Inside the dimly lit tent, Geming finished reading the letter and promptly burned it in a small incense burner on the table. The scent of burning paper mingled with sandalwood. "Lixin, then," Geming stated, his voice flat. "He sent the assassins we encountered."
Wang Yong scoffed softly. "Lixin makes it too easy," he commented. "Targeting only the Magoli and explicitly leaving us untouched. Couldn't be more obvious."
Geming placed the lid back on the burner. "Lixin's intel confirmed it," he said, turning to Wang Yong. "He sent the assassins we met. Lots of good information, too. Complete layout of the Northern Camp." Wang Yong nodded. "Still," he said, "doesn't help us break through Chono Gate or the East Sea." Geming sighed. "King Batukhan knew how to defend this place. He put his strongest sons south and west protecting the heir from Tanggolia. He knew Tanggolia was their biggest threat." He leaned forward. "Allied with that small Umusa kingdom in the southeast against Zasra and Biyla. Weakest son up north, knowing full well that Alohul and the neutral kingdom of Kosanz wouldn't invade." Wang Yong waited. "And the east?" he prompted. Geming's gaze went distant. "Payapasa couldn't get past Salran Hill even before," he said. "Now? Anyone invading the eastern border faces those bandits and Chinua's army. After Hosha City..." He shook his head. "The royal uncle probably won't try invading that way right now."
"It is indeed a perfect plan," Wang Yong said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "To marry the Alhu princess to Prince Chimgee, sever ties with Tanggolia, and prevent Tanggolia entering the East Sea."
Geming's voice was tight with frustration. "If royal uncle Jianping had just listened to the royal father," he said, "and stopped that disastrous invasion at Lao-Da Pass... one of the princesses could have married the Hmagol Southern General. Think of that alliance!" He shook his head. "But no. The royal uncle Jianping didn't listen to the royal father's plan. So, the royal father had to send Lixin."
Wang Yong said, "I'm afraid that Lixin will betray us."
Geming chuckled lightly, a smile playing on his lips. "Father has loved him over the years," he explained. "Even without a royal title, he's been treated like a prince since birth." Geming leaned forward. "Beyond that, he's done a lot for Tanggolia. He sent messages to the Ginmiao on our behalf; without his help, they couldn't have retaken Nue-Li City." Geming's smile faded, replaced by a look of certainty. "He can betray anyone else," he stated, "but not father. After all, he is the royal father's favorite illegitimate son."
Wang Yong said, "He indeed failed to kill Batzorig."
Geming sighed, a sound of old weariness. "Don't underestimate the old general," he said. "He still has a strong backbone. I spent two years in that Northern camp trying to kill him, but I couldn't, and I almost got killed myself." Geming looked away for a moment. "Without Chinua's help, I would have died in that cave."
Wang Yong looked at Geming. "Your Highness," he began, "allowing Chinua into Zhugow City... is that wise? Considering what she's capable of? Considering your own experience?"
"I know what Chinua is capable of," Geming said. "Truthfully, I wouldn't mind her entering Zhugow City if she were my bride. But she is not. Therefore, I will not allow her and her subordinates to enter the city." He looked at Wang Yong. "Tomorrow," Geming directed, "we say goodbye to them at Chono Gate."
Wang Yong asked no further questions. He understood Geming's reasoning. He knew another assassination attempt was planned for Chinua before Qijing City. Despite Geming's lingering concern for Chinua's safety, allowing her into Zhugow City was unacceptable – that would be giving her a free pass to discover its weaknesses. Parting ways at Chono Gate, followed by the attempt later, were the most strategically sound steps.
Early in the morning, a cold mist hung in the air as Chono Gate groaned open with a soft crack. Not far beyond the gate's shadow, a large contingent of Tanggolia soldiers stood waiting, their armor glinting faintly in the weak light, stood in disciplined ranks, patiently waiting for the arrival of Geming and his ministers.
Early morning mist swirled around Chono Gate as it opened with a soft crack. Ankhtsetseg stood before it, looking out at the beautiful mountains that stretched for miles. The air was cool and smelled of pine. "My motherland," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "this land of peace... I don't know when these feet will step on you again. I pray to the ancestors for her long life and for her people to hold their heads high." She knelt down sadly, the rough soil cools beneath her fingers. Taking a small bag from her robe, she filled the pouch with the mixed soil and sand. She tied the top, stuffed the small bag inside her waistband, and bowed three times before standing up with Yagaan's gentle help.
On the Hmagol side of Chono Gate, Chinua, her men, and the Magoli soldiers stood watching. A quiet solemnity settled over them as Ankhtsetseg and Yagaan walked away. The two figures moved steadily towards the large group of Tanggolian soldiers waiting a hundred yards outside. As they reached the waiting ranks, the heavy timbers of the gate began to close. Slowly, it groaned shut, the sound echoing through the mountains like a thunderous roar.
After the gate's echoing roar, Chinua sighed, a heartbroken sound, and turned away, leading her men back to the temporary shelter of Chono Gate camp. Inside a simple hut, the tension of the morning was replaced by the quiet routine of breakfast. Chinua sat with seven of her subordinates around old wooden tables. Yanam entered.
"Chinua," he greeted, approaching.
"Sit down," she said, her voice softer now. "Have some breakfast."
Yanam took a seat. "Once the supplies are ready," he said after a moment, "in a few days, I'll ride back to Ntsua-Ntu to inform King Batukhan."
"It's a pity the Tanggolia refused to let us send the First Princess to Zhugow City," Chinua said.
