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| Kan Ki | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese | Huan Yi | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kanji | 桓騎 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Epithet | The Beheader[1]
Fifth Great[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biographical Information
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Appearance
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| “ | Rage. That is what drives Kan Ki. Rage that burns so strong it's hot enough to melt even rock. | ” |
Kan Ki, also known as "The Beheader," was a Great General of Qin and the fifth member of the new generation Six Great Generals. As the leader of the Kan Ki Army, one of the deadliest forces of the Warring States, he played a pivotal role in Qin’s military campaigns having once served as the vice general of the Mou Gou Army under Mou Gou the Hakurou before he passed away. He met his end at the Battle of Hika, where he fought and nearly killed Ri Boku during Qin’s northern Zhao campaign.
Before joining the Qin Military, Kan Ki was the leader of the Kan Ki Clan, the largest bandit gang in southern Qin. He was notorious for his unorthodox guerrilla warfare tactics and his brutal nature, often executing entire populations of captured cities and villages. Despite attempts by Qin’s armies to eliminate him, his strategic brilliance allowed him to survive and even defeat those sent after him.
After being recruited by Mou Gou, Kan Ki quickly climbed the ranks, earning the rank of General. Alongside his contemporary, Ou Sen, he carved a path of destruction across the Warring States. Though initially overshadowed by the legendary Six Great Generals, Kan Ki’s unparalleled talent and battlefield cunning eventually cemented his legacy as one of Qin’s most feared and powerful commanders.
Before his death, Kan Ki stood among the most formidable military figures of the Warring States Era, his abilities rivaling those of the previous generation of the Six Great Generals. Infamous for his ruthless methods, he claimed thousands of lives through brutal executions.
Appearance[]
Kan Ki had long, jet-black hair tied into a ponytail, with shorter stray strands framing his face, giving it a slick and glossy appearance. His body bore multiple scars, with two prominent ones on his shoulders. He also sported a small goatee, a common feature among many prominent figures of the era. Kan Ki typically wore a smug expression, rarely showing genuine anger or distress.
His attire consisted of purple-colored armor with dark fur around the neck, a robe with leopard-print trim, and a white general’s cape. He also wore metal boots adorned with black sun symbols and had multiple cuff earrings on his left ear. His facial features included slender eyes, thick eyebrows, a sharp nose, and soft-looking lips, contributing to his striking appearance.
Kan Ki was widely regarded as attractive by both women and men. It was even noted that as a child, he possessed extraordinary beauty—something Shio recognized when she first found him unconscious.
Personality[]
| “ | This man...What the hell is he?!...It's not killing intent...It's not killing intent but there's something this guy is giving off...that instantly made me draw my sword...!! That's right. For just an instant, I almost felt like I was going to get sucked in by those eyes...But now...The only thing I feel towards this man, Is a powerful sense of Rejection!...So this is...the man known as General Kan Ki...!! | ” |
—Shin's thoughts on Kan Ki upon meeting him. | ||
Kan Ki was always seen with an arrogant smirk on his face and talked crudely at times. He showed no respect for his foes having called Gen Pou "an old fart" and "trash" before killing him. And exhibited a very crude and strange sense of humor and sarcasm like when Ma Ron asked him, why he made an unskilled individual like Ogiko a 1000-Man Commander to which he merely responded lightheartedly with "cause it's funny obviously."
Aside from that, Kan Ki was extremely brutal and ruthless as he had no qualms about killing surrendered soldiers or civilians, routely ordering his soldiers to slaughter any and all soldiers or civilians. This was first shown in his battle with Kai Shi Bou, in which he sent the mutilated corpses of soldiers back to the Wei General's HQ, who had been severely tortured, along with bags of eyeballs and body parts to decrease morale and incite fear in their commanders.
Kan Ki was also highly sadistic as he took delight in toying with others, especially defeated opponents. When he and his army captured Haku Ki Sai, Kan Ki dangled the idea of survival in front of him while taunting the Wei Great General to beg for his life. And just when Haku Ki Sai believed himself safe, Kan Ki would then stab him several times in his momentary second of relief just to humiliate the General and "repay" him. His brutality extended to his allies as some of them were noted to "disappear" and was perfectly fine with sending thousands of soldiers to die for him. Even his subordinates won't completely safe from his viciousness, having no qualms about sacrificing his soldiers for the sake of victory.
During the Battle of Eikyuu, after correctly deducing Kan Ki's unique plan against the Zhao, Ou Sen deemed him to be completely insane and mad at how he intentionally sacrificed a significant number of allies and soldiers simply to kill Ko Chou. In his utter defeat, the Zhao Commander-in-Chief aside from acknowledging Kan Ki's ingenuity, also expressed his disbelief towards his inhumane methods by calling him "deranged".
Ma Ron claimed that the reason why Kan Ki massacred the one hundred thousand surrendered Zhao soldiers was perhaps simply to satisfy his bloodthirsty temperament rather than revenge for Rai Do's death.
Ei Sei noted Kan Ki's brutal methods would end up backfiring on Qin's ambition and efforts to unite China as Kan Ki's decision to massacre all of Ko Chou Army's surrounded soldiers would only incite immense anger and hatred amongst the people of Zhao by practically repeating Haku Ki's massacre at Chouhei, leading the remaining Zhao soldiers on Ri Boku's superior planning to launch an all-out last stand against Qin's next invasion, rather die fighting than concede to their hated foe.
