The next day,
On the way to the southern border, in the carriage, General Ying, and Mang We Jing seat together so do Ou Lang. Ou Lang felt uncomfortable because of his current state – his left leg was already limping.
However, before they set off to the southern border, he was told by both the third prince and his general to come along and rest as much as he can because they would need his help when the times come – Still, Ou Lang felt complicated.
Meanwhile, the ones who follow along with the third prince, An Rong and Wong ride the horses as their job is to observe the situation and guard the outside.
"Your Highness, thank you for willing to help us."
"It's fine but...where are Three Star's people?" Mang We Jing put on an uninterest face while asking Ying Jian in a flat-low voice.
"They said they will follow us shortly, they are preparing their men, Your Highness." Said Ying Jian while pulling out a letter from inside his armour. He gave it to Mang We Jing.
"Shortly? Can they catch up to us? We're already halfway." Mang We Jing read the letter which stated exactly the same thing as what the general in front of him said.
"Oh, looks like they're here!" Ou Lang shouted excitedly, his lips brimming with a smile. He felt relieved the other big help they can count on finally arrived.
Mang We Jing looked outside via the window. Several black figures approached them from behind at a quite fast speed.
'Not bad.'
"Half of us will go to the border first." A tall man in black informed them through the carriage's window while using a common martial art that is not foreign in the martial art world – Thousands Wind Steps.
Right after delivering the message, that man quickly left the carriage and went faster – straight to the border.
"I'll follow them." Mang We Jing jumped out of the window and followed that man's steps.
Ying Jian too, hurriedly followed the third prince, "Me too," he left Ou Lang with a short remark.
Left alone, Ou Lang blankly stared out of the window. In a flash, all the people in the carriage were gone except him.
'...what?' He was stunned by the sudden situation.
Zapp! A sudden black figure came into the carriage through the same window. It woke him up from his thought, his alertness was raising.
"You're the witness, right?" He asked while sitting on the couch.
Ou Lang grabbed his sword. He looked at the man suspiciously, 'Even though he is smaller than that tall man earlier, I can't let my guard down. Small doesn't mean he is weak and…why he asked about the witness? Anything can happen in a war. I can't be easily fooled again!'
Pap.
That man put a piece of paper on Ou Lang's lap. Ou Lang's eyes twitched a little because he recognised the content well, 'This writing! It's the letter I wrote to Three Star!'
He looked deeply into the eyes of the man that sit unguard in front of him. It was hard for him to determine whether the man is an ally or an enemy because the only thing which was not covered by black clothes is his eyes, 'Is it truly Three Star?'
They exchanged deep glares.
"…"
After a short thought, Ou Lang loosen his shoulder and let his guard down a bit, "Yes...I am."
Still, he still gripped his sword firmly just to be safe if something unpredictable happens again. He did not want to repeat the same mistakes again.
'Overly believing in what I saw and not being fully alert all the time, I can no longer afford to do that in any situation especially right now!' Silently, he prepared to slash that man's neck if he saw anything weird in his action.
"Those Hun Gin, what they looked like?"
"They...they look exactly like the north Hun Gin but something unusual…they had beast with them. They..." Ou Lang stopped. He hesitated to tell the man any more than that, 'He is our ally, someone from Three Star, right? If not, if by any chance he is one of Hun Gin's people, then this plan to get back south border and my life will end her-'
Zapp.
The black man pulled the sword in Ou Lang's hand towards his own neck. Ou Lang was shocked. Gulp.
"They what? We're in hurry. Don't waste any more time. Tell me all about it now."
Ou Lang sighed. He had no choice but to tell him the details, "Their aura...looked different. Black…? No… I think it's dark purple. It's not the same as the north Hun Gin I've encountered befor-"
Swoosh.
The black man jumped out of the window. Ou Lang once again blankly stared at the window. However, this time, he was feeling riled and a bit furious.
"Wh-what the hell is wrong with you people?!" Finally, his hidden feelings outbursts. Well, unfortunately, it could only reach himself – Ou Lang was frustrated because everybody left him alone like he was only a short stop for them; his feeling of uselessness became stronger.
Bam! He punched the carriage with a tightened fist, letting out his frustration – He was angry at himself because all he could do is only watch them go with their life at the stake, 'It was the first time I felt so useless.'
*****
Zzap. One of the Three Star's men pass through him and Mang We Jing looked at the back of that man. He watched how the man communicate with the other one – the tall man who stopped by the carriage earlier.
As he observed them, something across his mind, 'Is the tall one their leader?'
He sped up his step and caught up to them. However, the moment he caught up to them, the shorter one left at high speed, only leaving the tall one behind.
'Is all of them capable of that speed?' he thought, unexpectedly feeling annoyed.
Even so, the situation reassured Mang We Jing, putting an end to his doubt earlier, 'He's the leader,' he glanced at that tall man, 'maybe he's only the leader of this group or maybe the organization leader...either way, this is a good chance.'
"What should I call you?"