Flames leapt from Mo Chu's temporary command tent. The two guards who had set it alight backed away to watch. Molin looked on from nearby, knowing he had already offended Dudun.
"What's that smell?" One guard lifted his nose and sniffed hard twice, then suddenly doubled over and began retching.
The other guard blanched, clapped a hand over his nose, and turned to run. In his panic, he ran straight into the Old Khan King's wing guard.
Molin's blade flashed, and the guard fell to the ground. He had changed his mind. Since the Dragon King had already anticipated Dudun's plot, Molin would take a more proactive approach to saving his family.
Molin faced the soldiers Dudun had sent, raised his curved saber over his head, and shouted, "The Prince has been coerced by outsiders. You mustn't fall for it."
The centurion leading them knew the situation couldn't be so simple, but he would rather pin the blame on the Old Khan King's wing guard. "Lord Wing Guard, what should we do? Go back and rescue His Highness?"
"No. You're too few in number. Go join the central army ahead. General Dugu will direct you."
The centurion and his soldiers hesitated. They revered the Old Khan King's wing guard, but openly placing themselves under the command of an outsider was still difficult.
"There's trouble up ahead too!" a soldier shouted. "Look, Little Yanzhi's army seems to have surrounded someone."
The air grew thick with confusion and turmoil. Molin had only his curved saber in hand, but no idea what to do. He didn't know how to resolve the situation.
"The commander's alive!" another soldier cried.
The only guard left knelt on the ground, retching without pause. Between him and the burning command tent stood a flustered Mo Chu. He seemed