“I am happy to report that I have completed my mission,” Captain Yue said proudly adjusting his hat.
Ying pulled his finger from his ear. “What did you just say?”
“I am happy to report that I have completed my mission … sir.”
Ying's eyes sparkled and he laughed. “You surprise me, Captain Yue. That was quick! Where are your men?”
Captain Yue puffed out his chest. “They're still on the trail, sir. I raced here to give you the news myself. I must say, I've had an exhausting day.”
“I can only imagine,” Ying replied. “I suppose your men are transporting the young monk. Do you have the scrolls with you? Or are they with your men, too?”
Captain Yue paused. He shifted in his saddle.
“I…aaah… thought my mission was simply to find a village and inform their most senior official of your search for the young monks and the scrolls.”
Ying's face darkened. His eyes no longer sparkled. Now they glowered.
“That's all you've done?” Ying shouted. “And you're happy to report it? You're an idiot!”
“You're right, sir,” Captain Yue mumbled. “I am a complete idiot. I am sorry. Perhaps, though, you will be at least somewhat pleased to learn that the village I found is home to the Governor of this entire region.”
“The Governor?” Ying said, stepping off to the side of the rain barrel. “You don't say? How did he respond to my edict?”
Captain Yue coughed. “He… was, aaah… he, was—”
“You didn't even speak to him?” Ying snarled. “You arrogant, good for nothing—”
“I am sorry, sir! I couldn't tell him. He wasn't there. He was out hunting tigers. I directed one of his villagers to give him the information when he returns.”
“He was hunting tigers?” Ying said. “And you didn't go find him? We are on a tiger hunt of our own, Captain Yue.”
Captain Yue sighed. “It would take days to find the Governor in this forest, sir.”
Ying popped his knuckles, one at time. “You could have tried looking for smoke from a campfire.”
“I did, sir. I already thought of that. But we only saw smoke from one campfire, and it was at midday.”
“And you didn't investigate?” Ying asked.
Captain Yue looked bewildered. “No, of course not,” he said. “Tiger hunters hunt during the day, Major Ying. They don't build their fires until their evening meal. Everyone knows that.”
“FOOL!” Ying shrieked. “Who do you suppose might build a fire in the middle of the forest in the middle of the day?”
Captain Yue leaned back in his saddle. “I'm sorry, sir. I don't know.”
“Perhaps a young monk who spent some time in a water barrel might build a fire to dry out his clothes? IDIOT!”
Ying leaped forward with his arms spread wide like a bird of prey. In midair, he pivoted his waist and cocked his right leg back, preparing to unleash his fury upon Captain Yue. But Captain Yue's stallion sensed what was coming. The horse reared up on its hind legs and pawed wildly at the air with its wickedly sharp front hooves. Ying immediately pulled up short on his attack and floated back to earth. As soon as he hit the ground, he raced around to the backside of the horse and jumped again. But once again the horse sensed what Ying was doing. At just the right moment, the horse let loose a vicious kick with both back legs. Ying twisted sideways, barely escaping permanent injury. He landed on his feet and took a step back, glaring at the horse.
Someone shouted, “Major Ying!”
It was Tonglong. Ying kept his eyes glued to Captain Yue's horse and spoke sharply without turning around.
“Tonglong! What are you doing back already? Are all my leaders incompetent?”
Tonglong trotted forward atop his own stallion. “I have returned because my mission is complete,” he replied.
“Ha!” Ying jeered, turning to face Tonglong. “Captain Yue said that very same thing! But he has proven himself to be an idiot who can't follow simple instructions. What you claim is impossible. It should have taken you several days, not one.”
Tonglong patted his horse's thick black neck. “I have the fastest stallion in all China,” he said. “Besides, I didn't have to go all the way to the Emperor's palace.”
Ying's eyes narrowed. “Don't you dare tell me you didn't speak with the Emperor directly?”
“Of course I spoke with him directly,” Tonglong replied. “The Emperor happened to be on a hunting trip in our direction. The Emperor is most pleased with your success, Major Ying.”
“Success? Our job isn't finished! Nothing seems to get finished around here. Now leave me be so that I can finish off this horse. At least one thing will have been accomplished today.”