Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Commander Du Xiu had a large frame though he paled in comparison to the Camp Commander. Outside of size, he was muscular and toned, trained to last in battle. In terms of age, he seemed to be around his sixties or seventies, having a wrinkled face and a small deep gray mustache but his eyes were piercing and somewhat fierce. His hair was of a similar shade of gray and tied into a small bun. 

He was seated behind a large oak table with papers neatly piled on both sides. There was a brush in his hand and several documents that needed to be read and signed in front of him. 

The room itself was simple but it was not barren in the least. There were multiple maps placed on the wall, a rack carrying a halberd axe and a mannequin wearing what could only be his personal armor. 

One of the more eye-catching things in this room were two banners hanging behind him. Each one was written with one part of a phrase. 

"In the midst of chaos..."

"... there is also opportunity."

Ming Yue saw all of this and quickly bowed. 

"Greetings Commander Du Xiu, I am Ming Yue from Heaven's Gate."

There was a short pause before the commander stood up, placing his brush down and stepping away. His eyes lost their fierceness, replaced by a more amiable grace.

"I hope that your travel here was not terrible nor have any of our soldiers mistreated you in any way."

Ming Yue shook her head. 

"No, it was perfectly fine."

"Good, I was surprised to have a message sent to me by both the High Council and the Grand Elder of Heaven's Gate. Though after learning about the reason for this, I could not reject such a request. You are here to find the sect leader of the Tao Feng, yes?"

She nodded. 

"I have already been given the necessary tools to find him", she said, revealing a compass in her hand.

"I see, I suppose that was given to you by the Grand Elder to track him. But it only gives you the general direction, you will still need any information about his sighting."

He stroked his chin before turning back to his desk and picking up one of the papers, skimming through it. As he did, the commander moved towards the largest map in the office and pointed at where the Mu and Yao Clans were found.

"This is where he was transported to..."

His finger moved down before going towards the west where a mountain range was drawn. 

"And this was where he was last seen. This mountain range in the north west. The issue is that this is deep into Kong Zhi's territory, close to the heart of his forces. Furthermore, this is a place he has dared not to enter and for good reason. That is where the remains of the previous calamity was."

"Just like the Merciless Storm Peak..."

"Indeed but there is more to that. That remaining energy has already been claimed by another, the Hundun Clan."

He then took out another map which entailed a poor sketch of the mountain range. 

"This is the best our scouts could get. They could not enter any further for the energy is too strong and that the Hundun* Clan protects those mountains. It is both their home and sacred ground, they're like fanatics."

"Is there no way to speak with them or negotiate?"

"Unfortunately no, in fact they could not be persuaded by either side to join them and for good reason. No one has truly seen them. Some believe that they are spirits, others think they don't exist. But there is certainly something living in those mountains."

Ming Yue's eyes furrowed as those words. 

"What do you mean?"

"No one knows of their true appearance for it would be too dangerous to find such information. As it is their home and sacred ground, there are naturally protective barriers and formations. Of them are these balls of Chaos Lightning, black in color and dangerous to the highest level. I'm sure you've encountered it before with the Tao Feng's Sect Leader."

Ming Yue thought back to him, recalling the prismatic lightning that came from the Heavens and the black lightning that he had absorbed. 

"That's... a bit terrifying."

"Indeed, thus the war is not actually a two way struggle but three ways."

Commander Du Xiu pulled down another map, revealing a different version of the continent as it was separated into three lines. 

"The east is under our influence, the west is under Kong Zhi's and that corner in the North West is the Hundun's. Their's is drastically smaller than both of ours but their power is not less. At first, they remained within those mountains but then the skies turned dark and the Heavens grew angry, The Hundun Clan took it as a sign to spread their own influence."

"And despite that, no one knows what they look like?"

"Those who encounter them can only describe flashes of lightning. Not even a silhouette could be seen."

"And that is where he is headed?"

"That is what our scouts say."

Ming Yue went into deep thought. 

If Dai Mian went to such a place, was it worth gong after him? If anything, he might have died to them. 

"Wait, was he seen with another? A young woman."

"A young woman you say..."

Commander Du Xiu looked through his documents once more to check if there was such a thing. 

"I don't see anything about a young woman. Is there something wrong?" he asked, his voice full of concern. 

Ming Yue then spoke of Hua Xiong and how she had been taken after sacrificing herself.  His face turned serious after hearing such a story and he began to reassure her that Hua Xiong would be found. 

"Any information about her will be sent to me as soon as possible. Do you have a map of your own?"

She nodded, producing a map given to her by Elder Kan. It was just as detailed as the one on the walls if not better drawn. 

The commander took the map and unfurled it, placing it into his desk. With his brush, he drew a thin line connecting the North Fort to where the Hundun Clan was and began to draw more things, adding onto the map.

"This is the safest path to take. There are multiple smaller outposts and camps that are manned. You will be able to rest at these points and perhaps aid them in times of need. The journey itself will be at least half of a year to two years to make but that depends on you."

He gave it back to her.

"You must head west and it will be perilous. At a time like this, a battle could erupt at anytime, anywhere. Never lower your guard."

MIng Yue nodded and bowed. 

"Thank you for your help."

"No, no, this is something I must do. I pray that you survive."

He cupped his fists and led her out. 

Exiting, she saw Liu Wan petting Xiao Yin and Hei Yue with a smile on his face. He looked up, finding Commander Du Xiu stading behind her and quickly stood up, saluting to him. 

"Commander!"

"Mm, make sure she is properly prepared, Liu Wan. I have a few matters to attend to."

"Yes, Commander!"

Commander Du Xiu returned to his office and closed the doors behind him, leaving thes four alone.

Liu Wan relaxed afterwards and then looked towards Ming Yue with a rather silly smile. 

"Ah, I couldn't help myself. I do apologize for touching them without your permission."

Ming Yue shook her head.

"No, it's quite alright. If those two like it then its perfectly fine."

The scout scratched his head, keeping his silly smile.