Confrontation

Instead of going to sleep I leave the tend once again, I go around the camp searching for that wicked man... My expression angered, whenever that man is around I can't help but feel my blood boil... The desire to punch his face untill all his teeth comes off is strong, but what would benefit us even more is to cut off that tongue of his.

-Commander...?! Shouldn't you be sleeping?- a man from my group asks, afraid that I am going to scold him for keeping guard half asleep

-Be thankful that I have other things to do- I gaze at him from above and pass over

The man fixes his clothes gulping down -Damn... I don't wanna be in the shoes of whoever got her so angry... That expression was scary- he murmurs toward his companion

...

I find Dong Hu outside the camp, far away in a vast area... I take out my knife and throw it at him from a few meters away, he rises and hand and grab it midair without blinking or anything. Just his usual annoying smile as he greets me -Miss Ying, what are you doing out here?-

-I could ask you the same thing but... I'm here for other matters- I get closer as he throws the knife back at me

-Such as?- he feigns ignorance

-Stop playing dumb, it's just you and me here... And I know very well how you are. What did you say to Qin Luo?!- I yell at him, holding myself back just barely.

-The simple truth... We chatted a bit, he wanted to get to know me and my past... Even tho he was quite more interested in our time together and you, we also talked about his little brother as you already know-

-What do you know about him?- I rise my hand pointing the knife at his throat while I get closer to stare right into his eyes

-If you get so close to me I will start to feel things, My lady...- he rises his arm just enough to caress my waist before letting it fall back -... But if you're talking about trivial matters, then I am well aware of The General's feelings toward you. Not that I actually care of course, nor do you, am I right?-

I push the knife closer -If you hurt him, even tho we're "comrades", I won't hesitate to kill you-

-Mmhn.... I almost want to see you try now- he purrs, lowering his lips beside my ear -But enough chit chat now, I'm sure you are here for something more important than this... You wouldn't let me down now, wouldn't you? It would be a shame to think my rival is nothing but a normal girl at the end, caring about love and such fickleness- he distance himself from me

-Mhn, I did come to get more answers... I don't need you to confirm anything since I already know, but I allow you to explain yourself... You work for Wang Chia-Hao, who is he and what does he want from me?-

He rises his eveybrows amused -Uhhm? Not gonna ask about that little dancer of yours? Nice, that's how I like you... Anyway, if you think I am gonna disclose such informations just because you asked me then you're quite stupid-

-Then tell me what you can-

-He's a merchant who trades opportunities...-

-Cut the crap, I don't buy that story anymore-

-If you let me talk then I will. He is nothing but a simple man who enjoys watching from afar as things evolve... He will come and help if he sees potential but nothing more than a passive aid, he saw potential in that Monarch and decided to sponsor him. Then he saw potential in that Prince and became a bridge between him and the monarch, so to see how things would turn out... He also liked you, back at that banquet, so he kept and eye on you and came into your rescue when you needed it the most, he gave you that little push that you needed to shine... He bear no ill intent.

As for your little friend, I'm afraid he hasn't been honest with you so I had to scold him for that... A real man shouldn't lie to a woman- his smile makes my insides twists, the way he can turn his words to sound innocent, while also hinting to danger, is both interesting and disgusting

-I suppose you wouldn't tell me what he lied about then?-

-Who am I to get in between you two? But I'm pretty sure you already have your doubts on him- he asks while passing over me, turning his back on me.

I bite the inside of my cheek, I cannot agree and make him rejoice nor can I deny it honestly, before recalling something and pushing that topic aside -Your parents, how are they?- I reach an hand to grab on my sword

-How could I know? I have been away from home for far too long- he stops walking -Are you done with useless questions now?- He turns his head around just to meet my blade as i go for an attack. He dodge by just a second and takes his own sword in hand to fend me off after my second attack

-I will ask this only once... WHO ARE YOU?!- I jump and lower my blade on his head, he spins on himself and comes to attack me from behind... Passing my sword behind my shoulder I block the attack and move away

-Watch kind of question is that? Are you finally going mad?!-

I stop to catch my breath -I've started having doubts after I talked with "your" grandfather, but now I am sure... You're not who you claim to be! You're not the real Dong Hu! Are you even human to begin with?!- I throw myself forward and manage to scratch his arm as he get taken back for just enough time to slow his dodge -Your parents, they died when you were just a kid... Yet you don't seem to know anything about it, that's because you're impersonating a man who is not you... Your grandfather said you were a weak and shy man, but the one in front of me is powerful and fierce on the other hand!- the crashing of our swords echoes over the desolated plain.

Just as it disappeared, his smile come back -Ohh... So you think I am powerful and a rightful rival afterall, aren't we meant for eachother Miss Ying?-

-ANSWER ME!!!- my blade gets covered in fire as I go to strike him but a third weapon appears in between ours, stopping my attack.

-Enough!- Xu lei's voice reaches my ears -Don't lose your temper for this puppet ChangLai, it's not worth it-

-Puppet...?- I lose my balance and take a step back

-Leave- warns me Xu Lei -Things are going to get messy and you must stay away-

-In can help...!- -NO! Go away NOW!- he yells so I take a few steps back, still looking at him -Run and don't look back...- he whispers going back to focus on the other man, I nod and run away unwillingly...

-What are you trying to do?- Dong Hu expression turns dark -Do I need to remind you what your place is?-

Xu Lei's free hand trembles, but he hides it behind his back -I will be your next opponent- he rises his sword toward the other man, declaring his intentions

-You're committing a big mistake, little one... You're underestimating me- his eyes shine of a sinister light which makes Xu Lei's will quiver, Dong Hu turns to face him completely and rises his sword -I'm not the puppet right now...!- he growls and go for an attack.