Mulan gently scooped the water over her body for a wash as she hummed the song she had just sung.
***
Morning came quickly.
The soldiers folded their tents and continued their journey.
"Are you okay?" Li Shang asked.
Mulan rode her horse beside him at the forefront, wearing a solemn, downcast expression.
"Yeah. I was just wondering when we would meet up with the escort force," Mulan replied.
"Are you sure? You don't look so good." Li Shang furrowed his brows. He glanced back as well.
Although he couldn't see the back of the troops, he had noticed the sudden awkward relationship between Aladdin and Mulan in the morning.
While Mulan had suddenly stepped forward to join him and lead the troops, Chi Fu had taken the opportunity to move to the rear to discuss some matters with Aladdin.
"Did something happen between you and Mr Aladdin?" Li Shang asked curiously.
"No."
"Haha!! If I didn't know any better, I would think that you both are a couple," he chuckled softly.
"We aren't a couple." Mulan tightened her grip around her reins.
"I didn't say you were," Li Shang chuckled even louder.
Mulan's cheeks burned. She lowered her head as though she wanted to dig into the ground and bury herself in it.
"I was just joking." Li Shang's laughter died down. "So, are you going to tell me what happened between the two of you?"
"It's nothing. We just had a little bit of a misunderstanding. That's all," Mulan replied, recovering her composure.
"It doesn't sound like a little misunderstanding. If you don't want to tell me the truth, I can ask Mr Aladdin myself. You know that, right?" Li Shang replied, withdrawing his gaze.
"You can ask him. He would give you the same explanation," Mulan retorted.
Li Shang nodded with a thin smile.
"I will trust your word. But if you are facing any difficult issues that you can't handle alone, don't hesitate to inform me. I'm your Captain, and we come from the same country. I can offer you some advice that might be of some help," Li Shang said.
"I will."
"How are Master Mushu and Cri-Kee? I haven't seen them for a while now," Li Shang whispered audibly.
"They are fine. They won't show themselves unless I am in mortal danger. They saw no reason to show themselves to you again," Mulan quickly formulated a response.
"Really? I was hoping to meet them." Li Shang sighed in defeat. "Still, if that's the reason they haven't shown themselves, then it's a good thing. It means we are all safe. Master Mushu and Cri-Kee are truly incredible."
Mulan held back her laughter, keeping a straight face. She nodded solemnly.
"I will tell them of your praises."
They continued their journey onward, chatting casually with one another.
Mulan, however, stealthily kept looking back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aladdin.
The group met with the escort force and regrouped with the Imperial Army within two weeks. During this period, the soldiers continued their training at night before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, Mulan and Aladdin kept their distance, only meeting during morning assemblies and meals.
Aladdin, Mulan, Chi Fu, and Li Shang sat cross-legged on the floor facing General Li, with three other captains sitting around a table.
The atmosphere was tense, yet filled with relief that they had finally regrouped with the Imperial Army.
But on the other hand, General Li and the captains beside him were confused as they looked at the group of people before them.
"Are you Advisor Chi Fu?" General Li asked, suspiciously.
"Yes. It is I, the Imperial Advisor, Chi Fu. I know you might find my new physique surprising, but I assure you that I am the same person," Advisor Chi Fu replied with a smile, flexing one hand in the air.
His muscles strained against his robe.
"After our encounter with the Huns, Captain Li Shang, the rest of the troops, and I took it upon ourselves to train without stopping under the tutelage of Mr Aladdin, so as not to allow such an event to happen again and become a liability to the Imperial Army."
He gestured toward Aladdin. "If we were to encounter the Huns now, I doubt there's anything they could throw at us that would be an issue."
General Li nodded silently. It sounded like Chi Fu, but the body still didn't match the old man he knew.
They had barely seen each other for more than a month; such changes couldn't have happened within such a short time.
Such a transformation was nearly impossible!
General Li shifted his focus to Li Shang. "It's good to see that you are back. You look different as well," he said, his voice subtly becoming warmer.
Although his facial structure seemed even more defined than before, he still resembled the boy he once knew, unlike Advisor Chi Fu.
"A soldier cannot call himself one unless he has seen the true nature of war. I have seen it, and it has changed me for the better," Li Shang responded, his tone and expression firm.
"You are right. I can see it in your eyes," General Li nodded. "And who is this beside you?"
"This is my newly appointed lieutenant, Fa Ping, whom I had spoken to you about in my letter. His bravery is the reason we are alive and are here today," Li Shang replied.
General Li nodded once more. He shifted his focus toward Aladdin.
Aladdin was still dressed in a black cloak, covering his attire.
He met the General's gaze with a light nod. He resembled exactly the version of General Li from the Mulan movie he had watched in his former world.
