#general ba

Not coming to find them immediately to tell them the news was obviously the worst offence but going to see the Phoenixes without Shí Hóu? Then flying with one of them? She couldn't comprehend how either of them had thought it was a good idea.

The Phoenixes weren't shy in their contempt for them and while they weren't particularly aggressive birds, they were more than capable of killing a monkey demon. Shí Hóu, and perhaps Xiāo Hóu, was the only one that could approach the Phoenixes without fear and he was the only one they would even remotely consider listening to.

Neither she or Beng would entertain Ma's counterarguments or her insistence they'd had the situation under control. Ba said nothing, and she couldn't see him well enough to know whether that was because he was feeling chastised or because his yet to be identified injuries were causing him problems.

Eventually she snapped at him quite spectacularly over it, concern making her tone exceptionally sharp as she demanded he say something, and he'd startled so badly he'd momentarily lost his footing. Thankfully, he'd righted himself almost immediately but after a moment to get his bearings all he did was ask them all in a very strained voice to keep moving.

Beng had all but demanded Ba let one of them carry him but Ma had just growled that he had said to keep moving. Her heart was still beating wildly at the scare and she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

They climbed in relative silence after that. Beng grumbled above her and she occasionally heard Ma and Ba whisper to one another but nothing else was said until they reached the library.

As Beng offered her a hand up, he was already explaining to the dutifully waiting Shā that they had ran into Ma and Ba and ordered him to fetch some medical supplies. And as she turned around to help Ma up she realised that at some point Ba had finally taken up the offer to let someone carry him.

His face was buried against Ma's shoulder but she could see the telltale signs of minor burns on his hands and his ears and she called after Shā to bring something to treat that too.

Once Ma was out she promptly dropped her hands and walked past her to put Ba down before plopping down beside him so he could lean against her and for all the world she looked like an overprotective guard dog.

It was very rare that Ma was upset with her but she needed to look them both over and so with a concerted effort she pushed down the painful throbbing in her chest and made her way over.

Both of them looked awful but Ba looked significantly worse. She glanced at Ma and when she wasn't met with a reaction, she took that as a go ahead.

She crouched in front of Ba, "Ba...? Can you lift your head and open your eyes, please?"

He struggled but he did his best to comply, the light seemed to be giving him a lot of bother and after some simple tests and questions she let him rest his head again, even taking off the cloth from around her waist to drape it over his eyes.

Softly she stroked his hair as she explained, "I think you must have hit your head pretty hard during that fall, Ba. You've got a nasty bump, and combined with the light sensitivity and the sluggishness I'm going to need to keep an eye on you."

Ma frowned in concern, "But he was fine right after though."

She didn't disagree with her, "Sometimes there can be a delay but I doubt suddenly having to run for his life did him any favours."

Ma's brow furrowed as she gently leaned her head against Ba's and chirped comfortingly.

Liu moved on to Ba's wrist and while she held it as gingerly as possible he still winced. She appraised the swelling and while she tried to keep the reproach out of her voice, she couldn't help but ask, "You were climbing on your wrist when it was like this...?"

Ma responded for him, and Liu was relieved that while she was eager to defend him there was no hint of animosity directed towards her, "He didn't! I had my tail wrapped around his arm the whole time!"

She bit back any comments that he shouldn't have been climbing regardless, it wouldn't do them any good right now. No doubt the concussion had probably been clouding Ba's judgement and she and Ma could discuss why she'd been so adamant they let him climb later.

So she addressed Ba apologetically, "This will hurt but I'll try and be quick, ok?"

While his expression was uncomfortable, he didn't make a sound as she examined his wrist, and eventually she concluded, "I think it's probably broken. Once Shā- Ah, perfect timing! Thank you, Shā."

As she wrapped Ba's wrist she instructed, "You're going to keep off this until I give you the go ahead, ok? No throwing monkeys away from danger anytime soon, alright?"

She said it lightly but Ba just nodded defeatedly in response. Ma huffed fondly, knowing just as well as she did that no injury would stop Ba from trying to save a monkey in danger.

