Soutaifu, formally named Sou Shungai, stands among the empire’s three Grand Advisors as the Taifu, wielding influence forged through decades of military service and political acumen. A seasoned tactician and decorated war hero, he honed his skills under the previous emperor’s tutelage before ascending to command armies and shape future leaders, including Emperor Ryuuki and the exiled prince Shi Seien, both of whom he trained in swordsmanship and statecraft. Renowned for his sharp perception, he deftly navigates the empire’s shadowed corridors, countering political schemes and recognizing supernatural threats like the enigmatic Eight Coloured Immortals. His alliance with fellow Grand Advisor Sho Yosei thrives on mutual trust, their strategies often interweaving to stabilize the realm. A lesser-known thread ties him to Shiro and Kuro, mystical envoys of the Red Immortal. Initially placed under Shou Yousen’s care, the entities later found refuge with Sou Shungai, who cultivated an unexpected kinship with them, revealing his pragmatic acceptance of the supernatural’s role in imperial affairs. As crises mount, his involvement shifts from advisory oversight to direct action—bolstering Shuurei’s reforms, dismantling corruption, and mediating clashes between old and new political factions. His decisions blend martial efficiency with unwavering fealty to the throne, serving as a linchpin between eras and ideologies. Though his personal past remains unrecorded, his legacy persists through generations of protégés, his mentorship defined by rigorous discipline and a forward-thinking vision that fortifies the empire’s foundations against both mortal and otherworldly storms.