The Mission

Yeongsin flew over the sky while Adara held her and cried her eyes out. This time Yeongsin didn't take her to any place but kept flying high above the clouds for some time and after some time Adara got hold of herself. She has become stronger in dealing with her emotional helplessness.

She then spoke slowly, "Yeong, drop me at Mongmit's place."

Yeongsin dropped her at Mongmit's garden where she silently waited by the lotus pond. After the event Mongmit, Dilara and Yanvi were very worried about Adara and but they don't know where Yeongsin took her so they waited patiently until she herself showed up. The trio left the arena and walking back to their respective homes, they were gloomy and worried when Yanvi spoke out in indignation,

"Sometimes I feel like strangling that guy. What was he thinking?"

Dilara, "Then why did you let him in? I think it's your fault. You shouldn't have let him enter because he wasn't supposed to."

Yanvi, "How am I to know he would pull such stunt?"

Dilara, "Ohh really? His mere presence is enough for Ada Di to get distraught, didn't you realize that yet or what?

Mongmit, "Ahhh stop both of you. There is no point of this bickering. What happened has happened."

Suddenly, Mongmit's father appeared. He was on his way to the Council building. Dilara and Yanvi folded their hands and greeted him.

Councilman Namsimik, "Thank god I bumped into you three. Adara is at our place. Go run along."

Mongmit asked, "What? When did she go there?"

Councilman Namsimik, "Your mother and I found her standing all wet and disturbed by our lotus pool while I was coming out. She took her in to get her clothes changed. You guys better go meet her. After what happened today she needs you guys."

All three of them bowed and bid their goodbye before running towards Mongmit's house. Lady Namsimik has already helped her change clothes and was feeding her warm soup quite forcefully like a mother. The three blasted in their house, which startled Lady Namsimik.

She irritated, said, "Ohhh my goodness! You girls cannot enter in civilized way? Scared me to death."

She then lovingly spoke to Adara, "Beta, please have some soup. You will fall ill like this."

Adara complied with her this time slowly sipping on the soup. Then Lady Namsimik got up and let the girls be themselves.

Mongmit, "Oiiii, don't worry everything will fall into place. I understand what happened today was outrageous but think about it. He will finally be out of your life."

Yanvi, "Yes Di. Everything happens for a reason. I am sure, good things will come for you. We are always with you. So don't worry, you have us."

With all the love and warmth of friendship Adara received, she slowly felt better and a smile appeared on her face. The three girls were overjoyed to see her finally getting better so Dilara suddenly stood up and said,

"Let's go to your tribe's inn for dinner Mongmit Di. What's say? It is not every day we four get to eat together."

They agreed instantly and after informing Mongmit's mother, they left. The four arrived at the inn and they sat at their usual space, which was at the corner of the terrace ordering dishes and wine. They chatted and laughed and Adara seemed to have recovered from her depressed mood so she said,

"Hey, I am sorry for being buzz-kill guys. Therefore, as a treat for passing my final test and being such great friends the wine is on me tonight. Drink to your heart's content."

They celebrated and after their meal, they decided to hit their usual hangout cliff side spot. So they ventured out. However, suddenly as they stepped out of the inn a young aura huffing and puffing ran towards her,

"Adara ji, we have a situation. You have been called at the Council's emergency meeting."

Adara asked, "Emergency meeting? Now, at this time?"

Aura, "Yes a village is under attack at the Tianxia side of the mountain."

Adara, "I will be there soon. Mong, I have left my sword and clothes at your place. Let's go quickly."

The girls quickly left. Adara swiftly changed into her dress, took Vayusaka, and ran out of Mongmit's house towards the Council building. She reached and ran up the stairs and found Jiva was coming out, seeing her he stopped and said,

"Ahhh Ada, thank god you came, I was going out looking for you. Come quickly we have a situation."

They both went into the hall where all the boys were including the Councilmen and the Shrughnan dispatch team.

Councilman Namsimik, "Ada beta! Have a seat we were waiting for you."

Adara, "What is it?"

Councilman Shera, "The Tianxian assassin attacked a village and brutally mascaraing people as we speak. This is the assassin we are to track as our joint mission. Looks like she made a move quicker than I expected. We need our team to be dispatched right now."