Yanam nodded. "That was expected," he replied. "They won't let you enter Zhugow City. Don't worry, Chinua, I'll report this matter to His Highness as well." He looked at her directly. "Will you go back with us?"
Chinua wiped her mouth with the back of her right hand. "No," she said. "I want to go to Lao-Da Village first and then return to the east. Can you report this to father?"
"I will," Yanam confirmed.
Hye picked up a piece of beef, took a bite, and said while chewing, "Chinua," his voice slightly muffled, "I visited Chono Gate. I think we should consider putting arrow machines on the wall and training soldiers on how to use them."
Chinua paused her own eating. "Where do you plan to put them?" she asked, her tone practical.
Hye leaned forward, sketching on the table with a finger. "The purpose is stations," he explained. "Six of them, along the wall atop Chono Gate. Two arrow machines per station, at minimum, and all guards fully trained to operate them."
Hye finished explaining, gesturing towards the empty tabletop under his finger. Before Chinua could respond, Yanam interjected, looking down at Hye's imaginary sketch there. "Arrow machine?" he questioned.
Chinua said, "This arrow machine was invented by Hye. We tested it in battles against the Razaasia army; it proved very effective."
Hye added, "These were my blueprints, but Chinua refined them into effective killing machines."
Yanam's eyes lit up. "I have to see this!" he exclaimed.
Hye smiled. "You might see them next time you're traveling near here, or if you go east, you'll find them in Salran Hill."
Yanam's expression shifted. "Rumor has it Chinua captured Salran Hill," he said, thoughtful. "So, the rumors are true."
"I didn't capture Salran Hill," Chinua said. "I made a peace agreement with Chief Behrouz to avoid bloodshed. They share the same goals as us, so instead of killing each other over a small hill, why not combine our strength and strengthen our border?"
Yanam blinked. "But they're bandits, aren't they? I heard they're brutal. Anyone who enters their territory is killed mercilessly."
Chinua and her eight subordinates chuckled at Yanam's reaction.
"You heard right," Naksh confirmed. "Those rumors are very true."
Drystan added, "But the ruthlessness isn't against villagers. It's against anyone trying to invade Hmagol."
Hye said, "In other words, they are the reason why the Payapasian haven't reached Hmagol border yet."
Chinua said, "No captain wants to be stationed in the east. The main reason is that they don't want to conflict with Salran Hill and get involved in a meaningless civil war." She smiled faintly. "But Salran Hill is just doing a good thing for the army, protecting the villages on the eastern border." Chinua took a drink from the bowl in her hand, then turned to Yanam.
"Captain," she said, "you are very interested in Salran Hill. Do you want to take charge of the military camp in the east alongside Captain Haitao?"
Yanam chuckled and shook his head. "No... no...," he said quickly. "I think Chinua and Captain Haitao are doing a good job." He sighed faintly. "If you'd asked me twenty years ago, I'd have said yes. But now, with my old injuries and age, I think adding me to the eastern border would just cause chaos and conflict." He scratched his temple. "I prefer being His Majesty's envoy. And honestly, I don't like fighting if it's not necessary."
Hye looked at Chinua. "Chinua...," he began, raising his brows meaningfully.
Chinua met his gaze for a moment, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. Then, she turned to Yanam, interrupting Hye's unspoken message. "If you don't mind," she said to Yanama, "please send a private message to father. Tell him he needs to plant bamboo and trade for as much of it as possible from neighboring countries."
Yanam stared, confused. "Bamboo?" he muttered. "Why bamboo?"
Chinua said, "If he asks. Just tell father that when I come back from the south, I will visit him and explain in detail."
Yanam wanted to ask for more details, just in case the King asked him, but he knew his place. He simply nodded. "I will," he said. As he looked at Chinua and her men, something about the scene struck him as wrong. "Chinua, if I remember correctly," he asked, glancing at the seven people at the table, "you have eight subordinates, right?" He frowned, wondering if he'd miscounted, or mistaken a soldier for one of her core groups. "There's a young man among your men," Yanam added, his brow furrowed, "I always thought he was one of your close subordinates."
Chinua smiled casually, making sure her expression gave away no detail, and said, "You are not mistaken. He had the flu, and Hye recommended isolating him from other soldiers to avoid its spread."
Yanam was taken aback by the news. Deep fear settled in him, making him wonder if the sick soldier was ill with the outbreak from the north. He said sadly, "Oh, I see. I thought my old mind was playing tricks on me." He stood up. "I think I've interrupted your breakfast long enough," he said. "I should go back and see how the preparations are coming along." He bowed slightly to Chinua and walked out the door.
Drystan watched Yanam walk out the door. He waited until the envoy disappeared into the distance. Then, Drystan turned back from the front door. "I hope the little guy doesn't expose himself before reaching Zhugow City," he said.
"I personally trained him, and he will succeed," Naksh said confidently. "This mission is his chance to prove himself a valuable soldier; he won't ruin an opportunity like this."
"It's a life and death situation," Jeet said. "He won't fail."
"With his innocent attitude," Zhi added, "he won't bring suspicion to himself."
Looking at the others around the table, Drystan said indifferently, "I'll believe it when I see him at Lao-Da Pass."
Naksh scoffed softly. "Don't underestimate the patience and skills of my well-trained little man," he said. "He'll prove you wrong."
"But Prince Geming has seen him before," Jeet said worriedly. "Will this be an obstacle? What if he or his personal guard recognize him?"
Hye waved a hand dismissively. "That was many years ago," he said. "And he wasn't as eye-catching as you."
Chinua looked at the seven people around the tables. "I trust Khawn. I believe he will not fail me," she said with confidence.