"Main Commander Dam will lead 300.000 soldiers to the borderline." Xiao Jun kept talking. "You know him. For now, no one could stop him and the Emperor of course will very supportive about this. The only reason why Xinghe Kingdom hadn't been destroyed it's because people like Main Commander Dam still wanted to re-investigate about previous Emperor and Empress murdered. Many higher up still have their doubt about Uncle Xiao Zi usurped the throne. If Main Commander Dam is going to initiate an attack to Xinghe, not only 300.000, Emperor Xiao Zi will give him an entire army to burn down Xinghe Kingdom, like what they did to our Mountain Sui Sword Sect."
What had happened in Mountain Sui was something that Xiao Jun regretted the most. He wasn't strong enough to protect it.
Ye Xiu sighed and closed his eyes. He realized that his decision was impulsive and ridiculous to keep Senja by his side. When he didn't know what he should do with the little girl. Riana didn't give any explanation besides asked him to looking for Senja.
"She suffered there." Ye Xiu stated. After all, once in the past, he had took care of this girl when she was just a baby.
"Sadly, it isn't our business to interfere with her family." Xiao Jun said in regret while he stood up, "We can't let Xinghe Kingdom to be destroyed yet. They held a lot of important information about incident 7 years ago."
"I know." Ye Xiu said trough his gritted teeth.
Xiao Jun gave his Master a wide smile and waved him goodbye before he walked out from the boat.
Ye Xiu stared at Xiao Jun retreating back as proud feeling filled his chest, his disciple had grown more and more mature than he was before. He was a good strategist, with his calm demeanor and cool head. He was very certain that Xiao Jun would be a great sovereign like his father one day.
In the other hand Ye Xiu was growing old day by day and in hasted to find Riana. Even if it was a goodbye then he just wanted to say it in proper way.
Abducting Senja was a moment of impulse from his side. Even now Ye Xiu had got Senja, he still couldn't figure out what he had to do with her. In what way was Senja related with how to find Riana?
At the same time, there was a long time war that had claimed many victims, unless the truth was revealed, sooner or later Xinghe Kingdom wouldn't be able to hold back any longer. Moreover, there was a mysterious Misty Cloud Clan that had been pulling the string behind both Countries.
He sighed a deep breath when he saw the other 5 passenger came back, it's mean they were ready to depart in a moment.
Ye Xiu gently shook Senja's shoulder to wake the little girl up. "Senja." He called her couple of time before her eyelashes flutter to open and she sat down sluggishly.
"We have arrived?" Senja asked with sleepy voice.
"We will stay here tonight." Ye Xiu informed her as he help Senja stand up. Senja grabbed his hand while her other hand still rubbing her eyes to get rid her sleepiness.
"Sir, where are you going? We will leave in a moment." The boat man asked him.
"I am not leaving." He said curtly and boarded the boat with Senja.
His original selfish plan was to go to Rockstone Kingdom, however there was more important and crucial thing that he couldn't ignore.
***
The sky have turned dark, the moment Xiao Jun had reached Northern Fortress. He could see the 300.000 soldiers when the gate was opened.
The Emperor really impatient to start a war, he seemed afraid if Elder Dam would change his mind. So everything was ready in this short amount of time.
Xiao Jun rode his horse crossed the armies assembly towards the main house where Elder Dam, Xiao Tianyao and General Wang Yu were discussing the main event.
When he reached the courtyard, Xiao Jun dismounted his horse and then strode crossed the yard towards the meeting room. He knew they must be there to discussing about strategy to attack Xinghe northern border.
2 soldiers who were guarding the door cupped their hands in respect the moment they saw Xiao Jun.
"Main Commander Dam is inside?" He asked to one of the soldier.
"Yes, Commander Jun. Also General Xiao Tianyao and General Wang Yu."
"Mm." He signaled to them to move aside and no need to announce his presence.
