The General's Mask

Midnight Ambush

The ship sailed on without stopping, while all the residents remained wide awake. Some were searching for someone, others were trying to stall for time, and a few were gripped by fear over what was unfolding aboard.

Midnight arrived, and the ship swayed gently, gliding over the waves. Most of those on board were unaware that chaos was approaching. Though they expected it, they never anticipated that it would arrive sooner than they imagined.

The pirate ship was tucked snugly between the rocky edges of a small stone mountain, its dark sails pulled tight, blending into the shadows as the crew whispered and paced, waiting for their prey to appear; the salty wind carried tension through the air, and every creak of the wooden boards beneath their feet felt louder than it should've been.

Captain Wade raised his binoculars he scanned the dark waters. Then, there it was like a ghost ship rising from fog, the vessel of Balto Hakkins, the governor's most ruthless enforcer, slicing toward them through the midnight waves.

Wade's expression hardened. He lowered the binoculars, raised his hand, and gave a signal-two fingers forward, one down.

Everyone's breath caught. "That's it," they murmured.

"It's time."

Quiet steps on wood, swords unsheathed, cannons prepped in silence. You could feel the tension tightening like a coiled rope.

"Keep the lanterns off," Wade said in a silent manner

"We strike when they're close enough to smell our breath."

Mu Qing chuckled. "Hope they like the scent of gunpowder."

"And spice" Tao Tong added

The waves lapped quietly beneath them as Balto's ship drew closer. Everyone held their breath.

And then, Wade dropped his arm.

"Now!"

The sky was heavy with clouds. No moon. No stars. Just silence over the sea.

From the misty cliff beyond the waves, four figures soared through the night-riding their swords like streaks of silver light. Shu Wei led the charge, cloak fluttering behind him as he dove toward the pirate ship with calm precision. Wade followed close, blades glowing faintly beneath their feet. Mu Qing and Tao Tong trailed with mischievous grins. Mu Qing's hand is a black bottle and Tao Tong is holding a bucket .

They landed silently on the outer deck. Shu Wei crouched low and blocked the lower doors with quick hand seals and enchanted rope. Wade spilled corrosive dust onto the rudder and anchor chains, watching them hiss and melt. Tao Tong slipped past two distracted mercenaries and tapped their pressure points. They dropped like puppets with cut strings.

Then came the prank.

"Now?" Tao Tong whispered. Mu Qing nodded, uncorked the bottle, and hurled its contents. Ghost pepper powder exploded into the air, swirling into vents. Tao Tong flung fish guts across the floor.

"Yuck I don't to step nor fight on that area

Groans erupted. "Who cooked rotten eggs?!" someone gagged.

"My eyes-I can't see!"

"So fishy!"

" So threw

Most Mercenaries and Balto's men started coughing, slipping on the fish guts Mu Qing had spread across the floor, one even diving into a barrel to escape the smell.

Others who are strong enough only looks like wanting to puke but immediately notice the disturbance.

One mercenary men saw Wade knocking his comrades and bellowed.

"INTRUDERS!!"

Knowing Caspian had his binoculars trained on him, Wade deliberately pulled out his red bandana, and then tied it to the end of his rifle, letting it flutter conspicuously in the breeze - the prearranged signal to ready the cannons, confirming their successful ambush.

Caspian and Nahla signaling their comrades transformed to their beast forms. Others who are not beast people also unsheathed their swords,kunai, spears, and load their guns

"Get ready we are next"

"Yes!"

The others jumped in-silent and swift. No swords clashed, no one screamed. Some of their targets fell one by one, confused and blinded by Mu Qing's spicy chaos and Tao Tong's slippery fish guts.

Mu Qing balanced on the helm, beaming. "Victory achieved through smell and style," he said proudly.

Tao Tong added, "Should we start bottling this? Ghost Pepper Formation, patent pending."

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Inside Balto Hakkins' ship, the grand lavatory-lined with gold-trimmed mirrors and ridiculous velvet curtains-smelled of expensive soap and even more expensive ego. Two figures sat quietly in one of the stalls.

Wen Ping stood tall and stiff, pinching his nose like it might save him from the trauma. "Hua Heng... I swear, if you release another one of those stink bombs, I'm tossing someone overboard. Preferably you."

Hua Heng, elegantly seated on the floor, also pinched her nose-though with far less dignity. "Ugh, relax! It was an accident. The bottle slipped. Besides, I sealed it before the green smoke fully escaped. Only like... ten percent got out."

Wen Ping narrowed his eyes. "Ten percent is still enough to burn the memories of my ancestors."

Just then, one of Balto's mercinary walked by the comfort room and froze mid-step. His face contorted as the smell hit.

"Oh spirits," he gagged, "someone summon a cleansing priest-this place is cursed!"

He turned and bolted.

Wen Ping glared. "See? Even their noses surrender."

Hua Heng snorted. "Strategic distraction. Now they won't suspect we're hiding here. Most of them will probably think their superior forgot to flush after taking a dump-haha! Ack, that smell!"

Wen Ping shook his head. "You're lucky I've built up immunity thanks to your last prank."

Suddenly-shouts rang from the deck above. Swords clanged, boots thundered, and a high-pitched alarm shrieked like a banshee. Someone yelled, "We're under attack!"

The comfort room shook.

Wen Ping looked down at his silken robe, sighed, then glanced at Hua Heng.

Hua Heng tossed the fart bottle in the trash and stood up, grinning ear to ear.

They shared one long look.

Then both smiled-slow, evil, perfectly in sync.

"Shall we?" Hua Heng asked, reaching for her hidden blade.

Wen Ping cracked his knuckles. "Time to ruin someone's night."

They kicked open the door, ready to bring down a gang-armed with weapons, attitude, and lingering stink.

Stink....-author

.........-Wen Ping

Hi! Sorry so late ....I'm preparing for my graduation 🎓 hehehe

The part two is next to be.....