Okay. So there's good news, and there's a sorta' kind of bad news. The bad news is: I lied about Zhuge Liang appearing in Chapter 4 [I am so bad… *hits head*]. BUT. The good news is: I've already added Chapter 5. I just decided to extend to one more chapter so that Chapter 4 won't be a little too heavy. I hope that's fair enough for everyone. So basically chapter 5 is just a portion of chapter 4 [then does that mean I haven't really broken my promise?] Anyway, thank you for reading!

Chapter 4

The frail beaten up girl curled up tightly as blows rained and lashed against her back, accompanied by countless words of mockery and obnoxious profanities. Even as tears of pain had begun stinging her brown orbs, she held them back and refused to cry.

Her body had numbed towards the pain, but every bash that she suffered was only beginning to stir rage within her. Can't anyone come to help her? Didn't anyone care?

But she knew fully well that no one did.

And so with one hand to her belly, the little girl used her other hand to scrape the dust, her tiny fingers desperately trying to find something… something to save her.

But before she could grasp for even an infinitesimal sign of hope, a sharp kick to her side caused her to collapse completely. And for that second that she lay there helpless, she felt that her purse; those precious coins that she had toiled all day for, were snatched away from her pocket.

No! No! No! She wanted to scream, but her voice was drowned in pain as she struggled to get up again. Just then, only a little beyond her reach, she caught sight of something.

A rock.

A rough jagged rock the size of a fist that was enough to fuel her determination and make it explode into a blazing fire of that childish yearning for revenge. It was the hope that she needed. And it was there, lying just a few inches away.

With the passion of a warrior flowing through the veins of an innocent young girl, she crawled towards the rock and willed herself to get up. Her trembling knees obeyed her and by some miracle felt filled with power.

She turned to the thieves that were walking away and slowly approached them. Determination superseded pain as she took careful silent steps towards the tallest and the largest of the bullies who haughtily tossed her treasured purse in his hands. She was a tiger judging distance before lunging in into its prey.

Then, putting her right foot behind her, she bent backward like a graceful stalk of bamboo and in fluid motion powerfully lurched forward, throwing all of her weight as she propelled all of the force that she could muster into the release of the stone.

The stone shot rapidly through the air, and with perfect aim, dug lethally into the skull of the unaware boy. The young girl saw the purse fall to the ground—along with the thief—just as if he were a mighty tree chopped down.

The little girl felt dazed as she slowly walked up to the bleeding being in front of her. She couldn't even care about the curious or even bewildered eyes that were on her that had done nothing but merely act as onlookers while she had been laying there almost dead. She didn't even notice the other older children's horrified expressions as they ran away in utter cowardice, witnessing how a little girl could commit something far more dreadful than they have ever done in their life of felony.

The townspeople were well aware of the nameless youth's misdeeds that it was even a relief that he was dead for lot of them had already been victims of his crimes. Such wasted life, they would say. And he would always get away with it.

But his blood tainting the hands of a child… that was something else.

The girl stood there, staring at the stream of blood oozing from where the stone had hit him and nonchalantly, picked up her purse. But she was still overcome with shock, and it was shock that led her to act as if she could not feel anything. Not even the patches of awful bruises all around her thin body.

It was then that a tall figure shadowed over her. She thought it was probably an officer and he had obviously come to make her pay for her crime.

But instead, it was a stranger. A young man dressed in traveler's clothing with a wide bamboo-woven hat over his head.

"Come, child." His deep voice was calm and soothing. His words came like cool water that gently washed away her anxiety.

"I… I killed him." She whispered weakly. But the man didn't seem to hear those words as he bent down and fished out a clean handkerchief from the pocket inside his thick weathered coat, wiping off the oozing blood from her little nose.

"What a mess you've put yourself in." The man simply replied.

* * *

Zhang Hou Yi.

Jiang Wei found himself still staring at the masked warrior, even after hearing the short word of confirmation. An awkward silence lingered between them. It was as if they were both just anticipating someone to make a move. The masked warrior didn't even stir as Jiang Wei's fingers remained tightly clamped on his shoulders, seemingly slowly starting to cut off circulation in them. Beyond the white veil and the smug expression was only a being of infinite silence.

Jiang Wei involuntarily stepped backward, releasing his tight grip round him.

