Chapter 4

“Your Highness, your breakfast is ready.” Ming Xuan said as he faced the the prince who was already kneeling at the table waiting for his breakfast. Two servants were behind him with the trays which held the prince’s breakfast.

“Thank you.” He replied towards Ming Xuan and the servants courteously. As soon as the servants have served him the meal, he began eating.

“Your Highness, I will be leaving to complete the chores now. Please remember to remain in the Frost Palace for the next 7 days of your confinement.

“Of course. Don’t worry Ming Xuan I ‘ll behave.” Jin Huan replied with a wry smile on his face.

As he was not expecting any guests or even allowed outside he had dressed very casually. He had donned on a baby blue thin robe over his white underclothes and his hair was left loose without a single hair ornament though it was brushed back accentuating his wavy hair.

After breakfast he began browsing through his collection of novels to pass the time. As he walked between the shelves which contained his private collection, he noted to himself. “Hmmm I think It’s about time I visit the bookstores in town. It’s time to get new books to read.” He thought as he passed over most of the books which he had read and reread over and over gai in the past.

“Ah It’s been a while since I read this one.” He said to himself as he picked up a novel from the end of the shelf, the title ‘The Arrogant King’s Love’ was printed in bold upon the plain red cover of the novel.

The novel is about an arrogant king who fell in love with a reputable scholar and military advisor, Lord Han Xin. The met during the siege upon the King’s Palace where Lord Han Xian had unknowing rescued the king who was disguised as a palace servant in an attempt to escape. The story revolves around the king on his character development into becoming a better king for his people all the while trying to gain the affections of The revered Lord Han Xian through secret admirer letters.

It is a very romantic and erotic tale which Is Jin Huan’s favored genres of literature.

Jin Huan reclined on his bed and began reading.

**********************************************************************************************************************************

The Northern Borders (post of the Northern Guards)

It was still early in the morning thus, members of the Northern Guards were still quite idle as they began their day. Some were getting the morning chores done, some were retiring to their quarters after night duty, changing shifts with those who were on day duty and some high ranking members were either moving along to supervise their people or heading to the office to catch up on paperwork.

However, the peaceful and quite atmosphere was shattered by the clanging of bells from the watchtower.

It was the emergency alarm bell. That bell is used to alert the entire army of Northern Guards of any suspicious or oncoming danger detected by the guards posted at the watchtower.

Clang clang clang clang clang

The sharp clanging of the bell pierced through the clear early morning air grew more urgent as seconds ticked by causing tension to thicken. Already most of the army of the Northern Guards were already clamouring out of their quarters, brandishing their weapons in case if it’s an enemy, some were even at the entrance of the gates.

Those who have just retired to bed have also rushed out, all signs of tiredness and fatigue was extinguished and replaced with worry and fierce fighting spirit, preparing themselves in case of a hostile situation.

The head of the Northern Guards, Commander Li Hongshin stepped out of his office, already in his own armour with his sword in his scabbard.

He quickly made his way to the front. His men made way for him as he approached at the sight of their highest-ranking superior.

The patrol guards who had been dispatched for their regular patrol has returned. They were all injured. Some more critical than others. One of them was even being supported by his comrade on the other’s horse. It was clear that they have been engaged in a fight not too long ago.

This seem to raise the tension within the gathered army. All of the Northern Guards have been well trained and highly skilled combatants. It is no simple feat to join the army regardless of their post or division they were assigned to. And this particular group is lead by one highly skilled martial artist who was born into a sect before he enlisted as a soldier and another is an excellent swordsman and daughter of a general. Even these two individuals have not escaped any injury though theirs were considerably lighter compared to the others.

This situation is even more worrisome for regular troubles which has occurred in the past such as bandits or smugglers could not even hope to land a hit on these prodigious soldiers much less injure them! This showed that their opponents are highly skilled and strong.

“What happened? Who did this? Report! “Li Hongshin demanded as the men dismounted. A few others stepped up to help their injured brethren.

Things were rarely chaotic at the Northern Borders. Things weren’t always peaceful but usually any troubles are easily resolved especially under the command of their commander and other skilled warriors. Therefore, this incident which took out not one but two or their best people including the rest of the patrol team is quite shocking.

“Sir we were attacked by 8 unknown individuals In dark cloaks on horseback. We were unable to determine their identities but one of them appears to be a master swordsman and the others used a variation of martial arts.” The leader of their group replied holding on to his side as blood seeped through the plates of his armour.

“Quickly get the doctor! You guys get inside and get your wounds treated immediately. Chen Hong, quick send word to the palace! Now!”

As soon as his captain left to alert the palace of the incident the commander then turned to his men.

“I will soon be leaving for the palace to report to His Majesty the Emperor. For now the Northern Borders will be on lockdown. Nobody is to get in or out! I will be leaving for the Palace to report to His Majesty the Emperor soon. The patrol teams are to be doubled in size and post more men on to the watchtower.”

He then turned to his second in command, General An Xian. “General you will be in charge of everything upon my absence. Send out alerts to the army base at Snake’s Cove for reinforcements. Address your letter to Commander Hong Chian, the head of the Snake’s Cove army base under my name. he is an old friend and a dependable ally.

“Yes Commander!” The general replied.

As soon as he finished giving out his orders, the commander quickly retreated to his quarterst o prepare for his long journey ahead. With the situation as it is right now there is not much time to be spared. This incident was the first of it's kind, however there were other odd occurrences happening on other frontiers such as mysterious sightings, missing inventory and others, this kind of incident shows that the enemy is escalating to much larger and dangerous scale especially if they have even dared to attack a members of their troops. The training his men had been put through and skills of his men and women of his army are nothing to scoff at. Therefore the fact the enemy succeeded in injuring them shows either they have large army, resources or extremely skilled all of which are causes for concern especially if it involves the security of their borders.