Headed by a Snake

⟬ Hidden Lake Sect Forward Base. ⟭

"Commander Jiang..."

Wang Lei clenched his eyes shut. What could he do... if his enemies could not be killed?

"Jiang... wake up."

Wang Lei gasped awake a second time.

Sweat dripped down his forehead and his heart beat painfully in his chest, "Z...zhou Jun Ping?"

Jun Ping grimaced, absentmindedly touching his barely-grown moustache, "You were having a nightmare, Commander."

A nightmare. Of course.

Wang Lei rubbed his glabella, cursing himself for ignoring the obvious signs.

His body was sore all over... and even though he'd slept for at least a couple bells, fatigue weighed on both his mind and spirit.

Outside of the small cave, the rain continued to pour, without end.

Like in his errant thoughts, the moon was nowhere to be found... However, she and a few orange rays of sunlight occasionally poked through the dark clouds.

And of course... there was no sign of a monstrous invasion on the beach... nor the singing of vices and immortality.

"...Ugh," Wang Lei groaned, pushing his friend away and getting to his feet. "You should have woken me earlier."

"My mistake, Commander Jiang," Jun Ping smirked. "Good afternoon, by the way... or early evening, if you'd prefer."

Wang Lei rolled his eyes.

It was not a thought he ever remembered having before then... but he would have preferred waking up to his fool sister's face, rather than Jun Ping's.

It was somewhat concerning that it was so late in the sun, though. With the relentless storm in full force, it might as well have been the middle of the night.

"Disregard, General Zhou," Wang Lei hmphed. "What's the situation?"

"I've moved our forces slightly inland. They're well-hidden in the foliage or are taking cover in outcroppings and caves."

Wang Lei stared far off into the storm.

He would have rather his men stay on the beaches-- or even patrol the waters. However, only Martialists at Nascent Profound Realm or higher could face the tall waves... and even then, their endurance would be taxed, waiting for an enemy that they'd been expecting for several suns already.

"Very well... any sign of enemy ships?"

Jun Ping twisted his lips, "You're serious, Lei?"

"Am I ever not?" Wang Lei groaned.

"...I looked a few minutes ago," Jun Ping turned his head. "I'm looking now. Nothing's changed, Lei-- no ships or attacking force in sight. No Outsiders are getting through this storm... not unless they wash up as corpses."

"You're right..." Wang Lei pursed his lips, "That would be ridiculous..."

"...Lei, you're worried," Jun Ping grimaced. "I know you miss your wife, but it's only been-- what? Two suns?"

Wang Lei shut his eyes, stewing quietly, "You do realize I can have you lashed for insubordination."

"Or is it... me you miss, sexy boy?"

The degenerate pirouetted to emphasize his idiocy.

Wang Lei reached for his ringed saber-- but a prepared Jun Ping smacked his hand away.

Lei shot out a powerful right fist. Ping countered with a forward knee.

Spinning elbow. High kick.

⌈Stunning Fist.⌋ ⌈Frost Palm.⌋

"I was joking," Jun Ping glared.

Wang Lei narrowed his eyes, "Your jokes are stupid."

The two dropped their stances simultaneously.

"Grrruhh..." Wang Lei groaned to the low rock ceiling. He didn't feel the need to be polite to a childhood friend... "Ping... where is my sister?"

Jun Ping opened his mouth--

"--And if you insist that I hold romantic feelings for Ying Yue," Wang Lei scowled, "which I do not-- I *will* be using the saber."

"Che," Jun Ping scoffed, "Since when did you get so boring, Young Master Jiang?"

"When will you realize we're no longer children, Young Master Zhou?" Wang Lei shook his head.

"Jiang Ying Yue has yet to return," Jun Ping waved his hands... "Same with the Sect Leader and the other elders-- my father and yours, included."

"...I see."

"Wang Lei..."

"What?"

Jun Ping frowned, "We don't need your sister's help to hold the beach."

Wang Lei crossed his arms, "Which of our sect laws have you broken this time?"

"I haven't!" Jun Ping winced, "Seriously. You're a far better leader than Ying Yue was-- or could be."

Lei loosed a heavy sigh as he slouched his shoulders, "Just because I've been leading our forces into the Secret Divine Realm for the past six years does not mean I am fit to lead our comprehensive forces here."

"You could have fooled me," Ping shrugged.

Wang Lei folded his hands, "I'm sure you'll at least grant that the men's spirits would at least... appreciate the presence of my battle-maniac of a sister."

"...Until she started challenging them all to duels, you mean?"

Wang Lei clenched his teeth, taking a breath through his nostrils.

He hated when Jun Ping was right.

Guarding the beach was scarcely different from guarding the gate to the Secret Divine Realm.

Each individual Martialist of the Hidden Lake sect had undergone a high level of training. Their battle formations were well practiced. Each cultivator had previously risked their lives and well-beings... and emerged victorious.

If there was any peculiarity about defending Moon Crescent Isle... it was the waiting. It was the uncertainty.

The gate to the Secret Divine Realm had defensive formations that weakened their non-human enemies.

If... the island's invaders were not mortal men, but monsters and god-beasts...

"Is there something on your mind, Lei?" Ping asked.

"Get me the scouts," Wang Lei growled.

Their reports, he hoped, would ease his mind... if at least slightly.

"They'll be here soon..." Ping's mouth twitched-- "I'm sure of it."

Wang Lei placed his face in his palms. His best friend's response was giving him the opposite of ease.

"How... long... Jun Ping?"

"Well--" The insufferable General smiled with chagrin, "they might be... a bell late-- maybe two?"

Wang Lei hurriedly stepped out of the cave. He leapt up, grabbing onto the rock of the cliff face and hurled himself to the top of a ledge.

"Lei! It's fine!" Jun Ping trailed him only seconds behind, "Think of the conditions, brother! Not all of them are as strong as you are."

"You're as strong as I am," Lei sneered.

"Not the point," Ping sighed... "arse."

"Rally the troops, General Zhou," Lei commanded. "I want our hundreds of swords and fists ready for battle."

"Againnnn, the conditions, Commander," Ping insisted. "Only our Martialists at Nascent Pro--"

Wang Lei pointed his palm forward, "Take a look, fool. One of the enemy's ships has breached the horizon."

"Oh, come on, you can't be... serious?" Ping's eyes widened, "Is that... oh... f*ck."

"Now alert the gods-damned Elders before I literally stab you."