The General's Promise

In her chamber, her maid Chuchui trailed closely behind her feet, with wide eyes showing apprehension. Mei Xing's face turned red as an apple in anger as her voice shook with the same feeling.

"Xiao Hong that demon, he ruined my plans," Mei Xing spat venomously.

Anxious, Chuchui had a soft, childlike tone of voice. "But my lady, I think we should stop. I don't want to get killed."

Mei Xing's expression softened; she spoke in a bossy tone, "Chuchui, do not be worried. When I am at your side, he will not be able to do anything against you."

Scared, having a big eye staring with terror, Chuchui spoke, "But my lady."

At once, serious and firm in tone, Mei Xing cut in, "No buts, Chuchui. The next day I will find some other way and flee from General's mansion."

Chu Cui nodded with a hung head, but it was said in the wide eyes that betrayed the terror within her. Her heart bled for the staunch loyalty of this servant girl because Mei Xing knew she would never give up. By whatever means, she was going to break free.

The moment Chuchui began undressing Mei Xing, her mind was already working on the next day-anything that Xiao Hong threw at her, she would find a way out.

Little did Mei Xing know, Xiao Hong was not to be underestimated. He had a plan of his own-one that would change the course of Mei Xing's life forever.

When Mei Xing lay down to sleep, she didn't know of Xiao Hong's plan, and one thing for sure was that she wouldn't go down easy.

Golden dawn smiled on the mansion of the General, but Mei Xing and Chuchui were there to appreciate no beauty of it. Before them lay a mission-again, to be able to escape the mansion and get out of the clutches of the demonic General Xiao Hong.

They moved like thieves down the deserted hallways, looking right and left with every step taken, lest one be found. "Come along, hurry up," Mei Xing whispered hastily-her tone no louder than the sound of their footsteps.

Chuchui stayed close behind; her heart was pounding. She was scared but at the same time wished she could help her mistress escape.

While walking towards the iron gate, Mei Xing had her eyes scouting for guards or witnesses of any kind, but nobody was in view, and with a surge in her excitement, Mei Xing pushed the gate open, and they slipped into the freedom of the outside world.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Cai Wei hastily entered Xiao Hong's study with an urgent look on his face.

"General, Mei Xing and Chuchui have fled," he said in an extremely low and critical tone.

Xiao Hong did not show much on his face, but narrowed his eyes a little as he uttered, "Let's go."

Riding out to pursue Mei Xing and Chuchui, innumerable possibilities flashed across Xiao Hong's mind. He had expected Mei Xing to try and run away, but he had never expected her to be so brazen about it.

Meanwhile, in the forest, Mei Xing and Chuchui made their way cautiously through the dense underbrush, using all of their senses to navigate the treacherous terrain.

But, despite the precaution, they found themselves suddenly confronted by a cluster of assassins, swords at their sides with gleaming, malicious eyes staring.

The girl's heart jolted at the thought of being ambushed. It was too late for struggle, with the assassins closing in upon them with every sword raised at their victims-to-be, delivering the final deadly blows.

It seemed that all hopes were lost until, suddenly, Xiao Hong and Cai Wei appeared from nowhere; with swords flashing in the sun, charging into battle.

"So you were really working with assassins," Xiao Hong said coldly and deadly as he faced off with the leader of the assassins.

And that was when the look in his eyes gave it away: The General had just given himself up. "I wasn't colluding with them!" she suddenly cried out. Evidently, her words did not bother Xiao Hong anymore.

The sneering leader of the assassins flashed his glittering sword toward the sun as he snarled, "You'll never take us, General,"-and in the next second he clutched Mei Xing and pressed his cold sword on her neck.

"Drop your arms, or we'll kill her," he said, his eyes sparkling with malice.

Her eyes were wide with fear as she realized her life was at stake. "No!! I don't want to die!" she exclaimed. Xiao Hong did not seem to care. "Spare me the play, you can't fool me," he replied cold and unyielding.

But at that very moment, when the assassin was to strike, Xiao Hong seemed to feel that Mei Xing was really scared. He flew his foot into the assassin and kicked him off, saving Mei Xing from certain death.

The fight continued on with crashing swords and screaming of men, as Mei Xing watched in horror, paralyzed by fear, with no idea what to do.

But then, one of the assassins broke through the General's defenses and raised his sword to strike Mei Xing. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable, but it never came.

Instead, she felt a whoosh of air as Xiao Hong again intervened to save her. In an instant, Mei Xing opened her eyes and saw the General standing over her with his sword raised and eyes blazing furiously.

But as she looked up at him, a wave of dizziness washed over Mei Xing. She tried to stand, but her legs refused to work. With a soft cry, she fainted, her body crumpling to the ground.

By the time the fight finally was over, Xiao Hong stood over the prostrate form of Mei Xing, his chest heaving with exertion. He looked down at her, and the expression on his face softened, as if only then realizing that she had been terrified.

He sighed and bent down, picking her up in his arms. "I am sorry, I took you for an assassin," he said in a low soft voice.

Together they walked to the mansion with Cai Wei and Chuchui.