Chapter 2

The inn became eerily silent as everyone who stayed there gathered to see the drama unfold. The hallway filled in, leaving every room empty.

The two sisters looked at the man in front of them. Cheng Min fidgeted as she felt something cold on her neck. She looked at the shiny object slightly bending sideways to see that she was the target. The sword was nearly cutting through her soft white skin. She became confused as to why this man had picked her, instead of the villainess beside her. "How unlucky is she going to be?"

She angrily looked at Xue Han who stared back at her with that look he often used to order his man around. That look that sent chills to everyone when they looked him in the eye. That look that willed the victim to render to his command. He wanted to scare the little girls away so that he could get back to sleep. It had been a while since he had a peaceful sleep. He had spent sleepless nights thinking through his plans to defeat the enemy. Now these girls. Surely the heavens did not want to grant him some sleep.

But Cheng Min felt more furious when he called her 'little girl'.

She was not a little girl anymore. Could he not see that she was a woman now. Even though they never met, how could this man be so bad at judging her age. She had gotten taller than the last time she left home. She had gotten wiser and brave these past months. How could he call her that? She glowered back at him.

She was not afraid of his gaze. She looked at him with the same threatening look that told hidden yet scary stories. The general was surprised to see this little girl staring back at him. She was first. The first to act like she was not afraid of him. But he did not show any trace of surprise. He put on a blank face as he stared at her emerald eyes that were roaming all over his body.

Cheng Min observed every detail of this man. He was tall with good looks. She could see that he was a master of martial arts. His postures. The way his bright sapphire eyes would linger at his sides. As if he could see his back view. And she also continued to stare at his masculine body which he hid under the dull black cloth. She was momentarily entranced by his long black hair which he tied at the back, some strands carelessly hanging on his sides. She looked back at his face. His face was more beautiful than most of the girls in the city. She wondered where this man had come from. But that scowl he had, made Cheng Min's opinion slightly waver. She decided to return the favour.

"Remove your sword off my neck little boy," she retorted back.

Feeling herself loosening up when his scowl deepened. She had managed to click his buttons. Everyone at that moment felt a deadly aura from the man who was standing in front of little beauty Cheng. They could feel themselves trembling from his voice's tone.

"What did you just say?" The general fury draped in his voice. He looked at this girl with so much anger, that if he was not known by many people here he would have cut her neck. To set an example for everyone. He only needed to keep the old man's image. He had to persevere with it. Only this time. He comforted himself clutching tight the hilt of his sword that had devoured millions of lives. Whether at war or those that had wronged him. On the other hand, Cheng Min ignored him as she ordered her servant to pack her belongings from their room. She barely noticed the sword shaking as it bruised her neck.

"My lord, please forgive my impudent sister, she's foolish, we will immediately leave right away." Exclaimed the other sister as she dragged Cheng Min to save her life. She had been watching everything from the sides. She knew if the little wench continued not only would she lose her life but she would drag her down as well. She really didn't want to die young.

Xue Han remained behind feeling angry and sleepy. He watched as the two retreated leaving him alone. And finally, he had managed to scare the flies away. But before he could return to his room to resume his sleep, he saw his men coming towards him.

"General, the camp needs you now." One of the men said. The general was confused as to why they needed him this early in the morning.

"Wang Fu, take my armour from my room. I am starting to hate this place."

He joined his men as they made their way to their camp. The camp was not very far away. It was about one li away from the city. He endured the burning sun to his body. When he was nearing the camp, he felt a strange fit of energy. Maybe he was called to sought this kind of mess.

His men gathered as they stood in sequence bowing welcoming their general. Their master, the one who they were proud to die for.

They respect him so much. Little did they know a little girl had dared to stand up to their general. If they come to know their general was called 'little boy'. Would they still have the same respect as now?

Xue Han unmounted his black horse and acknowledged their loyalty towards him. But he was not too naive to not see through their farce, some were waiting for his downfall so to take his position. Some wanted revenge for those who had died by his hand. Some were spies sent by the officials in the palace. To drag him into their bloody fights.

After dismissing his men, he was shown the perpetrator who had sold them out the past two months. He was under one of his commanders named Wu and this spy had managed to sell them out to the enemy. Which resulted in severe casualties.

Looking at the man now brought up all the anger that had disappeared a shichen ago back to the present. Right now he did not need to hold back. He could not be held accountable for taking a rat's life. He's doing it for the good of the city, and the emperor. But mostly for himself. To forget what had happened with that girl. He hoped he would meet the girl to take her life. She didn't value it well.

He set free his sword and swung it upon the spy's head. It only required some of his skills to get the job done. To leave two parts of the body in disarray as the red liquid flowed indicating that the soul holding the body together had long set to the heavens hopefully seeking for a second chance at life.