Well... that was certainly delightful to hear. Yinshen certainly had quite the tale to tell I have to admit. Seemed her mission was more of a personal matter rather than anything else. Apparently she was searching for a wolf that had played a big part in the invasion of Gongmen city some time ago. One of the few still in hiding it seemed. What amused me the most was how she kept making a big deal, exageratting that she had to travel halfway across China. I eventually found out that it was actually fifteen miles... Still, it's a hell of a journey. Kind of like my own. It also became apparent that she had arrived back at Gongmen six hours ago, after had gone missing. Kind of convenient really, but hey. Least I got to see her before I set off tomorrow.

Well, now I know what she's been up to.I on the other hand didn't need to explain my own reasons for being here since that letter had been sent to Gongmen before myself or Viper had left the Jade Palace. Yinshen and the other officials should already know what our reasons for being here is. I'm even willing to bet that the panther has gone ahead and prepared a room for the night. I won't lie, a bed sounds really nice right now. Sleeping on the ground lately does not help my spine in any way. Being a snake you'd think having a flexible back would make it easier. Trust me it does not. It takes nearly an hour for me to shake off the pain and slither properly once I wake up. It's... irritating to say the least. Still... I don't know. I guess I really should just pass on that offer. After all we still have a mission to complete. And you know what Shifu says, the mission comes first. Unless you happen to be Po in which case it's snack first THEN mission. But Po's not here now is he? The sooner it's done, then I can worry about sleeping on a comfy bed.

We were now walking out of the building. Even through the dark it was easy to see several of the guards just arriving entered the building to seize whatever they could. Maybe they'd end up finding something I may have missed? It's possible.

"You know, now that I think about it, why send over so many guards"? I couldn't help asking. I mean, yeah I guess being a master of kung fu does kind of make me a priority target and all, but I'd be certain that Viper and Yinshen alone would have been enough to free me. Maybe it was just in case they needed to cover more ground to find the crumbling place faster? "Kind of flattering, knowing that you care for my safety, but forty guards is kind of overkill isn't it"?

Saying that, I had kind of hoped it would be for that reason. Unfortunatley, the sudden cheery grin Yinshen had just had dropped slowly into a more serious look. And if you know Yinshen like I do, whenever she becomes serious, it's never a good sign.

"Mike. The Soothsayer told me about your captors the second I arrived back at Gongmen city. We've come across them once before".

Well, I certainly hadn't expected to hear that.

"Are you certain about that Yinshen"? I had to ask.

"Their leader wouldn't happen to be a large boa would it"?

"Uh huh. With an annoying loudmouth cobra as his second in command".

Yinshen sighed. It was easy to hear the annoyance as she exhaled.

"I thought as much. those snakes that are following you, they're an organisation known as the Silent Blade".

Silent Blade? Yeah, I remember the boa mentioning that name when I talked face to face with him.

"I take it you've run into them before then"? I asked.

"Unfortunatley yes. They snuck into the city a few weeks ago and ended up abducting several prisoners from Gongmen jail. Most of them were serpents. The other one was a pig that had been locked up the night before ".

"Well the snakes I can understand, but why a pig? Why take any prisoners at all"?

"We don't know".

Great. Yet another question to be answered.

"Is there anything else you can tell me about the organisation"?

"Well we know that they have maybe over a hundred in their organisation The boa you met is named Jùrén. One of several leaders that belong to the Silent Blade. He was the one responsible for breaking out the prisoners". She paused for a moment before continuing. "Thankfully they aren't very active. At least not around Gongmen city so we've had them strike here three times. That we know of. All three were to break out prisoners, and our captain of the guard. A gazelle named Shūdāizi. He and the pig are the only two the Silent Blade took who weren't serpents. And unfortunatley he's still missing".

Something clicked in my mind.

"Wait. You said one of several leaders. Are you telling me there's more out there"?

"Yeah. I'm afraid so".

Damn. That's not good.

Yinshen continued. "Do you have any idea why they came for you"?

Well, at least that's one thing I know that she doesn't.

"I do. They were after that demon I told you about, remember? The whole nightmare shenanigan with the mèngyǎn"?

Yinshen seemed surprised at this. I couldn't blame her for thinking so since I was the same when I found out. She looked down and eyed me suspiciously. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a little intimidated from the glare she gave.

"They don't have it do they"?

"Don't worry. The stupid thing left my head a long time ago. Bad news being it's taken a new host"?

"Who"?

"Mike! There you are".

Both our head turned towards the familiar voice that had interuptted us before I could share any more information. A voice which I was glad to hear.

"Viper, thank goodness". I smiled, happy to see her unharmed.

Once close enough, the two of us bowed to each other. If it weren't for a small army surrounding us we probably would have ended up hugging. Still, our jobs come first. As we rose back up, Viper turned to Yinshen.

"Greetings Mistress Yinshen". She spoke politley. "I apologise but if I may speak with Master Mike privately"?...

Yinshen shrugged. "Sure, go ahead".