She checked him over thoroughly and tended to the superficial injuries he had and gave him something for the pain. Bruises were already starting to form under his fur and by the end of the day she was sure he would be black and blue all over.

Once she was satisfied she'd done all she could, she looked hopefully towards Ma, who thankfully let her check over without a word of complaint. She was in much better shape than Ba but she certainly didn't complain about being offered some painkillers. That fall hadn't been good for her either and her muscles were probably aching after all the running and climbing too.

Injuries tended to, she brought a hand to rest on Ma's cheek, who leaned into before apologising, "Sorry for worrying you, Liu."

Liu's hand found Ba's uninjured one, "Don't think you've heard the end of going off on your own like that but you're safe and that's all that matters right now."

Ba squeezed her hand and Ma kissed her palm and it was clear neither held a grudge about being snapped at. All she really wanted to do was hold them both tightly until the volatile cocktail of emotions in her chest settled but unfortunately, it would have to wait.

So, she disentangled herself from them and addressed Beng, "Alright, Beng. What have we got?

While she'd been tending to the two of them, Beng had started going through Xiāo Hóu's many contingency plans, trying to find the relevant scrolls.

Seeing that she was done with Ma and Ba, he stopped what he was doing and responded, "It will take me a little while to go through all of Xiāo Hóu's scrolls but in the first instance we should take stock of the situation."

She took a seat and nodded, "Agreed. What do we know?"

Ma counted off on her fingers as she summarised, "Demon King of Confusion has more or less united the Havoc Demon Clan and has his sights set on our palace next. He's looking for the tunnels but we don't know what he knows about them. And he's got his hands on some weapons and armour that the Phoenixes think that only Shí Hóu can go up against."

Looking unhappy, Beng rapped his fingers against the table, "We need more information. We need to know what progress he has made finding the tunnels and what these weapons of his are truly capable of."

Ma nodded, "I say we call in some favours and get some spies in place. Méi can run things on the ground but she can't keep making the trip back. I could travel back with her and see who I can find along the way that could run information?"

Hesitantly, Liu responded, "It's not that it's a bad idea but..."

Ma waved her hand, "Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't be your first choice but Ba's out of commission and the sooner we get this set up the better."

Beng responded, "It is a matter of urgency but you are not known for your stealth and under no circumstances can you risk being seen. If you're spotted, by anybody, then they may be forced to abandon the tunnels and launch an attack as soon as possible."

Offended, Ma argued, "I know that! You think I would volunteer if I didn't think I could pull it off?"

Bluntly, Beng replied, "I think you overestimate yourself."

Ma's angry response was cut off by Ba's tired voice, "I'll sort it out."

His head was currently resting on Ma's lap and Liu was surprised he was still listening. Believing he was sensible enough not to be suggesting he was in any state to be travelling across the island, she was willing to hear him out, "What are you thinking, Ba?"

"I'll tie in with Méi and we'll put a team of demon monkeys together."

She followed his logic - no-one in Havoc Demon territory would pat an eye at an extra demon monkey, in fact they probably wouldn't even be able tell them apart from a normal monkey, but if they caught so much of a whiff of a monkey demon then there would be trouble immediately.

Beng seemed to approve, "And I suppose you already have certain monkeys in mind?"

Ba nodded but didn't elaborate. She knew though that there had been a handful of monkeys that had taken to joining him when he went hunting since Xiāo Hóu had left however so he probably did have a pretty good handle on who was best suited for the job.

She added, "Méi will probably want to rest here tonight anyway so we don't need to decide right now. See how you're feeling and we can discuss it properly later."

Ma grumbled but she didn't argue with them, instead choosing to move the conversation on, "Alright, fine. But regardless, there's really only two outcomes - he finds the tunnels and attacks that way or he doesn't and he comes through Tusked Demon territory. We need to start preparing for both."

Beng agreed, "We should arrange to meet with the Tusked Demon Clan as soon as possible but as for the tunnels I believe the answer might be contained within Xiāo Hóu's works."

Ma scoffed, "You seriously think he has a plan in case of attacks from underground?" There was a long, silent pause before she conceded, "Ok, actually now that I've said it out loud, I believe it."

