Drunken Lotus: Fated With The Rogue Hidden Dragon.

Motives and Speculations (1st)

Inside the emperor's personal study...

"Are you sure you're alright General Fang?" Jin Fa Chung asked as he looked at one of his oldest yet most loyal generals; Fang Ting Feng who was the most injured person in the room.

Seeing that he was singled out, Fang Ting Feng couldn't help but smile wryly.

Among those present in the room, though most of them suffered from a couple of injuries, he was arguably the one in the worst condition.

He was only a couple of years younger than his old comrade; Fan Song Xue and although he had improved this past couple of years, his friend has also gotten stronger to the point that he was able to fight off more than ten attackers and only suffered minor injuries and unlike him who only fought four men and was actually injured twice by blade. One, through the shoulder and another a large gash on his stomach.

He was a strong fighter but his weakness is actually close-quarters combat. Instead he specializes in defensive strategems as well as long-range attacks and was extremely proficient in handling a bow and arrow.

Noticing the worried look of everyone, Fang Ting Feng could only give them a reassuring nod.

"I'm fine." he added gruffly seeing that some of them still looked unconvinced.

Seeing that Fang Ting Feng looked extremely stubborn and would highly protest of he was asked to rest first, Jin Fa Chung sighed before he gestured to one of the nearby chairs that was still unoccupied.

"Alright then, if you say so but go and take a seat. You look horrible General Fang." the emperor quipped dryly, prompting some laughter from the others which helped lighten the mood quite a bit.

If anyone saw the people in the room, one would be very surprised and concerned. 

Any meeting or gathering wherein everyone in the room would be in attendance hasn't happened in quite a long time. 

In fact, a meeting like this hasn't happened for more than a decade!

This is because aside from the morning court where most of them attend, the rest of the high military officials such as the generals has never been completely present unlike now.

Of course during morning court, government and military officials alike both attend but usually, only the deputy generals are highest ranking there but now all three major military families; from the Fan Family, Wu Family and Fang Family are all here!

The three families are considered as the three major military families, not only because of their high status in society but also because of their capabilities and strengths. 

For starters, the Fan Family is a family that specializes in martial strength, whether it be through skill in handling weapons, close combat or weapons making. Their way of training is brutal and mainly focuses on cultivating a person's attacking force which is why they mostly handle the training of the country's offensive aspect within the military while the soldiers that falls under their command specializes in attacking which is highly valuable in a war. 

Meanwhile, the Fang Family is the complete opposite. They specialize in defense. This not only includes their fighting style but also how they maneuver in the battlefield. All soldiers go through the Fang Family's basic training and those who excel are cultivated further and is usually assigned in key locations in the kingdom to ensure that it will always be safe. From borders to first-tiered cities, at least a group of soldiers specially trained by the Fang Family will be there.