He had personally stated that he could care less about the concept of loyalty to one's kingdom and wasn't even concerned if Qin were to fall during the Coalition Invasion. In his personal opinion, despite his employment within the Qin Military forces, the concept of kingdoms or states is nothing more than a corrupted system or "cesspool" where a select few of the upper classes can treat commoners and peasants as they please. On the other hand, he is still quite content with being a Great General as it allows him to quench his thirst for the thrill of warfare (no matter how savage) in a sanctioned manner.
| “ | Kan Ki was originally supposed to be the man who would liberate those who were oppressed, but with Shio's death, he lost his light. | ” |
—Shou on Kan Ki's life long emotional turmoil. | ||
Despite his outward reasoning for his actions and methods, some of Kan Ki's closest commanders and subordinates claim that he isn't motivated by the thrills of war but by pure rage and anger towards the world. Later remarks from Io and Shou of the Saki Clan revealed that his rage against the world was against the indifference to the elite’s mistreatment of the oppressed by the common folk. As such, he's rage was deemed one against the world's sytem itself.
On the other hand, Kan Ki had a sense of concern and charisma that attracted said oppressed to him with his views towards his innermost circle regarding them as equivalent to family. It was due to this that he took revenge against the death of his loved ones per his reaction to Shio's and Rai Do's deaths.
Kan Ki could also have a frighteningly cool demeanor, rarely showing or displaying any signs of panic or fright no matter how dire the situation was. He had no problems when his own life was endangered or at risk as he was still capable of making snap decisions despite being in immense danger. He viciously showed this when he was taken hostage by Kyou Kai with her holding her sword to his throat having showed no hesitation in ordering his men to decapitate Den Yuu in response to his potenial death.
Kan Ki showed immense willpower, being completely fearless when he and his men were surrounded, after all his subordinates died, he strove to keep fighting to the very end, despite being pierced by multiple spears, he did not stop killing Zhao soldiers, shocking the witnesses at the end of the Battle of Hika.
Despite his savagery and ruthlessness, Kan Ki did exhibit a sense of loyalty exclusive to Mou Gou by holding the position of Vice General in the Great General's army. Saluting the Hakourou as he and Ou Sen welcomed him to the battlefield [3] and came when summoned as demonstrated when Chou Tou used Mou Gou's name[4], as he knew that Kan Ki would simply ignore a personal request for a conversation with him.
His loyalty extended to such a degree, that he "offered" a "bonfire" of incinerated Wei soldiers who had surrendered in honor of his now-deceased former benefactor, calling him by his moniker Hakou Rou for one last time.[5]
Relationships[]
Saki Clan[]
The first people to accept him into their lives after having found him near death, Kan Ki loved the misfit group. He valued them enough to protect them and even went so far as to enact revenge on behalf of a few specific members. He molded them into brutal killers and fierce bandits so they could better protect themselves and survive in the harsh environment around them. According to Shou, Kan Ki regarded them as his "home/sanctuary", a place to return to for him and those without roots.
Shio[]
The loved person of his life, Kan Ki held genuine devotion to her and had a soft spot as well. He was fascinated by her inner strength to endure cruelty and was intrigued by her leadership of the Saki Clan and their way of life.
He refused to allow her to be raped by bandits, brutally killing five of them just to spare her the humiliation but was passionate about telling her that she didn't have to accept every injustice and the harsh reality that happens around her.
She was also one of the few people he listened to, albeit only to a certain extent. Whenever he thought back about her Kan Ki felt sorrow or regret whenever he remembered her, specifically embracing and comforting her while talking about staying together and having a future together.
After her gruesome death at the hands of the Lord of Kiha, his life descended further into depravity in the form of merciless brutality and rage.
Io[]
Kan Ki had known Io for far longer than any other member of his echelon in his army since their childhood. After Shio's passing and years of separation, Kan Ki welcomed her and the Saki Clan into his army after he joined the military as he trusted Io like any of his commanders.
Kan Ki would also rebuff her romantic feelings for him out of respect for Shio and still see her as his friend and family.
Mou Gou[]
One of the few people that Kan Ki legitimately respected, Kan Ki seemed to be genuinely fond of the Hakou Rou, having burned captured soldiers alive as a tribute to his former benefactor's passing. From their interactions, Mou Gou didn't treat Kan Ki any differently than his other commanders in his fold despite his background as a bandit and violent personality.
He would praise Kan Ki while seeing his value as a military prodigy and his talents in warfare. Mou Gou never commented on Kan Ki's nature or his savage methods as he could tell that Kan Ki held a fierce rage within him.
Ou Sen[]
Kan Ki complimenting Ou Sen on his "locusts".
While the full extent of their history isn't fully known, Kan Ki had served with Ou Sen as a fellow deputy/vice general in the Mou Gou Army for years since the previous era of the War God.
Kan Ki, in rare moments, acknowledged Ou Sen's abilities as a military commander fully knowing that he never started a fight or battle that he couldn't win. He also respected Ou Sen's authority as a Commander-in-Chief which was shown when he held back his army's brutality in dealing with the Zhao citizens during the opening stages of the Gyou Campaign, albeit with the promise of keeping the riches of the captured cities.