Beng managed a brief smile, "I wouldn't put it past him but no, that wasn't what I was thinking of. I believe his seals and traps could make the tunnels rather... inhospitable, let's say."

Ma rubbed at her chin thoughtfully, before pointing out, "What about Huānyǎn though?"

Beng frowned, "Yes, that is a complicating factor. As is the unknown layout of the tunnels - we don't know which route our enemies will take or whether there are other ways up into the palace. The beast will make it difficult to obtain that information."

Liu pointed out, "Huānyǎn will be a problem for any intruders too though. We might be able to make an unwitting ally out of them."

Almost to herself Ma mused, "Or maybe not so unwitting." At the puzzled looks she received, she explained, "We got off on the wrong foot but my guts telling me Huānyǎn isn't just some mindless beast."

Beng was incredulous, "You want to try and befriend it? The first thing it did when it found you was attack!"

Liu added, "And I doubt they will think kindly of you after you threw fire in their eye."

Ma looked regretful, "Yeah, I wish I hadn't had to do that... But look we're going to have to get to know them one way or another while exploring down there. I'm just saying I think we should keep an open mind."

Dismissively, Beng responded, "Noted. But our first concern should be how we defend ourselves and escape from it."

She could already tell Ma and Beng were going to be butting heads for the foreseeable future and if he'd been able to, she was sure she and Ba would have exchanged a tired look over it.

Ma bit out, "Leave it to me then. I'll figure out everything we need to know."

Liu cut in before Beng could argue with her, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The first thing to do is review Xiāo Hóu's contingency plans. He may very well have something tucked away that could make exploring the tunnels safer - and if we all pitch in, then we'll find it faster."

Beng pointed out another issue however, "While you are correct, there's also the troupe to inform. Between Méi and Shā no doubt rumours are already flying - we need to address them as soon as possible."

She considered this for a moment before suggesting, "If you stay here and keep an eye on Ba while you look for answers then Ma and I can see to the troupe. Once their settled then we'll come back and help."

Beng deliberated for a moment, clearly torn about whether he should be there to address the troupe too before standing up, "Very well. That seems a sensible course of action."

Ba had already pushed himself up off of Ma and with a bit of support from her, he was on his feet but Beng was quick to duck under his arm and sling it over his shoulder. He scowled, "I was coming over to carry you."

Ba just ignored him, clearly intent on walking there, and Beng decided it was apparently better to help him and grumble about it than forcibly picking him up.

She watched them worriedly until they were sat back down and by then Ma was by her side and tugging on her hand, "C'mon, Liu. Let's go do this."

She nodded, holding her hand tighter as she followed her but she couldn't say she was excited by the idea of telling everyone that war might soon be upon them.

Well, there was one particularly "young" Phoenix that was pretty decent but the other Phoenixes did everything in their power to stop them interacting with anyone outside of their flock.

There were another couple that could sometimes be convinced to be somewhat reasonable but they still had to act like martyrs just for giving them the time of day.

But, as Ba had rightly pointed out, the Phoenixes were their best lead at finding out more about these tunnels. They had called this island home for millennia and they knew its secrets better than anyone.

She wasn't happy about it though and boy, did she make sure Ba knew it. She did her best to get all her complaints out of her system before they got within earshot of the Phoenixes but she honestly didn't give a damn if they heard her talking shit about them or not.

It wasn't an easy climb and if Phoenixes had deliberately flown away just as they reached the top, as they'd been known to do, she probably would have lost it.

Thankfully, their hunger outweighed their disdain and despite trying to look as prim and uppity as usual, it was clear they were very interested in what they had on offer.

Not in the mood to mess around, she demanded, "We're here to talk to Fènghuáng. They give us the answers we want, you get the fire elementals."

There was a quiet uproar as the Phoenixes in front of them took issue with her attitude. She couldn't understand what they were saying but she was sure it was along the lines of: "The nerve!", "Mannerless heathen!" And "Who does it think it is?"

She didn't care.

It didn't matter how polite you tried to be or how deferential you acted they were still an absolute pain to deal with. In fact, she'd argue it was worse trying to play by their rules because they'd string you along for hours before screwing you over and she was not in the mood.

