Love in the shadow of dragon

The afternoon sky of the capital was covered with thin clouds, with sunlight piercing through, bathing the city in a warm glow. Citizens lined up along the roads, which marked the path for the returning army of brave warriors. They eagerly awaited the return of General Bai Han, the pillar of their hope, after the long war that had kept everyone anxiously waiting for good news. The sound of soldiers' footsteps echoed as they marched in unison. Only the clinking of armor and weapons could be heard, marking the end of an exhausting journey. At the head of the army stood a man with a majestic presence—Bai Han, the general known as the "Dragon of the Battlefield." He rode a large black horse, clad in armor bearing marks of war, which only added to his powerful and formidable aura. As the sound of the soldiers' marching filled the streets, citizens waved their hands with excitement. Citizen: (shouting with joy) "General Bai Han has returned! Thank you for keeping us safe! Thank you for protecting us! God bless you, General!" Group of Citizens: (cheering) "General! General! General!" Upon reaching the palace gates to report on the victorious battle at the border and await the emperor's new orders, Bai Han received an invitation to attend a banquet at the Lin family's mansion—one of the most influential families in the court. This irritated him greatly, but due to the Lin family's political influence, he couldn't refuse the invitation. Bai Han: (in a stern voice) "The Lin noble, huh? Hmph! This should be interesting." Bai Han: (in a commanding tone) "Prepare the horses. I shall go to the Lin residence!" As he walked into the Lin mansion, he felt the atmosphere laden with luxury and a hidden tension, like poisonous grass lurking in the wind. Bai Han knew well that attending this banquet was not about releasing the fatigue of war but about maintaining a relationship with one of the most politically powerful families in the kingdom. The banquet at the Lin mansion was held with grandeur. The dining table was filled with exquisite dishes and rare wines from all over the city. The fragrance of beautifully arranged flowers and the harmonious music, accompanied by graceful dancers, created an atmosphere full of enjoyment. Nobles and court members attended the banquet in great numbers, as no one invited by the Lin noble could afford to miss this event. Bai Han walked down a lavishly decorated corridor, reflecting the wealth of the mansion's owner, and entered the banquet with a dignified and imposing demeanor. His eyes scanned the surroundings, observing everything. Though he received a warm welcome from the servants and lower-ranking officials at the banquet, it was clear that they acted out of fear. Lin Siyuan (the Lin noble, host of the event): (approaching with a gentle smile) "General Bai Han, I am delighted to see you again. Congratulations on your great victory." Bai Han: (bowing slightly) "Thank you, Lord Lin. I was merely fulfilling my duty." Lin Siyuan smiled and nodded, though he knew that Bai Han's victory was crucial for reinforcing the stability of the realm. Bai Han's return also meant strengthening the royal court's position while the complicated increasingly internal politics. As Bai Han conversed with Lin Siyuan, everyone in the hall, from high-ranking nobles to lower-ranking officials, watched him with mixed feelings—admiration, fear, hatred, and curiosity. Many were eager to see how this newly returned war hero would behave in the midst of a political gathering that he wasn't used to, and most hoped for a negative outcome. Bai Han stood in the center of the banquet hall, wearing his official military uniform that made him appear strong and intimidating. Yet there were many eyes watching him with unease, including Lord Wang, who disapproved of Bai Han's wartime methods. Lord Wang: (approaching and speaking with a sarcastic tone) "General Bai Han, I have heard much of your bravery on the battlefield. But it’s rather surprising how those stories all seem to agree on one point. They say you slaughtered enemies on the battlefield without mercy, in a most uncivilized manner. Truly, you live up to your fearsome reputation." Bai Han: (turning to Lord Wang with a cold gaze, replying calmly) "I was merely fulfilling my duty under the imperial command." Lord Wang: (smirking, nodding) "Is that so? Simply fulfilling your duty? Fulfilling your duty, haha! To lead an army like a savage, to slaughter enemies indiscriminately and impale their heads on the battlefield—what's your duty? And do you think such actions make you a hero, or a terror even to the people you were supposed to protect?" Bai Han remained silent and did not immediately respond to Lord Wang. His eyes, calm yet sharp, fixed on the noble. Then he stepped closer, one deliberate step at a time, until he was face-to-face with Lord Wang. Bai Han: (in a cold, stern voice) "Have you ever been on the battlefield, Lord Wang? If not, then do not question my ways. If becoming a savage is what it takes to repel those who threaten our land, I shall not hesitate to do so." Lord Wang: (his expression changing, speaking with discomfort) "You certainly have a fitting answer. But such brutality... I just hope it doesn't end up hurting our kingdom in the end." Bai Han: (smiling slightly, though his eyes remained intense) "My brutality is reserved for our enemies. If you are not an enemy, what is there to worry about?" Bai Han's words were firm and forceful. In the hall, people had been following their exchange from the start, and Lord Wang stood there, his face betraying his frustration and defeat. The atmosphere in the room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of music continuing in the background. Lin Siyuan: (intervening politely to ease the tension) "I believe we are all here doing our best for our country. No one understands the burden of leading an army better than General Bai Han. On behalf of everyone present, I thank General Bai Han for protecting our kingdom from those who would invade us. To General Bai Han!" Lin Siyuan raised his cup. Nobles at the Banquet: (cheering) "To General Bai Han!" The nobles raised their cups in unison to honor Bai Han, though not all of them shared genuine enthusiasm. Bai Han gave a slight bow to Lin Siyuan before turning and walking away from the conversation with dignity. All eyes followed him with mixed emotions—respect, fear, and even hatred. But above all, the commanding presence that Bai Han exuded left an unmistakable impression fitting for General Bai Han.