"Your Highness! What kind of place do you want to go just by yourself?!"
Startled, Zhu Su automatically turned back to see the caller. Wu Qi was standing there.
"Your Highness, don't hang around in Mount Laojun just by yourself. This is Xie Wang's den! Extremely dangerous!" Wu Qi said in fear.
"I see. But I still have to go. Just because this mountain is Xie Wang's den then I have to go, to get him!"
"Your Highness, now you are the leader of Yunnan. If you are in danger, that will make the enemy's expectation become reality. You must remain in your residence so the enemy can't attack you and thus ruin the sovereignty of Ming."
Zhu Su sighed, totally furious. "I know you care with me... Mu Ying is also the same as you... But one thing you don't understand. By dwelling cowardly in my resident I've proven what Xie Wang is hoping for. Did you hear what he said in the government office's courtyard? He openly provoked the people by vilifying me! Now Yunnan people have been antipathy to me, if I keep curling up in my house like a coward, then that is the condition Xie Wang exactly hopes for, he will use it to ruin Ming authority in people's eyes! So, to raise Ming's honor again, I must face Xie Wang. And defeat him!"
Zhu Su's argument made Wu Qi be at a loss of words for a while.
"But at least you have to bring people to accompany you. Going alone won't lead you to victory," Wu Qi said at last. "Take me to participate in your battle, Your Highness."
"You... are willing to go with me?..."
"Yes," Wu Qi raised his eyebrows, his eyes were full of determination. "I'm ready to join the battle against Xie Wang!"
"Your Highness! May you also let me take part in the battle!"
Hu Nayin almost could not get her own breath as she had run to get here. "I also want to help you, Your Highness!" She shouted aloud.
"You can't, Nayin! You are female. A little girl! This battle is very dangerous! Our life will be at stake!" Zhu Su immediately banned her as he was so surprised and also panic with Hu Nayin's audacity.
"Your Highness, please trust me that I won't give you trouble. I can give you a lot of help. This dense forest in Mount Laojun, I have been very familiar with it. I often come up here to search for medicinal herbs. So, Your Highness, I can help you to distinguish which path you've to take in here so you can reach your destination safely."
"Makes sense. The area in Mount Laojun can be very perplexing. I'm not familiar with this area. Miss Nayin can be a very reliable guide," Wu Qi expressed his opinion.
Zhu Su threw a judging glance towards Hu Nayin. That young Miao girl responded with a gaze full of seriousness.
"Well, then," Zhu Su finally changed his mind. "I'm just worried because the battle is very dangerous for a girl. But if you have such that bravery, I will absolutely appreciate it. The more we have friends on our sides, the better it will be." He grinned. "Come on, both of you. Let's continue our journey."
Wu Qi and Hu Nayin smiled gladly, shouted, "Let's do our best!"
***
"Hmmm... it's indeed beyond my expectation that he has such bravery. I think he is a runny child who can only hide behind parent's back, but he dares to die by challenging a duel with me, and he is only accompanied by two fellows."
Sitting on a tall tree in the courtyard of his resident, Xie Wang was squinting Zhu Su's small group who was struggling to climb Mount Laojun.
"But there are only three of them, what can they do? Just a little threat and they will be finished. They're no match to us, obviously." Rumilie commented in a humiliating manner.
"Wrong. This Zhu Su is far more interesting than Mu Ying who only dares to gang up by bringing troops in a large amount. He only comes by threes, his followers are also just a village boy and a little girl. Only an extremely crazy man... or an extremely clever man... who has the gut to do that..." Xie Wang smiled, so broadly. "Interesting... interesting! I love his character! He reminds me of my ancestors Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan!"
"You can't equate him with those grandiose Khans, Prince. He is a Ming!" Rumilie was sullen.
"This duel will be very interesting." Ignoring Rumilie, Xie Wang was now clicking his fingers, face beamed with delight. "Alright, Ming Prince. Please me!"