45 The Obstacles

With the southern wind brushing against their faces and occasional dirt causing them to blink, Khunbish and Khenbish stood in the middle of Lao-Da Pass watching the sunrise. They were waiting for Chinua to return. Their original plan was for her to be gone for only fifteen days, but today marked the seventeenth. Worry overwhelmed their hearts, and they had decided that as soon as the sun set, if Chinua and the others had not returned, they would march into Tanggolia.

Northern soldiers, each carrying a bucket of breakfast, walked towards the guards at Lao-Da Pass. As they walked, Chaghatai spotted Khunbish and Khenbish and shook his head.

"They've been standing there every day for the past seventeen days," Chaghatai remarked.

"They're just worried about Chinua," Muunokhoi said.

"I know people think highly of Chinua – I mean, I think so too – but the attitude these two show towards Chinua is that of a husband," Terbish commented, looking at the other six northern soldiers. "Do you agree?"

"Agree with your ass," Timicin retorted, hitting Terbish on the back of his head. "We're all brothers, and it's normal for them to show concern for Chinua and the others. Are you heartless?"

"Hey, show some respect to Chinua," Od added.

"I don't know about you," Och interjected, "I love Chinua, but I don't have any intimate feelings for Chinua. I guess... well, because I think of her as a brother."

"That's what I want to say," Terbish insisted. "Because we regard Chinua as one of our brothers, we love her dearly, but Khunbish and Khenbish are different."

Muunokhoi looked at Khunbish and Khenbish. "Different? How?" he asked.

"Like I said before, possessive husbands," Terbish clarified.

The others finally caught on to Terbish's joke and started giggling as they walked towards Khunbish, Khenbish, and the other soldiers.

"Brothers, breakfast is here," Timicin announced, walking towards Khunbish and Khenbish. "If you've decided to go after Chinua, you two have to eat."

"Fellow soldier, Timicin!" a soldier shouted, running towards Timicin and the others.

"What's wrong, why are you running?" Od asked.

The soldier panted. "Someone has arrived in the camp, General Mönkhbat needs you right away."

"Me?" Timicin inquired.

The soldier nodded.

Muunokhoi pulled Timicin aside. "Are you in trouble?" he whispered.

"Is this because of the relationship between General Mönkhbat and Chinua?" Terbish wondered aloud.

"You idiot," Erden scoffed. "If this matter is related to the secret relationship between General Mönkhbat and Chinua, would you be the first to be called for questioning?"

Timicin looked at the northern soldiers. "Well, I'll have to find out when I get there." He looked back at Khunbish and Khenbish. "Wait for me if you decide to take off."

When the northern soldiers arrived at the main camp, Timicin was called into Mönkhbat's tent. Timicin worried that his behavior would offend the southern general, but when he saw the person sitting in the tent, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Father!" Timicin exclaimed, looking at Misheel. "What are you doing here?"

Misheel, who was in his early sixties, smiled. "King Batukhan entrusted me with the task of escorting Princess Ankhtsetseg into Tanggolia." He looked around, not seeing Chinua. "What about the person you're supposed to take care of? Where is she?"

"She hasn't returned yet," Timicin replied.

Misheel looked at Mönkhbat. "Your Highness, His Majesty said we cannot go to Tanggolia unless Her Highness goes with us."

"I understand," Mönkhbat said. "Chinua and her people should have returned, but I'm worried they may encounter some difficulties. However, I believe they will arrive today or tomorrow."

"Father, are you taking Chinua to Tanggolia? Why?" Timicin inquired, puzzled.

Misheel raised his voice. "You imbecile! How dare you address Her Royal Highness by name!"

Timicin was shocked. "Her... Her... Royal Highness... Chi... Chinua is a princess?"

Misheel quickly got up and hit Timicin on the head. "Kneel down and ask for His Highness' forgiveness right now," Misheel said angrily.

Mönkhbat laughed. "Misheel, it's not necessary. Chinua never likes to be treated differently because of her identity." He stood up and walked towards Timicin. "I hope you keep this secret. When the time comes, I'm sure Chinua will be willing to share it with everyone, but as you might already know, Chinua doesn't like to be treated differently after learning her identity."

"I understand, General Mönkhbat," Timicin said blankly, his brain still unable to comprehend that Chinua was a princess. Recalling his past and the harsh words he had said to Chinua, his heart was disturbed by embarrassment.

Still standing at the same post in the middle of Lao-Da Pass, as the sun went down, Khunbish and Khenbish put their belongings on their horses and were about to set off when a horn suddenly sounded.

"Did you see weapons?" Khunbish called out to the soldiers in the tower.

"No!" the soldiers yelled back.

"Could it be Chinua and the others?" Khenbish wondered.

Khunbish looked up. "How many did you see?" he asked.

One of the soldiers yelled, "Seven!"

"If it's seven, then it's not Chinua and the others," Khunbish concluded. He turned to the other soldiers. "We will scout forward. If it's the enemy, be ready to send the signal."

The soldiers nodded, and Khunbish and Khenbish jumped on their horses and galloped towards the seven people walking towards them. As Khunbish and Khenbish approached, they immediately noticed Hye, and quickly galloped towards Chinua and the others.

Seeing Chinua sitting on the wagon, Khunbish and Khenbish immediately dismounted and rushed towards her. Seeing the wound on Chinua's shoulder, Khunbish turned to look at Naksh and Jeet angrily.

"Hey, we can explain," Naksh quickly said.

"Explain it later," Hye said weakly. "Now I need your horse to take me back."

Khenbish gently grabbed Chinua's hand. "How's the pain?" he asked softly.

