-8-

The constant rumbling of seismic activity causes Milla and Fang to look around frantically as Kai calmly observes the environment for an exit.

"Hey before I suggest something, are you sure there's not another exit somewhere?" Kai asks Fang

The worried tibetan wolf responds "I'm pretty sure there's not another exit, besides I'd rather stay here than in some underground tunnel in the middle of an earthquake."

"We can't just stay here, this isn't any earthquake; the mineshaft is starting to collapse! Anyways I think our only exit is right above us" Kai points directly towards the lattice at the intersection's ceiling, both Milla and Fang looks at the lattice and gives Kai a doubtful look.

"How exactly are we suppose to get up there?"

"...and how are we going to cut through those bars in time?" Milla continues for Fang

"Milla is going to cut through the lattice. As for getting up there, well let me think for a moment." Kai explains, the falling rocks continue as the earth continues to growl.

"Me?!" Milla responds in an exasperated voice

"This is... theoretical, but if you can transfer your psychic energy into that blade then you can likely cut through the lattice quick enough. Just take this rope and pull us up when you reach the top." Kai grabs a random rope from the floor.

Fang makes a frightenly skeptical face, Milla responds "You're insane! I don't know if I can do that!"

"Well the handle is made from the same material as your anklets and gloves, so you better hope it works, unless you want us to be fossils!"

Milla thinks about the situation and reluctantly nods her head, Kai continues "I guess you can use your psychic powers to boost yourself up, good luck."

Milla with a burst of energy from her feet launches herself into the air, she quickly uses her super shield burst for more reach and grabs on to a rigid stalactite with her right hand. She climbs up the large collapsing stalactite, with another psychic blast she boosts herself towards the lattice. The hound hangs on to a convenient bar next to the lattice with one hand, holding her katana with the other, I hope I don't fall she thought to herself.

"You're okay over there!" Fang yells, "No rush, but can you please hurry up!"

Milla concentrates as she attempts to transfer her psychic energy into her katana, as she focuses on the blade, green sparks began to manifest from the sword Come on! Please! JUST WORK!, Milla's thoughts began to run wild as she focuses PLEASE, somehow by command the blade made a familiar jade glow that gave her a sense of salvation.

Milla immediately slices the grid open.

The square piece of grid, that Milla cut off, falls down in front of Kai and Fang, both canines look towards each other in surprise, "Going to be honest, I didn't think that would actually work." Kai admits.

Milla climbs into the surface and throws down the rope that Kai gave her, as the two canines began to climb the rope, Milla notices that she's somewhere at the city, several miners and soldiers stood there watching in awe as the basset hound, that just cut through metal bars, struggles to pull something up from the hole she emerged from; she makes a nervous laugh "Eh, can you help me, pretty please" the basset hound asks.

Fang responds "Why are you asking! We're climbing for our lives!"

The residents recognizes Fang's exasperated voice and ran to aid Milla, together the miners and soldiers helps Milla pull Kai and Fang out from Běifēng Mine. The Běifēng residents who came to aid her began to talk among one another.

"What happened, why is Fang Shi still doing in those Mines?"

"I hope she's okay, let's keep pulling!"

"Alright guys let's pull one more time, in one! two! three!"

With one strong pull, Milla and the townspeople pull the two canines out of the collapsing mines. The moment Kai and Fang climbs out of the opening everyone hears a massive crashing sound, dust began to spew out of the opening.

The three canines are at the infirmary, they are covered in dirt and soot and a kind lynx nurse offers them some tea which seemed to have been made with health petals, "Here you go, I hope this makes you feel better" says the nurse very kindly.

"Thank you" said Fang, the nurse was caught off guard by Fang's change of tone.

"It was my pleasure, you're welcome Fang Shi" the nurse responds "What about you Milla Basset, Kai Xin?", Milla and Kai gestures by nodding their heads, the nurse makes a big smile, and exits the room.

After a few minutes, Jin enters the room "I hope you guys are alright, I'm deeply sorry for the inconvenience."

Milla makes a wide grin "It's OK, I'm just glad Fang is okay. Fang have something to say to you." she look towards Fang's direction.

"Oh, is that so?" Jin gives off an intrigued face.

Fang begins to speak "Um, I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry I haven't thank you for all you've done for me, for my brother and sister." Fang answers in a humble voice

"You don't need to thank me, I was happy to help. I can see Milla taught you a few lessons though" Jin says glaring at the smiling basset hound.