And had no qualms about sieging Gyou for days while surrounded by multiple Zhao armies. Ou Sen would even tell Kan Ki about his hidden agents within the city, a secret that he told no one else, not even his commanders.
Chou Tou[]
| “ | Tch. What an indecisive old man, Good Grief. | ” |
—Kan Ki on Chou Tou as he stops his body from falling. | ||
Mocking him for being a loyal patriot for Qin, Kan Ki saw the old veteran as just another boring military commander. He showed open disdain for Chou Tou's arrogant confidence and laughed at his beliefs being disproven.
But while he expressed his honesty on what a kingdom is, Kan Ki showed an uncharacteristic moment of honor as he stopped Chou Tou's body from falling to the ground after he passed.
Rai Do[]
| “ | Hehehe. You were always ugly, but...They just had to make you look even worse, huh, Rai Do? I told you not to push it and just run if things looked dicey. Did you even hear me, asshole? You...Stupid Idiot. | ” |
—Kan Ki as he holds Rai Do's remains. | ||
Deeply fond of Rai Do, Kan Ki saw him as one of his closest friends and family. When he was alive, Rai Do passionately support his boss and was always willing to do anything to show the might of the Kan Ki Army. Upon his death, Kan Ki had over 100,000 surrendered Zhao soldiers beheaded in a twisted way to grieve the loss of his friend.
Ma Ron[]
One of his oldest and closest friends has had each other since their teens. He served as his advisor and adjutant and was frequently entrusted with formulating strategies and managing their army. Ma Ron was regularly the subject of teasing by Kan Ki.
Although, in the past, Ma Ron tried to usurp Kan Ki's leadership, and Kan Ki cheekily regretted sparing Ma Ron for his treachery. Still, Kan Ki was deeply fond of Ma Ron, as seen by his attempt to slay Ri Boku while allowing Ri Shin, Mou Ten, Ma Ron, Ogiko, and the Saki Clan a chance to escape. He also saw him as a responsible figure entrusting him with the task of preventing the remnants of his army from reverting to banditry.
Ogiko[]
Finding him to be highly amusing, Kan Ki treated him as an important member of his army simply because he saw him as hilarious but did assign Ogiko important duties as a personal messenger and his masseur.
He enjoyed Ogiko's simple nature as he often played word games, which were incredibly gross and crude, with him and trusted him with highly important tasks, such as delivering a message to Rai Do amid battle. Kan Ki was also never truly cruel or showed outright meanness to Ogiko.
Zenou[]
While the overall extent of their relationship is unknown, Kan Ki assigned important tasks to him and his clan. He seems to have incredible trust in his strength and brutality. Zenou seems to view the same of him.
Ri Shin[]
| “ | Hahahahaha!! Know what? You win. You're actually number one. Of all the Twisted bastards I've met in my life, you are the biggest villain of them all, Shin. | ” |
—Kan Ki acknowledging Shin as a "hero". | ||
Two very different men with different outlooks.
Becoming aware of him in his attendance in the award ceremonies for his achievements during the Coalition Invasion and Battle of Sai, thinking that he was present during the previous one as well.
Kan Ki wouldn't formally meet Shin till two years later as the Hi Shin Unit was assigned to his army to take the region of Kokuyou from the Zhao. While he greeted them, he could tell that Shin didn't like him but simply brushed it off with a smile. Saying that there's no need for him to be so tense and even called him a "kindred spirit" as they both come from backgrounds that others considered "lowborn" with him being a former bandit leader and Shin being a former servant.
However, he would also proceed to warn Shin that if they fight together then all bets are off. Saying that he will do anything to achieve an "absolute victory" as he formally welcomes them. He often publicly referred to Shin as "the ex-slave", "former servant", "Trash Bastard", and "stupid" in a taunting manner. Despite being well aware of Shin's contempt of him, Kan Ki did not seem to harbor the same disdain or pay it any real heed. While being from different natures and principles, Kan Ki saw Shin as a man worthy of his trust, which was shown when he entrusted Ma Ron, Ogiko, and the Saki Clan's safety to his care and to escape with them after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Hika. Likewise, Shin, despite hating Kan Ki, always made it his duty to protect him from his enemies. He also entrusted Shin to return his Necklace of the Six Great Generals of Qin to Ei Sei. According to Shou, Kan Ki did genuinely like Shin.
Ei Sei[]
| “ | Truly a bloody king. I'm a cute puppy compared to you. | ” |
—Kan Ki to Ei Sei during their meeting. | ||
Despite Ei Sei being the king of Qin, and the one who gives orders to his army, Kan Ki didn't have any real respect for him, seeing him no different from those in power who oppressed the vulnerable. When the Qin King rode out to meet him for his massacre of the Ko Chou army, he put his feet on the table in front of him. Even faced with execution, he chastised Sei and repeatedly told him that he was far more ruthless than himself and that he would be hypocritical to criticize and punish him when the Qin King was responsible for a lot more bloodshed by ordering them to start the invasion of other states in the first place. Kan Ki also sharply criticized Ei Sei's belief about the possibility of reconcilation with the citizens of other enemy states for the sake of unification after one sidedly invade and star a war that would create anger and hatred among their enemies, stating he expect too much from the citizens of other states for thinking they would forgive their enemies for the sake of peace. He only got a pardon from Sei because he was an essential part of the military. Kan Ki was warned however that next time he was to do something against orders, he would be beheaded without notice.
