The Escape from Zhao Arc is the 3rd significant story arc of Yasuhisa Hara's manga "Kingdom," where Ei Sei describes his disturbing escape from Zhao, to his lover Kou.
As a hostage in Zhao, Ei Sei's journey to becoming Qin's heir begins when Qin commanders hire black-market merchants led by Shi Ka to secretly transport him. Initially, they pass checkpoints unnoticed, but Zhao officials soon dispatch soldiers to capture them.
During the journey, Shi Ka helps Ei Sei accept his destiny. A fierce battle outside Qin sees Shi Ka and her comrades sacrificing their lives to protect Sei, until Shou Bun Kun arrives to secure his safe passage to Qin.
Summary[]
Ei Sei recounts the story of Shi Ka and his life in Zhao, how he was smuggled from the state of Zhao, where he was born and held as a political hostage for eight years, to Qin in order to become the rightful successor to the throne to Kou.
Qin army commanders approached a group of black-market merchants led by a woman named Shi Ka and asked them to secretly transport an eight-year-old child out of Zhao and into Qin, with the excuse that it was a very important figure for their state. Shi Ka accepted the job and promised to live up to her employer's expectations.
At first the journey went smooth, as Shi Ka had a lot of connections and was able to pass through the checkpoints without raising any suspicion. However, it was not before long that the Zhao officials noticed Sei's disappearance and sent a small army after them.
In the meantime, Shi Ka helped Sei face his inner demons and accept his fate. The pursuers reached Shi Ka's wagon just outside Qin. After a fierce battle Shi Ka and her comrades managed to protect the future king at the cost of their own lives. Not a minute to late, Shou Bun Kun arrived and took of the remnants of the Zhao soldiers securing Sei and welcoming him to his new homeland.
Characters Introduced[]
Qin[]
Zhao[]
Story Impacts[]
- Kou, Sei's favorite consort is introduced.
- The Massacre of Chouhei is shown and mentioned for the first time.
- Sei's dramatic childhood is revealed.
- Sei was horrifically abused and beaten daily by Zhao citizens due to their rage for Chouhei.
- Shi Ka, a merchant in Zhao's black market, is asked by Ryo Fui to smuggled Ei Sei into Qin.
- Sei meets Shi Ka for the first time.
- Shi Ka saves Sei from his madness and inner demons.
- Shi Ka gives her life to save Sei's life.
- King Ei Sei sets foot on Qin's ground for the first time in his life.