"As Advisor Chi Fu has already explained, this is the benevolent traveller who has been a great help to us. He's the main reason Lieutenant Ping was able to survive and find us in the first place," Li Shang responded.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, General Li," Aladdin said with a slight nod.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too," General Li replied. He stood up and cupped his fist toward Aladdin.
"Thank you for the aid you have provided to the Imperial Army of China. You have earned my deepest gratitude. Once this war is over, I will be certain to bring this matter to the Emperor to ensure that you are properly rewarded."
"China will always remember your deeds."
The other captains stood up behind him and cupped their fists at Aladdin as well.
"Thank you for the offer. But I will not be staying for long. I only came here due to Captain Li Shang's arrangements. If you don't mind, I hope that all the rewards given to me are handed over to Ping. He deserves them," Aladdin shook his head, gesturing toward Mulan.
General Li glanced at Mulan.
Mulan remained calm, but she lowered her gaze.
General Li shifted his attention toward Li Shang and Chi Fu.
Meanwhile, the other two shook their heads, with tired, quiet sighs escaping their lips. They had tried their best to ensure that Aladdin stayed with them. But he still insisted on leaving. If they couldn't do it, they doubted that the General could.
General Li furrowed his brows and hesitated briefly. But after several seconds, he nodded. "If that is your desire, then I will see to it that it is accomplished."
"Thank you, General," Aladdin replied.
"No. I should be thanking you." General Li shook his head as he returned to his seat. "Since you will be leaving soon, why don't you join us for the meeting? I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter."
Aladdin nodded.
"Let's begin the meeting," General Li announced.
"Did you encounter the Huns on your way here?" he asked.
"No. There were no signs of them. We even sent out scouts, but they came back with nothing," Li Shang replied. "It's either they allowed us to pass so they could track the location of the Imperial Army, or they didn't know where we currently were. Thanks to Mr Aladdin, we were able to cover our tracks, so I'm more inclined to believe in the latter."
"You make a good point. I thought the same thing too," General Li nodded.
"We have confirmed that the other camps in the region have also been attacked. However, the Huns haven't reached us yet. The soldiers have already been commanded to prepare for the journey and remain ready for any unexpected attacks. We were waiting for your arrival before we proceeded to the next phase."
"You will file a report on everything that has transpired. Don't miss any important details because it will be handed to the Imperial Office."
Li Shang bowed his head in response.
"Fu Ping. I have read about you in the letter, and I must say, you are impressive. To rise from being an ordinary soldier to a lieutenant in less than one month… I don't think anyone has set such a record in China except you. After this war, your name will resound throughout the entire country. You have brought honour to your family. I'm certain that they would be proud of your accomplishments."
"Thank you for your acknowledgement, General. But I wouldn't have done all of this without Mr Aladdin's help." Mulan gently bowed her head.
"Don't be modest. Every warrior is rewarded according to their deeds in war. So, this is only natural," General Li waved his hand at her.
Mulan reluctantly nodded in response. Her eyes drifted toward Aladdin briefly before she released a tired sigh.
Aladdin noticed her stare but pretended as though he had seen nothing.
"I have already sent a message to the Forbidden City and received a reply. We will head to the Mountain Pass and camp there to wait for the Huns' advancement, while your troops move to the Capital to jointly guard the Forbidden City."
"General, please let us fight." Li Shang suddenly spoke up.
General Li and the captains beside him were stunned. They murmured to each other before General Li raised his hand, silencing them.
"Are you sure? Your troops have been attacked and captured by the Huns. Even if you did manage to escape, are they fit to enter into direct combat with Shan Yu and his men? Would it be safer for you all to return to the Capital and join the others in guarding it?" General Li raised a brow.
He wondered if the man he was looking at was truly his son.
Nonetheless, this was something he wouldn't allow.
Which father wants to see their child die in battle?
Even if they were to fall in battle against the Huns, he would rather fall first.
"It seems you didn't hear us clearly, General," Li Shang said, his gaze and expression fierce.
His voice was firm. "Allow me to repeat myself. Soon after we left the Huns' camp, we began training for our next battle against the Huns and have had amazing results. My men and I are ready to fight. Pulling us back now will only weaken their morale and create unnecessary losses unless we face the Huns together."
"Allow me to say something too, General," Chi Fu interjected before General Li could respond. "I might have agreed with your words in the past. You are the General. But times and seasons have changed. I need to pay back the Huns for the torture they have given me in captivity."
"I am not returning to the Forbidden City until I have faced them. If you want us to leave, then you have to drag us out of here yourself."
This time, it wasn't only General Li and the other captains who were stunned into silence but even Li Shang and Mulan.
'I didn't think he had it in him,' Li Shang glanced at Chi Fu with an appreciative nod.
Noticing his gaze, Chi Fu's smile widened.
"I stand with the Captain and speak on behalf of our troops. Please let us fight." Mulan suddenly interrupted before General Li could respond once more. She stood up and bowed, cupping her fist towards him.