History[]
A 13 year old Kan Ki.
At around 13 years old, Kan Ki was left half-dead and abandoned on a mountain road, his early life shrouded in mystery.[6] He was discovered by the Saki Clan, a group of vagabond children and teenagers, who took him in as one of their own.[7] Over time, Kan Ki reshaped the once-weak clan, transforming them into a brutal force of torturers and bandits.[8]
However, the death of his lover, Shio, at the hands of the Lord of Kiha marked a turning point in his life. Following her brutal execution, Kan Ki severed ties with the Saki Clan and set out to form his own bandit gang. Over the next few years, Kan Ki encountered three rival mountain bandit leaders — Ma Ron, Rai Do, and Koku'Ou. While Koku'Ou quickly allied with him after falling in love with him, Ma Ron and Rai Do initially resisted.
Kan Ki relaxing in a hot spring with his bandit family in Ma Ron's memories.
Ma Ron attempted to usurp his leadership, while Rai Do even tried to kill him in his sleep once. However, both failed miserably and were soon forced to acknowledge Kan Ki’s dominance. With their recruitment, his Kan Ki Clan continued to expand, absorbing more local bandit groups, including Na Ki and Rin Gyoku, a former countryside bandit leader. Over time, the group grew close, with Kan Ki coming to see them as a makeshift family.[9]
Kan Ki’s brilliance in deception and guerrilla warfare made his clan notorious, spreading their name across Southern Qin. Now in his 20s, with an army of bandits under his command, he returned to Kiha Castle—the site of Shio’s execution. Seizing the stronghold, Kan Ki slaughtered every last inhabitant, exacting vengeance on both the city lord and the citizens who stood by and did nothing. This massacre earned him the infamous title "The Beheader."
As his reputation grew, Kan Ki became the leader of the largest outlaw faction in the region, feared for his unorthodox tactics and ruthlessness. Despite multiple attempts, Qin’s military was unable to eliminate him. At some point, he recruited the Saki Clan back into his ranks.[10] His growing infamy eventually led to a confrontation with Mou Gou, a Great General of Qin, who was tasked with capturing or killing Kan Ki and his men.
Rather than being defeated, Kan Ki easily outmaneuvered Mou Gou in battle and took him captive. However, instead of executing him, he engaged the old general in conversation after feeling a bit relucent in killing him. Recognizing Kan Ki’s exceptional talent for warfare, Mou Gou saw something greater in him—potential beyond mere banditry. In an unexpected turn, he offered Kan Ki a place in his army, stating that what Kan Ki lacked was "power." True to his unpredictable nature, Kan Ki accepted the offer sending Rai Do, Ma Ron into complete shock while Koku'Ou fainted.[11]
With this decision, Kan Ki and his entire clan joined the Qin Military, beginning his rise through the ranks. The details of this period remain a mystery, but during this time, he met Ou Sen, his equally monstrous contemporary. Together, the two carved a path of destruction across the Warring States, gradually gaining notoriety. Kan Ki eventually attained the rank of General, fighting in the shadow of the legendary Six Great Generals of Qin during the final years of King Shou’s era of warfare.
About a decade later, Kan Ki emerged as a key figure in the Sanyou Campaign against Wei. Serving as Vice General under Mou Gou’s Qin Army, he led the conquest of five cities before reaching the decisive battlefield that would determine the fate of the campaign.
Story[]
Sanyou Campaign Arc[]
Kan Ki is first seen in the Qin/Wei conflict of the Sanyou War when Rin Ko is scouting out targets to assassinate before the upcoming battle. The strange setup of HQ checks the Wei general as it appears to be full of openings, yet they could all be traps. Kan Ki arrives on Mount Ryuu to set up his camp, giving him a good terrain advantage before the main battle. He sees a smoke signal from the HQ saying that they'll be praying for their victory and Kan Ki calls it "rare" for Mou Gou to do such a thing.
After the vanguard from both sides had faced off, Kan Ki and 30,000 of his soldiers faced off against General Kai Shi Bou in the hill region. His effective use of guerilla warfare combined with his ruthless and cruel psychological warfare tactics that made the Wei troops succumb to fear for the Qin General gave Kai Shi Bou quite a challenge. He finishes with a "human forest" before finding out that the enemy's main army is heading for his headquarters. He turns this threat in an opportunity as he and his men disguise themselves as Wei messengers who are able to infiltrate Kai Shi Bou's HQ in order to get close to the Heavenly King Gen Pou. Upon being found out, Kan Ki and his men proceed to kill the Wei guards present and he comes face to face with the old man who tries to recruit Kan Ki as his student. His request is the last thing he says before he is beheaded by the Qin general who calls him trash. He later attacked and captured the Wei headquarters and cruelly killed Haku Ki Sai the Wei commander-in-chief. His crew then beheaded the other captured officers as well.
During the reward ceremony following the Sanyou Campaign, Kan Ki's nobility rosed in two ranks and was given the lands of Sei Hi, Sei Rin, and Dai Ka. While kneeling before the king, Kan Ki was curious to see the face of the person who had his power stolen by Ryo Fui. He is surprised by the fierce light emitted from the young king's eyes, which he found strange for a person "raised as a doll in a palace of luxury."
Coalition Invasion Arc[]
He along with other noteworthy Great General class Generals and Great Generals was summoned at Kanyou to discuss the plan to defeat the Coalition Army with High Command.
