Fire Phoenix Chapter 25

   Chapter 25 The Thirty-Six Fighters in Darkness

At the guard post of Peach Blossom City

Yun Yajun and his troops slept peacefully. General Yun Yajun was not taking the threat of the bandits on Peach Blossom Mountain seriously, so he didn't order any watch guards posted throughout the night.

Late that night, the two lanterns that hung on the guard post's doorway were too dim to see by.

In the darkness, shadows shuffled along the walls, huddling together across from the doorway, were barely discernible figures. Using the dimming light, they entered the post like ghosts.

Yun Canglan climbed off Yun Qin's back, "Is it this room?"

Outside the room, Yun Canglan turned, asking in a hushed tone. Yun Qin and Yun Qi nodded silently.

Yun Qin opened the door for Yun Canglan. As soon as Yun Canglan walked into the room bathed by the dim moonlight, the door closed again and it was as though it had not been opened.

The man rolled over in his sleep and was suddenly awakened by the footsteps. He rose grabbing the broadsword at bedside.

"Who is there?"

Yun Hu shouted. The room may be dark, but he could clearly hear the visitor's loud breathing.

Yun Hu was a warrior, so he was alert and ready for an attack. However, he wasn't prepared for brutality, he didn't think the visitor would be out to kill.

"Who are you? Say something, damn you."

"Uncle Yun Hu, hush. You are scaring me."

The voice faded. A candle was suddenly lit, but no one was near it.

The sudden light made Yun Hu squeeze his eyes shut. The sight that greeted him as he opened his eyes was an unexpected visitor.

"Your Royal Highness?" Yun Hu rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Standing before him was Yun Canglan. His thoughts raced as he stared, 'What brings His Royal Highness here? Who are the two teenagers with him?'

"Your Royal Highness, why are you here? How is it you got here? Does the General know you are here? Also, who are they?" Yun Hu was asking a lot of questions and thought he probably shouldn't do that.

Yun Canglan faintly smiled and in a low but serious voice told Yun Hu, "Uncle Yun Hu, calm down please. I come on my own, and my father has no idea I am here."

Yun Hu was stunned. He finally understood.

Yun Canglan always seemed to be coward, weak, and naughty, but now he was frosty, sophisticated, smart, and overbearing. So it had been an act and this was the real royal highness?

"Uncle Yun Hu, don't sit surprised, it is really me, Yun Canglan. Pay attention." Yun Canglan continued coldly, "His Majesty and His Crown Prince fear my father's military power. They seem to favor and trust my father and love me dearly, but in fact, they want to secretly kill my father to regain the military power, so I have to pretend to be a good-for-nothing to relax their vigilance. What I am telling you is important to the survival of all members of the General's House. Please keep it secret."

Yun Hu stood there with his mouth open, in shock. Yun Canglan's behavior was a pretense; he was intelligent, sophisticated and cunning beyond his years and not a good-for-nothing. He must have planned from a very young age. How far-sighted he was to see this plot thoroughly when the General couldn't see.

"Your Royal Highness, please rest assured. The General saved my life, and I will do the same for him."

Yun Canglan nodded. "I know you are loyal. That's why I am here now. I want to ask you something."

"Yes, go ahead." Yun Hu couldn't help regarding Yun Canglan with reverence. He was a veteran soldier, but he voluntarily obeyed this child.

"How many members of the Yun's Troops are loyal to my father and willing to give their lives, really?" Yun Canglan put to him slowly and in a domineering manner, emphasizing the word 'really'.

Yun Hu was wholly convinced, by Yun Canglan's capabilities, and with him as his young master, he wouldn't suffer any ill-fate, "All of us pledge allegiance to the General and you, Master Yun."

Yun Canglan was satisfied, "Good, I trust you."

Yun Hu was curious, "Your Royal Highness, what happened?"

"That's why I came to you. His Majesty and His Crown Prince regard my father as a thorn in their sides and try to kill him. This was a ruse to send my father out here to crush these bandits."

"You mean we will fight fake bandits?"

"No, they are real bandits." Yun Canglan stood at the window, with his back to Yun Hu. Yun Canglan might be weak, but he was aggressive.

"Peach Blossom Mountain is difficult to attack, but easy to defend. My father has underestimated the bandits, bringing only the Yun's Troops to get rid of them. His Majesty and His Crown Prince knew my father would. They believe there is a secret force in the General's House. Yes, Yun's Troop is the target. They want to lure out the secret force to wipe it out. Most importantly, they want to kill my father."

"But the General…"

"Father doesn't believe that His Majesty, to whom he is loyal, wants him dead, as he doesn't know that His Majesty feels threatened by his military power. That's why I came to you."

Yun Hu went down on one knee. "I swear allegiance to you, Master Canglan, and to protect the General."

"Good." Yun Canglan said in an authoritative manner.

"I want you and the rest of the thirty-five members of the Yun's Troops to die in the battle here. My father will be seriously injured and Peach Blossom Mountain will disappear."

Yun Hu was puzzled, but didn't ask anything. Yun Canglan was satisfied with his loyalty and felt relieved.

"Yun Qin."

"Yes." Yun Qin walked over to Yun Hu handing him a delicate porcelain bottle. Yun Canglan explained, "When you're injured in the fight, drink this and you will appear dead for forty-eight hours. Don't worry, I'll rescue your bodies and keep you safe. On the surface, it appears you're wiped out, and my father is injured. I'll burn Peach Blossom Mountain to ashes. His Majesty and His Crown Prince won't worry about my father in the near future, but you will have to conceal your identities afterwards."

"Young Master Yun, I'll do whatever you want." Yu Hu answered determinedly, addressing Yun Canglan more formally.

"I'll order masks to be made for you later. You will have to serve in the General's House with other identities and protect the people there."

"Yes." Yu Hu greatly admired Yun Canglan's strategic abilities and maturity. It was best for the General's House if they retreated for now.

Yun Canglan worried, "Uncle Yun Hu, don't promise me right now. I trust you, but I don't know whether the other members will obey me."

"The General saved us on the battlefield. Without him, we would have been eaten by the wild beasts. We discarded our pasts, including country and surnames. We view the General as the most important person. You are the only son of the General. I believe what you do is the best for him. All of us know that."

Yun Canglan looked up at the dark sky. The autumn night always looked a little bleak. "It doesn't matter, but you can tell them this, my father saved you; I can destroy you. I hate betrayal and deception above all else. I don't want to go that far."

Yun Canglan was imposingly standing there. Yun Hu was a few steps away from him, and could clearly feel the pressure from him.

"Don't worry. We pledge to serve you."

Then, the 36 members of the Yun's Troops became the secret force of the General's House. Reputed to be, 'The Thirty-Six Fighters in Darkness;' they were the strong backing for Yun Canglan to rule the world.

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