The Flower Among the Flames

Chapter 7

The Iron Phoenix regiment began its slow march into enemy territory with their commanders at the very front of the formation. Guan Liang looked behind him to view this small mass of troops, his emotions laid bare on his face. This was the group of soldiers that defeated him and his forces at Jade Pass not five months ago. Guan Liang shook his head in amazement. Though the troops appeared ordinary to the naked eye, Guan Liang knew it was not wise to judge a book by its cover. This especially since he experienced their might firsthand.

Contrary to recent times, the regiment was as well-regarded as a speck of dirt on the road; it was just another nameless group of drafted village militants, ruffians, and sword fodder. What made matters worse was the commander. He was mediocre at best and a coward when he wasn't drinking. He would abandon his men at the slightest hint of trouble and thus lost the trust of the command and of his men. It did not take much convincing Chang Swe-Dol to discharge the man from service, but double the amount to convince him not to disband the regiment.

It was by sheer luck that Yul stepped up to the plate during a major offensive about a year ago, and drove the regiment at lengths to better themselves. It was during this battle that Guan Liang received the first ever command from his officer demanding all units to retreat. He remembered how confused he was when he saw the banner of the Iron Phoenix soar in the sky high above the command post for the first time. Because of this one battle, the Iron Phoenix became a force to be feared, and its name haunted those who dare come across it.

Guan Liang shifted his gaze to the left of him, seeing a tall, broad, unarmored man. In his right hand, he was wielding a great trident; a wicked grin pulled his mouth almost to his ears. He knew him to be Gang Soo-Won, a master whaler and master of the spear. His strength and speed was considered inhuman even by Guan Liang's standards. Was this man even human? No one was sure. In any case, Guan Liang was glad the sailor was on his side and prayed Soo-Won's spear would never be pointed at him. Guan Liang heard many stories of the duels the man fought in and how completely one-sided they all were. With this in mind, he wondered how Yul managed to tame him.

To his right, Guan Liang took note of the man riding next to the flagbearer. He wore a golden headband with embroideries lacing all around, a dull grey chest plate accompanied with a matching pauldron, and carried two swords– one hung on either side of his waist. His eyes were a dark brown shade, and his mouth drawn into a thin line. Guan Liang was searching his mind for the man's name when Yul asked him, "You alright? You look quite pale."

Guan Liang jumped with a start and, forgetting he was mounted, bashed his legs into the sides of his wyvern. Hóng Léi growled and lifted her head with her piercing eyes staring at her master interrogatively. He ran his glove along her back in apology and turned his head to Yul. He answered, "Just deep in thought. Nothing to worry about."

"If you say so," Yul shrugged with a nod. In that moment, something came to Guan Liang's attention. He looked behind him once more and took a long observation of the soldiers marching in silence. He debated on whether or not he should speak his mind, and, after some thought, Guan Liang eventually spoke.

"Yul, is this seriously everyone?" Guan Liang asked. He knew that it was a repetitive and a rhetorical question, but the topic was a subject that continued to bother him.

"Will you never be satisfied with the numbers I have?" Yul sighed. Guan Liang raised his arms in an apologetic gesture. He knew better than to distrust his cousin. This was the man who convinced him to switch sides and kill his superior after all. "Numbers are only a fraction of the battle."

"I'm not complaining, but I felt as though you had more warriors than this," he replied trying to justify his concern. "Unless, of course, it was just my imagination, and the fog of war concealed your true numbers back then."