Blind Princess

第二十一章

Three men clad in white peered from between the trees and bushes of the forest, their eyes narrowing as troops in black and red pass, their helmets gleaming in the afternoon sun. All at once, the three men retreated farther into the trees.

"Xing, go report to the Emperor." The oldest man instructed, one of the younger men nodding and hurrying away, "Lang, go warn the Baiyunji Village of the coming army." Lang nodded, hesitating before hurrying off.

"Sir, what will you do?" Lang asked the older man.

"I'll go send word to Clan Master Lan and Lady Wang." Lang nodded, bowing respectfully before hurrying off. The older man glanced back and forth before hurrying off towards Baiyun.

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"Young Master Lan!" a young disciple clad in the white of the Lan Clan came running over to Cheung. Dongmei looked worriedly up at Cheung. "Young Master Lan. Lady Wang, General Rong. We've received word that there is a Siwang army marching towards Baiyunji. They are going to take the doctors of Siwang Baiyunji. As well as the young men of the village." 

Dongmei gasped, her hands clutching Rong's sleeved arm tightly. Rong looked surprised when she grabbed his arm, a faint blush dusting his face before his stern composer replaced it. "We have to go," Dongmei said quietly, looking at Cheung. He sighed and nodded.

"But promise me that you won't get hurt again." Cheung gave a pointed look at Dongmei. Dongmei sighed and slumped down slightly, holding three fingers near her forehead.

"I promise I will watch how much of my energy I expend. I promise to try and not get killed or hurt. If I do, you have my permission to scold, punish, or do whatever you need to do so that it won't happen again." Dongmei said in one breath. Both boys glanced at each other before shaking their heads, chuckling softly. "What?" they shook their head again, walking down the roofed walkway to the mansion exit.

"I thought you were the one who wanted to go help," Rong called back to Dongemei, who was still standing in the same spot, her face contracted in confusion. Remembering her duty she started, "Let's go! With that pace, you'll never make it in time." Rong scolded, and Dongmei suddenly spurred into action. 

"I need a group of Lan disciples ready in three minutes!" Cheung ordered, "Give me the strongest in music, chi, and elements. I want at least five Young Masters." Cheung instructed, Lan disciples springing into action.

"Is this what Lan Cheung looks like when he's alone? Where did the quiet Lan Cheung go?" Dongmei muttered to Rong. Rong shrugged, waving her question away.

"I want ten of the top fighters with me," Rong called, "Those of you who are well-versed in the sword art of the Lan Clan, follow me as well." Sighing, Dongmei ran to the middle of the courtyard.

"Every other chi user and those who use the bamboo flute are with me," Dongmei shouted, her voice full of unknown authority. "I want as many chi healers and chi fighters as possible!" Immediately, a group of Lan disciples answered her call, all bowing to her. "I want the fighters in the front," Dongmei instructed, the disciples organizing themselves. 

Dongmei glanced over at Rong and Cheung who stood in front of their groups, their faces stern and battle-ready. Cheung looked over at Dongmei, nodding. "Lan disciples of Lan Baiyun." Cheung addressed the fighters, "Today is the first time in decades that we, the Lan Clan, will openly fight the Siwang. You know your duty. Do not be easily deceived by the Siwang. Fight well and fight hard!"

"Fight well and fight hard!" Rong repeated. Dongmei smiled.

"Fight well and fight hard!" she shouted, bowing to her fighters, who all bowed back respectfully to her. Cheung and Rong did the same as her before all three of them turned around and started out of the mansion.