I remained quiet to Yinshen's blunt response and followed Viper away from the ongoing commotion and commands given by the guards which continued to storm and observe the old building. Eventually we got enough distance away from the group and then some before Viper seemed convinced that we were far enough away. Looking back, the ominous orange glow of torches could barely be seen. Whatever Viper's reason, it must have been quite important since she clearly didn't want anyone hearing us. She turned round to face me as she coiled up on the spot. The sudden emoitional look she had on her face seconds ago slowly turned into one of sadness. I was just about to ask if she was okay until she beat me to the punch with a question of her own.

"Mike. You know I trust you, don't you"?

I blinked. I didn't feel comfortable knowing how quick and sudden the question had come but still I was able to nod and reply.

"Of course I do". I replied calmly.

"Then you don't mind if I ask you a question"?

"I wouldn't, no".

Viper sighed. This was going to be trouble whatever it was.

"If I was in danger. Danger that meant the end of me and... did mean the end of me. What would you do"?

That was... uh, quite the question. What would I do? What else could I do?

"I'd be very upset to say the least". I replied, keeping the very idea from playing in my mind. Tonight is becoming an emotional rollercoaster for myself. But this... why would Viper feel like she would ever need to ask that? I felt like it was clear that the look on my face was more than enough to show that I would most certainly be upset if she, or anyone I knew where to just... die. Even so, she continued.

"And, what if you found the one responsible for my death"?

I said nothing. At least not away. My mind was trying to work out why she was asking these questions. Nobody just asks these sorts of questions just for the sake of asking them. It was beginning to scare me.

"Viper why do"-

I stopped talking. Vipers tail had grabbed my own and I could feel her grip tightening around it.

"Mike, please. This is something I think we both need to know". She spoke thoroughly.

The way she reacted took me back. It surprised me once again. The look in her eyes was telling me that she needed to know the answer. Why she wants to know the answer to this is something I'll have to figure out later.

"I'd... I would do what I need to do". I replied calmly. I grew even more confused as she frowned. As though it wasn't the answer she wanted to hear.

"And what would you need to do"?

"... Well I would... make them pay for what they had done. I would deal with them personally".

Again Viper frowned. I was beginning to get worked up over this.

"Viper, can you please tell me what this is about? You're starting to worry me".

Viper just sighed. She did her best to give me a reassuring smile.

"It's not important. Just a bad dream is all". She spoke before giving me a gentle hug. "I'm just glad you're alright".

I allowed myself to be taken by the hug. After a few seconds of the embrace, the tension in the air dissolved and my body became less stiff. I was quickly able to find myself gently hugging back. After the day we had just had, this was what I needed. Something to just take away the stress. Not all of it, but some.

After ten seconds or so, we let go of each other.

"Come on, we better head back to Gongmen". She smiled before slithering away from the orange glow behind me.

"What about Yinshen and the guards"?

"I believe they can tie up the loose ends back there".

"I guess". I shrugged, looking back. Hopefully Yinshen won't mind the extra bit of work she'll need to do sweeping the building. "So what's the plan now"?

"Just relax and enjoy tomorrow off. I think it's safe to say we both need it".

"Tomorrow off"? I repeated in a confused tone.

"Of course. Besides there are one or two other things I would like to talk to you about once our minds are clear".

"I... I- I guess, but tomorrow? No, we need to get back on the road". I tried arguing. "Now that the Silent Blade know where we are, we need to keep moving"! Viper kept slithering. "Viper, could you please just stop for a second"?

Viper looked back and stopped. I managed to catch back up with her.

"Viper they know that we're here! That's a very bad thing for us! What if they attack again"?

"They didn't mind attacking us back at Jinzhou did they? And on the road it would be easier for them to ambush us. Here, it would be tougher for them to reach us, now that the city guard is more prepared don't you think"?

"Well... yes, I do admit that it makes sense, but- but- but... aren't we just wasting time? I mean just a few more days and we'll have reached"-

"Mike".

I immediatley stopped talking. The calmness of her voice was not what I expected. She carried on.

"You wouldn't happen to be making excuses, would you"?

"No! Of course I'm not". I spoke a little too quick. "It's just that... we are on a mission here and we really need to complete it as soon"-

"Mike". Came the calm voice speaking my name again. Again I went no further with my explanation. "Remember what I said about trusting me"?

"Yes. And I do". I replied as calm I could as she approached me once again.

"So please Mike, trust me. Because doing what YOU need to do... it's not the same as doing the right thing".

I don't think this is an arguement I can see myself winning here.

"Okay Viper. I promise. I'll trust you". I replied, giving my most convincing smile I could manage at this point. Not that it could be seen for long as it was met by Viper's a second later as she kissed me. Even if it did last for a second.

"Thanks deary". She giggled before resuming the journey back to Gongmen, which I soon followed after. Seems I will get the chance to sleep on a bed after all.

...

Here it is, the next chapter :) Least you didn't have to wait long for this one ^^; Thanks for reading guys and as always, Cheerio!