As expected, Qin lacked the capability to continue the war and shift it to an invasion, so with the victory, they had retreated.

This was, of course, not considered a loss, as they had killed Wei's best general, leaving them as a weakened border enemy.

For Qin, it was a victory, regardless of whether the city was eventually reclaimed or not due to the significant gains.

The world was very different from what Jun clearly felt. He now had to adapt, and there were still many things to consider beyond this brief journey to a war that brought him no direct benefit.

…

When the war ended, there were still many tasks to complete, such as cleaning the battlefield. Jun observed this other side of the coin as he was heading home.

"Is this really necessary?" Kyou Kai looked at her white donkey with a strange feeling she associated with disgust.

Jun recognized this as embarrassment on Trevor's part, who had decided to sit in a cart filled with food, hides, and many coins.

"What exactly are you referring to?" Jun asked indifferently, genuinely growing fond of the donkey he had named Starfish, and it seemed the affection was mutual.

"When will we get to your home?" Kyou Kai changed the question.

Jun smiled slightly and said, "That's a good question. I think in about three days if we travel day and night."

"Wouldn't it be faster if we went by horse?"

"The reason I'm using a donkey is because that idiot King dared to summon me to a war as if I were his donkey. Apparently, that idiotic king thinks he is my king." Jun's words might have seemed severe, but not to him, who could kill the same king and walk away alive.

Yes, the King of Qin had made a mistake by sending him to the battlefield when he had the chance to take revenge for not helping him when his foolish brother was pursuing him with an army.

Jun was from an ancient clan of assassins, one that could eliminate the entire royal family and take their place if desired. But similar to the dreams of fish, the Haiyue clan was not interested in the crown.

When one is strong, they don't need to prove it; they don't need a crown or a title. They simply demonstrate their strength by biting.

"So, did you travel with a donkey to avoid arriving quickly?"

"It seems you understand what's going on. As you said yourself, the mere idea of associating with the royal family is something stupid." Jun said as he held the reins of his donkey.

"Well…"

Jun watched with amusement as Kyou Kai mounted her white donkey, which matched her clothes. She still seemed unaware that what she felt was embarrassment.

"Do you need help?"

"I can manage this."

On the road, Jun asked a question that had been on his mind. "What did that hero-complex soldier tell you?"

"Shin?"

"That guy, did he say goodbye?"

"He did."

"And?"

"He told me to live and that if I didn't have a place to belong, I could seek it out." Kyou Kai recalled Shin's words.

"Without a doubt, he will be a good general; he has that protagonist aura."

"Protagonist?"

"Well, a lucky star that will always be with him. Of course, we don't have the same luck." Jun didn't believe he had anyone helping him from behind. If that were the case, he wouldn't expect much due to being sent in the wrong direction.

He didn't like this era; so many deaths were driving him mad.

"What work do you do in the mountains?" Kyou Kai had followed Jun because he mentioned the possibility that the woman who killed her sister might appear to kill him.

The best way to win is to have patience; Jun had learned this from the elders he had saved.

"We kill bandits, incorrigible criminals, and those we believe can improve, we turn into slaves who will serve us until the end of their lives." Jun said, recalling the work he did back home.

Killing the scum while building his army—perhaps it would serve him later.