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Chapter 10 - TKW V

No wonder Feng came to inspect the south of the Huaijiang Clique's domain. Despite the sheer mass of the army encamped along the border, if the Xiangyang Army is his southern standard, then paper tigers guard this soft underbelly of the Clique.

But it is odd that Feng would suddenly decide that he wanted to improve his southern troops. Was he planning an invasion of the South? Could it be he felt threatened by a warlord of the south? That doesn't seem right. The South lacks any warlord on par with his might. None would even dare attack him. Only the madmen of Jianchuan would even dare skirmish with the NPA.

Perhaps my client knows more than I do. Why did he commission me to kill Feng? The intrigue of Southern Warlords never interested me, but if it involves such a monolith as Feng. I can't help but ponder.

Odd.

Maybe Jiang would know. He was always keen on politics. I remember overhearing him in the mess hall, whenever he talked to subordinates it would always be about his deduction for the future situation of Shenzhou. I'm not sure if he's ever been correct. But out of all the times I've overheard him, none of his scenarios have come true.

There was one time. When I was coming out from my office, and I needed to look for Meng. But I couldn't find him, so I decided to go ask Jiang - since he's always at the canteen. As soon as he got into earshot, I heard him proclaim that the Dongyue Clique would unite Southern China.

Really? The dogs of Dongyue? Uniting Shenzhou? They can't even keep their own petty factions of the NRP together. Every time they seem to be on the brink of success, their impotent Zhang family ruins it all. I still remember how the first so-called "Northern Expedition" ended. The whole NRP, after taking Dahan, collapsed in on itself.

Brother turned against brother, comrade against brother.

Their individual political ideals overpowered their collective want for a united Shenzhou. Pitiful.

Not to mention. This happened twice.

Twice the Zhang Dynasty led their National Revolution Army - twice did it implode; Twice was it for the same reason, albeit in different incarnations.

For such pathetic men, who lack any conviction or solidarity. The Zhang family has been mocked throughout China as cursed. Their ambition too vast for a family of lowlifes. Thinking that just because their cult's saint, Sun Wenzi, designated them as his successors, that it meant they held the mandate of heaven. Blasphemous.

It would be more likely that the great hordes of the Wan Clique of the Steppe Lingbei flood into Shenzhou and unite it - à la Temülen Buerigen eight hundred years ago.

Hm. The great Temülen Khaganum...

Maybe Shenzhou needs another Ghengis Khan. If we are to be united ever again...

Oh. The proud and patriotic Shenzhounese in me can dream. The hired gun of me would rather it remain shattered. Better for business. But if I had to be honest. If Shenzhou was to ever unite...

don't think I would be able to become a civilian again.

Maybe my political leaning would be more in line with Zhao. He's probably just as apathetic as me when it comes to this subject.

Since, for myself. It serves me to know where targets might be, thus, I always keep a clear picture of the present political situation. But devoid of the nuances. I hold no allegiance to any warlord, my only loyalty is to gold. So I have no need to know the particular histories of my targets, not because I'm afraid I'll grow attached, it's just not necessary for me.

It serves me no good to contemplate the future of politics in Shenzhou. My targets exist now, not in the future. My destiny and fate lies here and now, my stake lies in the present. Not in the future.

And right now my target is Feng.

So far I've assigned my three lieutenants distinct missions. Zhang has already carried the first part of his task flawlessly. The dogs of Feng were completely fooled. His act was truly convincing. Of course the one to fool the pale reapers would be the illustrious fool of the Azure Leopards himself. How fitting.

Part of being able to lead the most successful mercenary band in Southern China is knowing your subordinates well. It takes real skill to see through people no matter how hard they try to block you out.

Zhang has always been the most loved lieutenant. People clamor to serve under him. Everyone knows him as the most easy going one. His carefree demeanor, his warm and soft mannerisms, his bright beaming smile. All of it help portray him in such a welcoming light to the rest of the company.

Uncle Zhang. That's what his underlings call him. Whereas the rest of the corps adhere to a strict rank hierarchy, Zhang's platoon refer to each other with familial pseudonyms and honorifics.

He is impenetrable. His guise. Whatever this façade he has of a vibrant affectionate superior covers a white oblivion inside him.

Looking around me. I could see that much of the crowd that had gathered to gawk at the commotion had dispersed. Finally returning to man their stations. It is an emergency situation after all. I'm surprised it took them so long to get organized. Instead of immediately arming and readying themselves for the threat, they spent the most crucial time to prepare for an attack watching Zhang mess around.

The fate that awaits their Martial will fall on all of them. Every men here will be responsible for not preventing Feng's death. And they will be blamed and hunted. There is no way around it. If Feng's Clique shatters, maybe they may be able to survive for longer.

This is no game, not for me, not for my men, and not for them. However, while we treat every moment as a soldier - for hire - as a life or death situation, these men seem to see it more as an occupation to pass time. Why else would they volunteer to be part of Feng's Southern Army. The theatre without conflict, and instead, guaranteed safety.

No matter. For now, I need to locate Feng.