Is that really… you?

Deep in his heart he knew that this person was indeed Hou Yi—but why wasn't she speaking? In the ocean of his intense belief came the tiny and yet powerful voice of doubt.

It was then that this doubt had been completely silenced when he finally saw the masked warrior begin to move. Jiang Wei watched as the masked warrior tilt his head forward, and in one smooth motion, loosened the ribbon that bound his identity. He had let the object slide off his rich dark chestnut head and drop with a loud clunk against the hard wooden floor.

Slowly, he raised his same earth-toned orbs and placed his naturally youthful vibrant gaze upon Jiang Wei. What met Jiang Wei was the familiar charming beauty that had remained almost the same as he had known it. The beauty of a woman.

Hou Yi… Jiang Wei nearly said aloud. Yes it was her. That unmistakable charm in the graceful contours of her creamy white face and the pink lips he remembered, this woman whose beauty has been further heightened by maturity. Four years have passed since she left the Wei army, and now she has returned. A ghost. A lovely ghost of Jiang Wei's memory, but like any living mortal had aged—but she had aged with beauty, and Jiang Wei guessed that she was now already twenty-three.

But lithe and youthful as she appeared to be, there was still that tinge of life's sorrows hidden in her small almond-shaped eyes. But Jiang Wei knew that he'd be a fool to extend pity to a woman so proud and stubborn. This woman who scorned pity above all things. He had accidentally slipped into showing it once, and paid the price of having to stomach an angry litany of reasons why Hou Yi despised pity so much and how she almost hated him for having just given her that.

"Hey." Hou Yi uttered. She had spoken as if she were a man. Jiang Wei remembered too that Hou Yi was far from being feminine despite her features. She was innately rough; tomboyish even—adding a more convincing touch to her role-play of a male warrior.

Hou Yi tilted her head side to side as is she was surveying some sort of specimen in front of her.

"Hello? Jiang Wei…?"

"Oh. Oh! I'm sorry," Jiang Wei replied, finally swimming out of his river of thought. "It's just that… it's almost as if it were a dream to see you again."

"Jeez. Nothing's changed Jiang Wei! If you're still dreaming, then I'm afraid you'll have to wake up now because I need to tell you something pretty important. I haven't gone through all that trouble for just a reunion you know."

"Something important?" Jiang Wei sounded a little too surprised.

"Yes, now sit."

As soon as Jiang Wei sat down, Hou Yi pulled the chair across him and sat down as well, pouring another cup of wine for herself.

"Care for a drink before I begin?" Hou Yi offered.

Jiang Wei held out his cup and nimbly, Hou Yi tipped the mouth of the warm wine jar and filled the cup just enough before it reached the rim. Jiang Wei downed the drink as Hou Yi had done earlier and set the cup down.

"Alright, let's get started," Hou Yi said as she took a deep breath. "First and foremost, I bet you're wondering why I did that raid a while ago. So, allow me to explain. You see, I needed your help to get the attention of your commander and…"

"You mean, Zhuge Liang?"

"Yes. Sima Yi's favorite enemy," she continued. "And as I was saying, since he personally planned to get you into his service, I knew at once that you were my closest link to him. So when I found out that Shu was out to conquer Shanggui, I immediately set out orders to my men to confirm if you would be joining him."

"And you found out that I did. What were you hoping to achieve?" Jiang Wei was beginning to listen intently. Hou Yi paused for a moment and sighed.

"I thought you had a good reason why you joined forces with him so I wanted to find out what that was. And I'm guessing this Zhuge Liang is a little more honorable than the Sima Yi we love so much." Hou Yi had spoken the last line with bitter sarcasm as she poured herself a cup of wine. Jiang Wei knew what she was talking about. It was the reason that drove Hou Yi to leave Wei and the memory of it caused hatred to seethe in her heart like deadly poison.

"Which is why," Hou Yi went on, acting perfectly calm, "I created a commotion in your camp and on purposely left the way open for you to call for reinforcements. I ordered the soldiers to make sure that no one would get hurt and simply disarm your men. I think they did things properly. I just wanted to make sure that Zhuge Liang was rattled enough and got the message. And since I have you 'hostage' here with me, I'm hoping that he'd take the bait and personally come here."

"What do you intend for him to do?"