In the Battle of Kankoku Pass, he and his soldiers use oil barrels stolen from Kanyou’s warehouses to throw it on the Go Hou Mei siege tower. Kan Ki then shoots a fire arrow that burns the tower and hundreds of Wei troops while laughing.
After Chou Tou got poisoned by Han's poison arrow troops, he gathered some troops and stole a Wei flag and started going towards his HQ. Chou Tou followed along with his army. They broke through the armies without fighting because, in the middle of the siege of Kankoku Pass, every single soldier was focused on destroying the wall. After they defeated the Han Defense HQ, Chou Tou slew the Han commander in chief Sei Kai and shortly afterward died himself from the poison. Kan Ki afterward stayed on the Kankoku Pass walls for the rest of the Coalition Army war, but because the Coalition Army was focused on fighting at other battlefields, there was no action on Kankoku Pass.
Conspiracy in the Court Arc[]
Months after the Coalition War's end, Kan Ki is ordered to attack the gigantic Wei stronghold of Kyuu. He easily took the city and burned the Wei commanders alive as a tribute to his late benefactor, Hakurou.
State of Ai Arc[]
Leading his army, Kan Ki destroyed the remaining the Ai Army's forces as they fled from the capital while also capturing Rou Ai in the process. He initially wanted to torture and kill the Ai King by gouging out his eyes but was stopped by Ma Ron and Koku'Ou after they received orders from High Command to bring Rou Ai back alive and needed to be left intake. Which he simply clicked his teeth in disappointment.
Koku You Campaign Arc[]
Kan Ki is selected as the Commander-in-Chief of his own personal army, the Hi Shin Unit, and the Kyou Kai Unit. He is assigned to lead their combined forces in taking the Kokuyou region from the state of Zhao's hands. In this campaign that Kan Ki meets Shin and the famous Hi Shin Unit. Kan Ki uses his own tactics against Kei Sha and his vice general, Ki Sui, massacring nearby villagers and made a bridge made of corpses, that unnerved Shin and Kyou Kai who tried to attack him, thus negating their victory over Ryuu Tou and Kei Sha.
Western Zhao Invasion Arc[]
Kan Ki was placed as the general of the first army of the western Zhao attack army. Along with the mountain king Yo Tan Wa who leads the second army and general Ou Sen who acts as the commander of the third army as well as the supreme commander. He was later tasked to be in charge of besieging Gyou.
Battle of Eikyuu Arc[]
Following his successes, Kan Ki was summoned to Kanyou and officially promoted as the fifth member of the newly revived Six Great Generals under Ei Sei’s rule. Upon his return to the battlefield, he launched a brutal campaign at Heiyou, securing victories at the cost of heavy losses—though most casualties came from auxiliary forces rather than his core army.
During this time, he struck a deal with Ou Sen, agreeing to let Mou Ten serve under Ou Sen’s command in exchange for Ou Hon, who was assigned to lead Kan Ki’s left-wing army. This division suffered severe losses and was nearly annihilated while capturing Eikyuu Hill, setting the stage for a larger confrontation.
Kan Ki’s ruthless offensive soon drew the attention of Zhao Great General Ko Chou, who mobilized his main army to reinforce Eikyuu’s defenders. For eight days, Kan Ki’s army, numbering fewer than 100,000, was locked in a hopeless struggle against 240,000 Zhao soldiers, who held the advantage both in terrain and numbers. As the relentless assault continued, many of Kan Ki’s troops began to flee, pushing Zhao closer to what seemed like an inevitable victory.
The Hi Shin Unit, positioned between Ou Sen’s and Kan Ki’s forces, was finally called into action. Under Kan Ki’s orders, they assisted in securing Eikyuu Hill, which had been the focal point of the left-wing’s struggle.
However, unknown to both Ko Chou and his own soldiers, Kan Ki had orchestrated a deception, reminiscent of Sun Bin’s strategies, that would turn the tide of battle. Even as his forces were pushed further back, Kan Ki himself had vanished without a trace, leading Ko Chou to believe he was at his HQ
Seizing this opportunity, Ko Chou committed his main army and left-wing forces to deliver the final blow against Kan Ki’s troops, leaving only a small reserve force of 5000 to guard against Shin, who had just overrun Zhao’s right flank. At this critical moment, Kan Ki reappeared—at Ko Chou’s headquarters.
Using a detachment unit that had slipped past the Zhao onslaught, Kan Ki ambushed Ko Chou’s command center, forcing the Zhao Great General into a corner. Realizing his defeat and his death being near, Ko Chou prepares to take his own life while cryptically mentioned sharing a drink with Rai Do in the afterlife. Ko Chou launches one final suicidal charge against Kan Ki before being slain.
With Ko Chou’s decapitated head as proof of victory, chaos erupted within Zhao’s ranks. Ma Ron, who had been spreading false information and rumors among Zhao’s forces in preparation for this moment, fueled panic and confusion. As a result, Zhao’s headquarters collapsed, and their army lost morale. Many soldiers surrendered, leading to a staggering 100,000 prisoners being taken under Kan Ki’s control.
However, upon learning of Rai Do’s gruesome fate, Kan Ki makes a brutal decision—he orders all 100,000 Zhao prisoners to be executed, an act that would be remembered as one of the greatest atrocities of the Warring States period.
