Ou Lang sat at the corner near the shady tree with pouting lips. He was sulking while watching the soldiers setting up their camp. He mumbled to express his feeling, protesting against his general, General Ying.
Carefully and gently, he rubbed his head with a low sigh. There was a big bump made by his general just a few minutes ago. Which came from his own negligence. After saying he was the one who sent the letter to the Three Star, he told them the full story;
Ou Lang explained to them that his decision to not tell his general about the letter was because he was not sure whether the letter successfully arrived at Three Star or not. He did not deliver it personally so there is a high possibility the letter would never arrive but he still hopes it will arrive.
Furthermore, he only asked a beggar to run to the street and gives him some money when he just arrives in the city because of his bad health and is afraid the Hun Gin is still on his tail. He himself did not expect the beggar could deliver it successfully within that short time. He thought the letter would arrive when he had arrived at the palace or never. However, it arrived one day early which give him shock too.
Ou Lang also said his honest opinion when his general asked him why he did not consult him first, "We're short in time besides, I know nobody wants to help us, even if they were someone who I cannot trust, I don't care as long as my comrades' life can be safe."
Hearing that, General Ying didn't reply anything. Instead, he punched Ou Lang's head and apologized to the third prince because they made the decision ahead of time.
The four of them—Lutong, Pinang, Third Prince Mang We Jing, and General Ying Jian seat together discussing the next action they should take. Meanwhile, the other soldier replenishes their energy with food and guard the camp that they just build a while ago.
"He told us this Hun Gin is different and we were able to confirm it just now." Pinang pointed out at Ou Lang.
Ou Lang noticed, he was still sulking but diligently walked toward them. He crossed his hands and joined their conversation. As a commander, he needs to do his part.
"Last night, our force said they were also different from Hun Gin that we once saw in the north. However..." he glanced at four of them.
"However, their aura has changed from yesterday. Commander Ou said what he saw was a black or dark purple aura but what our people saw is completely opposite. It's orange. And...I just confirm it myself what I saw just now is red." continued Pinang.
Mang We Jing and Ying Jian listened with full interest.
Lutong pulled out something from his sleeves and put in front of them.
He opened the wrapping clothes, "This what our men found on one of their bodies." A crystal-clear needle has been shown to all of them.
"What needle is this?"
"…we don't know. We investigate it but we still don't know, Your Highness."
All five of them were silent and observing the needle.
"But we come to a conclusion, maybe this needle is what made their aura change. Our men said that before pulling out the needle, it was the same colour as their aura." Pinang interrupted Lutong and Mang We Jing's conversation which suddenly went mute.
"…I've never heard of that." Mang We Jing said with serious face.
"As you say, Your Highness. We also tried to connect it with many martial arts skills but we don't even get close to it."
"Hmm...you said their aura change. What else did you notice?" Mang We Jing looked at Pinang.
"We also notice their behavior change. Though, it's not the rough behavior they have as cannibals. After their dark grey aura changes to black and orange, they behave more ecstatic and fiercer. Aside from that…there's nothing more, Your Highness, General Ying."
"Fine, sir Pinang. I got it. But why did you explode the area?" Ying Jian took a short breath, and with a calm face, he said, "I'm not angry with you for destroying the border but I just want you to tell me the reason."
"General Ying..." Pinang scratched his covered chin.
"We actually just want to confirm something but it seems that they are not what we looking for. However, I don't think we cause you any loss. We save your people and we kill the enemy. The border…we can't avoid that." Pinang stared at Ying Jian seriously.
Ying Jian let out a loud sigh, "You—"
"So, the formation back then is for what you're looking for?" The third prince, Mang We Jing smirked. He suddenly got the idea why the people from Three Star stay in some sort of a formation just before the explosion was made.
'He's not just a war prince by name. This...' Lutong flustered and looked at Pinang.
*****
While the southern border is in that hectic situation, one man, the loyal servant of the third prince, Buchang mumbling alone in his room.
"Haa, I wonder how things going at the southern border, I want to go there too..." He stopped writing the documents and put his head on the tables. He flipped the brushes with his finger several times.
"If it not for me being the chief here, I can go too! Now, I got no one to play with, this is so bor-"
Hehe. Buchang got an idea to release his boredom, "Master is not here, I should go 'play' to the palace to find information. Well, I'm not slacking, this is also work. "He quickly gets up and changes his attire.
"Master asked me to find information, do not follow me." He said to the guard guarding his room.
"Okay, sir Lupang."
Buchang immediately left through the back door and go back to the third prince resident.