One of the Phoenixes sat up tall, "Such vulgar disregard for propriety. Even the lowest of vermin should know that they cannot make demands of the ethereal. Present your offering first, and only then will we consider gracing you with an audience."

Ba placed a preventative hand on her shoulder, and quietly chirped at her, "Easy, Ma."

He bowed his head slightly, "We'll present you with our offering once Fènghuáng is present."

Ma raised her voice before the Phoenixes could try and blag them into giving them their prize early, "And we know they can hear us from up there."

They had it on good intel that Fènghuáng and a couple of other Phoenixes were roosting a little higher up. She'd have liked to just bypass this lot altogether and made straight for Fènghuáng but fire elementals or not that offense wouldn't have stood.

Another one of the Phoenixes sneered, "If they can hear you, they'll know that you are not worth their time. You are not worthy to be in the presence of any of us. Present your offering and show reverence or be forced off this mountain."

Undeterred, she mocked them, "Forced off the mountain? Oh, how brutish."

Feathers thoroughly ruffled, she dropped the act, "You're not going to force us to do anything. You so much as try it and you'll have the full wrath of the Monkey King on your heads!"

They muttered amongst each other in discontent while one of them haughtily pointed out, "The Stone Monkey isn't even here. And we-"

She took a menacing step forward, "He'll be back. And he'll make sure you regret even thinking about hurting a member of his troupe, especially when we're only here because his home, our home, is under threat."

The fact that "our home" meant theirs too wasn't lost on them and the looked leery at what she might be implying before they started to heatedly debate amongst themselves.

A new voice cut through the noise, "My, my. What have these monkeys said to upset you so, sisters?"

Finally.

They had to, of course, wait for Fènghuáng to finish making their entrance, fluttering down from the Heavens with a grace and beauty few creatures could hope to match. The world seemed to glow resplendently for a moment as she touched down and spread her wings with a flourish before tucking them away and looking down on them with immaculate poise and grace.

Stupid, gorgeous Phoenixes.

Already tired of all of this, Ma griped, "Don't act like you didn't hear us."

She was ignored as Fènghuáng titled their head to listen to the other Phoenixes as they no doubt complained about how rude and upsetting she was.

Eventually, they hummed melodically, "I see. Wood Monkey, explain this threat the Water Monkey mentioned."

Ma bristled, "You know our names!"

Ba chirped at her, "Forget it. Let's just get this over with."

She quietly seethed as Ba addressed Fènghuáng before she could argue with him, "Have you heard of the Demon King of Confusion?"

The name clearly struck a chord and the Phoenixes around them started whispering to each other worriedly. Only Fènghuáng maintained their composure, "We have. What do you know of him?"

Ba was forthcoming, "We know that he's obtained weapons and armour that he claims were gifted to him by a group called the Gǔrén."

One of the Phoenixes screeched in outrage, "The thief even sullies their very name!"

The ensuing uproar of anger and disgust was silenced by Fènghuáng lifting one magnificent wing towards the Phoenixes but their eyes never left Ba, "Continue."

Ba did so, "He claims he's destined to rule the island from our palace."

He was briefly interrupted by a furious cry of, "Your palace!?" from one of the spectators but he simply raised his voice and carried on, "And that he plans to take it by attacking us from tunnels that stretch from his territory to under Flower Fruit Mountain. And that's why we're here - to find out more about these tunnels and how to access them."

The tone of their unwanted audience changed to condescending tittering and Ma was willing to bet it was either along the lines of "They've lived in the mountain for how long and they don't even know about the tunnels?" Or "The fools actually believe there are tunnels!"

Either way, she was getting sick of them and she bared her teeth as she snapped, "If you've got something to say then say it!"

And now they were back to offended squawking. Ba grabbed her arm and held her back, "Ignore them."

His eyes hadn't left Fènghuáng and the two of them seemed to be having a rather intense stare down before eventually the latter sighed dismissively, "Return with the Stone Monkey. I will only speak to him on this matter. You cannot hope to defeat the Demon King of Confusion without him."

