Marshall Sima walked straight to the prison cell where Adlin was busy anticipating the outcome of the battle. Without hesitating, he drew his sword and broke the lock.
Father, what happened? She asked.
The army is stuck at the Pan army's camp, they are surrounded, now I order you to go and help them out and bring the army back safely, Marshall Sima ordered.
Adlin immediately knelt down and opened her hands. Her father gave her the sword and she gave him an assurance.
"I won't let you down, father." She stated.
Her father nodded in response and she left with Cyrus immediately.
The battle at the Pan army's camp was raging on and the Mezhou city army was losing a great deal. It wasn't possible to keep on protecting general Funk as the battle was now so intense, every soldier were fighting for his own life.
Arash busied himself with walking around the battle area and he saw how soldiers died in numbers, he somehow felt sad though. He later joined the battle and sustained some injuries. It would be weird if others were injured and only him will be unscathed.
A while later, when all hope was almost lost, Adlin charged in with soldiers under her command.
Kill! She ordered.
With loud screams, the soldiers charged into the encirclement of the Pan army. They fought till the encirclement was broken.
Retreat! Retreat! Adlin ordered.
The surrounded soldiers quickly began leaving and running all the way back to Mezhou city. As they ran, some took the rear and fought off the pursuit. Almost all were injured including Adlin and Cyrus. After they had successfully arrived the camp in Mezhou city, the gates were shut. Marshall Sima welcomed all of them and when he saw his daughter "Adlin", he praised her.
Commander! Commander! Commander! All the soldiers praised her and saluted her. If it weren't for her, they would have all perished in battle.
Later on, Marshall Sima met with general Qi who had decided to do what was right and not support evil. He stated his findings and what he knew about how general Funk may be related to the loss of the battle. He thought he may be a spy.
This is a crime of treason, without solid evidence, we cannot conclude, marshall Sima said. Besides I have known Funk for many years and he has been loyal, what would make him to betray his country?
I remember the last time we drank together, I was drunk and mistakenly revealed that the commander was a woman. Only the both of us were there. But the next day, rumours started circulating in the camp about the commander being a woman. It's very likely that Funk was behind it, General Qi explained.
Are you sure about that?
Yes. And he could be doing this because he is afraid that the commander will steal his military achievements and recognition.
That could be true but without solid evidence we can't draw a conclusion. If there is nothing else you can leave first, Marshall Sima said.
Then I will leave, call me when you want know something, general Qi said and left.
Marshall Sima sat for a while drinking tea. He kept on thinking if general Funk was really the spy in the camp, he hoped it won't be true.
At night Arash had a terrible dream. He dreamt that he was caught as the spy of the enemy. Marshall Sima asked him why he betrayed his trust but instead of answering, he fled only to meet Cyrus and his two friends on the other end.
You betrayed our trust and traitors will be killed without mercy, Cyrus said pointing his sword at him.
I thought you were a good person, I was wrong in the end. You betrayed all of us! Adlin shouted from behind him. He turned in shock to look at her when he heard her voice.
"You said you didn't betray us, now prove it", another voice said from the side and he turned to see the Pan army commander. He threw a sword at him which he caught and said "kill her, if you didn't betray us"
Arash was dumbfounded he didn't know what to do. His hand holding the sword was shaking violently, he couldn't kill her.
Arash, let me help you, Adlin said.
She immediately jumped off the city walls and died.
Nooo! Arash screamed and jolted from sleep. His breathing was heavy and he wiped off the sweat from his head, thankful it was all a dream. He got up and went outside and saw Adlin helping people in Mezhou city to distribute food. They could only rely on rations till the battle was over. Business outside the city was impossible.
After helping a child reach his portion of the food, Adlin turned around and saw Arash. He waved at her and she smiled. He was injured on his leg at the battle in the Pan army camp, with the help of clutches, he walked towards her. Adlin handed what she was doing to someone else and met with him.
You haven't recovered from the injuries yet, why did you come out? Adlin asked.
Which of the injuries? The one Cyrus left on my arm or the one you left on my heart when you locked me up? He asked.
She hesitated before saying "I mean the one you sustained on your leg why helping me in battle."
Oh! That's true.
You have saved me so many times, I don't know how to repay you, Adlin said.
Yes. It's really hard to repay. How about... you marry me? He asked but she didn't reply. Don't worry if you don't want to, I was just joking.
Who said I didn't want to?
What? I...are you serious? He couldn't believe his ears. I may not recover and be crippled forever.
Take a walk with me, Adlin said and threw away his walking staff. She threw his arms around her neck and held his waist as they walked away.