The North

[Weicheng's POV]

I saw the moon, illuminated the room when the candles are almost exhausted. My eyes drift towards the beds where my roommates sleep. It's already midnight and I'm still awake, I took my shoes under the old single bed on my way out of the bedroom. The corridor is a polished wooden floor and my steps are squeaking, I watched the other rooms, they are all completely asleep. I tiptoed down the stairs until I reached the last stop, the inn is filled with torches that give light to the inside, it feels woody and floral everywhere.

As soon as I went to the back of the inn, I saw a field of vegetables and a few scattered trees. The wind howls as it sends chills into my spine, realizing that I had forgotten to take my cape with me. I squeezed into my arms the moment I reached a tall oak tree and sat down. From here, I can see the field as well as the inn, the wagons, and the stables at the rear.

"How do you like your solitude?"

The unknown voice burst as I turned my head to the field. I saw a figure walking towards where I am as I silently snatched my dagger, ready for any attack. The moonlight has revealed the person, her hair is above her height, her long fingers, her eyes tell you something is wrong. Her red wine dress swayed as the wind blew again, her hair is synchronized with the winds, while her face was revealed by the little light of the moon.

I moved my head as I watched the moon "Walking away from everything seems luxurious, nowadays" I said in a slow voice.

"Make the most of peace as long as it lasts, it will never be too long.".

Her cryptic message tells everything. I nodded and stared at the moon. I sighed and apologized again "My mannerisms earlier, I apologize for my words I said."

She kind of smiled at me while she was sitting under the other tree. I have lived for a long time, I have seen things, I have heard the words and I have felt people. My shabby place has become the median of peace to chaos, I am in the middle of ups and downs, before you can reach the top of the mountain, I am the path. And I guess I can say that my shabby place became home away from home." I nodded.

"But, " I looked at her as she utters the word, our eyes met with an instance

"I am beyond a shabby place owner" I stared at her "I can also read between the lines. I know that my purpose is predestined to meet people in the middle before the chaos."

"I don't believe in those," I said not really buying her thoughts "There is no predestined, it's always a choice"

Her eyebrow moved as she smiled again "do you want to bet?"

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head "That's impossible"

"I was a nonbeliever of fate and destiny too. Things that are meant to meet or happen? Such lies. But, if you reach my age and see the things as it is. There will come the enlightenment. And that situation leads us to do what we ought to do in this lifetime and no matter how hard we hide... The time is only the truth-teller."

I just smiled as I lowered my head reaching for grass to pull.

"Well--" she breathed as if filling her lungs with oxygen as she continued. "Once you reached the Northern Kingdom, a rumor will break out that will start certain changes in the whole empire. And you will know why I am talking to you right now."

"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes

"The phases of the moon do not stay too long." she said "If you happen to have things to ask me about, you can come back here again." she stood up ready to leave when she stopped again

"I won't have the time to send you all off tomorrow, have a safe and long journey, the daybreak is nearing now."

When I looked at her, she already left. I just shrugged as I realized the night is still young, and the sun is not ready to rise yet. Daybreak?

While walking in the corridor, I remember a thing and took it from my vest, I looked at the sling pouch. I don't even think I could help the Empress, the wind blew on the other side now. I need to think of ways to gain her trust.

I hate to help her and her family, but this small setback will gain her trust which will be beneficial for me. Gaining her favor is like gaining the whole empire's power. I dare not have any other creditor other than the Majesty.

I silently opened the door as I made my way to my bed and immediately slept.

===

The journey to Northern Mountains was exhausting, we have to ride day and night, the deserted peak became our stopover. When the last stop came, it was better than the shabby place at the foot of the first mountain. The inn is much lively and people are gathered here, maybe because it is already near the citadel of North.

====

[Third Person]

As the Hill Academy students are nearing the Entrance gate of the North, the Kingdom has already made all the preparations to welcome them. The King set out all the city guards to safeguard them and the Queen ordered the councilors to enter the palace.

Princess Chin Xiao rushed her way to the King's Court to welcome them. Her cousin and second cousin were there so her excitement could not be contained. She grew up with the two of them, they trained under one instructor and teachers.