"It's tolerable," Chinua replied. She looked at the two horses. "Are you two going somewhere?"

"We were going to go out and look for you because you've passed your deadline," Khenbish explained.

"We encountered an unexpected situation," Chinua said. "I'll tell you everything when we get back."

After Khunbish and Khenbish tied the rope of the wagon to their two horses, the horses slowly pulled the wagon with its nine occupants towards Lao-Da Pass.

Before sunset, the horse wagon arrived at the military camp. Since Zhi was a prisoner and a Tanggolian, Zhi was taken to the underground cell where prisoners of war were held.

Chinua looked at Zhi, who sat quietly inside the underground cell without any resistance. "I'm sorry, but this is just for precaution," she said. "I know that it's not difficult for you to break out of this simple cell."

Zhi didn't look up at Chinua. "I'm a man of my word. Free my family from Xin Zhiyuan, and my life will be yours," he stated.

Chinua sighed. "I'll try. If I fail, I'll let you go as an apology."

When Chinua arrived at Mönkhbat's tent with Khunbish, Khenbish, and Hye, she was surprised to see Misheel and Timicin inside.

"Why are they here?" Chinua asked.

Misheel stood up and bowed to Chinua. "Your Highness, His Majesty entrusted me to send this letter to you," Misheel said, reaching into his belt, taking out a letter, and handing it to Chinua. "His Majesty said that you will understand after reading this letter."

Chinua quickly broke the seal and began reading the letter. After she finished, she handed the letter to Khunbish, who pulled out a flame stick and burned it. "Um... so... when shall we leave?"

"If Your Highness agrees, we can leave the day after tomorrow," Misheel offered.

"Okay... let's leave tomorrow so as not to waste time," Chinua decided. She turned to Mönkhbat. "I need to discuss something important with you."

Misheel bowed to Mönkhbat, then to Chinua. "I will take my leave," he said. He took Timicin's hand and pulled him out of the tent.

Khunbish, Khenbish, and Hye were walking towards the door when Chinua said, "Hye, you stay."

Hye turned around. "Me? Stay? Why?" he asked.

Khunbish and Khenbish walked out of the tent and stood by the door, guarding it.

"What is it?" Mönkhbat asked Chinua.

"Father wants me to go to Tanggolia to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Xin," Chinua revealed.

"What's the actual mission?" Mönkhbat inquired, his expression serious.

"Learn about the structure of the walls of Zhugow and Haishi City," Chinua replied.

Hye interjected, "I read that the wall structures of Zhugow and Haishi City are impregnable. These two cities were designed by one of the smartest people who ever lived. Even if you were able to knock down the walls, the fallen walls would act as a second line of defense because of the way the walls were structured."

Chinua turned to look at Hye. "This is why you're going to Tanggolia with me."

Hye scoffed. "I didn't agree to that."

"Who is more suitable than you?" Chinua countered. "Among all my subordinates, you are the smartest and wisest. Taking you to Tanggolia with me is better than bringing a thousand soldiers. Besides, you still have to care for my shoulder wound."

"Fine, but under one condition," Hye relented.

"What?" Chinua asked.

"I'm not walking or riding a horse," Hye stated.

Chinua smiled. "I agree, you can sit comfortably in my princess carriage."

Mönkhbat chuckled. "You two are perfect for each other."

"General, as you can see, your sister is still a child," Hye remarked. He turned to look at Chinua. "Especially when it comes to making decisions."

Mönkhbat looked at Chinua. "Did you tell him your identity?" he asked.

"He figured it out on his own," Chinua shrugged. "Oh, by the way, I brought back a Tanggolian prisoner. I made a deal with him. If I rescue his family from Haishi City, his life will be mine."

"What is his name?" Mönkhbat asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Chinua knew that Mönkhbat wouldn't be too happy to learn the identity of the Tanggolian prisoner. She hesitated for a moment and then said, "Suo Zhi."

Mönkhbat quickly stood up. "Suo Zhi!" he exclaimed.

Chinua smiled guiltily. "Yes... the Suo Zhi, do you know him well?"

Mönkhbat sighed. "Suo Zhi, the captain of Xin Zhiyuan's army. In the last battle, I greatly appreciated his judgment. I fought five battles with him, and I lost two of the five battles." He patted Chinua on the shoulder. "I roughly guessed why he became a prisoner. I heard from the soldiers that a Tanggolian captain refused to obey the commander's order to kill prisoners of war. It turned out that the captain was Suo Zhi."

"I want Suo Zhi, and I need your help," Chinua stated.

"Tell me what you need?" Mönkhbat replied, now fully engaged.

"After Suo Zhi's family is rescued, I need someone to pick them up," Chinua said.

Mönkhbat considered. "Your best chance to save the family is on Emperor Xin's birthday. Everyone is ordered to participate, including Xin Jianping and his two sons."

"Then let's settle for that night," Chinua decided.

Hye looked at Chinua. "Is there anything else you need my help with? If not, I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. I'm sticky with sweat all over."

Chinua shook her head. "Yes, you must plan more than one escape route for us."

Hye sneered at Chinua and walked out of the door.

"Anything else?" Mönkhbat asked. Chinua turned and handed Mönkhbat a bronze plate. "East Palace Pass. Where did you get this?"

"I picked this up from the body of the assassin who tried to kill me," Chinua explained.

Mönkhbat put the bronze pass on the table. "Because you're an obstacle to his accession to the throne." He patted Chinua lightly on the shoulder. "Killing among royal families has long existed. Like father had said, there's only one alpha wolf in a pack. Everyone else is an obstacle."