As the horn sounded throughout the training camp, Batzorig and nine captains led a hundred men out to search for the five men in black who had infiltrated the camp.
"We must capture at least one intruder!" Batzorig's voice boomed. "Spread out!"
Each of the nine captains, with ten outstanding soldiers, rushed out.
The five soldiers stood behind Haitao, watching Khunbish, Khenbish, Timicin, and Och fight two of the men in black.
"Wow," Erden murmured, eyes wide. "I didn't know Khunbish and Khenbish were good at fighting."
Chaghatai rubbed his aching back. "Thank God I didn't offend them too much."
"I told you all to get along," Muunokhoi reminded them, ever the peacemaker.
"Shut up," Od snapped, his gaze fixed on the skirmish.
Haitao turned to look at Chinua. Under the bonfire's light, he saw a fearless expression on her face, as if she already knew Khunbish and Khenbish would defeat the men in black. He quickly threw his hands open as a flying arrow swept past them. Haitao's action sent the six people beside and behind him sprawling.
Another man in black stepped forward, kicking toward Haitao. Haitao blocked the blow, twisted his right elbow, and waved toward the man's head, knocking him to the ground. Another man in black rushed out of the darkness and swung his sword toward Haitao's head. Haitao quickly dodged the sword's attack, grabbed the man's wrist, and pushed him away from the five inexperienced soldiers still sitting on the ground.
On the bank of the river, Och was kicked so hard he landed a few feet from Chinua and the others. Chinua could see that the man fighting Timicin had the upper hand. She saw a bow land a few steps away, dropped by the intruder still out cold on the ground. She quickly grabbed the bow, drew an arrow from the intruder's quiver, and fired.
The man with the knife behind him swung at Timicin's neck. Timicin arched backward, avoiding the blade, and fell to the ground. He heard a brisk thwip, and then the man in black fell back toward the lake. Timicin turned and saw that Chinua's arrow was aimed at another man in black who was fighting Haitao. He quickly rushed to Och's side and helped him up.
Chinua waited for her chance to shoot, but the intruder fighting Haitao gave her no opening.
The intruder and Haitao began to scuffle on the ground. Noticing the arrow aimed at his life, the intruder grabbed Haitao tightly, using him as a shield.
Chinua knew she couldn't get a clear shot at the intruder fighting Haitao, so she aimed her arrow at the intruder fighting Khunbish and Khenbish.
"Get out of the way!" Chinua yelled, her voice cutting through the night.
Khunbish and Khenbish quickly backed away from the intruder. Chinua's arrow then struck the intruder's left chest, sending him into the river. The intruder fighting Haitao on the ground broke free and quickly jumped into the river.
Haitao walked back to his men and pulled out his belt, beginning to tie the intruder's hands. He helped the man to his feet and leaned him against a rock. When a dog started barking in the distance, he began to wake the intruder.
Soon after the intruder woke, Dawa joined the group. Dawa walked up to the intruder and pulled him up with force.
"What about the rest of them?" Dawa demanded angrily.
The intruder refused to speak, just staring coldly at Dawa.
Dawa pushed the intruder in front of his ten men. "Take him back to the camp to General Batzorig," he commanded.
Dawa and his men brought the captured intruder back to the camp.
Timicin frowned irritably. "Our team caught the intruder, why did he take him back to claim credit?"
Od grabbed Haitao's arm. "Captain, do you really want to let Captain Dawa take the credit?"
Haitao smiled. "Whether he brought the intruder or I did, it makes no difference. We are on the same side."
"It's only fair!" Och protested.
"That's right," Erden chimed in, nodding vigorously. "We caught him. We should be credited."
Haitao held up a hand. "Don't dwell on it. It's just a little credit; don't aim for that. If you want to aim, aim for something big, something that impacts ordinary people's lives. When we decided to join the military, we vowed to protect them."
Chaghatai snorted. "Actually, I joined the army for food and monthly income."
The men on the riverbank burst into laughter at Chaghatai's comments.
"Alright," Haitao said, a slight grin on his face. "Let's head back to camp."
Soldiers were gathering at the training ground when Haitao and his men returned. Altan walked up to the ten. "Oh, where are you losers?" He laughed at them, keeping his eyes on Timicin.
Timicin clenched his fist, but Haitao grabbed it. "We just came back from fishing," he said, feigning innocence. "What's going on?"
