Khunbish and Khenbish stood in the middle of Lao-Da Pass watching the sunrise in the morning, waiting for Chinua to return. Before Chinua set off for Tanggolia, their plan was to leave for only fifteen days but today was already the seventeen days. 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.
The northern soldiers each carried a bucket of breakfast and walked towards the soldiers guarding Lao-Da Pass. As the northern soldiers walked, Chaghatai saw Khunbish and Khenbish and he shook his head.
"They've been standing there every day for the past seventeen days," Chaghatai said.
Muunokhoi said, "They were just worried about Chinua."
Terbish said, "I know people think highly of Chinua, I mean I think so too, but the attitude these two showed towards Chinua was that of a husband." He looked at the other six northern soldiers. "Do you agree?"
"Agree with your ass," Timicin said, hitting Terbish on the back of his head. "We are all brothers, and it is normal for them to show concern for Chinua and the others. Are you heartless?"
Od said, "Hey, show some respect to Chinua."
Och said, "I don't know about you, I love Chinua, but I don't have any intimate feelings for Chinua. I guess... well, because I think of her as a brother."
Terbish said, "That's what I want to say. 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 and asked, "Different? How?"
Terbish said, "Like I said before, possessive husbands."
The others finally caught on to Terbish's joke and started giggling as they walked towards Khunbish, Khenbish and the other soldiers.
Timicin said, "Brothers, breakfast is here." He walked towards Khunbish and Khenbish. "If you have decided to go after Chinua, you two have to eat."
"Fellow soldier, Timicin," a soldier shouted as he came running towards Timicin and the others.
Od asked, "What's wrong, why are you running?"
The soldier panted and said, "Someone had arrived in the camp, General Mönkhbat needs you right away."
Timicin asked, "Me?"
The soldier nodded.
Muunokhoi pulled Timicin aside and asked, "Are you in trouble?"
Terbish said, "Is this because of the relationship between General Mönkhbat and Chinua?"
Erden said, "You idiot, if this matter is related to the secret relationship between General Mönkhbat and Chinua, will you be the first to be called for questioning?"
Timicin looked at the northern soldiers and said, "Well, I will have to find out when I get there." He looked back at Khunbish and Khenbish. "Wait for me if you decided to take off."
When the northern soldiers arrived at the main camp, Timicin was called into Mönkhbat's tent. Timicin was 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 said, looking at Misheel. "What are you doing here?"
Misheel, who was in his early sixties, smiled and said, "King Batukhan entrusted me with the task of escorting Princess Ankhtsetseg into Tanggolia." He looked around and he did not see Chinua. "What about the person you are supposed to take care of? Where is she?"
Timicin said, "She hasn't return yet."
Misheel looked at Mönkhbat and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty said we cannot go to Tanggolia unless Her Highness goes with us."
Mönkhbat said, "I understand. Chinua and her people should have returned, but I am worried that they may encounter some difficulties, but I believe they will arrive today or tomorrow."
Timicin asked, "Father, are you taking Chinua to Tanggolia? Why?"
Misheel raised his voice and said, "You imbecile! How dare you address Her Royal Highness by name!"
Timicin was shocked after hearing his father. "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 and said, "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 had already known, 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 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.
Khunbish asked, "Did you see weapons?"
The soldiers from the tower yelled back, "No!"
Khenbish said, "Could it be Chinua and the others?"
Khunbish looked up and asked, "How many did you see?"
One of the soldiers yelled, "Seven!"
Khunbish said, "If it's seven, then it's not Chinua and the others." He turned to the other soldiers. "We will scout forward. If it is the enemy, be ready to send the signal."
The soldier nodded, and Khunbish and Khenbish jumped on their horse and took off towards the seven people walking towards their direction. As Khunbish and Khenbish approached, they immediately noticed Hye, and Khunbish and Khenbish galloped toward Chinua and the others.
Seeing Chinua sitting on the wagon, Khunbish and Khenbish immediately dismounted and rushed towards Chinua. Seeing the wound on Chinua's shoulder, Khunbish turned to look at Naksh and Jeet angrily.
Naksh said, "Hey, we can explain."
Hye said weakly, "Explain it later. Now I need your horse to take me back."
Khenbish grabbed Chinua hand asked softly, "How is the pain?"
Chinua said, "It's tolerable." She looked at the two horses. "Are you two going somewhere?"
