Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

"In any case, I should show you around the fort. If there are any questions, please ask me!"

Liu Wan then lead her out of the main building and brought the trio through the ins and outs.

"This here is the general canteen that everyone uses. The cooks here are pretty amazing and the food is always changing."

"This is our armory here coupled with several forges and workshops. This is where most of our equipment is repaired. If you ever need to have your sword cleaned and restored, you can come here."

"These are our storehouses..."

"Training grounds and dueling arenas..."

The group went through the entirety of the North Fort as Liu Wan introduced Ming Yue to everything.  She found it all interesting to look at, slowly adjusting to the atmosphere here. Not to mention, Liu Wan's cheerful voice made it easier to listen.

"We do also have a room prepared for you unless you plan to go on your mission immediately."

He stopped in front of what seemed to be a simple house, pointing at it while looking towards Ming Yue. 

She nodded.

"Yes, I plan to go as soon as possible", she said, "I apologize for having you show me all of this when I would not be using it at all."

"Nonsense, just because you are leaving does not mean that you won't return later. It is better to know and not need it than to need it and not know."

He waved his hand, dismissing her apology. 

"In any case, do remember that we are an army made of many other kingdoms and forces. If you had not noticed already, we have those of the demon race in our quarters. If you have any preconceptions about them, do away with that. They may be different in appearance but inside they are like us."

Those last words were spoken in a sharp and serious tone as Liu Wan suddenly changed his attitude. Such as shift had made Ming Yue a bit curious.

"Has there been any incidents?"

Liu Wan's face darkened slightly. 

"At the beginning, there had been a bit of friction between a few groups from varying kingdoms about helping those who did not join Kong Zhi's side. In their mind, the Demon Continent was ripe for the taking and the demons that were still alive were dregs that were barely staying alive. The higher-ups sought to shut down any thoughts like those and immediately made an example of them. More than that, they constantly drilled into everyone that this is not some conquest but aid. The first year was chaotic but now the Five Armies had become much more cohesive."

"At first, the demon's formed their own army but that was changed as all armies were restructured to be more balanced. Hence an army like General Nie Xia's is mainly footmen and shieldmen but were given siege weapons as a way of weakening the enemy before entering battle. Sometimes, it could even prevent a battle from occurring if the enemy were to suffer too much damage."

Liu Wan continued to explain the inner workings of the Five Armies while Ming Yue listened carefully. Like this, she slowly learned more about war tactics, finding it intriguing. 

After all, managing millions of soldiers is a daunting task. 

By the time, they finished speaking, the sun was beginning to wane. as it was now the afternoon. The conversation ended as Ming Yue realized that the day would be gone if she continued asking questions. 

"Thank you for showing me around, Liu Wan."

She cupped her fists and gave a small bow. 

"Please, this has been a fun experience for me. I hope I wasn't speaking too much. I know I tend to be a chatterbox sometimes."

Liu Wan smiled and bowed in respect. 

"To say once more, welcome to the North Fort."

With that, he left her, returning to his original duties. 

Ming Yue then walked around the fort before heading to the canteen. As the time for lunch had already passed, it was quite empty and there were not too many choices left. 

"I should have at least try the food before going", she thought. 

Normally, she wouldn't care but she was curious about what the soldiers ate. 

After choosing and grabbing, she ended with a bowl of steaming rice paired with some pork belly and a mess of chopped vegetables. WIth that was a bowl of soup made from oxtail, potatoes, and various herbs. 

All of it was delicious, the pork belly had crisp skin. The chopped vegetables had many different ingredients such as lotus root, carrots, snow peas. All of it cooked so that it had a nice crunch and a light flavor. The soup was meaty and thick, warming her body to its very core. 

Hei Yue and Xiao Yin each had a bowl of that soup with the both of them gnawing on the bones for any meat left in the crevices. 

The meal was refreshing and delicious, helping to relieve any anxiety or pressure that weighed on her mind. It was not hard to tell that she felt a burden upon her shoulders. As much as she tried to get rid of the doubt, it was somewhat difficult to ignore. This was new and different, exciting but worrying.

As she thought quietly in front of her empty tray of food, a group of people approached her with one of them sitting in front of her across the table. 

Ming Yue had long noticed them but did nothing, that was because of the one in front of her, their leader. This person was someone she had seen for only a few minutes during her time at Clear Spring Mountain. 

"I thought you were a simple old woman, tending to your little garden, Senior", she said. 

The old woman in front of her chuckled. 

"Hahaha, I still am. Though, it's rather surprising to see you here, little one. Furthermore, you're in a similar situation to last time."

"Just like before, things fell into place and here I am."

"It would seem so. But it could all be attributed to the same three things."

"Luck, destiny, and opportunity."

The old woman nodded. 

"Yes."

MIng Yue looked at her in the eyes. 

"May I ask for your name, Senior?"

"Ah, I suppose now would be the appropriate time."

She stood up, not wearing those plain clay-colored robes like last time but full plated armor in a white silver color. Compared to her men, she had the most impressive set, with clouds carved into every piece. Her weapon, a pair of short swords sheathed by her hip. There was a noble air around her as she spoke.

"I am Qiu Cang Long of the Clear Sky Kingdom, the former empress and previous Sect Leader of Clear Spring Mountain. However, now I am just an old woman answering a call to duty. You can just call me Senior Qiu."

Ming Yue stood up and bowed. 

"Greetings, Senior Qiu."

"Ah, come with me. This place is not safe to talk about. Your little companions can come too."

Senior Qiu looked around before leaving with Ming Yue, taking her to their personal quarters within the North Fort. It was a small mansion with thirty rooms and enough space to fit a hundred people. In appearance, it was not very extravagant, only made to serve its purpose. 

Inside, her men returned to their rooms leaving the two in the main gathering hall. Both Hei Yue and Xiao Yin took their place next to Ming Yue, silently watching Senior Qiu. 

Senior Qiu's eyes were a bit difficult to read, a result of experience and knowledge. 

"In any case, where are you headed? As far as I know, you are on a mission given by the Grand Elder. If I guess correctly, it has to do with the Tao Feng and their Sect Leader, Dai Mian, was it?."

Ming Yue was surprised by the guess but nodded nonetheless. There was no point in denying it. 

"Ah, I knew it. I was sent a message to join and help but as I am in the Demon Continent, I could not come. But if they have sent someone here, that means that the Tao Feng's Sect Leader is also here.. That complicated things."