For the Pan army, they failed in the assassination but they have at least successfully let the real assassin escape so as not to leave any clues. They achieved it by sending someone on a suicide mission, gave him the same sword injury Arash received at the assassination attempt. They let him to be discovered easily and when interrogated, he would confess to the crime of assassinating the Marshall. With this, the search for the assassin would come to an end and Arash would be able to still remain in the Mezhou city army as a spy.
Standing on the city walls, Adlin look farther ahead towards the enemy land but absentmindedly, pondering on the events related to the assassin. She knew something was definitely off but couldn't get her hands on it. Seeing her lost in thought on the walls, her father walked up to her and tried to help her relief her worry.
Adlin, he called.
Father. Why are you outside, with the cold? She asked.
Eh, it's nothing. I'm strong.
Dad, you had a cut last time during the assassination attempt. You should go and have a rest so you could finish recovering, she said, trying to explain.
This is nothing. This is your first time handling a military case, of course I have to come and take a look.
The look on her face turned from a sad expression to an angry one.
It's all general Funk's fault, she replied. I wanted to follow the clues and find out the spy in the camp but he...
Eh, I heard of it, her father said. But you don't need to worry about it. You have to remember, if you want to be a successful and good commander, you have to use the top down approach. Don't bother about trifles.
But I can't let him be impulsive, she stated.
Yes, he agreed. General Funk was indeed wrong but he is an excellent general who is loyal. As for the mole, we can investigate in secret. The most important thing is the peace talk halted. Pan sent someone to assassinate me, it means their army is weak. We can seize this opportunity to start the war.
Adlin became elated, and her interest peaked.
Father, you mean...?
Based on the current situation, the war is coming. We should focus on the overall situation, the tactics, strategies and people, her father explained to her with gestures. General Funk is reliable. No matter how many flaws he has, it's just a small matter.
Adlin nodded her head in agreement. "I understand".
You have to prepare carefully, you are going to fight on the battlefield.
Yes, I won't let you down.
Good.
Finally, Cyrus and Arash were finally released from their restraint as punishment for fighting. Cyrus was the first to be released and Adlin brought him along to release Arash too. Arash stayed in his camp sketching and mapping out the arrangement of the camp site on the floor as he has transversed. He heard one of the guards at the door salute "commander!" He immediately wiped away the sketch on the floor and flew onto the bed, pretending to be asleep.
Creak! The door opened and Adlin came in with Cyrus. Hrrm! hrrm! She cleared her throat to let him know of her presence. He pretended not to know and slowly got up while holding his injured hand.
Hmm, ah! Commander so you are here? He asked with a bit of pain in his voice. Cyrus looked at him and pitied him but blinked his eyes and looked away.
I came to release you, she said.
Hmm. Looking at you, I think the assassin has been caught.
Yes. General Funk executed him on the spot. She looked watched his expression before continuing.
I'm sorry. I was too paranoid, she apologized.
Huh! If it weren't for general Funk, I wouldn't how long I would have been suspected, he replied sarcastically.
Adlin nudged Cyrus to apologize to him but he seemed not to understand.
Apologize to him, she spoke out.
Oh! He said and walked closer to Arash. "Sorry".
Eh? I didn't hear you, Arash said.
Sorry. This time, he said it with a loud voice.
Arash laughed and stood up. Walking closer, he said "you could have told me earlier and I wouldn't have taken it to heart".
Cyrus sneered and wanted to walk away but Arash held his arm and stopped him.
Don't go. I was just joking and you were taking it serious?
Adlin smiled to herself. She became happy that they could still talk to each other in a peaceful manner.
As the saying goes, Arash continued. "We shall end by understanding one another. From now on we are good brothers".
As shy as he was, Cyrus couldn't answer and just nodded and Arash patted his shoulder.
How is your injury? Adlin asked Arash.
Hmm commander, how about checking again? He asked and stretched his arm towards her.
That's enough, don't be unreasonable, she replied.
Holding her arm and pulling her towards the bed to sit, he said "how about you treat me to a delicious meal? I can recover faster."
Okay. Tell me what you want to eat.
Cyrus just watched on with an expressionless face.
Um, let me think. It will take a while, Arash replied.
In a restaurant, General Funk and his closest associate and friend in the army, "general Qi" were eating and drinking. They had taken permission to leave the camp for a short while. There, general Funk complained seriously on his dissatisfaction with commander Adu.
Qi, you don't know, the commander looks arrogant with his head in the air. He doesn't respect the two of us, he is targeting me, general Funk complained.
Others may not know but I do, General Qi replied. Since he came to be the vanguard of the outpost battalion, you have been unhappy right?
Hmm, the Marshall really let him lead the army, them what happened? General Funk asked and answered himself. We failed to capture grains, as for the peace negotiations, the guards failed in their duty. If it were someone else he would have been severely punished but Marshall was just covering up for him.
That's why he is lucky, General Qi said abruptly. Tell me what you will do if it were your son who did this? You will do the same. So, don't take it to heart.
He is not cut out for being a general. If he becomes the Marshall in the future, Mezhou city army will die sooner or later.
Don't worry he won't become the Marshall.
If it is not his turn, then whose turn is it? You, me? Pah! General Funk spat.
Why don't you understand? Let me tell you, he said and gestured him to come closer. She is a girl, that is the young master's younger sister, Sima Adlin. I followed Marshall since I was sixteen and watched Sima Adu grow up. The commander is his younger sister.
What? General Funk was dumbfounded. How did I let a girl to stay above me? We need to find a way to teach her a lesson.
Look, I told you in private. This could cause a big problem. So, you see? She would go back later to take care of her family, she won't get the position of Marshall.