Warm… Cozy… The sleeping bag wasn't so bad. Well at least it was until everyone was awoken by Commander Gu, those too slow being kicked awake as we quickly geared up.
The sun has barely started to rise, the very top of it visible through the horizon, its pink, orange hue colouring the sky as it slowly overtakes the darkness.
Today is the day we infiltrate the Orthodox base, seven acting as a diversion, four to infiltrate and four to secure an escape. Combat is unavoidable so we'll delay it for as long as possible.
"There's at least one first rate warrior per squad, meaning focus on playing defensively."
"Yes sir. You stay safe as well, commander."
"Worry about yourself."
<
Leaping down from our camp's cliffs, we divide and split into our separate squads. Me and the six other men divide into two squads, one that attracts their attention as a diversion, and the other acting as a bait infiltration squad.
Hiding behind the tree lines, we start the plan.
We target the first patrol squad, the 7 of us taking them all down before they get the chance to react, that way we won't have to fight the first rate warrior in this squad. One less problem for us.
—Luo chao, make sure you survive, alright?
—You too Hu Qing.
We quickly said our goodbyes and split. Luo chao mans the bait squad as I handle the diversion.
Rushing towards the east wall, we toss torches at one of the buildings and watch tower, setting the place ablaze as the residents and soldiers hazily start to wake. As guards rush over to put out the fire, two guard squads manage to catch on, finding us, starting a chase.
Two first rate warriors, eight second rate warriors. We're only second rate warriors ourselves so we'll avoid direct combat.
A sharp pain strikes my shoulder as a flying blade clashes with my guard. The glares of death weigh heavy upon our shoulders as we do our best to stay alive.
Minutes. Perhaps seconds have only passed. I'm out of air, blood is clouding my vision and my fingers feel weak.
I can still hear the sound of metal battling each other, meaning my other squad mates should be alive.
—Heh… Who am I kidding? They've got us out manned two to one. Luo Chao, are you still there?
Instead of hearing his voice, We Hei is the one that picks up the comms instead.
—Hu Qing… Luo Chao is out cold… He's still breathing but we're in quite the pinch.
Shit… What the hell was I thinking? Volunteering to be a distraction in a suicide mission? What the hell did I see in Commander Gu to act like this… Was it heroism? Perhaps hope? Or did I just want to be something like him?
He's young. Nearly half of my age yet he's already a first rate warrior, a commander over a division. And I only just became a second rate warrior, an orphan brought into the Demonic Cult.
It's cold… The blood seeping from the wounds and gashes I've gained. Yet when I opened my eyes again, I found a dirty crimson spike of ice surrounding our squad, impaling the Orthodox guards we were fighting.
Looking over at Su Cai, Mo De, and Shen Yan, I found them still alive, although heavily wounded just like I.
—Extraction complete. I have the 3rd Division Commander with me, and start withdrawing.
Letting out a deep sigh of relief, I couldn't help but lay there in the cold for a moment, the bait squad reuniting with us as we helped each other up to escape as the Orthodox gives up their chase.
—Thank you Commander…
<
—————
———
Before I could return the 3rd division commander back to our base safely, he decided to spill some information.
"The Orthodox have raised a Monkey to rival our dragon…"
"A monkey? During the war too?"
The division commander nods before passing out, letting me carry his limp body into med-bay.
But for the Orthodox to have birthed a monkey means to see the tides in war change. 12 people, 12 zodiacs. Each zodiac having their own prophecies to fulfill to match their legends.
The monkey is one of the twelve. Smart and capable like a human, strong and willful like our will, selfish yet caring just like us. The monkey represents none other than Sun Wu Kong, a mischievous yet lawful being.
If that's true, then we need our dragon to join battle where the monkey is.
The monkey, the dragon, ox, tiger, snake, dog, cat, rat, boar, goat, rooster and horse. Each one of these animals will choose a human to represent them based on alignment.
The monkey has always chosen someone Orthodox while the Ox always chose someone Unorthodox. The dragon chooses based on overall character and strength, leading to it switching around from Demonic to Orthodox. The same is said for the snake and tiger, choosing based on their values.
The lesser animals such as the dog, cat, and rooster were most likely to be represented by someone of a lesser status, like town heroes or wandering warriors.
So far, we've only confirmed the identities of the Dragon, Ox, Tiger, and Cat. But now the monkey is rumored to have been chosen… We'll need to change plans.
Knocking on my mother's door, I wait for a response to be allowed in, opening the door to see her with Cheon Ma as usual. Having two mothers is quite odd in this day and age as such a thing is seen as a sin, but I could care less if Cheon Ma were a woman that was together with the Ice Witch.
"Mother, and… Mother? I have news to report from the battlefield."
Cheon Ma let out a hearty laugh, overjoyed from my return from battle. "I see you've survived yet another harsh battle I've assigned. Our little one grows up quite well, don't you think Yao Ji?"
"Of course, I am the one that raised and taught him… As for the news, let us hear it."
"The 3rd Division commander has informed me that the Orthodox have birthed a monkey. We need to regroup our troup and distribute power to match it."
Mother looks over at Cheon Ma, waiting for a response before letting out a long sigh after seeing her expression.
"Then, Gu Xing. Do you expect me, Cheon Ma, your mother, the Demonic Cult's dragon to catch a monkey?"
I nod, "Yes, I do. Less lives would be wasted and you would get the thrill of fighting another zodiac."
"Then why don't you give it a shot?"
"Huh?" I blinked once, staring at Cheon Ma with a clear look of confusion and startlement.
"You heard me, boy. Hunt the monkey for me boy. Only five animals have chosen their vessel, there are seven animals left, perhaps you could be one of them." Cheon Ma tosses me a small bag filled with gold tokens. "Besides, do you expect hunting down a monkey will be hard for a dragon?"
"No… Sorry. I suppose I'll do it then. But I expect a better reward when I get back."
"Of course. And make sure you rest well enough to recover from those wounds."
"Of course… Mother. Goodnight."