Adara, "I agree and I am ready but we need a quick plan of attack before we move. Also, I suggest that the combined team is too big and will be noticed easily. They might flee before we apprehend them. So I request trimming the numbers for the sake."

The Councilmen thought and agreed that Adara had a valid point. One of the Council members spoke, "What do you have in mind?"

Adara, kneeling down, "Please entrust me the leadership of our group and allow me to choose."

Councilman, "But we have senior auras who are more experienced than you. Why should we choose you as a leader?"

Before Councilman Namsimik could speak in her defense, Adara spoke out blatantly, "Because I have special powers Councilman. Not just that I have proved to be combat-ready, declared by my guru just a few hours earlier. And even if that doesn't satisfy you, then you know how many missions and hunts I have been to, not to mention my extra powers of air and mind."

Councilman Shera flashed a mild lopsided proud smile and so did Councilman Namsimik while the others could not refute her statement. Yi Yun was watching her all the time sitting across from Jin Ho and others. A proud smile flashed on his face as well but Adara missed noticing it as usual. Suddenly, Namgoong Jae stood up and bowed speaking,

"I completely agree with Adara-shi on this and it will be a pleasure if she leads us."

Showing their support, Tan Feng, Dong Yul, and Min Joon stood up beside him followed by Yi Yun and Jin Ho. Adara looked at Jin Ho and smiled which they were delighted to see.

Councilman Shera, "So, how do you want to choose the team?"

Adara, "Since we already have six members from the neighboring kingdoms we can add three more people including me. We don't need many numbers here."

Councilman Shera, "Very well, I suggest you choose based on seniority and experience."

Adara then wrote down two names and gave them to the Council. She chose Jiva and Daksh, the latter being the most senior and experienced and the former being Adara's batch mate; they were the most eligible in terms of the group. Yi Yun was annoyed at the decision but since the task demanded highly skilled auras there is no way to protest against the decision. So when the group is formed they were dismissed by the Council and they held a meeting within themselves on the Academy grounds where they will get ready with weapons and leave in an hour.

Since Adara was the leader, she started discussing a plan of attack. First, she asked Jiva to get full information on the group and the nature of the attack.

Adara, "Jiva, please brief us about the group and the assassin."

Jiva, "According to our secret intel, the assassin is highly trained and ruthless. The team she leads is also infamous for their fighting and stealth. Most importantly they have the modus operandi of killing off people irrespective of the fact that they are able to provide them with any information or not, possibly to cover their tracks. This time they were after the chosen one as per the reports."

Dong Yul, "Which chosen one? Tianxian 'chosen one or all the three?"

The question made everyone go silent and think for a moment except Adara, Jin Ho and Yi Yun. They were more concerned than confused. However, Daksh spoke breaking the silence.

"So where is this village? Is it the one where we once took refuge while dealing with the demon migoi a year and a half ago Jiva?"

Jiva, "Ahhh yes yes. That is it."

Yi Yun, "Wait, is it the Nangbuk village famous for growing magic herbs for concoctology?"

Jiva said, "You are right Yi bhai, it is. How do you know about the village?"

Yi Yun, "My father often visits the village. He is a medicus so."

Adara, "Your father is a medicus. Wow! He must be very noble."

Yi Yun, with a faint smile, "He is."

Both of them seem to have a moment that caught the attention of everyone present.

Jin Ho let out a fake cough and continued, "So, how do we devise the plan to work? Because as per information these are superior assassins and we just know this as facts."

Adara, "Let's do this. We split up into four groups. Each group will have auras with different powers so it will be uniform while we strike."

Irrespective of the fact that such an incident happened back in the arena it's uncomfortable for Adara to work with Daksh yet the situation demanded cooperation so she swallowed all her emotions and asked him, "Daksh, you have visited the village. Tell me the details of the location and directions of it as you remember it."

Daksh, "The village is situated high up in the mountain, a little towards the northwest of our Sect. It is quite cold and rocky. Basically, it is built between three rocky slopes of the mountain. There is one stone entrance built for normal traffic. We had to climb down from the northern cliff which is not known by the villagers. This was because while we were fleeing from the monster while it chased us, to save our lives we had to take a detour that led us to the cliff. It was risky to travel all the way around to enter the village through the main entrance, so we practically climbed down the slope. As it was night time no one noticed us."