Following the massacre, King Ei Sei personally confronts Kan Ki, demanding an explanation for the unnecessary bloodshed. However, Kan Ki evades direct answers, prompting Ei Sei to lose patience, nearly ordering Hyou Shiga to execute him on the spot.
Ma Ron innerves, justifying Kan Ki’s actions by arguing that the prisoners vastly outnumbered the remaining Qin soldiers, creating the risk of a potential revolt that could have cost Qin a decisive victory.
Ei Sei, however, countered that such total extermination was unnecessary—rather than slaughtering every single prisoner, they only needed to neutralize their fighting capability. Kan Ki, amused, burst into laughter, calling Ei Sei the "greatest killer of all" and accusing him of naïve idealism.
A heated debate ensued, with Kan Ki asserting that humanity would never allow peace, while Ei Sei remained steadfast in his belief that he must pave the shortest path to it. Midway through, Ei Sei hesitated, momentarily lost in thought. When Kan Ki asked for his verdict, Ei Sei ultimately spares him, acknowledging that while Kan Ki’s methods were extreme, his victory had been crucial to Qin’s conquest.
However, Ei Sei issued a stern warning: if Kan Ki acted recklessly again, his head would roll. Later that night, Kan Ki is seen in bed with a mysterious woman from the Saki Clan, a quiet moment of reflection before the storm that awaited him.
Zhao's Retaliation Arc[]
The Kan Ki Army alongside Ou Sen Army is sent by Shou Hei Kun to conquer a key city of Gian in the north. During their first siege in Atsuyo, Ou Sen loses a significant number of soldiers and is forced to stay behind to replenish his forces.
Kan Ki, however, decides to attack without him and enters the region. This however turns out to be Ri Boku's trap and Kan Ki finds himself against overwhelming forces of 310,000 Zhao soldiers. During the battle, Kan Ki deploys a bluff formation in the shape of a cross buys time until nightfall, and escapes the encirclement with a handful of surviving bandits. After the battle, the remaining forces of the Hi Shin Unit and Gaku Ka Army led a siege on Gian city and successfully captured it. However, due to Ri Boku's preparations, all the civilians were evacuated while Qin's possible reinforcements were poisoned in Sekirei. This forced them to abandon the city and make a new plan to ambush Ri Boku in Hika. Kan Ki pretends to burn the civilians in Hika to lure Ri Boku out of the safe zone and ambush his HQ. Ri Boku however despite suffering a head injury can survive and Kan Ki finds himself surrounded by incoming Zhao battalions.
Ri Boku offers him a chance to give up and save the lives of his vassals, but Kan Ki refuses and charges at him killing general Ko Haku Kou who stands in his way. In the end, Kan Ki is slain by Zhao soldiers before his blade can reach Ri Boku.
Abilities[]
| “ | K-Kan Ki...W-what a man...Are you telling me a former brigand like him actually possesses a tactical mind on the same level as Ri Boku-sama!!? | ” |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 93 |
| Leadership | 95 |
| Intelligence | 96 |
| Experience | A |
| Rage: 100 | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 93 |
| Leadership | 94 |
| Intelligence | 95 |
| Experience | A |
| Demonic Eyes: 99 | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 93 |
| Leadership | 92 |
| Intelligence | 95 |
| Experience | B |
| Cruelty: 99 Eyeballs | |
| STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strength | 93 |
| Leadership | 92 |
| Intelligence | 95 |
| Cruelty: 99 Eyeballs | |
Kan Ki was recognized for his exceptional talent in warfare, on par with the legendary Six Great Generals of Qin.[12] Even before officially joining the second generation of the Six Great Generals as its fifth member, his strategic genius was widely acknowledged.
Despite never formally studying military strategy, Kan Ki’s unorthodox tactics and battlefield ingenuity made him nearly unbeatable.[13] He rarely lost battles, earning the admiration of Mou Gou, who considered him Qin’s number one general at turning the tides of war.[14]
His brilliance in war also earned the respect of Ri Boku, who, during the Gian Campaign, recognized Kan Ki as the most dangerous and strongest of the Six Great Generals at the time.[15]
Physical Abilities[]
Master Swordsman: While Kan Ki was not often seen actively engaging in combat, his skill as a swordsman was undeniable. Having honed his abilities during his time as a bandit, Kan Ki was capable of extraordinary feats with a sword.
He once killed an adult man using a blunted, old sword, demonstrating his ability to overwhelm skilled bandits and soldiers with ease. His combat expertise was so formidable that he could defeat dangerous opponents effortlessly. For example, he cut down members of the Zenou Clan—renowned combat experts—with a single strike.[16]
Kan Ki also displayed his swordsmanship in battles against more formidable foes, such as Ka Man of the Ko Chou Army, whom he effortlessly deflected a strike from before brutally defeating the old commander.[17] In another remarkable display, Kan Ki exchanged blows with Ri Boku, breaking the Zhao General’s sword and severely wounding him in the process. This remarkable combat prowess further cemented Kan Ki’s reputation as one of the most dangerous warriors in the Warring States.[18]
Kan Ki demonstrating his stealthily approach on Zenou.
Stealth Mastery: Kan Ki was a master in the art of stealth, having honed his ability from his days with the Saki Clan and later as a Bandit leader. His mastery is evident as far back during the Sanyou Campaign as he sneaks into Haku Ki Sai's HQ and on multiple individuals throughout the series without them noticing him till he announced himself.