"Her Highness, Please slow down!" Her official nanny said in a rush while catching her breath, Princess Xiao has been the elegant type, so it's rare for her to be rushing things.

Her maids followed through.

When her name was announced at the court, she tidied her dress as she was welcomed at the banquet hall. The State councilors are already inside as they bowed to her walking in the aisle. The King and Queen smiled at their daughter.

People whispered as they admired the beauty of the Princess, she really is a copy of her Queen mother. Her long and well-maintained hair is always accompanied by golden ornaments, her eyes are dagger-like. Lethal. And her smiles are half-hearted. You will never know what she thinks, or if she is planning to take down your whole family or give you a whole plantation in the farthest land of the North.

She took her seat just below her father, besides the Queen, and sat straight waiting for the arrival.

The messenger disrupts as he announced the arrival of the carriages inside the Citadel.

The carriages entered the palace as the students were quite dissatisfied with the sudden change of the weather and how the streets are empty. The few people in the capital were beside the road as they were asking for some water.

The carriages stopped as the students gave away their extra goods left while traveling. Some of their dried goods and meat were all given as well as their extra items of clothing.

"The situation here is very alarming" Bai Ku Ji stated

"We must take into account to provide feeding next time," General Niu said already emptying all the carriage as the people lined up to receive. The other students helped him distribute the remaining goods. He apologized for the ones have not received any and they promised to return and give again.

When they reached the Kingdom Gate, the drums were rolled as the big gates opened their whole, the carriages entered the gates as they were provided with several marshalls. The students went down the carriages as they stretched out.

"I want to sleep in a comfortable bed now" Qui Run shouted as he stretched his hands upward.

"You should have waited at the Hill Academy then" His father answered as the boy just grimaced. They followed General Niu as they all were welcomed inside the banquet. They were announced and the doors opened.

"The Hill Academy students and Their Master of Martial arts and war, General Niu"

The King stood up as they welcome the students. The students then bowed to their majesty as they were welcomed with a warm banquet and wines.

The Princess stood up as her eyes narrowed, looking for Tae Hua. Realizing it has been years since Tae Hua visited their kingdom, her eyes glimmer as she met his gaze. But, her smile did not last long when he averted her gaze.

The students were seated at each banquet table as General Niu stayed at the platform handing out the Imperial Command. The king received the scroll as he rolled it off to read.

"Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll understand. These students are the future leaders of the Empire. By teaching them good education is already an accomplishment and an investment; but, involvement in the matters which affect the state will be a flourished and undeniable feat.

These students are taught military strategies, the art of war, political discourse, and history as well as subject matters which involved a state. By involving them outside their comfort zone, we are making them a strong foundation for the future.

I would like to give my command to these students to apply their knowledge and wisdom as well as their rigor in the state matters as a whole to help the conflict and manage the Northern Kingdom soon.

The internal conflict is big enough to be let go on now, we must strive hard for a better Empire, to enjoy freedom and harmonize peace within.

I am hoping for good news soon!"

The King closed the scroll as he freezes for a moment, his mind went blank as he continued again. "I dare by command, by the Imperial Edict, that the rebellion is addressed by these students and the Military fleet. For further obligations, I am willing to address concerns and accept the funds needed to support the cause and to help the military power."

Laohu whispered beside Weicheng and Eun Jo "The King has always been a pawn. If not for the Queen's ruthless way of handling affairs, this kingdom would have been better"

Laohu coughed when Weicheng secretly nudges him. Their eyes went to the Queen as her seat felt uncomfortable.

The Queen narrowed her eyes as to what the scroll said. She never thought that this matter will reach the empire until she saw the third prince. She realized that the Empress might have done this to plot the favor of the Third Prince. She smiled as she thinks of ways to communicate with the leader of the opposing tribe.

General Niu's eyes drifted to the Queen as he already knows what is behind the scene. Thankfully, he was asked by the majesty to make it as a whole and not by group, or else, the Queen will do all the things to fail the other groups and ascend the Third Prince.

After the feast, they were all sent to the Shun Palace to stay. The students walked into the alley as they were talking about the Princess. The cousins Yun and Wang were asked to stay in the hall.

