The Battles of Kokusen’ya – Episode Three

Ro Ikkwan and Watonai camped outside Shishi Castle. They waited for help from Kan Ki, but the gates stayed closed.

The Tartars watched every move inside the castle. Kan Ki wished to return to the Ming side, but he could not risk the lives of the people who depended on him.

Inside the castle, Kinshōjo struggled with her heart. She wanted to save her father and brother, and also protect her husband.

She prayed every night, but she struggled to find a path that would save everyone. The Tartars grew more suspicious. They watched Kan Ki more closely. If he made a wrong step, he would be killed.

Kinshōjo understood that time was running out. She decided to act alone.

Late at night, she slipped out of the castle and met her father and brother in secret.  She told them that Kan Ki still had honor in his heart and that she would show her own loyalty by giving her life.

Watonai begged her not to do it, but she had already chosen her fate.

Before sunrise, Kinshōjo put on a deep red robe. She stood high above the ground and looked toward her father and brother in the distance. Then she took her own life.

Her blood fell like a stream and shone bright red in the morning light. This act was later called “The Flowing Crimson.”

Kan Ki learned what happened and collapsed in grief. His wife had given her life to protect his honor and to guide him back to the right path.

Kan Ki then made his choice. He would return to the Ming side, join Ro Ikkwan and Watonai, and fight to save their homeland.

This moment changed everything, and the story now moved toward a new war to take back the Ming Empire.