The wind blew lightly across the valley, kicking up the leaves as it goes. The leaves landed in between Guan Yinping and her sparring partner, Kai. They had both taken up a stance in preparation for their session. The wind kicks the leaves back up, leaving the two alone on the field. Seconds go by as the two stare down each other as they stood several feet away.

In an instant, they rushed towards each other. Kai made the first move as she swung her sword down over Yinping. She raised her dual headed mace over her head to block the incoming attack. The ground trembled when the two weapons made contact. Yinping had left an indention in the ground as she pushes Kai off. She was thrown off quite a bit before charging at her partner again. Kai made a series of slashes that Yinping had to block. Every slash she blocked felt like a tree being slammed on top of her. It almost felt like a match to her own strength. As another slash came her way, Yinping spun her mace and was able to parry the attack. Yinping now began her assault as Kai had immediately throw up her defense. Almost like a graceful dance, Yinping flailed her massive weapon as of it was nothing. Kai could only dodge the attacks as her own seem to bounce off the mace. Yinping managed to catch her with a sweep kick but Kai used it to jump back a bit of distance. When she landed, she gave Yinping a small smirk and extended her sword. She used distance to her advantage as she push forward. Using her sword like a whip, she slapped it against the ground as she got closer to Yinping. Chunks of the earth were being taken out every time her weapon made contact. Yinping had to roll out of the way before the sword came down on her. However, Kai would keep chasing her down with the whip as it followed her to where she rolled to. She kept dodging until Kai retracted the sword and sent it directly at her. Yinping managed to catch the sword with her mace as it wrapped itself around the handle. The two were locked in a stalemate as both were pulling on each other's weapons. The force of their great strength pulling against each other began to show as a crater began to form around them. Yinping had a trick up her sleeve as she fainted giving in. As Kai loosened her footing, Yinping gave a great tug on the whip that sent her off her feet and flying towards her. Yinping caught her in the air and power slammed her back down to the ground. The impact knocked the air out Kai and before she knew it, she was staring up at Yinping's mace.

"Yield," Yinping commanded. She knew she was the victor. Even though Kai was trying to catch her breath, she smirked and replied, "I yield." Yinping smiled back and gave her hand out to Kai. After being helped back up, she bent over still breathing heavily. "Man... that was a good session. You're getting better."

"Thanks, I learned that trick when I trained with Zhang Bao once. Though, when I trained with him I punched him when he flew towards me. He was out for a few hours." Yinping scratched her head and laughed. "He did say he could take anything I got."

Kai nervously laughs. If Yinping wasn't careful, she would have ended just like Zhang Bao. She was at least kind enough to throw her to the ground, but still. The idea of getting a full power punch by her, she was surprised that Zhang Bao even woke up from that. Much like herself, Yinping was far stronger than she looked. A little too strong.

"See, what did I tell you. She's a natural." Sitting a couple yards away were Guan Yu and Ujiyasu Hojo. They were watching the two women sparring while lying on strangely, colorful chairs.

"Gotta admit, Kai isn't easily tricked like that. Your girl was pretty smart to fake her out," Ujiyasu said before taking a sip of his sake.

"Kai isn't too shabby, either. She quickly knew to keep a good distance away from Yinping," Guan Yu replied. "That was always her greatest weakness."

"Well, it seems that she no longer has that problem anymore. Or at least has found one way around it."

Guan Yu felt proud at the compliment. He sipped his drink before looking at the strange, yet comfortable chairs. They were flat, suspended by metal bars and were colorful. He asked, "By the way, where did you get these strange chairs?"

"These? I saw them when I was Hasedo once. I sat down, thought to myself 'These are pretty comfortable' and took some back with me. I think they were called lawn chairs."

"They're pretty thin, yet very relaxing."

They continued to relax until one of Ujiyasu's guards showed up.

"My lord, sorry to interrupt but someone wishes to see Lord Guan Yu," the guard said.

"Who is it?"

"Lord Yukimura Sanada and Lord Ma Dai."

"Eh, bring 'em on in," Ujiyasu demanded. Guan Yu looked on in a bit of confusion as the guard walked away. Why do they want to see me? What do they want? Were they sent by my brother?

He continued to ponder as the guard came back with Yukimura and Ma Dai following in toe several minutes later. "My lords," the guard said before he bowed and left.

"Master Yukimura Sanada, Master Ma Dai," Guan Yu spoke while him and the two bowed to each other. "You wish to see me for something?"

