Chapter 62 Soldiers and Shirshu 1

Meanwhile,

Kolau Pass

The deafening rumble of falling rocks drowned out all other sounds as dust clouded the narrow mountain pass. Screams of scouts echoed briefly before being swallowed by the chaos. Boulders tumbled and cracked, their jagged edges carving into the earth like relentless teeth.

The rock slide immediately put Wen Jihao's caravan on alert, bending walls of stone to shield themselves from possible ambush attacks.

However, that was several minutes ago.

Now?

"We've inspected the area as you requested sir". An Earth Kingdom soldier walked towards Ren Zhu, giving his report.

"And?"

"No conclusive sign of sabotage".

The middle-aged Colonel frowned. His eyes fixated on the mountain pass now blocked by a large amount of rubble.

"Are you sure soldier?" Ren Zhu's suspicions wasn't allayed. Not even slightly, which was actually normal. The Earth Kingdom was at war.

The slightest carelessness could lead to the loss of one's life. In the arid mountains of Kolau, it wasn't unusual for rock slide and avalanches to occur from time to time.

This one, however, was too convenient. Here? Now? With what had just happened in the city, it just didn't feel right.

In a world at war, optimism would get you killed. Blind optimism would get your entire division killed alongside you.

The men and women of the Earth Kingdom had basically been trained to hope for the best yet expect the worst. This wasn't paranoia anymore. It was a way of life.

"There's been no signs of tampering sir". The soldier replied affirmatively. "No smoke, no fire, no black char. The rocks also fell from too high up to carry out further investigation. Fire Nation is unlikely. Perhaps a squad of Earthbenders are responsible for this, but even that likelihood is a little thin".

How far away was their current location from Omashu? Certainly, not far enough. The city received numerous refugees every month and those capable of bending had long been incorporated into the city guard ranks. Bandits? It was impossible for them to pull off something like this.

Rebels? Even more so.

It all pointed to a natural accident. An unfortunate one but an accident nonetheless.

…. However, that conclusion wasn't good enough.

'That … Was six scouts. If this isn't planned, then are we that unlucky?' The problem wasn't the rock slide, but the fact that their scouts had walked right in before it happened.

It didn't matter what the actual cause was. Ren Zhu might chalk it up to ill luck, but that didn't mean 'he' would.

"Leave the guards on high alert". Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

The voice interrupting Ren Zhu's thoughts was one he was all too familiar with.

"Grand Advisor".

Ren turned, just in time to see him approach. With elite earthbenders covering his flanks from all sides, moving forward in a circular formation.

In their midst, walked Wen Jihao, his face expressionless.

"Sir, you shouldn't be so close to the mountain pass. The perimeter isn't secured yet, we could be attacked at any moment". Ren Zhu uttered hurriedly.

"Then secure it, Colonel". Wen said sharply. "I know very well what I should and shouldn't do. You should focus more on your job…". As he spoke, his gaze swept across the mountain pass.

Moving from the rubble up to the high points. Nothing out of the ordinary stood out.

This was the first time ever that he was encountering an incident this close after leaving Omashu.

"... Which is ensuring no further threats remain".

Wen Jihao's eyes narrowed. "Now tell me. Is this natural or premeditated?"

Ren was silent for a moment before replying.

"All signs point to the former sir".

".... And what of the scouts?"

This was another problem. The previous Rock slide had covered up the path on the mountain pass. Worst of all, with their men in it.

"W-We are still checking for survivors. Although based on what we've found so far. I'm afraid that …".

"There's a survivor!" The reporting soldiers' next words suddenly jammed in his throat. Both looked towards the rubble in the mountain pass.

At the moment, a few Earthbenders were moving a large amount of rubble with Earthbending. In the process, one of soldiers stumbled upon a bloodied figure pinned beneath a heavy boulder. Upon closer inspection, Wen realized it was an Earth Kingdom soldier—alive, but gravely injured.

The rock was quickly moved aside, and the injured soldier was helped up in his miserable condition.

Blood stained his clothes and the uniform was tattered in several places and covered with dust and debris.

The leading Earthbender placed on arm over his shoulder and asked. "Are you ok soldier?"

He regretted it as soon as he asked. Looking at the latter with blood and tattered clothing, he looked far from fine.

What was the point of asking such a redundant question?

"I … Blerghh!" The injured male opened his mouth to speak, but barely uttered a single word before blood began pooling out of his mouth.

"What's his situation?" Ren Zhu walked forward.

"He's alive sir, but by the looks of it, barely".

Ren Zhu frowned. The escort team practically consisted of offensive soldiers all capable of fighting if the need be.

Meaning? They didn't bring along a highly skilled physician capable of treating severely injured allies. Of course, that didn't mean they were helpless. In the Grand Advisor's escort unit, someone capable of treating wounds was a necessity, but amateurs could never compare to professionals. It was fine to bandage external wounds, but for things like internal bleeding?