They turned away as if to leave the conversation entirely and her furious tirade was interrupted before it could start by the crushing grip Ba suddenly had on her arm but it was clear by the way his eyes burned with anger that it wasn't intentional.

But not counting Shí Hóu and Xiāo Hóu, he was easily the strongest monkey in their troupe and if he hadn't let go almost immediately she probably would have had a cracking hand shaped bruise around her bicep in short order.

He stood at his full height as he took several steps closer to Fènghuáng and raised his voice, "Do you really want to see the mountain ruled by the Havoc Demons?"

The temperature increased slightly as Fènghuáng looked down on him, "It could hardly be worse than seeing it be ransacked by monkeys."

Ba almost growled, "You won't think that when they get their hands on the arsenal of information we're currently sitting on."

Fènghuáng narrowed their eyes, "Explain."

Ba responded shortly, "Sun Scorched Mountain, half a lǐ from the peak, south side."

Ma had no idea what he was talking about but the Phoenixes sure did and there was definitely a tinge of hysteria to their cries this time round.

Fènghuáng's fury was palpable, and wings spread wide, they demanded, "You will destroy all records of that location immediately."

Ma's eyes widened.

The Phoenixes couldn't stand the thought of anything in the palace being so much as scratched, let alone destroyed. Whatever was at that location had to be something of unfathomable value.

In the face of burning heat, Ba didn't falter, "You want to keep yours safe then you have to help us keep ours safe. Show us how to access the tunnels and you have my word that I'll protect that information with my life."

The temperature cooled as Fènghuáng considered him, scrutinising his trustworthiness before relenting suspiciously quickly, "Very well. You want to access the tunnels? Then I will take you there now."

It was clear the other Phoenixes were taken back by this offer and Ma couldn't help but ask, "What's the catch?"

Fènghuáng ignored her, "Leave the fire elementals here and bring me that vine."

She chirped, "Ba, I don't like this."

Ba clearly agreed with her but still he grabbed the vine Fènghuáng gestured to and brought it to them, they held it in one talon so both ends hung at equal length, and then explained, "You will each hold on to this while I fly you there."

She frowned, "Why can't we just hold on to your legs or ride on your back?"

Fènghuáng huffed, "It is unbecoming enough to be flying monkeys around in the first place. I will not do myself further disservice by letting you touch me with your filthy hands."

Amazing how much they could make the word "monkeys" sound like "vermin".

She chirped again at Ba, "They're going to drop us."

Ba nodded but still he took hold of the ends of the vine and offered one to her. She sighed before placing the container of fire elementals in the ground and making her way over. Decorum would never let any Phoenix try and dive for the snack but they were eyeing it up hungrily.

Once she had taken hold, Fènghuáng assured their sisters they would be back shortly and in seconds they were in the air.

She couldn't really say she was a fan of flying but she was sure Ba liked it even less so she wrapped her tail around his leg to comfort both of them.

Flying was quick at least and it didn't take long for them to reach their destination. Fènghuáng slowly brought them lower into a deep crevice very close to the shoreline before hovering over a sizeable, pitch black hole in the ground.

Unprompted they explained, "All the tunnel entrances were collapsed millennia ago, this one was dug out relatively recently by Huānyǎn. Send them my regards."

She didn't even get to finish asking who Huānyǎn was before Fènghuáng released their hold on the vine.

They didn't even hang about to see them disappear into the earth but Ma made sure to shout her curses loud enough that all the other Phoenixes could hear her too before turning on Ba, "I told you! I told you they were going to drop us! I knew going to see the Phoenixes was a bad idea!"

The rest of her complaints were muffled against his chest. She tried to struggle against him to stop whatever stupid heroics he had planned but before she knew it she was holding on for dear life as they hit the earth and started tumbling painfully down the sloping tunnel before they finally rolled to a stop.

She lay there for a moment and groaned before she pushed herself up. Her eyes immediately snapped to Ba's prone form as his arms fell limply off her, she shook him violently, "Ba! Ba!"

There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a groan and she sighed in relief before asking, "Are you ok? Anything broken? How many fingers am I holding up?"

He groggily opened his eyes, "I don't know. Three? You always go for three."