"Yes," Yukimura responded. "We have a request to make that regards you, my lord. If we were to speak in private, we can go over the details."

"Okay, so..." Guan Yu paused as he looked at Ujiyasu who was lounging on the lawn chair. "Ujiyasu," he said.

"Hmm, what." he responded without opening his eyes.

"Do you mind giving us some privacy?"

"Uhh, I'm getting my nap in, alright. You can go somewhere else though."

Guan Yu became annoyed at the suggestion, but he honored it and the three walked away. Off in the distance, Guan Yinping noticed her father walking away. "Papa! Is something the matter?"

"I'll be back, Yinping," he replied. "I need to take care of something first!"

Yinping noticed two men were accompanying her father. She recognized one of the men as Yukimura Sanada for his signature red armor. She had the honor of training with him a while back, learning so much about different techniques she can do with her strength. She also learned from him what it means to be a warrior, at least what he believes it to be.

She looked at the second man and noticed it was Ma Dai. The moment she saw him, seemingly on instinct, she called out to him, "Hi Lord Ma Dai!" Her arm outstretched as she waved to him. The three men heard her call as they turned to look. Ma Dai smiled and waved back, unbeknownst that her father was looking at him doing it. Yinping giggled and turned back to Kai with a smile.

Ma Dai lowered his hand and turned back to the others. He saw that Guan Yu had a look of intrigue after his little interaction with his daughter. Maybe he isn't familiar with his daughter's friendship with a man he did not know well. Then again, he heard the tone in Yinping's voice. She sounded overjoyed to see him with a big smile on her face. This might not help his chances with this meeting. Ma Dai has heard some horror stories of the poor bastards who tried to pursue the God of War's daughter. Some were scared off by her incredible strength while others were terrified by her father. Whether it was because they were scared of him alone or he gave them a reason to be scared, he doesn't know. What he does know is that most men never get the chance to propose marriage out of sheer fear of her father.

While he wasn't asking for her hand in marriage, what he was asking for wasn't any better. Realistically, he was requesting that his daughter venture out to mostly unexplored lands with extreme conditions in a place notoriously called the DEADLANDS. He might as well be asking him to take her to Hell. Although he was told that this was a low risk mission, that doesn't mean it won't be a difficult one.

Ma Dai knew he had to play his cards right. He had to make it sound like she's important to have on the mission and not just someone he wants to spend time with. He was lucky that the brothers weren't around. Guan Ping was in Nobunaga's territory, Guan Xing was with Zhang Bao on a supply run, and Guan Suo was with Bao Sanniang doing gods know what. Had they all been there, this would have been a futile effort. He had to keep his calm, explain his case, and hope for the best.

The three made there way to empty walkway near the garden. No one was around with only the soft breeze and rustling of leaves breaking the silence. Guan Yu rested himself against a pillar with the other two standing in front of him.

"Now gentlemen," he said, "you have a request for me?"

The two looked at each other. Before they came here, they went over a plan on how to go over the meeting. They just hope that it goes their way, especially when dealing with a founding father of Shu.

"Yes, we do," Yukimura said. "We have a request to ask you. It involves the assistance of Lady Guan Yinping."

Guan Yu crossed his arms, "And what is it you need my daughter to assist you with?"

Ma Dai stepped in, "We are currently making preparations for a mission and are recruiting officers. Yukimura and I came to the agreement that Lady Yinping and her strength would be a most valuable addition to our group."

"And what exactly is this mission?"

"We have been tasked to lead a small group to investigate a supply depot that has gone dark. I was told that this would be a low risk mission but, we would have to cross into the dead lands to reach the depot."

Guan Yu's face grew stern. Even when relaxing on the pillar, his presence made Ma Dai feel tense. Things seem to be going smoothly but he had to keep calm.

"Where exactly is this depot that requires you to cross the dead lands?"

"In the southwest region, near the great mountain."

"So, you wish to have my daughter join you in a mission in mostly uncharted land with extreme conditions like extremely dry heat and ice cold terrain. Is that correct?"

Ma Dai paused a little bit before answering, "Yes, my lord."

Guan Yu turns to Yukimura, "Master Sanada, you agree with this as well?"

"Uhh, yes my lord," he responded. "If it helps, Ma Dai personally requested her involvement in this mission."

Ma Dai couldn't say anything. All he could do was cover his face and press his lips together. Thanks Yukimura.