Xiao Jun caught Elder Dam voice when he was elaborating his strategy with vehement voice to Xiao Tianyao and General Wang Yu. The later looked very attentive trough every explanation.
"Main Commander Dam, no need for war. I have found Senja's location."
Elder Dam who was sitting at the head of the table stopped talking and raised his head with anger dancing in his eyes.
Xiao Jun tried to smile at him to appease his furry, but it only made the old man grew more furious.
"You just come now!!" Elder Dam snapped at him. "Since when did you not follow my direct order!? I ordered Tianyao to tell you to come right away!" He pounded his fist on the table angrily.
Xiao Jun didn't take Elder Dam words to heart, he was his first Master. After many years he was trained under his strict rule, he had long gotten use with his temper. Xiao Jun bowed to give respect to Elder Dam before he repeated his words.
"I have found Senja's location." He said patiently.
This time Elder Dam was squinted his eyes dangerously while he discerned Xiao Jun information. "Where is she?" He snarled.
"She is indeed with my Master, Ye Xiu, in L City District 9."
"Your ex-Master really has some guts to kidnap my granddaughter." Elder Dam scoffed disdainfully. "How you know he is there with Senja?" His tone when asking has a bit suspicious of the truth behind the information.
"He is my Master after all. More or less I knew the way he thought and my men have confirmed it also." Xiao Jun spoke half of the truth. It was true for the first statement, but it was him who confirmed it by himself that his Master was there with Senja.
Elder Dam didn't say anything anymore, but turned to his heel as he walked out from the room. When he was about to opened the door he spoke with stern voice to Xiao Jun. "He 'was' your Master." Elder Dam emphasized that Ye Xiu no longer Xiao Jun's Master now.
Originally, the relationship between Elder Dam and Ye Xiu wasn't bad, but couldn't be said they had good time with each other also. Both of them respected each other as representatives of their respective Clan.
However, with Ye Xiu had kidnapped Elder Dam dear granddaughter, it made his anger gone through the roof.
General Wang Yu didn't say much to Xiao Jun like usual he just glared at him, stood up and followed after Elder Dam, leaving the room only for Xiao Jun and Xiao Tianyao who were facing each other.
"I have told you that he wouldn't be please." Xiao Tianyao strode away to walked out from the room.
"At least you could appease him a little." Xiao Jun said helplessly. "You could say something nice to him for my late arrival."
Xiao Tianyao turned around and spoke, "I don't have obligation to do that."
"I like you more when you were little." Xiao Jun chuckled and smiled indulgently to his little brother.
Xiao Tianyao was very displeased by his brother statement as he folded his arms and scrutinized him. "Why didn't you bring Senja back together with you?"
Xiao Jun's smile faded, "What do you mean?"
"You went to L City District 9 before you come here right?" Xiao Tianyao asked him in accusation tone.
"Look like in the future I can't hide anything from you."
"So, you really met him."
"Did you tell Main Commander Xiao?" Xiao Jun raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Mm. I told him." He replied with sarcasm and walked away from the room. Xiao Jun knew Xiao Tianyao didn't tell anything to Elder Dam about this. Or else based on Elder Dam character, he must be long time ago gone to L City with the long entourage of armies.
Xiao Jun strode over to catch up with his brother and found him at the corner of the hallway. He walked to his side and embraced his shoulder only to be smacked on the stomach by Xiao Tianyao. "Stop pestering me." He barked.
"It's seriously hurt." Xiao Jun held his stomach exaggeratedly and his brother gave him a disdain glare briefly. "By the way it's good that you didn't tattle about it."
"And you had just complained that I didn't appease him."
Xiao Jun laughed out loud when he heard that. "Fine, thank you my little brother. But, how you know that I met my Master?" Xiao Jun stopped in his track and also Xiao Tianyao when he replied curtly.
"It's just a lucky accusation, but you actually admit it easily." He shrugged his shoulder and walked away, leaving Xiao Jun standing alone there, speechless.
"Do I spoil him too much?" Xiao Jun mumbled.