Strategy
Strategy
Both of their legs were strapped with combat knives. Shi Yen's gleaming sword strapped to her back, sheathed in a golden scabbard. She wore a golden crown, the tips sharp and red, like bloody thorns over her raven-black hair. It was ornamental, and purely for show.
But the crown had told her friends what they already suspected. Most of them already knew, given that she had called most of them recently, calling in the favour. Others weren't surprised, as if some part of them knew without really knowing the truth.
Shi Yen paused in front of them, and they stopped their chatting. "Thank you," was all she said before stepping into the dining room. They followed her, gathering in the largest room of the estate. Shi Yen rolled the map of the layout she spent days studying on the table. The princes of the Dragon organization, the Phoenix Flock, and the Wolf's Den watched her with some of the companions they brought with them.
"I'm sorry to have called all of you," she began, "but this more than just a rescue mission. I need to confront the Emperor and end this."
"And what about after?" questioned Xun Zichen of the Phoenix flock. "Who will succeed in the role? We can't go through what we've been through again. Our families will suffer if we lose."
"I won't let it happen," Shi Yen responded sharply, facing him with eyes full of resolve. "I will make sure that no harm comes to anyone's family." Her family had suffered too much because of this cycle; she wanted to be the one that ended it. Shi Yen was tired of losing everything and everyone.
"How?" he questioned.
Shi Yen planted her palms on the table, over the map. "Because I'm going to win," she said determinedly, despite the odds. She wanted to speak it into existence.
The prince of the Phoenix flock nodded his head, acknowledging her confidence.
"All right then," she continued, looking at each of them. "There are four possible locations on where the Emperor is. Most likely, he did this on purpose because he wants to split us up. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to narrow it down to one or two locations, so we'll have to send one organization to each of these. We have to make it fast and quick, with effective communication. No one makes a move until we spot my sister. Then we call the others for backup. You can make a move before the others arrive, but do not engage without sending a signal. Understand?"
Each of them nodded, understanding what she was saying.
"The only problem is that we might have to engage in battle with the other three organizations, and who knows who else is on the side of the Emperor? I wouldn't get too cocky, that's not the mentality of a winner."
"So what do we do if that happens?" asked Long Jie.
"Our goal is not to lose lives. If you feel threatened, run. I don't want you to die senselessly. This is a battle between him and me. You can regroup with others, as long as it's safe."
"Understood," he said.
Shi Yen then gave them each orders and roles, hoping they wouldn't meet any problems or chaos with her strategy.
After she finished, she said, "We begin our operation after dark. It's the only way to be subtle. Also, we still need to gather the other members since this is the last minute. Please gather enough members for each of your team, that's the only way to guarantee we'll win."
Each team dispersed, following their orders. While they were gathering materials and leaving to collect more people, Luo Wanting had walked in with Luo Tian, looking puzzled.
Luo Wanting squeezed through the crowd, heading towards Shi Yen with knitted brows. "What's going on?" he questioned. "Shouldn't we all be going to find Shi Ailin now? Where is everyone going?"
With a blank expression, Shi Yen responded, "You just came from the hospital, and you shouldn't be here. Also, they're gathering more people."
"Huh?" he muttered. "There are many of us now. If we send the whole team at this moment, we can go get her."
"Wanting," Shi Yen said, "We'll all be going in blindly if we go as a group. We'll be wasting energy and resources if we go from location to location, looking for her. We can rest, find people, and then we'll go all at once at different places with full force. We can rescue her that way." She then strode away, but Luo Wanting was persistent.
"I don't understand how you could be this calm," he said, "when it's your sister that's missing, and it's your fault she's gone."
Yuan Shun eyed his friend as if to tell him that he went too far. But Shi Yen paused, turning her head slightly. She could see Luo Wanting's expression. He was ghastly pale; most likely from discharging himself too early from the hospital, and his fear of losing the woman he adored the most.
Shi Yen understood that fear, the anxiety. And although Luo Wanting never understood what it felt like to lose a parent or sibling, his feelings were still valid.
"It's our duty to make rational decisions, and not allow our feelings to impact our choices. We must do what we can to minimize the effect on our people; their lives are not worth less than of my sister. Why sacrifice many for one life?"
Luo Wanting's eyes widened. "Her life is in danger! She could be tortured for all we know," he said.
"My sister can take care of herself," she replied.
Luo Wanting gritted his teeth, clenching his fists until they turned white. "How can you say that?" he shouted, taking steps toward her. "She's your sister!"
Luo Tian stepped in his path to push him back away from Shi Yen. "Brother, stop," he warned. Luo Wanting was breathing hard, staring at Shi Yen with a sharpened gaze.
Shi Yen narrowed her eyes. "You misunderstood me, Mr. Luo," she said. "I am still going after my sister. In the meantime, we prepare. In the meantime, she can take care of herself," she paused to ensure he's listening. "It's because she's my sister that I understand her well. I know her strengths and weaknesses, so I also know that the Emperor will underestimate her. Besides, aren't you the one that saw the potential in her for a reason?"
Luo Wanting stared.
"She's my blood. Every member of our family had the same upbringing. Just because she used to be timid, doesn't mean she's weaker than me." Shi Yen smiled, being fond of a memory, "but it's fun when people think that way because they won't see it coming."
Shi Yen glanced at him once more, the realization overcoming him. "She'll be fine," she told him. "As long as you follow my instructions and not do anything irrational. We can't afford mistakes."
Luo Wanting nodded, understanding every word that came from her. Shi Yen mustered a grin. "Luo Wanting," she said once more, "I appreciate the way you're concerned for her, and I understand you did everything you can to protect her, even almost dying for her. Just know, I am also willing to put my life on the line, not just for her, but for all of you."
Shi Yen turned, marching away with Yuan Shun trailing behind her. Luo Wanting stared at the back of her profile, in shock. He truly underestimated the power of a sibling bond. He and his brothers grew up competing over their parent's approval, attention. He hadn't stopped to think about what it's like not to compare yourself to others or let envy and pride get in the way. Shi Yen and Shi Ailin were allowed to be themselves, which gave them the opportunities to grow together.
Luo Wanting glanced at his brother. "Thank you for coming," he told him.
Luo Tian grinned. "I'm not letting you have all the fun and glory," he said.
Luo Wanting draped an arm over his shoulder. "Let's meet with our friends to prepare."