Guan Yu nodded, "I see." He turns to Ma Dai, "You are familiar with my daughter?"

He uncovered his face, "Yes, I," he paused. The gears in his head turning, trying to find an excuse. "I heard of her great strength and combat abilities. I wanted to see this for myself so that's why I'm here."

"Interesting, but you told me that this is a low risk mission. Why do you feel the need to have someone with great strength?"

"I was told to take extra precautions on this mission. While we suspect to there to be no fowl play involved, I don't want to walk into something I'm not prepared for."

"Hmm." Guan Yu stroked his beard as he pondered. Ma Dai was wondering if what he said was working. The meeting hadn't ended but it seems that he would get his request.

"The way she called out to you earlier, she cares about you doesn't she?"

Ma Dai was thrown off by the question. The God of War kept his strong glare on him. Ma Dai never felt so small in someone's presence before. He had no choice but to give him a honest answer. If he were to try anything else, Guan Yu would catch his lie. At worst, his request would be denied.

"Yes," he replied, "she does. As much as I care about her. She's a dear friend to me."

"You trust her with your life?"

"... One of the few that I do."

Guan Yu closed his eyes and smiled. He heard all that he needed.

"You put your trust in the right people," he said. "I will grant your request under one condition."

"Really," Ma Dai asked. "You will? I-uh... I mean, what is your condition?"

"You take care of her and protect her as much as I know she will to you. Low-risk mission or not, you protect her no matter what." Guan Yu gets off of the pillar and walks towards Ma Dai. "If I find out that something happens to her or you harm her in some way..." Guan Yu towered over him. Ma Dai had to look up, feeling even smaller than he did before. Guan Yu finished his cold warning, "I'll make sure you will never be accepted into any kingdom and your name gets lost in the sands of time."

Ma Dai could only gulp and give a single answer, "Yes sir."

"Good, oh and you're the one that has to tell her under my supervision."

"Wait,wha-"

"Master Sanada, can you get Yinping for us?"

Yukimura bowed and left. Guan Yu had gone back to the pillar before asking Ma Dai, "How do you two know each other anyway?"

"Uhh, it wassss..." he responded. It took him a bit until he came up with what to say. "It was during the third war against Orochi, Master Ping needed help finding Master Suo and Lady Yinping. When we did, she thanked me for helping her brother. We've got to know each other ever since."

Guan Yu seemed intrigued by the answer. He believed there was a bit more to it but didn't want to pursue the issue. "I will say this Ma Dai, I can see where Yinping's interest in painting comes from."

"Pardon me?" Guan Yu must have took notice of the ink stains on his face and on his gloves. He's a very observant man.

Yukimura had returned with Guan Yinping following behind. She greeted with a simple before walking up to her father. "Papa," she said, "you wanted me for something?"

"No, but Master Ma Dai here would like to ask you something."

After his reply, Yinping turned to her friend. In his eyes, she looked lovely as usual. Her eyes met his as she asked, "What is your request, my lord?" She was a bit more formal than usual, maybe it was because she was in front of her father.

Ma Dai explained what the purpose of meeting with her. He gave the details of his mission, where he was going and how he had to go past the dead lands. All the while, Guan Yu looked on. Making sure that he tells her everything he told him, in regards to the mission. He had no reason not to trust Ma Dai but he wanted make sure that he wasn't trying to persuade her into doing something she didn't want. After he finished his explanation, he asked Yinping if she could assist him on this mission.

"Well, yes Ma Dai. I would love to come with you on..." she remembered that her father was still with her. "I mean, of course my lord. I would be honored to assist you on this mission."

She gave him a bow. When she came back up, she smiled at him. Guan Yu chimed in saying, "So it's settled. How long until you finish your preparations?"

"At most, within two to three weeks," Yukimura said, "When we are finished, we will meet in Chengdu before venturing out."

Guan Yu nodded. "Alright then. Come on, Yinping, let's head home so you can get ready."

"Okay, papa," she turns to Ma Dai before leaving, "I'll see you then, my lord."

She gave him a smile and a small wave before following her father. Ma Dai looked on as she walked away. That smile of hers always had an affect on him. Like nothing in the world mattered any more. Yukimura must have noticed him trailing off in his thoughts so he tried to pull him back.

"Lord Ma Dai, you alright?"

Regaining his hold in the real world, he responded, "Hmm? Yeah, let's head back. We have to finish our preparations, too."

"Of course. After you."