Chapter 4 - 4. Encounter

Hong er POV

I work in the kitchen, I sleep in the kitchen, I entertain myself in the kitchen, I do everything in the kitchen. I woke up at 3 in the morning and start to cook breakfast, I am alone in the kitchen that's why I have to woke up early. I have to serve their meal at the dine hall and that's how all my muscle build up. My knife skill is improving too. After they had their breakfast, they start to practice while I'm here washing dishes and cleaning the dine hall. After I finished cleaning, I always sneak out to peep on their practices, their weapons are really weird, it isn't what Da Chu's Soldiers use. I learned their swordmanship and martial arts, but I never tested it out before, I only learned their stance and moves. Even though I really want to learn archery, I can't just steal their bow and arrows, what if they noticed, of course I will be killed.

My hand are getting more and more callous on my hand, carrying a pot of soup that weight about 30 kilos everyday from morning till night. Practice martial arts and swordmanship using kitchen knife in midnight. That is my everyday life. And I noticed that sometimes the soldiers use Bei Zhou's language and dialect while talking to each other, of course I eavesdrop on their conversation. My suspicion kept growing but I can't do anything. Every night before sleep, I always holding on the jade that granny gave me. I talked to the wind if I feel lonely, I kissed the jade if I miss granny, but I never cried since the day granny died. Granny told me to always keep smiling and try my hardest to solve the problem, crying won't solve anything. I always kept smiling even after being whipped, I purposely make them think that I am crazy idiot who always smiling and laugh for no reason. In this kind of situation, being smart is not a very good choice because the smarter you are the more they suspicious of you, they will kill you right away, they are heartless than animal.

18 months later

Third person POV

Around the camp, a hundred of elite soldiers in black clothes surrounding the camp. A boy standing in front of two tall young man, they age are about 16 years old but their eyes showed the opposite, their murderous glare can kill anyone with just a glance. How dare they use kids and elderly to do this rough work. Kill when they are hungry or sick, the little girls are used as a s.e.x toy. The killing intent keep growing until the boy hand rise, they immediately erase all the killing intent in their eyes. How can they let the enemy notice the murderous glare. They quickly kneeled " We apologize for not being cautious Your Highness". The boy only put down his hand while looking at a girl that is carrying a pot of hot soup. The pot is bigger than her body but she can lift it up with that skinny bare hand. Her hair is jet black and long, even though it is a bit messy but it looks so fluffy. Her bangs is covering her eyes making her more mysterious but her smile brighten her little pale face. And at that moment he felt his heart beating so loud. If the two subordinates know what he is thinking right now, they will be praying the gods to enlighten them. This prince always known for hating women because all the women he knew only want his position and looks. The only women he cares about are his mother and little sister.

One of the subordinates, Hui Qing, braced his heart and called out " Your Highness, it is time to…" before he finish his sentence, " kill all of the enemy, capture and interrogate the victim, you know what to do and leave that girl for me" Then give them a nod and all of the soldiers come out from the hideout start the killing spree.

The boy followed the girl to the kitchen, he peeped her from the window. Even when she was slaved, she is still smiling brightly. He sighed but the sudden voice shocked him " Who? " But she was replied with silence. She shrugged her shoulder and continuing to wash the dishes. Her voice is soft and calming. He had underestimated her, she is sharper than he thought.

When she rolled up her sleeves, his blood immediately rose to the sky. HOW DARE THEY HIT HER?! Then he left to solve some business, let's pray so that they can die peacefully. But god not on their side, he tortured all of them until they wished die than live.

After he is done with his business, he came back to the kitchen. He saw her skillfully skinning the boar, even though he couldn't see her eyes but he can feel her seriousness in it. He start to admire her for a little bit. He watched her from beginning till the end, then he knocked on the door. The girl turned around and saw a boy standing straight in front of the door. She had to look up because she is way shorter than him, her parted lips when she look up is so cute, the pink and plump lips look like a small kitten.

She looked at the dazed boy, she is confused, why does she felt that he is so familiar? Then she saw that his clothes is covered with blood, she immediately run to one of the drawer and took out a box. She ran back to the boy, " Where does it hurt?" but the boy only look at her, then she tilted her head, " Where is your injury?". The boy grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. " At here". The girl's eyes widened in shock, " Aiya, that's bad, quickly take off your shirt" The girl quickly open the box and took out a pill and bandages but when she turn back to look at the boy " Eh? But it is not bleeding." And she is in silent for a while and asked again " What do you feel?", " My heart suddenly sped up and it is throbbing." The girl mouth is in agape, " Aiya! This is an emergency! You should immediately go find a physician. I only know how to treat external injuries!", " No, I only need you." "Aiyoo, I don't know how to treat you. I never treat internal injuries."

The boy: " She is as dense as a rock."