Adara, "Ok so there are three large slopes surrounding the village with one entrance right. Then this is what we should do. One group will enter in a civilized way through the gates on the pretext of visiting the village for herbs, while the other two groups will climb down the slopes from the north side since you said that no one noticed you guys."

Daksh, "Yes, the north cliff is a bit out of sight from the visibility so it should work just fine."

While the two people were discussing the plan they unknowingly stood very close side by side and indulged in deep discussion while the rest of the group looked at them with utter awkwardness and Yi Yun was particularly uncomfortable and annoyed. The air of un-comfortableness was broken as Adara spoke again, this time to Yi Yun and the vibe suddenly changed into a different color with how she addressed him. And it shocked him, Tan Feng especially, along with the others.

Adara, "Yun'er, can you tell me what herbs your father used to buy from there?"

Now addressing someone like that only happens when you become very well acquainted and close with that person. So Yi Yun got his heart jumped as Adara called him that way. He momentarily lost control of his sense staring blankly at her. Getting no response from him Adara looked up to see him kind of petrified looking at her. She got confused asking him,

"Hey, you ok?"

Tan Feng who was also astonished to the point of breaking somehow got hold of himself and gave a slight hit at Yi Yun's arms with his, reeling him back to his senses.

Yi Yun, "Uhhhhh uhhhh no no I am fine. Ba used to go there for the rare herbs which are otherwise hard to obtain. I don't remember the names exactly but I am sure they are rare and valuable."

Adara, "Alright, in that case, two of us will approach the village as a medicus and a distiller who are there to obtain herbs and Yun'er since you have…."

Adara stopped the middle way, "Wait, our Mongmit is an ace in this. Jiva, quick fetch Mongmit for me we don't have much time."

Jiva, who was enthusiastic as ever got up swiftly and said, "At once."

A little while later Mongmit arrived followed by Dilara and Yanvi too. Adara then explained to Mongmit about the village and as expected she knew about it. So with her help, they listed a few rare magic herbs and plants that have the highest possibility to be grown there. She also gave detailed instructions as to how they should pose without drawing attention as a medicus and asking for the list. After that, the three were sent away since the mission's details cannot be revealed to the public.

After they left Adara chose Yi Yun and Jiva to be the ones posing as a medicus and a distiller to infiltrate the village that the assassins held hostage. Daksh, Namgoong Jae, and Tan Feng will climb down the northern cliff slope whereas; Dong Yul, Min Joon, and Jin Ho will scale down the southern cliff slope. After that, they will kill the group leaving the leader the last to be captured alive. The three Councils of the kingdoms have unanimously agreed in capturing the woman assassin alive for further questioning. However, before Adara could finish her plan Min Joon spoke out,

"Aghashii, you didn't tell us what you will do. Will you enter with Yi Yun and Jiva-shii?"

Adara smirked and said, "No, I am going to enter from the sky."

All got confused as to how. So Adara further elaborated,

"I was just about to explain that. I will fly with Yeongsin and keep track on you guys from above. Now, the north and south groups, whoever finishes their part of killing the assassins first will give me a signal and Yeongsin will quietly drop me off there. The assault will definitely draw her attention and there is where I enter. Until then keep me as a surprise element."

Jin Ho, "So are you suggesting that you will face the woman alone?"

Adara, "I will because somehow I am having this feeling that I should and can face her."

Daksh, "Fine, that is agreed then."

Yi Yun who was not comfortable with the idea of Adara facing this unknown assassin alone snapped back at Daksh,

"What agreed? Are you guys seriously suggesting that we let jiejie face her alone? I mean we exactly don't know what she is capable of."

Adara, "Yun'er, she doesn't know me either. So we have to take this chance or do you think that I am not capable enough to face her?"

Yi Yun flustered with the answer, "No, jiejie why I would think less of you? I was just concerned for you."

Adara somehow felt slightly impressed by his words but quickly controlled herself back into her serious mode. Now with their plan ready they all dispersed to get ready and by the break of dawn near the gate seen off by the Council. The eight men rode their horses and as they were about to a loud screech was heard and everyone looked up to see Adara flying along Yeogsin. She has already met Councilman Shera back in her home before leaving but still waved her hands one last time before departing to her father who proudly waved back. As Yeongsin flew past the gate the eight men too ran their horse beginning their journey. The sun was rising with a crimson hue in the sky as the group left for their mission.