Kai interrupts with his usual monotonic voice "So, with that all said and done, what next?"

"Well, if Milla is willing, we can continue her training. I've finished making her katana's sheath, this one should be more convenient for her" Jin hands over the simple brown sheath to the excited basset hound, sitting up on top of the infirmary bed.

"Thank you" says the grateful hound.

"You guys should get some rest. As for the situation about Běifēng Mines, I'm sure the mayor will somehow get the miners and even the Qin soldiers to help out with it's reconstruction; in fact the mayor wanted me to thank you for riding the mines of those evil machines."

All three canines makes a faint nod, Jin leaves the room and the canines begins to rest.

four months have passed and at the backyard behind Jin's house is Milla holding her katana, wearing her tank top and pants, practicing her technique. Kai and Fang observes the hound's movements and strikes while munching on potato chips, Jin steps out and sees the young girl's improvements, "I'm impressed, it only have been four months and you've shown significant improvement" Jin said in an impressed tone.

"Well, I did have a good teacher!" Milla said with great determination.

"I think anyone could have taught you how to use a katana." Jin chuckles, "I think it's time you're given a challenge.", Milla tilts her head in confusion.

Jin responds with a grin "You will duel me.", Milla's expression changed from confusion to intimidation.

"This will be good." Kai said in anticipation as he makes a dark grin.

Fang makes a worried expression "I know she've improved, but Jin don't you think you're too advanced for her?" she protested with a soft voice, so that only Jin can hear her.

Jin hands over one of his duel swords to Fang, and says "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll handle herself, though that doesn't mean she'll win."

"If you know she doesn't have a good chance to win, then why fight her?"

"It's more like survival, and some humility won't hurt. Though she's already quite modest, so I suppose she needs more determination than humility."

Milla prepares her katana and stance as Jin draws his singular sword, pointing the blade at the hound. Jin charges at Milla with incredible speed, she blocks his attack and moves out of range, "If you can use your dragon speed, then I guess I can use my psychic powers!" she called as her sword emanates a glowing jade energy.

Jin responds "Be my guess, as long as you're using your sword!" the dragon charges at the hound again; instead of blocking the attack, Milla attempts to parry the dragons attack with a burst of psychic energy with a swing of her blade, Jin dodges the attack and strikes back. The hound makes a defensive position, however the dragon breaks through her defense and thrusts his sword at Milla, causing her to fall backwards with the blade inches from her face.

"Now you know how I felt!" Kai said disregarding any possible danger towards Milla.

Jin sheaths his sword. "It makes me happy to see you're adapting to your blade." he said as he helps the hound up, "You deserve a nice lunch." he turn towards Kai and Fang and asks a similar question, "You two want something as well?"

Both the observing canines makes a small nod.

After everyone eats lunch, the three canines sits down at Jin's living room waiting for their host to arrive, the draconic general walks in and begins to speak "As much as it pains me to say, I think it's time that you two leave Běifēng, not for the reasons you think. I have a favor to ask you."

"A favor?" Milla responds.

"I need you guys to go to the Imperial Capital Zhōngyāng."

Kai makes a suspicious look on his face "The capital?! Why do you need us to go there?"

"I can't give you the details, but I need you to take my place at Qin's Annual Establishment Festival. Normally peasants cannot enter the Imperial Capital, but every year in september they celebrate the founding of the Qin Empire. A large quantity of citizens will be attending, including the current leaders of the four compass direction cities; the northern mining city of Běifēng, the southern coastal village of Nángǎng, the western agriculture village of Xīchéng, and the eastern trade city of Dōng mén."

"What? You need us to keep the peace or something?" Kai said sarcastically.

"More or less."

"Alright, then we'll attend the festival for you." Milla said "But what about our training?"

Jin pats the hound's head, making a smile "I think it's time you start to teach yourself. There's no better teacher than experience, but don't rely heavily on your blade, especially when you have other abilities that can help you in battle."

Milla nods back, both Milla and Kai heads towards the inn, they pack their stuff and waves goodbye to the General and Fang.

"I don't trust his motives for sending us over to Zhōngyāng." Kai whispers.

"I'm sure he have very good intentions" Milla says in Jin's defense

As Jin and Fang watch the two dogs leave the city, Fang heads over back at the house and Jin begins to ponder to himself Perhaps that girl… that girl could help you my empress and maybe even change this empire… for the better…