"Captain Dawa captured the intruder who went to assassinate Prince Dzhambul," Altan announced, a smug look on his face.
"Is Prince Dzhambul injured?" Chinua suddenly asked, her voice sharp with concern.
Altan glared at Chinua, his face twisting in irritation. "How could Prince Dzhambul be injured? He is very skilled. Do you think some intruders can scare the General of the Northern Army? Stupid."
Khunbish grabbed Altan by the collar and pulled him in close. "Watch your mouth," he snarled, "or the next thing that falls on your face will be my fist." He shoved Altan toward the others.
"Don't be so violent," Captain Haitao interjected, stepping between them. "Let's line up and gather."
Och walked past Chinua and muttered, "You should bring a spare arrow."
Chaghatai, ever pragmatic, added, "If he was shot, I won't tell who released the arrow."
Captain Batzorig took center stage. "Tonight," he announced, his voice carrying across the training ground, "Captain Dawa and his elite ten soldiers captured an intruder who attempted to assassinate General Dzhambul. From now on, everyone should be careful. If you see or hear anything, report it to your captain immediately."
"The credit belongs to Captain Haitao," Erden muttered dissatisfiedly behind Och.
After the group left the training ground, the seven recruits sat around the bonfire, their faces showing dissatisfaction. The more they saw Haitao happily cooking by another campfire, the angrier they grew.
Chaghatai frowned. "Others stole his credit, why is he so happy?"
"I've heard rumors that he likes to be a loser," Muunokhoi whispered, casting a sideways glance at Haitao. "Seeing it with my own eyes, I think it's not even a rumor—it's a fact."
"I don't understand either," Erden sighed.
"No wonder no one respects him," Timicin added, a hint of disdain in his voice.
"If it were me, I would definitely say something," Od declared, puffing out his chest.
Haitao put the pot of food on the ground. "And say what?" he asked, his voice calm.
"Tell the truth," Od retorted, frustrated. "You caught that intruder."
Haitao laughed, a soft, amused sound. "You're still angry about this?"
Timicin looked up, surprised. "You're not angry?"
Haitao smiled. "No, it's just a trivial matter. Why make a big deal? It's not life and death." He looked at the young soldiers gathered around the bonfire. "Let's eat and sleep. Tomorrow we'll go up the mountain again. Walking the natural path may ease our inner anger."
Och got up frantically and walked toward his tent.
"Och, are you not eating?" Haitao called after him.
Och gave him a cold look before walking into his tent. The rest of the group also went to their tents.
Haitao chuckled. "If you don't eat, more food for me." He began to eat.
After returning from her bath, Chinua saw Haitao eating by the bonfire alone. She handed the dirty laundry to Khunbish. "Go to sleep," she said. "Don't wait for me; I'll chat with Haitao for a while."
Chinua walked over and sat across from Haitao by the campfire. Haitao handed her the pot, and she began to eat.
"There are very few people who don't fight for fame and fortune," Chinua remarked, eating a bit of corn mixed with rice. "Captain Haitao, you are a very interesting person." When he looked up at her, Chinua knew she had caught Haitao's attention. "To the west, there is Prince Chimgee. To the east, there is Prince Mönkhbat. No one respects you here, so why did you choose to stay?"
Haitao looked up at Chinua and chuckled. "Chinua, you are also a very interesting person. With your ability, you are no ordinary new recruit. In the west, Prince Chimgee loves and treats all his soldiers with compassion but lacks trust. In the east, Prince Mönkhbat and his soldiers were brave but lacked support." He chuckled again. "That's why I chose to stay here. Smart birds choose the strongest branch on the tree."
"Is that why you chose to stay with Prince Dzhambul?" Chinua asked, looking at Haitao keenly. "I don't blame you. With Prince Dzhambul's support from many court officials, it's a good choice for you to be here." She stood up. "But if too many smart birds choose the same tree branch, it will eventually break."
Haitao laughed loudly, a booming sound that echoed in the quiet night. "I have not sworn my loyalty yet," he said, standing beside Chinua. "I'm just wasting my time waiting."
"What and who are you waiting for?" Chinua pressed, her gaze unwavering.
Haitao smiled, looking at Chinua. "I'm waiting for the right moment, the right person. Only that person is worthy of my bending knee."