The Mission: Sushi Village

"Most importantly, your investigation would be based on; Finding their hideouts, getting acquainted with their network of intelligence and also get close to one of them to see if you can extract useful information from them", he added.

"Once you've gotten the necessary information, you must all return to the academy immediately", he said.

"Bear in mind that the enemies must not be alerted in anyway or for any reason",

"So you'll depart tomorrow during early hours of the morning", principal Ming said.

"Master, hope the spy wouldn't sell us out?" Hu Mei asked.

"No, he isn't that gullible, he can be trusted. But do your best to be extra careful", principal Ming said.

As they were about to end the meeting, Tan Ning asked important question.

"Master Ming, who do you think would be fit to lead this mission and give instructions so as to avoid contentions among us?", Tan Ning said.

"Hmmm...I think Chen Feng should be the leader since he has the token", he said.

"Okay master, we'll our best to follow his lead", the rest of the students responded.

"I promise to lead this mission and make it a success", Chen Feng said assuring the rest students.

After that, the meeting was dissolved. The students then returned to their respective wings to prepare all they need for the mission.

Tan Ning alongside Gui Shan returned to the Crimson lion wing. After walking some distance, they arrived at the manor.

As they entered the manor, they looked around and from afar saw the rest students training passionately as though their lives depended on it.

"Senior Tan Ning...Gui Shan, welcome back", Ru Yuo said as she ran towards them from the training field.

"How was the meeting?", Ru Yuo asked as she finally got there.

"It was a success and besides, we were given necessary details of our mission", Gui Shan said.

"Seems it's a tasking one indeed. Do you mind throwing more light on it?" Ru Yuo asked.

"Ru Yuo...now is not the time for this, we need rest", senior Tan Ning said.

"Okay, if you insist, I'll excuse you both. Seems you both need a good rest for a tasking mission tomorrow", Ru Yuo said as she sped off back to training.

After this, Tan Ning and Gui Shan retired to their respective rooms for rest and prepared for the mission the next day.

...

It was finally another day. Gui Shan woke up during early hours of the morning as and grabbed the little stuffs he could lay hold on.

He left hurriedly to the meeting point for departure. Gui Shan arrived at the convening point quite early enough.

But to his surprise, Chen Feng and Hu Mei were already present at the meeting point. After some period of waiting, they were all in attendance and ready to depart.

"Good morning everyone", Chen Feng greeted.

"Good morning", they responded.

"I believe you are aware of the reason why we are departing this early hours of the morning?" he asked.

"We instructed so in order not to alert our enemies as some informants may still be hiding in Nirong city", Chen Feng said.

"So we'll depart this morning before the bustle of the day", he said.

After conversing with them, Chen Feng led the way as they departed from the village.

They didn't bother taking any map with them because Sushi village wasn't difficult to locate. They only had to travel south of Nirong city in order to get there.

The journey to Sushi village began as they marched out the academy's gate. After covering some distance, they were finally out of Nirong city.

By this time, dawn had already set in, students in the academy were already up for the day's training. But to their surprise, they didn't get to bid the delegates farewell.

They all got up that morning and couldn't find any of them. It was so painful to them, but they wished for the best.

...

The delegates were already out on the mission. For Hu Mei, his hopes of success were high, for he believed that since the mission was lead by a member of his wing, failure is not an option.

Gui Shan on the other hand was expectant and vigilant at the same time, considering what master Huang Ju told him the last time they both discussed.

Bi Yao on her part was happy to be traveling alongside Gui Shan. But this time, she was determined to prove to Gui Shan how stronger she has become.

The six of them continued in their journey and Nirong city was eventually out of sight.

The journey to Sushi village was only a day and half, so if they were persistent, they'll arrive there noon of the next day.

They journeyed persistently, even when it was noon and the sun was scorching, they continued and were making progress with the journey.

Darkness was gradually creeping in, so they decided to find a place to pitch their tent. They walked some distance and found a good spot.

"We'll have to stop here and pitch our tents before darkness meets up with us", Chen Feng said.

So all six of them found a good spot and pitched their tent. That evening, they all had dinner together as they took some snacks, cakes and grilled fish that would sustain them.

After the meal, they decided to lay down and rest. The two ladies were to lay on the left side of tent, while the males on the right side.

So before they laid to rest, Chen Feng and Tan Ning volunteered to take turns and keep watch, in order to prevent wild animals attack and any danger.

So it was decided. Surprisingly to them all, Gui Shan volunteered to keep watch even though it was the seniors responsibility.

"I volunteer to keep watch, at least I'll cut you some slack", Gui Shan said.

"Me too", Hu Mei said even though at first he wasn't buying the idea. But he didn't want to feel inferior to Gui Shan so he had to do it.

"Okay, Gui Shan you go first, Hu Mei after you, then I and Tan Ning would take over from there", Chen Feng said.

So while others slept, Gui Shan was to keep watch for at least two hours and let the next person take over.

While others slept, Gui Shan noticed that Hu Mei was sleeping but secretly watching him.

Gui Shan pretended not to notice Hu Mei, but paid close attention to what's happening.

"I see why master Huang Ju warned me to be careful with my secret. I guess the purple cloud wing are behind the scheme to unveil my secret", he thought.

"Seems I need to take extreme measures and avoid meeting with Grandmaster Hun Feng till the mission is over", he said.

"I'll only be forced to do otherwise if my life is at stake during the mission", Gui Shan said.

After having these thoughts, Gui Shan heaved a huge sigh of relief.

He kept watch for two hours and did nothing to out of the ordinary to raise Hu Mei's suspicion.

So when his time was up, he decided to wake Hu Mei as though he wasn't aware that Hu Mei was secretly watching him.

As he was about to make the move and wake him up, Hu Mei stood up.

"Don't bother, I'm fully awake, I don't need you to help me out", Gui Shan said.

Gui Shan didn't utter a word, he just lay down and gently and slept off.

Hu Mei kept watch till his time elapsed. After that, Chen Feng and Tan Ning took over till it was morning.

They all woke up that morning, went to a nearby stream and washed themselves in other to prepare for the remaining part of that day.

They were now set to continue their journey that day. But Chen Feng addressed them before they set off.

"Good morning to you all, I believe all had a great night',

"Even though it wasn't as usual, it's worth the sacrifice", Chen Feng said.

"Before we proceed, it seems we have till noon to arrive at Sushi village", he said.

"But we can't enter the village with these clothes on, like principal Ming told us, we need to disguise and dress haggardly like travellers", 

"I believe with these costumes, the enemy won't be alerted. When we get there, we'll as well be contacted", Chen Feng said.

In agreement, they punctured holes in their clothes, tore some parts and made themselves look haggard.

After that, they continued on their tour that morning and headed for Sushi village.

...

Before now, principal Ming had already sent a letter through a messenger bird to deliver information of their arrival in Sushi village.

After covering some distance, Sushi village was finally in view, but they had to go through the constables at the entrance of the village.

They all heaved a sigh of relief as the journey had finally come to an end.

... continue reading from the next chapter...