"Simple. I want to give him Shanggui."

Jiang Wei's eyes widened with astonishment.

"What?!" he exclaimed.

"I'm giving away Shanggui to him."

"I don't get it Hou Yi! How could you possibly do that? This city isn't even…"

"Mine? Oh, but I have power over the city gates didn't you notice that? That's why before we escaped; I left a letter for your commander to bring the full force of his army on the day that you attack. I think it'd be a pleasure to see the look on Sima Yi's face if he found out that his plans will be completely ruined. Let's say it's only one of the things I could do to get back at him."

"Which reminds me," Hou Yi said slowly, "when will you attack?"

Jiang Wei returned the question with a blank expression as he reached out for the wine jar. He poured himself another drink, but this time, he had only taken a sip as the earthen cup touched his lips. And when the warm wine had slithered down his throat it was only then that he gave his answer.

"Tomorrow."

Hou Yi's forehead furrowed and her smile instantly faded into a serious frown.

"Are you kidding me…?"

Jiang Wei took another sip and shot a glance at Hou Yi. His silence was enough to confirm it. But to his surprise, Hou Yi's frown quickly shifted to a delighted smile.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise. That means I wouldn't have to wait too long will now, will I?" She chuckled as she tipped her chair backward with her weight, lifting her feet unto the table and stretched her legs out until she appeared perfectly slanted backward. Jiang Wei's raised a brow, still feeling pretty much awkward at the sight of a woman acting so ruggedly.

There was a period of silence again. Jiang Wei looked at Hou Yi as she took a sip from her cup.

"Hou Yi," he said, "does that mean you'll join the Shu army? Or does it end in just giving Shanggui to Shu?"

Hou Yi paused to think for a moment before she could answer.

"I don't know. It depends really." She replied.

"Depends on what?"

"First, it'll depend if I can trust your leader."

"He's absolutely trustworthy, Hou Yi!" Jiang Wei was suddenly ecstatic. "He is a remarkable person, you must believe me. I work closely with him."

Hou Yi watched the lit expression on Jiang Wei's face.

"Well, you make it seem so. But then, there's the other thing… It'll also depend if he can trust a person like me who caused a ruckus in his beloved camp. He'll probably think that this is just one very complicated tactic of Sima Yi."

Jiang Wei thought about it. Hou Yi was right; Zhuge Liang was not the type to trust a person at once. He remembered how the Sleeping Dragon objected Liu Bei when he wanted Wei Yan to join him, saying that it was too much of a risk. But Liu Bei's great benevolence prevailed, proving with graciousness that Zhuge Liang could be wrong about certain things, and Zhuge Liang, in turn, accepted his mistake humbly like a true loyal minister to his lord.

"Perhaps," Jiang Wei said, "I can convince him to allow you. As long as you do nothing wrong and prove that you're an excellent soldier, I believe I can vouch for you."

"You'd do that?"

"Just don't do anything wrong. My honor is at stake here, can I trust you with that, Hou Yi?"

"Jiang Wei, I'd do anything for the sake of our friendship. You're not thinking that I'll ruin you in front of your master now are you? And besides, I don't think it's really necessary. I'll show him what I'm capable of in my own way." Hou Yi said with a confident grin.

"Well, I just wanted your word on that." Jiang Wei bowed his head, somewhat a little embarrassed for having expressed doubt at a friend he had not seen in years.

"Anyway," Hou Yi sighed as she bet forward and plopped her feet down, "get some rest. There's a room at the left when you get out of this room. I'll be at the one across the hallway. Better grab some as much sleep as we can if we don't want to be disgracefully snoozing in front of Zhuge Liang."

"Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, Hou Yi. You'd better get used to calling him that or with some other honorary title now." Jiang Wei added.

"Oh, right," Hou Yi muttered. "It'll come naturally when I see him. Good night, Jiang Wei."

Jiang Wei nodded his head in return. But just before Hou Yi left the room, she remembered to pick up her mask. And as she bent down, her voice was suddenly gentler compared to the robust tone that she had used earlier.

"By the way," she uttered, "I did miss you during those years I was gone."

And then she quietly straightened herself up and left. Jiang Wei smiled.

"I missed you too." He whispered, even if he knew she no longer heard him.

Chapter 5's next! I'm so excited. Please continue reading! :3