Well, at least he hadn't hit his head and lost his memory. And any panic that his eyes weren't working was cut short when she realised how dark it was down here.

He made an attempt to sit up before groaning and giving up. She started looking him over for injuries, "What hurts?"

He winced as she prodded at his wrist, "Easier to tell you what doesn't. Nothing feels broken though?"

After some rudimentary checks, she concluded that he largely seemed in one piece. Couple of cuts and scrapes, and his wrist definitely didn't look happy, but nothing life threatening as far as she could tell. No doubt his back was going to be covered in one big bruise shortly though.

She was feeling pretty sore and banged up herself but she'd been saved from the worst of it. She barely resisted the urge to smack him, "What the hell were you thinking?"

She didn't need to clarify that she was pissed at his martyrdom but apparently there had been logic to his stupidity, "One monkey down is better than two monkeys down and you're the one with night vision that can swim."

His logic was unfortunately pretty sound. The sea was close enough by that she wouldn't have been surprised if this tunnel had been flooded and the fact that it would be dark was almost a given.

Didn't stop her from being angry at him though.

An hour of resting and ranting later though and they were holding hands as she guided them through the tunnel.

They'd been walking for a little while when she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh wait! What was the dirt that you had on the Phoenixes by the way? You had them going out of their minds."

He swore her to secrecy before explaining, "It's the cave where they keep their ashes."

Her eyes widened, "Holy shit! Really? How the hell do you know about it?"

"Huǒlán told me about it."

Huǒlán was the one decent Phoenix on the island and it was probably at least partly because they were about the same age as them, in a manner of speaking at least.

Phoenixes were reborn every two thousand years or something, and Huǒlán had risen from their ashes about the same time they had all been babies. It was rare they actually got to hang out together but they all got on really well.

They probably shouldn't have told Ba where their ashes were though.

Belatedly, a realisation dawned on her, "Wait, so does that mean you lied to the Phoenixes?"

He had very heavily implied that the location to the Phoenix ashes could be found in the palace but Ba would have never recorded that information anywhere and the fact that he hadn't told her, meant that he hadn't told anyone else either.

He smiled a little cheekily, "I mean, if I'm in the palace that's where the information is, right?"

She laughed, "I don't know why I ever doubt you! Oh, Shí Hóu is going to get a real kick out of this!"

He elbowed her, "No, he's not -remember? This is our little secret."

She pouted, "Aw, man. But you were so badass up there! Standing up to Fènghuáng like that when they were all like whoosh! Shí Hóu would be so proud! I bet Xiāo Hóu would be too!"

He smiled a little bashfully, "Well, I wasn't leaving without answer, y'know? Although speaking of Xiāo Hóu, I bet he knows about the Phoenix ashes too."

She was inclined to agree and from there the conversation revolved around Xiāo Hóu's impossible ability to know seemingly everything.

Eventually, the tunnel they were walking along suddenly intersected with another much less natural looking one and she couldn't quite stop the awed, "Woah."

Looking around blindly, Ba asked, "What is it?"

She frowned, "I think we just found one of the tunnels that Demon King is looking for. The tunnel we were just in was all dirt but someone built this one - the stonework looks like something you'd find in the palace."

She started heading east, fairly confident that was the direction the palace was in, and explained everything she could see to Ba.

There were other purposefully built stonework tunnels that led off of this one but what was more worrying were the dirt tunnels that she suspected had been dug out more recently by something big, and that probably went by the name Huānyǎn.

They paused to get their bearings when met with a branching path and unfortunately that was when it was time for introductions.

The both heard something coming at the same time and she pulled Ba into the closest cover she could find as they kept quiet.

The creature that appeared was almost as big as the tunnel itself and she was willing to bet those claws it had were good for more than just digging. It's nose was sniffing like crazy though and within seconds it had zeroed in on their location.

It tilted its head curiously at them and taking a huge gamble she tentatively asked, "Huānyǎn, by any chance?"

It reared back in confusion, clearly not expecting whatever it had found to talk and it now looked exceptionally wary, going for broke she tried, "Er, Fènghuáng says hi?"

