No Repeats

Shu Mei's first mission

(Author's note: Sorry everyone, I've had problems with accessing Wattpad but now its all sorted. Updates should be more regular. If you are looking for a modern rebirth story then check out my recent story, 'Rebirth to love you")

"Lu Bai, your progress has been impressive, the General indicated that you managed to touch his body in the last spar," said Lu Tai.

Shu Mei looked at him with a slight frown on her face which suddenly registered a cheeky glint as if she had figured something out. Lu Tai and all her masters continue to call her by fake male identity despite knowing full well that she is a girl.

"Master, I tried my best and caught the General unawares. However, taking in consideration that it is the General we are talking about, can you give me credit for this?" she asked while staring directly at Lu Tai without blinking.

"Tell me, what are you after?" he said without missing a beat.

"I would like to participate in a mission. All the elder brothers and sisters are all given missions, but I have been sitting here twiddling my thumb. Master, I feel itchy and need to test my powers against a real enemy," said Shu Mei as she continues to stare directly at his face.

Now, it's time for Lu Tai to frown, why is this girl putting pressure on him? Clearly, he knew that the General treats Shu Mei well, too well in fact and too protected. How can he then dare to send her out on a dangerous mission?

Lu Tai considered the other perspective and the truth of her words. It does make sense, now that the stage is set, they will be going back to the imperial city soon to face their enemies. Shu Mei will have to face enemies that are much more cunning and powerful then these spars and mock training sessions. He will not know her true capabilities until she must face real enemies.

"I will consider it," he said without emotion and not meeting her eyes.

"Master, please, even a small mission, dealing with local tyrants or corrupt officials will do!" she begged him as she hung onto his arms and widened her teary eyes at him.

Lu Tai's heart palpitated heavily, her beauty is too stunning even in the simple male garment and hair tied up in a bun. He noticed the arch of her slender neck and attractive curve of her ears. No, no, he must stop getting distracted, he still values his life. If the General notices that he has been sneaking glances at her seductive body, he will surely die a horrible death before nightfall.

"There is one case, I think it is manageable with your skills and you can consider it training as well," said he, as he paused to think further. In Lu Tai's mind, he is considering whether to tell the General about this or not. Surely, not much could go wrong with such a little case.

"Yes, thank you, no matter the size, Shu Mei will definitely be able to perform beyond your expectations," she boasted looking full of confidence and standing tall with a glint her eyes.

Lu Tai nodded his head, seeing her filled with confidence and ambition reminded him of himself not too long ago. He always wanted to better himself and prove to others that a lowly half caste like him can do what others cannot. Feeling sympathetic to the girl, he decided on a whim that the General does not need to know about something this small.

"Recently, there have been a suite of grave robberies in Yuzhen, it seems like the grave robbers are targeting well to do families of merchants and nobles. There have been four coffins already dug up this month, with all the burial jewels and family heirlooms stolen. We suspect that the local coroner is feeding information to these grave robbers, so they know the location of burial. I also suspect that the local magistrate is also involved in this somehow, but we currently have no solid evidence or information on the grave robbers themselves," said Lu Tai as he took a sip of tea.

"My mission would be to solve this case and arrest the culprits as well as the mastermind?" asked Shu Mei with great expectation. She is keen to take this one on, especially since she detests corrupt officials based the injustice she experienced with her parent's death.

"Not quite, your mission is to investigate the coroner and determine their method of communication," said Lu Tai. In his mind he believes that since the coroner is already over fifty years old and weak, Shu Mei will be quite safe on this mission. If she does well, he will then try to convince the General to let her take on more difficult cases.

"But master, if the magistrate is corrupt, I will investigate him as well since they both work in close proximity together and there will be overlap," said Shu Mei with determination.

Lu Tai considers it as he remembers her latest training session, Shu Mei had executed a perfect flying kick and took down an opponent double her size. The girl's lethality has increased exponentially since she trained here.

"Yes, you may investigate the magistrate as well if he is within proximity of the coroner, but don't forget that he is your main target. I have others backing you up in the shadows but I will give the lead on this part of the mission," said Lu Tai firmly, he is determined to show her that he is serious and will not relent to let her take more responsibilities.

Shu Mei has been observing Lu Tai's movements and words very carefully, based on what she knows about him, she understands that this is his limit and he cannot be pushed any further. It is a shame, she would like to take over the whole case but considering that it is her first time she should not be too ambitious. 

"I will obey master's words, Shu Mei will go back and prepare. Once I get the mission information from Elder Sister Yun, I will head out on the morrow," said Shu Mei, hands clasped, and half bowed to Lu Tai.

Lu Tai nodded his head and waved his hand to dismiss Shu Mei. With her master's dismissal she happily walked out of the study.

"Grandma, Uncle Feng, Feng Yi, Feng Er, I am stronger now, once I prove my merits and gain the General's trust, I will be able to come back to you soon," she whispered to herself happily as she skipped to her room.

The next morning, Shu Mei received the mission scroll with all the relevant information she must memorise and took leave from her masters and peers. Her masters looked at her retreating back with concern and an inexplicable dread.

Despite being in shabby male clothing, Shu Mei cannot hide her curvy and alluring figure.

When one looks at Shu Mei's beautiful face and figure, only a blind person would believe that she is a man! It is truly a face that would cause the collapse of countries and they knew there is little hope of hiding her identity for long. Some division heads couldn't help but blame Lu Tai, if the General heard that they let his woman go on dangerous missions they will not be able to keep their heads.

Meantime, Shu Mei started to run and jump from tree to tree to fast track her descent down the mountain. The training grounds is located at the peak of one of the most dangerous mountain terrains in the north. The dangerous route is a natural barrier from idle loiters or malicious enemies. 

All members of the secret forces have learnt the secret safe route down the mountain, but this is the first time that Shu Mei had descended by herself so was feeling nervous as well as excitement.

Shu Mei made it down the mountain safely and went up to the last invisible barrier that hides the entrance from curious eyes. Pulling out a jade pendant from her belt, she pressed the jade against a notch in the rock and twisted it to the right then to the left two times and then to the right.

The twisting and turning is the secret combination to unlock the contraption and remove the invisible barrier, if this wasn't done right and one walks past the barrier unawares, they will set off the deadly traps surrounding it.

Shu Mei knows that there are over ten traps set up around the entrance, the deadliest one is the death needle trap. As the name suggests fine needles are concealed around here and once the barrier is breached the needles will fly out and pierce through skin and flesh until it reaches bone.

The needle is coated with an eastern poison that has no cure. Once the poison touches the bone, the bone starts to bubble up and melt away. Those infected would die within one hundred counts as their whole body begins to dissolve. Usually within the time it takes to burn half an incense stick the body will be a puddle of terrifying mess.