Chapter twelve: The night before the battle.

"It was to be my first battle that I fought on my own, yes I had Fu Xi there to help me but I was free from the demon, to fight using my own battle style if I wanted to… Free to choose if I was to finish some one off or leave them wounded in a way that they could no longer fight, and I even had troops of my own to take care of and make sure that as many of them came back home to there friends and family as I could. It was a great feeling and I still thank Nemai Zei when ever I see him."

"But isn't he…"

"Let's get back to history shall we."

Flashback

Chu Sin is sitting near Zi Shou within a large tent, they look over a map of the area Zi Shou is going over strategies with Chu Sin, while light rain bounces off of the tents top, singing a calm and soothing melody.

"The rain should let up by morning, so we will only have to worry about weak spots in our defense and large mud puddles." Chu Sin nods and Fu Xi speaks out.

"However if we lure our opponents into these puddles it could be a beneficial strategy on our part, we don't really know how deep these puddles are so maybe we can cause are opponents to slip up." Zi Shou nods.

"Yes it is possible, but at the same time it could hinder are own troops as well… hmmm?" Zi Shou looks up as the rain lightens and stops.

"It's stopped; let's hope that Chu Shen is doing ok. He's at the other side near the castle; I would like you to get to him as quickly as possible. My men will cover you and aid in your defense for as long as possible in any way that they can." Chu Sin nods and ponders for a moment.

"How long do you think it will take for me to get there?" Zi Shou studies the map and ponders.

"Well we start at sunrise; I think you should try to be there no latter then midday, that way we would still have some light to fight with." Chu Sin nods and looks at the map.

"Most of our opponents are nothing more than farmers and peasants who have taken arms against the Emperor." Chu Sin looks up at Zi Shou curiously.

"But why have they turned against the Emperor so suddenly?" Zi Shou chuckles.

"Actually I believe that this has been escalating over a long period of time. It's just that the people haven't been this unified. This Zhang Jiao has just unified the people for the same cause, armed them and is using them to take down the Emperor. Now, we both need sleep, before the sun rises. Get back to your tent and get some sleep." Chu Sin nods and gets up slowly; he bows and leaves the tent. He looks around the camp and sighs looking over at his own tent.

"I wonder if what we are doing is right." He heads towards his tent and awaits Fu Xi's reply.

"What do you mean?" Chu Sin sighs and enters his tent; he looks at the bed roll and his pack, he smiles thinking of how nice it would be to rest.

"I mean is what we are doing right, attacking and killing the people whom only wish to continue their life?"

"You make it sound as if we are murdering the innocents?" Chu Sin sighs and sits on his bedroll.

"What's the difference between killing and murdering them? It's pretty much the same thing is it not?"

"Think about it this way, in rebelling they are killing people who are far more innocent then them. At the same time when we kill them it stops them from killing others. Now which would you want more on your conscience, their deaths, or the knowledge that in letting them live others will die by their hands until they stop." Chu Sin's eyes grow wide and he nods.

"I see… So in destroying one life it may save many?"

"Yes, and if they are the murderers, then they would be executed anyways, which is a faster and less painful way of death. A quick killing blow, or a life time of pain and torment in prison?"

Chu Sin nods and lies down on his bed roll, he's to hot to get inside the bed roll and he's intrigued by Fu Xi's point of view.

"I think I would rather see them die quickly and with as little pain as possible. I mean yes, they have killed as a group, and as that they will most likely be branded as murderers… But still I some times wish there was a way to help them."

"Sometimes the best help can not be given to those who do not wish it." Chu Sin shrugs and yawns, he can hear Fu Xi chuckle.

"Get to sleep my friend; we have a big day tomorrow." Chu Sin nods and slowly closes his eyes and falls into a deep sleep.