[Weicheng's POV]

"Queen Ni Xua is really something" I heard Pei Hang said in annoyance. We are already walking towards Shun Palace, the rain started pouring hard when we arrived in the room.

"So, the engagement was really called off between the Second Prince and Princess Chin Xiao?" Laohu asked as Eun Jo nodded.

"Why?" I asked.

"When we were young, Prince Nu Lee and Prince Tae Hua were each other's confidant. Prince Nu Lee often receives punishment for her younger brother, Tae Hua. Tae Hua and Princess Chin Xiao, as cousins were taught together as well as their second cousin, Ji Wok. Prince Nu Lee is very endearing and intelligent, he can lead a strategic plan to conquer nearby states and his skills are all but, genius. Making him the most favored son and awaited Crown Prince of the empire. During those times, Prince Nu Lee was already betrothed to Princess Feng Chin Xiao due to a family alliance.

But, one day, Tae Hua's previous assassination attempt when he was a kid resurfaced and the blame was pulled to an event that led to the disposal of Nu Lee's birth mother. From then on he had hated Tae Hua. He was neglected by the Emperor and favors were all set to Tae Hua. Because of this, the Queen of the North wanted to stop the engagement and to call it off as soon as possible. Given that her daughter will not marry the next Emperor is damage to her pride"

Eun Jo and Pei Hang are all from the Capital, they know all the ins and outs of the story. While Chou Xi lived far South, he was also aware since he's a royal descendant too.

"Power and family are two different but the same struggle." Pei Hang said as he settled at his bed. I nodded at his stance.

Laohu took his shoes off when an attendant knocked on the door. I laughed as I saw Laohu holding his shoe in the air, annoyed by a sudden intruder.

"What?' he shouted as he threw his shoe at the door

"General Niu asked everyone's attendance at the Military Hall"

"Yes," we all shouted in return as Laohu roared in anger and pulled his hair.

"This is torture" I saw him took his shoe as we headed out outside. I looked at them and their eyes are already darkening due to lack of sleep.

"Are we gonna be able to have a decent sleep from this day on?" Chou Xi sighed as we turn left.

===

It's already 7 pm and we're hungry. We were inside the hall for a whole 6hours.

"Are we supposed to die here?" Laohu said

In 5 of us, Laohu and Chou Xi's energy to complain never faltered even a bit. The two of them are leading us to the dining hall, as we follow them.

"By sleep deprivation and hunger strike? I guess so" Chou Xi answered as they acted crying. I just grimaced.

I greeted my other classmates as they also entered the dining. Food is scattered everywhere. The Highnesses are not yet here. All of us stood in complete fascination. My hunger slowed down as I saw several foods I have not even eaten. These are all golden plattered foods.

The Eunuchs and attendants asked us to sit down when Tae Hua and Ji Wok entered the hall, their eyes were also confused about the dishes. Tae Hua's stoic face frowned as to what he saw. Ji Wok and Tae Hua looked for their friends as I saw Qui Run's eyes went to scan the food and shook his head. I was waiting for him to realize what the kitchen and the kingdom are doing when he just shrugged and took his utensils and stand up.

I faking laughed as I cannot take anymore.

"What is with these lavish living?" I asked my friends, while my voice is loud, I intended to let the two Yuns hear what I am saying

"Are we supposed to give thanks?" Eun Jo asked too "people outside this kingdom are dying of hunger"

Our other classmates nodded as they can not even look at the dishes.

Tae Hua and Ji Wok looked in our direction as I smirked. "I decided to not eat any filthy foods from this palace, enjoy your luxury."

I pushed my utensils away as I stood up. I was about to leave the hall when Tae Hua pulled me back and went to the garbage as he threw the utensils. He reached the gap between us looking at me, as he forcefully held my arm. I smirked in front of him, he was about to take my collar when Ji wok stopped him.

"are you mocking me?" he asked

"AM I?" I asked, my voice raised

"YOU ARE" his stoic and deep eyes glistened.

"Well, if you're guilty then suit yourself." I took his hand away from my arm. As my friends followed me. Other students left the dining hall too.

"I can't believe we'll be having a feast while people are dying outside. It is already enough that we have a roof for shelter. But, having a festive kind of life? That's absurd." I said as we walk down until we reached the room.