once had.

You're history, villains!

So you're Cheng Jiao?

I sentence you to death.

For being scum with the temerity to speak to royalty.

For breathing the same air as me.

Yeah, that's bullshit.

You just proved something, though.

Zheng is the real king!

Not you.

Zuo Ci, squash these bugs.

Oh, him!

You said he was a general, Bi?

Zuo Ci was known for being an exceptional general.

That's what you want to be!

How come he's not leading armies?

He was discharged for his cruel methods.

Now he's a mercenary for hire.

Oh, so he's an asshole!

Hey, asshole!

You don't deserve to be a general!

Yeah? What's a kid know about warfare?

I'll show you.

There's no point resisting!

Oh, no...

King!

Accept your fate!

Xin!

I won't be defeated by this asshole...

Keep your spirits up!

Victory is ours!

The assault group will succeed.

All we need to do is hold out here!

Even if your sword breaks!

Even if you bleed, even if you lose an arm, you hold out!

Hold out, and victory is ours!

Your Majesty!

Bi, you idiot!

Bi!

Bi!

Well? Weren't you going to become a general, boy?

Xin!

Keep dreaming, kid.

Dreams are bullshit.

I've seen many men like you.

Dreams aren't for the battlefront.

A man who goes on about dreams...

...will die first.

That's wrong...

That's wrong, ain't it?

Piao.

Xin, get up!

You'll be the greatest general on earth!

Xin!

Once a slave, always a slave.

Only the sword can free us.

Yeah.

We'll be the greatest generals on earth!

Yeah!

Piao...

Your dream's all over.

No!

What's wrong with dreams?

Because you dream,

you get back on your feet.

Because you dream,

you go forward.

Because you dream...

...you're strong.

Because you dream...

Bastard...

Your Highness...?

Your Highness, what are you doing here by yourself?

Jie is dead, Si Shi.

What?

Where are you going?!

Deserters will be executed!

Do something, Jie!

No, you don't.

You brat...

I am Lord Jie Shi,

chancellor of the great state of Qin!

Diao!

Diao!

Diao!

Diao!

Told you! This is my combat gear.

Come on. Zheng is expecting us.

Sorry for the wait.

It's about time!

How dare you, Ying Zheng...

Someone go and kill him!

Our sibling issues are for us to deal with.

Sibling...?

You're a commoner's son. We're not brothers!

My blood! The blood of a king!

What's a little blood?

Our feud caused a lot more pain and bloodshed.

Your behavior is inexcusable, you know!

Cheng Jiao.

You need to learn that pain.

You lost. There's no point killing you.

We'll all be beheaded for treason...

...unless we kill Ying Zheng and his people!

That's the only way we'll survive.

You agree with me, don't you?

Wang Yi!

General Wang Yi...

General!

Let us behead Ying Zheng together!

The greatest general on earth...

Stop, Wang Yi. What do you want?

I don't fancy playing with you just now, Lord Changwen.

I've come a long way to have words with the young king.

General.

I have a question for you.

Why does a great man like you involve himself in our family feud?

Because it's foolish.

Your Majesty, if I may...

Wars are not to be fought at home.

They are to be fought out in the world!

Now, Your Majesty... I have a question for you in return.

It's about your dream.

Now that the throne's yours again, what do you want?

What kind of king do you aspire to be?

Think well before you answer.

You may be king,

but my lance won't tolerate an unworthy answer.

My aim is yours: the world.

As the first step, I made an alliance with

the chieftain who shares my dream.

Which is...?

I aim to rule a unified China.

You would make China one?

Do you think any of the other states will agree with your idea?

If they don't, I'll have to use force.

Historians will call you a tyrant.

Let them.

Your path will do the opposite of preserving your people's lives.

No.

Five hundred years of war may lead to 500 more years of war.

I take up my sword to prevent those centuries of deaths.

I will be...

...the first emperor to unify the Middle Kingdom.

Teng.

Yes, Lord.

The battle is over. I suggest Wei Xing and his men surrender.

Nonsense!

Kill Wang Yi and Ying Zheng!

So this is Wang Yi in action.

Who would...?

Who would follow you and your delusion?

I'd follow him!

Lord Changwen.

I'm beginning to understand what you fight for.

Tell my men...

...to pull out.

My name is...

. Xin.

Remember it.

Because one day,

I'll be the greatest general on earth.

Perhaps this is the start of an exciting new age.

Xin, my boy!

I'll see you again in a real war.

Let's not shed more blood. Surrender and you'll live.

You heard him! Disarm and surrender!

We won this war!

Xin!

Xin.

We're headed for the same place!

Just wait, Piao!

No civilians died, despite the scale of the uprising.

Wang Yi stationed his army nearby to protect civilians.

Also...

He tricked Cheng Jiao by pretending he had my head, stole my estate...

...and therefore saved the lives of my family and retainers.

Wang Yi did that?

Everyone is a pawn...

...on his chessboard.

Hey, King. You remember our promise?

Yes. Thank you for accompanying me.

All this is yours again.

My journey has only begun.

Zheng. I'll fight in a war.

Xin...

With each battle I win, I'll rise.

To be a great general?

Yes. I'll be the greatest general on earth,

and make you the "emperor of China."

Don't be cocky.

Let's do it, Zheng.

No one has unified our world, but we will!