Wrong Patroller

-I won't be able to join you in the upcoming battle as per decree from the Generals... Yet, that doesn't mean I can't do anything at all- I say, looking at the men around me

-ChangLai, even acting outside of the battlefield is considered against the decree... You're going too far- says Shun, earnings a few stares from all around the table.

I decide to ignore him -I will try to pass on my powers to Xu Lei. Simply put, I'm going to investigate the nearby enemy's camp so I can make a strategy for you all to act... The camp shouldn't be a big one seeing the recent events so even without me you won't have any problems, yet we can't leave it alone or they will double their power in no time-

The other men all agree to my words, so all that is left to do now is an investigation -Qin Luo and He Rang will come with me tonight, everyone else should prepare for the next battle- I decide to take them since they won't be joining the other men for this attack at the enemy's base but will fight on the battlefield with the army, which means that even if they get injured or tired themselves I won't alter the outcome of the side plan... Fighting on the battlefield may be risky, but it's still less difficult than what the other men will have to do.

...

I signal the two men to drop off the horse and follow me... We all climb on top of a tree and hide between the leaves -The camp looks rather small and empty- whispers He Rang -Mhnn, it does. But that might be far from the truth seeing the past experiences...- replies Qin Luo -What do you think Lai'Er?-

I press my lips, still watching around.

The camp seems honestly easy to clear, yet I can't shake off the uneasy feeling I have... There are not many guards around and most of the men are injured, all the soldiers in good shape are grouped at the end of the camp while the others act as a meat shield. Can't blame them if the royals are the ones giving such an example.

I open my mouth to speak yet close it again, frowning -What's wrong?- -I just noticed something... There are no sand men. Did we really kill all of them after the attack? Which means they're currently waiting for new ones to join them...- I pause for a moment, not finding an answer to my question between my thoughts -But that's impossible. I need to go and investigate inside the camp-

I move forward but Qin Luo grabs me -Ehy no, it's an order- confusion appears on my face -You are prohibited from taking action, coming here is already a risk... Don't make things difficult Lai'Er- I know he doesn't eat to actually restrain me but he must, if something were to happen while others are with me... Damn.

I'll have to bring them back to the camp and come back here alone.

-Nevermind, let's go back- they both look at eachother with a frown before talking to me -Just like that?- I nod but Qin Luo seems to not be pleased -We need more time to determine a possible threat inside their camp, I'll stay here with Lai'Er to observe. He Rang go to the other side of the camp... We'll meet back here in 2 hours- and so the other man leaves.

...

After some minutes where nothing happens we start to chat out of boredom -Why not me? I would have been a better option since I'm quite and much faster than He Rang- -Indeed, but he knows not to throw himself into a fight, unlike you... Be honest Lai'Er, you wanted to go back without patrolling because you were planning to come back and infiltrate into the camp alone- I remain silent

-You're not doing very well lately, Lai'Er... I hate to be the one to say it but, pull yourself together and try not to make a mess. A single mistake can ruin you now-

I look away and nod -I'm sorry... I'm working for a solution- -A solution?- he rises an eyebrow -What are you up to?- I'm not sure if I should tell him about the matter regarding the assassin and prince XianLen, especially because I don't even know if it will be an actual solution at the end of it all...

-I'm just building connections, in a way... I'm playing a risky gamble due to the parties involved and the result is calculated purely on my instinct but... That's all we have for now- he opens his mouth to say something but gets distracted the movements inside the camp.

Some men are grouped right beside where He Rang is hiding, some guards talking with eachother during patrol -They'll see him- he murmurs, stiffening with anxiety -That's why it should have been me- I growl with my eyes fixated on that spot

One men seems to have heard something and turns around to look outside the camp but the other stops him, I can see He Rang releasing his breath as the men turns around. Yet his relief is what lead him to a mistake, making his weight shift on the tree ad breaking a small branch which alarms the guards.

-Dammit- murmurs Qin Luo -Lai'Er, try to intervene but don't go overboard-

-Sure- I take out my bow at the same time the guards take out their swords. I shoot the first one perforating his throat before he could get too close to He Rang, upon noticing the arrows coming from behind the men seem confused. They turn around but can't understand where the enemy actually is so they begin hitting random places in hope to catch someone.

One after another the men all fall down dead and we all sigh to let go of the tension. He Rang climbs off the tree and slowly makes his way back.

...

-I'm sorry, I almost got us spotted...- he apologies -It's fine, have you noticed anything amiss by the way?- asks Qin Luo but the other man shakes his head, looking at the sky turning lighter -No, there doesn't seem to be any hidden passage or so either- -Mhn, nice. Let's go back then before someone notice the corpses- he starts moving and the other man behind him.

I follow as the last one and bows my head down, disappointed for how I allows this to turn out... Looking down I notice red dots, I kneel down and reach and hand to feel the warm and thick liquid -Blood...- I look at the trail of blood and see it coming down from He Rang's leg -Stop, you're injured- I order standing back up.

The two men stops and look at me -Whats are you talking about?- asks the general -He's injured- I declare -Is this true? Why haven't you said anything?- he asks to him but He Rang looks down at his leg with a calm expression -Oh that? Nah it's nothing, just a scratch- -Let me see, I can help you- I crouch in front of him but he stops me -Don't worry Lai'Er, it's really nothing to worry about... I don't even feel pain, let's go before we get spotted- he replies and starts walking again with a smile.