Khenbish said, "We were going to go out and look for you because you've passed your deadline."
Chinua said, "We encountered an unexpected situation. I will tell you everything when we get back."
After Khunbish and Khenbish tied the rope of the wagon to the two horses, the two horses slowly pulled the wagon of nine people 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 was sitting quietly inside the underground cell without any resistance. "I'm sorry, but this is just for precaution," she said. "I know that it is not difficult for you to break out of this simple cell."
Zhi did not look up at Chinua and said, "I am a man of his word. Free my family from Xin Zhiyuan, and my life will be left to you."
Chinua sighed and said, "I will try. If I fail, I will let you go as an apology."
When Chinua arrives at Mönkhbat's tent with Khunbish, Khenbish, and Hye, she is surprised to see Misheel and Timicin in Mönkhbat's tent.
"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 reading, she handed the latter to Khunbish, who pulled out a flame stick and burned the letter. "Um... so... when shall we leave?"
Misheel said, "If Your Highness agrees, we can leave the day after tomorrow."
Chinua said, "Okay...let's leave tomorrow so as not to waste time." She turned to Mönkhbat. "I need to discuss something important with you."
Misheel bowed to Mönkhbat, then to Chinua and said, "I will take my leave." He took Timicin's hand and pulled him out of the door.
Khunbish, Khenbish and Hye were walking towards the door when Chinua said, "Hye, you stay."
Hye turned around said, "Me? Stay? Why?"
Khunbish and Khebish walked out of the door and stood by the door guarding the door.
Mönkhbat asked, "What is it?"
Chinua said, "Father wants me to go to Tanggolia to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Xin."
Mönkhbat asked, "What is the actual mission?"
Chinua said, "Learn about the structure of the walls of Zhugow and Haishi City."
Hye said, "I read that the walls structures of Zhugow and Haishi City are impregnatable. 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 looked at Hye and said, "This is why you are going to Tanggolia with me."
Hye scoffed and said, "I did not agree to that."
Chinua said, "Who is more suitable than you. Among all my subordinates, you are the smartest and wisest. Taking you toTanggolia with me is better than bringing a thousand soldiers. Besides, you still have to care for my shoulder wound."
Hye said, "Fine, but under one condition."
Chinua said, "What?"
Hye said, "I'm not walking or riding a horse."
Chinua smiled and said, "I agree, you can sit comfortably in my princess carriage."
Mönkhbat chuckled and said, "You two are perfect for each other."
Hye said, "General, as you can see, your sister is still a child." He turned to look at Chinua. "Especially when it comes to making decisions."
Mönkhbat looked at Chinua and asked, "Did you tell him your identity?"
Chinua said, "He figured it out on his own. Oh, by the way, I brought back a Tanggolia prisoner. I made a deal with him. If I rescue his family from Haishi City, his life will be mine."
Mönkhbat asked, "What is his name?"
Chinua knew that Mönkhbat would not be too happy to learn the identity of the Tanggolian prisoner. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Suo Zhi."
Mönkhbat quickly stood up and said, "Suo Zhi!"
Chinua smiled guiltily and said, "Yes... the Suo Zhi, do you know him well?"
Mönkhbat sighed and said, "Suo Zhi, the captain of Xin Zhiyuan 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 Tanggolia captain refused to obey the commander's order to kill prisoners of war. It turned out that the captain was Suo Zhi."
Chinua said, "I want Suo Zhi, and I need your help."
Mönkhbat said, "Tell me what you need?"
Chinua said, "After Suo Zhi's family is rescued, I need someone to pick them up."
Mönkhbat said, "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."
Chinua said, "Then let's us settle for that night."
Hye looked at Chinua and asked, "Is there anything else you need my help with? If not, I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. I am sticky with sweat all over."
Chinua shook her head and said, "Yes, you must plan more than one escape route for us."
Hye sneered at Chinua and walked out of the door.
Mönkhbat asked, "Anything else?" Chinua turned and handed Mönkhbat a bronze plate. "East Palace Pass. Where did you get this?"
Chinua said, "I picked this up from the body of the assassin who tried to kill me."
Mönkhbat put the bronze pass on the table and said, "Because you are an obstacle to his accession to the throne." He patted Chinua lightly on the shoulder. "Killing among royal families has long exist. Like father had said, there is only one alpha wolf in a pack. Everyone else is an obstacle."