Archery: Kan Ki displayed some proficiency with the bow, being able to aim and fire a flame arrow at Go Hou Mei's second Siege Tower from the top of Kankoku Pass.[19]
Leadership[]
Kan Ki possessed an immense and eerie charisma, as well as strong leadership skills as he was able to unite many independent bandit clans and groups into a large military army under his rule. Many of his commanders are even willing to follow him into extremely unfavorable battles. Some, like Rai Do were willing to withstand intense torture and interrogation to protect his secrets which is a further indication of the loyalty that he can inspire.
As a former bandit leader, Kan Ki understands his soldiers well enough to use their cowardice and dishonor as ex-outlaws to his advantage to create a massive diversion by having them flee a losing battle against the Ko Chou Army, one of the most powerful forces amongst the best of the Zhao Military, who were vastly superior to them in terms of numbers and military skills while commanding his strongest soldiers of Zenou Clan and Shu Ma Clan to hide long enough to evade the majority of the Ko Chou Army until they could ambush their Commander-in-Chief Ko Chou at the right timing.
Upon tricking the Zhao soldiers into surrendering, the deserted Kan Ki soldiers quickly returned to the battlefield to feign innocence to help revitalize the situation to control the surrendered Zhao soldiers. His only real miscalculation was the loss of Rai Do, due to the latter's brash and reckless nature despite especially having Ogiko informing him beforehand of his plan to defeat Ko Chou.
Tactical Abilities[]
Kan Ki was one of the most aggressive great generals in the Central Plains and a master tactician who specialized in guerrilla warfare, psychological warfare, and misdirection with unpredictable approaches.
Instead of being called a "meticulous strategist" or "hot blood warrior", he was a military commander who relied on his uncanny, instinctual decision-making. Not doing anything pointless when it came to the battlefield.[20] He could devise the most ingenious of plans seemingly from his imagination and on the fly without any sort of military training and knowledge, even outright telling his vassals that he never needed "reasons" or tactics, simply the most effective method that will lead them to an "absolute victory". He even devised his variation of Sun Bin's famous strategy from the Battle of Banryou over a century ago.
Because of his unorthodox tactics, his victories were unbelievable, as even Ka Ryo Ten once commented that the greatest of Strategists would be hard-pressed to replicate similar results like his.[21] Even Ou Sen, the most intelligent of the Six Great Generals, stated that Kan Ki's way of thinking eluded him.[22] Kan Ki proved himself to be extremely resourceful, making excellent use of his surroundings against his opponents. As in the instance when he took down Go Hou Mei's Siege Tower with the use of oil (which was "secretly borrowed" from Kanyou's storehouses) and a flame arrow.
Kan Ki beheading Gen Pou.
His most unique and seemingly lethal trait was his uncanny ability to infiltrate/attack an enemy's headquarters and kill their general and commanding officers. [23] This tactic was the downfall of many prominent Generals like Gen Pou, Haku Ki Sai, Sei Kai and Ko Chou. And nearly killed Ri Boku even though the Great Heaven was already aware of his tactics.
But despite his brilliance in warfare, Kan Ki's methods were noted to be incredibly gruesome and inhumane stemming from his brutal mindset. He was willing to kill not only enemies and civilians, but he was also very willing to use and sacrifice his soldiers for his plans. His tactics often utilized brutality as he typically tasked the Saki Clan to "extract" information from captured soldiers with heavy use of torture and used the mutilated bodies of dead enemy soldiers to demoralize his opponents while planting the seeds of fear of him and his army in their minds[24] and expertly used psychological manipulation to trick, intimidate, and use his opponent's mindset to his benefit.
This was brilliantly used when he ordered the massacre of Kokuyou's citizens simply to intimidate Ki Sui after learning about his history and love for his people as he threatened to do the same to the city of Rigan. This allowed the Kan Ki Army to seize a complete and overwhelming victory in the Kokuyou Campaign with minimal casualties from the projected calculations from the high command.
Manipulation of Information: Kan Ki was adept at manipulating the flow of information. During the Battle of Eikyuu, he used a strategy based around fooling Ko Chou and his commanders into having a false sense of security by making them misjudge the number of his soldiers. He then used the newly created opening to strike at their HQ to take Ko Chou's head. After that, he ordered Ma Ron to instruct their soldiers to spread misinformation to weaken the Ko Chou Army soldiers' morale. As a result, he was able to capture tens of thousands of soldiers who surrendered.
Kan Ki's self-made Cross Bluff Formation.
Military Formations: Kan Ki was capable of performing and creating military formations to suit his needs despite not being formally trained or educated in conventional warfare. He demonstrated this when he created his own unique and bizarre formation in the shape of a cross on the spot with its purpose being to stall for time until nightfall while the cautious Ri Boku Army attacked the tips of the cross to try to slowly wear it down.
In addition, Kan Ki moved several of his units back and forth from the center to probe for which of the armies' sides would react the slowest, which later allowed him to find the easiest place to escape from the encirclement.[25] His HQ and camp were also noted to utilize a unique formation that is seemingly full of openings but in actuality, acts as a trap that is designed to lure and wipe out any potential attackers.[26]
Weaknesses[]
It was pointed out by Ri Boku that Kan Ki's weakness was his inability to perform orthodox warfare which limited his options in some battlefield situations and prevented him from using certain opportunities that were available for regular strategists. In all of his battles, he relied purely on psychological warfare and trick strategies to defeat his opponents and never used "by the book" methods.[27]
His cruelty could also raise the morale of the enemy soldiers as seen when after the Eikyuu massacre many Zhao soldiers went berserk to avenge their fallen comrades and families which created problems for the overall Qin invasions that lasted even after his death.
