Chapter 21: a mission through the mist.

The grand halls doors opened with a brimming sound. I saw Xue exiting the doors and went to her side. "Is everything here finished?"

I asked with a stoic expression.

As the doors closed with a loud thud, she looked at me, I knew she had a lot going on with her feelings, yet she smiled at me and nodded. Both of us started walking away from the grand hall, as we were now walking at the palace gardens Xue responded to my previous question.

"Yes, everything here is over, thank you for your assistance Ace... I maybe going overboard with this. But can you come to Yunhai with me? It's dangerous, but you're the only person I can trust... I still need to get more information about how the imperial soldiers can enter Yunhai to stop Yao Ming and his followers."

The gardens were filled with greenery and vibrant flowers as the moonlight brighten them even more, I was being silent as the question passed by my ear, it was my first time seeing something so beautiful, so my mind seemed to be in another world.

Xue spoke up once more breaking the silence.

"Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have asked... I mean it's a lot that you've already helped me with this much already."

"Ah! Sorry Xue! I was lost in thought! Of course I'll help you!" I quickly said before she got the wrong idea.

She looked relieved and grateful.

"Thank you, Ace. Your support means a lot to me. We should leave as soon as possible!"

As we exited the palace grounds, we were greeted with the cold night air, the stars twinkling like distant gems in the sky. The journey was filled with a tense silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

the cool breeze a welcome relief from the day's tension. The path to Yunhai was long and arduous, but the urgency of our mission kept us focused. As we traveled, Xue shared more about the situation in Yunhai.

"Yao Ming has amassed a significant following. He's charismatic and ruthless, and many believe he can bring about change. But his methods are violent and destructive. If we don't stop him, countless innocent lives will be lost."

I listened intently, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We'll find a way, Xue. We'll gather the information we need and put an end to his plans."

She nodded, determination in her eyes. "I hope so, Ace. I truly hope so."

As dawn approached, we reached the outskirts of Yunhai. The city lay before us, shrouded in a mist that glowed with the first light of day. It was a beautiful sight, yet a reminder of the danger that awaited us.

As we prepared to enter the city, Xue handed me a small, intricately carved amulet.

"Take this," she said. "It's a protective charm. It may not seem like much, but it has saved me more than once."

I accepted the charm, without knowing what she meant when she said it had saved her more than once. feeling its weight in my hand. "Thank you, Xue. Let's hope it brings us both luck."

We could see through the mist that the city was filled with followers of Yao Ming, guarding out for intruders. I lightly tapped Xue's shoulder and pointed towards 4 big wooden cages keeping the citizens imprisoned as hostages.

She whispered, "let's go help them."

I quickly grabbed her hand, and whispered back. "Are you crazy?! We'll get caught, don't you remember our mission? We have to inform the palace about this and find them a way to get here so we can beat Yao Ming, if we get caught it's all over"

She looked at me with desperate eyes..

"But we cannot stay here without helping them, what if they do something to the innocent civilians before the imperial soldiers gets here?!"

I sighed, then reassured her giving her a small pat on the head.

"I know you're worried, Xue... But we have to continue this mission, won't you be the one to get in trouble-" she cut me off as I was speaking.

"I don't care if I get in trouble, those people could get killed!" I quickly covered her mouth before she exposed us with her voice.

"Xue, I know you're worried okay? Just trust me, if something bad happens we'll step in, but we have to wait till the soldiers get here, agreed?" I asked her.

We kept ourselves hidden in a dark corner of the city, where we could see both of the entrances to Yunhai from North and South while also keeping an eye for the enemies and the civilians.

I was looking out for the best possible ways for the imperial soldiers to enter, while Xue got her magical artifact to contact the imperial palace to send the soldiers, what was left for now is just wait there till back up arrived.

The morning air was thick with mist, illuminated only by a few stray rays of sunlight piercing through the dawn, giving us an advantage of the situation.

I stared at the magical artifact in her hand, it was my first time seeing an artifact, it looked cooler than what I had imagined.

I whispered again, "I hope the soldiers arrive soon. We won't be able to stay hidden much longer once the mist clears..." I leaned against a brick wall, slowly sitting down on the hard, rocky ground. The corner we were in shielded us from the sunlight, keeping us concealed from our enemies..

I tilted my head towards Xue, noticing the concern etched on her face.

"Everything alright, Xue?" I inquired with genuine care.

She nodded silently, but my concern for her only grew. I spoke again, my voice gentle.

"You know you have me now, right? Just because you were alone in the past doesn't mean you are now. Trust in me, and please, if you need to talk or need help, I'm here for you." I offered her a warm, loving smile.