It was apparently the wrong thing to say as it suddenly roared angrily before taking a swipe at them. She pulled Ba out of the way and the pair of them ran as fast as they could down the nearest tunnel, as she shouted back, "Yeah, understandable! That would have been my response too!"

The four mighty commanders, their furs white and gray, weathered by time and war, all stood side by side. Time was not kind to them, yet for the sake of their king and the dwindling people, they’ll stand firm. Even in the private bedroom tuck away deep inside the stone palace, it’s unnerved them that the once normally neat and orderly room is now in disarray. Rinrin’s cries, even with the thick wooden doors, still ring out as the four inspect the room.

“This does not bode well.” General Ba said, his long arm, longer than a macaque’s, gently pick up the golden tuff of fur. The first, as always, to notice the smaller details.

“How did anyone know about her? The king and all of us kept tight lips, it doesn’t make sense.” Marshall Liu asks, her bony fingers wrap around Ba’s arm, his arm lower just enough for the others to inspect the fur. Always protective of the young one, like a mother and grandmother who lost so much. Certainly the one who’ll bring swift justice to the perpetrators.

“It’s certainly hard to keep her a secret, especially with the unexpected pregnancy, but to answer your question, Sun Liu; I think it happened only because of the feast and the king’s chatter with the other sages.” Ma answers, her hands on Sun Liu’s shoulders, pulling her away from Sun Ba. Always so formal with a facade of calm, even among old friends and lovers in shared tragedies.

“Marshal Ma’s correct, but remember,” General Beng easily pluck the fur out of Ba’s hand like plucking a flower on the side of the road, “...The heavenly officials are still unaware of her existences and if they are, then they’ll pay no heed to her.” He inspects its above his head, his arms, the longest of any gibbon alive in the world. The fur shine gently against the candles’ soft between the weathered fingers of the General and one who traveled faraway lands. “They’ll think nothing of her like they have with the rest of our lot, only in relation to our handsome king by name.”

Both Ba and Ma exchange looks, one grooming Liu expose fur between her armor and the other biting his cheek before speaking, “Actually Sun Beng….er..do you remember one plan to reforge alliances with the other great sages?”

General Beng’s eyes snap to the others before him. All couldn’t meet his steely gaze. “I thought the king agreed with us that, that is an unwise decision.” His arm drops to his side, knuckles brushes against the tile floor. “Surely he has-”

“The Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven arrived two days earlier before the feast,” Ma interjects, an insult to cut off Old Wise Beng. This was common knowledge certainly, but Ma wasn’t finish. “Since his arrival, the king and him spent considerable time together.”

“And the king told him about her and…” Sun Beng sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose with his head down. It surely isn’t enough evidences that this great sage is the one who took her, and by the state of her room, she didn’t come quietly; the specs of blood is concerning, but Sun Beng makes sure to stand in front of that unless driving Sun Liu into a frenzy. Can’t have her swords swinging demanding heads and blood over the youngest addition, yet. “What of the other sages?”

“They’ve seen her, but none of them had the chance to talk to her before Rinrin guided her back into the inner chambers. Let alone a chance to talk to the king in private without one of us present.” Sun Ba answers, finally meeting Sun Beng’s gaze. “However, I can’t say the same for the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven. He had plenty of opportunities to discuss among the other sages.”

“It will be difficult asking any of them questions after our king’s justly outburst; seen none of them leave the island so fast in my life, almost as fast as they fled in the war.” Beng said in somber amusement.

“Yes, that was definitely a sight to see them topple over each other like drunks. Well, except for Hong Hai’er, he certainly kept calm among the older men.” Marshal Ma comments.

“We don’t even know if she’s still alive.” Liu’s voice crack, like a damn ready to break and all eyes on her. “I know the king is there looking for her, but..but..” The one thing floating in everyone's mind if the king can't bring her back.

“We don’t even know if she’s there and if she was, we don’t know where her body is.” General Beng calmly said, his long arms behind his armor back as he strolls towards the door. “Regardless, we can’t be idle like we have done in the past. Our king cannot be the only one burdened in finding her.” His old scarred hand reaches out to the handle, four digits curl around it. “We’ll need to do our part, now for our plan…”