Quotes[]
| “ | Hahahahah! What a lame old fart. He got his ass kicked in the blink of an eye! Damn Geezer's all talk!! | ” |
| “ | Hahahahaha!! Know what? You win. You're actually number one. Of all the Twisted bastards I've met in my life, you are the biggest villain of them all, Shin. | ” |
—To Shin | ||
| “ | The unification of China. Going by your eyes...Are you telling me that if you manage to pull that off, that all war will finish, and peace will descend upon the world? Yep, you're one evil bastard. | ” |
—To Ei Sei | ||
| “ | The whole idea of unifying China involves butchering an enemy state's people through overwhelming military power until they no longer have the strength to fight back. Then, you just swoop in and claim everything they own for yourself: The land, The people, the resources, all of it. It's the slaughter and pillaging on a whole new scale. And the only ones who will be happy for the peace this brings...Are the people of Qin. | ” |
—To Shin | ||
| “ | Kan Ki...What a Man...! To sneak into an enemy army disguised as their own like this isn't too rare in itself. Occasionally you would infiltrate them as a small unit of soldiers like this too. And naturally, the bigger the enemy army and the more confused they are, the higher the chances of success. All of this makes perfect sense. However,...To have personally decided to undertake this against the combined Wei and Han Army of 150,000 men...What nerves and an eye for strategy. Impossible. Are you telling me this sort of scoundrel really possesses a strength on the same level as the Six Great General!?2 | ” |
—Chou Tou on Kan Ki's abilities during the Battle of Kankoku Pass. | ||
| “ | We will continue burning down villages and slaughtering the people of Koku You. | ” |
—To Shin | ||
| “ | You expect too much of humans. O'King of Qin. | ” |
—To Ei Sei | ||
| “ | Reasons...Strategy...Who gives a shit 'bout any of that. | ” |
| “ | Every one of my actions... are to lead us an absolute victory. | ” |
Etymology[]
- Kan or Huan means "variety of tree" (桓)
- Ki or Qi means "ride horseback, mount, cavalry" (騎)
Trivia[]
- Kan Ki came in 6th place in the popularity vote poll.
Kentaro Ito, the Japanese voice of Kan Ki, has provided the voices of Renji Abarai, a former enemy turned central character in the Shonen manga series BLEACH, Yoshitake Shiraishi, a main character in the Golden Kamuy series, and Chouji Akimichi, a core character in the Naruto series.
Kan Ki didn't like wearing soldier armor because it "rubs him the wrong way".[28]
He is noted by Bi Hei to have smelled very nice.
While he explicitly condoned rape, it was unknown if Kan Ki ever participated in such barbaric acts himself, as he was frequently pictured with various willing women and prostitutes.
- Kan Ki is currently the first Great General and military commander to have nearly killed Ri Boku in a melee.
- Koku'Ou and Kan Ki typically slept with each other whenever they were incredibly drunk.
[]
| Kan Ki Army | |
|---|---|
| Leader: | Kan Ki † |
| Generals: | Rin Gyoku † • Koku'Ou † • Rai Do † |
| Commanders: | Ma Ron • Ogiko • Na Ki † • Kaku'un † • Zenou † • Io • Shu Ma † • Chuu Ki † • Han Zen • Ro Bin † • Chi Shun †? • Gai Ma †? • Jo Ta †? |
| Soldiers: | Ba'In • Taku Brothers • Gan Jin † • Ha'In |
| Clans and Units: | Zenou Clan • Saki Clan • Na Ki Clan • Koku'Ou Clan • Rai Do Clan • Ma Ron Clan • Ogiko Unit • Rin Gyoku Clan • Shu Ma Clan |
| Situational Members: | Hi Shin Unit • Gyoku Hou Army |
References[]
- ↑ Chapter 203, page 6
- ↑ Chapter 671, page 18
- ↑ Chapter 203
- ↑ Chapter 292
- ↑ Chapter 366
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.67 Chapter 729
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.67 Chapter 732
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.67 Chapter 729, Chapter 734, Chapter 735
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.69 Chapter 749
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.69 Chapter 755
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.69 Chapter 755
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.28 Chapter 301, page 10
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.19 Chapter 198, page 15 and Chapter 203
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.27 Chapter 291, page 15
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.68 Chapter 738, page 18 and Vol.69 Chapter 753, page 7
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.41 Chapter 447, page 191 and Season 5 Episode 131
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.64 Chapter 693
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.68 Chapter 745
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.26 Chapter 277
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.62 Chapter 677, page 16
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.45 Chapter 483, page 15
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.62 Chapter 676, page 9
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.20 Chapter 212, Vol.22 Chapter 239, Vol.28 Chapter 303, Vol.64 Chapter 691
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.20 Chapter 212
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.67 Chapter 726, page 13
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.19 Chapter 198, page 14
- ↑ Kingdom Manga: Vol.67 Chapter 724
- ↑ Chapter 239