"What's your name?" Lu Si asked.

"Cai Ying. You?"

"Lu Si." She smiled, and Cai Ying smiled back at her.

The two girls set up a small campfire, and camped out in the valley instead of searching for any lodging. The night was slowly passing them by.

"I owe you one." Cai Ying said.

"Hm?"

"You came in time, else I'd have to take the dagger out."

"Your dagger?" Lu Si glanced at the item tied to Cai Ying's waist. It was in a leather sheath, hiding away the glimpse of gold, and a few gems on the handle. "Can I have a look?"

Cai Ying pressed her lips together in a small pout. Her hand gripped onto the dagger by her waist, contemplating if she should. Zhen Rong told her that if other see the true glory of the dagger, they'd want it for themself, and that would bring her trouble. She should listen to him instead of freely showing it off.

Lu Si smiled, "It's alright if you don't show it to me. From the little openings I can tell that it's valuable. I just hope it won't bring you trouble."

"What kind of trouble should a dagger like this one bring me?" Cai Ying asked.

Lu Si looked at Cai Ying with a slight tilt of the head. Her eyes shifted toward the dagger, "Can I at least look at the handle?"

Cai Ying recoiled a little. She bit her bottom lip, then brought the dagger to the front to show it to Lu Si. She took off the leather case from the handle, and it revealed a gold handle with rare gems encircling the handle.

Lu Si couldn't believe her eyes. A royal treasure from the most powerful military state in all of Dongtu. How did it land in the hands of such a girl? Such a dangerous item should be within the border of Daluzhou.

Does she even know the significant of this dagger?

"There are many significant treasures in the world. And men with their greed will seek after them. There are daggers that are very valuable, that can control the whole army of a country."

Cai Ying gulped. She almost drop her dagger, but it was caught by Lu Si in time.

Lu Si smiled, "Don't worry, yours is valuable but not to the level of moving an army."

Cai Ying exhaled a breath of relief. She smiled, hugging her dagger.

Lu Si's smile grew. She was quite amused at how naive such a cute girl could be. How did she fend for herself against so many burly men, but was so afraid of a dagger? Unless she stole it, the person who gave it to her must've seen what she could do. The Crown Prince of Daluzhou probably wanted to see if she'd survive holding such a majestic item. A bit cruel to test someone you love in this way. Unless, that person don't love her enough.

That dagger, is the Queen's dagger. It can wield an army. When it's unsheathed, anywhere, pointed to whomever. It's a declaration of war from Daluzhou to whichever country. Whoever it pointed to, must die, to appease the Queen's anger. Hopefully it forever stay in its sheath. I hope you'll never have to make such a decision in your life, Young Lady.

"Ying'er."

Cai Ying stared at Lu Si with a slight pout and doe-eyed. It had been a while since someone call her with that endearing name.

"Can I call you that?" Lu Si asked.

"Then what can I call you?" Cai Ying asked.

"You can call me Si Si."

"Si Si." Cai Ying repeated.

Lu Si nodded. "Ying'er. Do you have anywhere to go? How about coming with me?"

Cai Ying shook her head. "I have something to do. Maybe, next time."

"Next time?" Lu Si laughed.

She knew her fate. She wasn't supposed to return to Baimu, alive and in one piece. Sending her out to the front line as a General while she was still in recovery had an important meaning. If you die for the country, you'll be granted a proper title and be Honored as a Warrior of Baimu.

"Alright then, if we are fated, then us two will meet again. Then hopefully at that time you'll help me."

"Of course!" Cai Ying promised.