Ren Zhu didn't know if this injured soldier was that badly hurt. But judging from the fact that he was rescued from under rubble, the possibility existed.

"Get him medical care, now".

"Yes sir". The leading soldier supported the injured one and walked towards the caravan.

Ren Zhu looked gloomy. It had barely been a day since they set off, yet they were already experiencing accidents.

Five scouts died. One was still alive but how long he would stay that way was a mystery.

"Colonel Ren Zhu". His thoughts were interrupted once again.

Wen Jihao, surrounded by several soldiers spoke lightly. "What is our next course of action?"

Ren Zhu's face was slightly unsightly. Nevertheless, he still responded.

"The sun is setting. In that case, we have two choices now sir. We can either make camp here tonight, or clear out the rubble and ….".

Growl!

It happened then. A loud, snarling sound reverberated through the air, alarming everyone present.

The growl echoed through the narrow pass, a guttural, predatory sound that sent a chill down the spines of every soldier present. Silence fell, the tension so thick it felt like a noose tightening around the entire caravan.

"Beast!" With one roar, the caravan guards surged into action.

Ren Zhu stepped forward, his voice low but commanding. "Form ranks! Defensive positions!"

Thirty-five Earth Kingdom soldiers immediately took on a military formation.

Slam!

Multiple bare feet slammed against the ground. Large rocks emerged, leaving a hole in the earth and levitating right in front of their bodies.

At the center of the group was Wen Jihao who had two Earthbenders at his sides.

Thud!

The sound of something approaching from the pass amplified the tension in the air.

"Ready to Fire". Ren Zhu yelled with narrowed eyes. The sudden turn of events showed that the rock slide wasn't a coincidence.

They were being ambushed. And the ones responsible weren't friendly. In that case, opening immediate fire was the best course of action.

However.

Wen Jihao raised a hand, his expression unreadable. "Hold your ground. I want to know what we're dealing with before we act."

The Grand Advisor had different ideas in mind.

The sound of crunching gravel grew louder, each step deliberate and heavy. From the shadows of the mountains emerged a hulking beast.

Brown colored fur, no eyes and a pink skinned snout. The beast was large, especially more than the combined weight of two full-grown men. With claws that glinted like polished steel under the fading sunlight. A Shirshu.

"My My my …". June's eyes flickered with surprise. "Looks like I stumbled onto a beehive".

Seeing the woman with black hair, dark clothes and black lipstick, Ren Zhu frowned.

It didn't take much to realize this woman before him was a bounty hunter.

Wen Jihao's eyes narrowed. "And who might you be?"

The woman smirked, her voice smooth yet laced with a hint of danger. "June. Bounty hunter." She patted the Shirshu's flank, its tongue flicking out to taste the air. "And it seems you've got something—or someone—I'm looking for."

Ren Zhu stepped forward, placing himself between June and Wen Jihao. "You dare approach the Grand Advisor's caravan with such arrogance? State your purpose, or we'll—"

June cut him off with a laugh. "Save the bravado, old man. I'm not here to fight your little army, nor do I have any interest in knowing who you are and what status you have".

Her hand hovered over the whip at her side. "I'll make this quick and simple. I'm after someone worth a fortune. His scent led my Shirshu right here".

Ren Zhu frowned, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Do you take me for a fool? There are no wanted criminals among my troops".

"Ohh really?" June raised an eyebrow. "Well my Shirshu disagrees with you, and Nyla's never wrong".

Looking at more soldiers that numbered more than two dozen, June frowned inwardly. "There's no need for things here to get messy. Just hand him over and I'll be on my way".

"Are you threatening me?" Ren Zhu's eyes turned cold. He was a Colonel of the great city of Omashu. How could he tolerate being threatened by a bounty hunter?

'A Shirshu?' Wen Jihao frowned. Shirshu's were rare animals, almost extinct at this time. Few people would know this animal and its capabilities.

As the Grand Advisor of The Great City of Omashu, Wen was certainly an exception. After all, in ancient times, Shirshu's were used by Earth Monarchs to execute their political enemies.

The last time this happened though was well over two hundred years ago. However, Wen knew the necessary specifics.

'It is said that the Shirshu's sight was never based on its eyes but, instead, its extraordinary sense of smell. Capable of locating its prey by scent alone, regardless of what corner of the world it's hiding in'.

This was the truth. Meanwhile,

The scene of the world changed and the colors disappeared. As at the moment, In the eyes of the Shirshu, everything it could perceive was in black and white.

With only one color being the exception. Purple.

At the moment, in the Shirshu's perception, a strand of purple scent could be seen crisscrossed in the air.

Sniffing the air, that purple scent extended from its current position to the other side, where a number of humans currently stood.

Tracing it further, it locked the scent onto a human at the center of the gathered humans.

With one of his hands slung over the shoulders of another human in a seemingly weak, injured posture.

It was the scout that had just been removed from underneath the rubble.