Who's Jingyi Hou? [Plot/Solo Job]

ingyi kept her arm wrapped tight around Dullahan as she scanned the forest surrounding them, careful to not fall off the mount. Around her was a group of ten others, two of them women like Jingyi. The woman herself was situated on the side of their diamond formation, closer to the point of the group. Leading it was their squad commander, a man who went by the name of Pheizhi. He was talented with a blade, though his lack of motivation had kept him to the same post for years. But, his personal matters were of no affair to the red-head, her mind instead occupied with the task of keeping guard.

The flash of something caught her attention, her red eyes squinting as she leaned forwards in her saddle. Suddenly her body went tense as she realized that it was light reflecting off armor as she spotted the head of an incoming patrol. With a gentle yank on Dullahan, the beast immediately slowed as the soldier raised her voice to alert the rest of her squad.


”Unknowns approaching!” She shouted almost gleefully, a hand drifting to Yu Chang’s hilt as even more enemies entered her line of sight. A call to halt was ordered from Pheizhi, one that the squad followed. From the fact that they were the only patrol in the area from the base and the fact that their uniform armor was definitely not Gao issued, it was clear that they had ran into the very trouble that they had been trying to prevent.

With one fluid motion, Jingyi disembarked Dullahan and patted the goat’s neck with her free hand. Raising her blade, there was no question that their foe outnumbered them, but as Gao’s soldiers, they were expected to be strong enough to protect what territory they held. No men under Yoshiro's banner were going to step an inch closer to their base, something confirmed when Pheizhi raised his hand as a silent order to prepare themselves for battle.

ingyi raised Yu Chang, gripping the handle in both hands as she watched their foes with narrowed eyes. There was something akin to amusement in their red depths as a sly smile formed across her face. From the way she held herself, it was obvious that the woman was eager to participate in her first real skirmish with the enemy. She knew that the rest of her squad would be there to watch her, that it was her opportunity to finally show them what she was made from.

Standing with the confidence that she was the best fighter for miles around, Jingyi felt tingles of excitement race up from her fingers. Her first fight. It was going to be her first fight! The thought made the girl grin as her knees bent in stance. She could feel Dullahan and the rest of her comrades stand around her, waiting with almost bated breaths as their foes neared. Setting her gaze upon the nearest soldier, she narrowed her eyes at him as she gestured with Yu Chang for him to charge at her. Even from her spot, she could see the look of anger flare in his eyes, but it only served to excite the redhead further.

The command from Pheizhi for their patrol to charge was like music to Jingyi’s ears. Her heels dug into the earth, attention honed in on that lone soldier, the woman held still for a moment. And then she exhaled, and with that all of the pent up energy in her released. It was the time to shine. Jingyi shot forwards, a mere red blur as she dashed towards her foes.

Almost immediately, Pheizhi’s attention was caught, his eyes wide at the sheer speed that his underling was traversing with. He had fought against Fanalis who were slower compared to Hou at this very moment. Even his trained eyes failed to follow her, something that left the commander frozen as he watched. Snapping at his stupor, he barked at the rest of the patrol to follow before rushing ahead himself.

Jingyi was ecstatic to stretch her legs for once, to be in an actual battle (not a stupid practice brawl with dull blades!), to finally draw blood. Deep down, she knew that she was meant to be more than just some nameless soldier who would die as fodder. She would become a commander! A woman whose father was proud to call his daughter! A commander whose very name was synonymous with “patriotic”, “great”, “mighty”, and “proud”! Her clan would finally become one associated with Kou’s nobles, and Jingyi would be the reason behind it all! A rush of emotions hit her, an earnest smirk forming on her face as she pushed herself even faster. But first, she would win this fight.

In what felt like seconds to the red haired soldier, Jingyi reached her mark. She could see his black eyes widen, see the flash of fear cross his face, but she ignored it. The battlefield was a place of no mercy; her goals offered her no room to offer mercy to the obstacles that stood in her way. With nimble steps, Jingyi turned her body around and body-slammed the soldier with her shoulder, sending the man crashing to the ground. Dirt was kicked up as the sound of snapping bones could be heard, the gurgle of groans escaping the soldier before he turned over and spat up blood.

Catching herself on her feet with her Perfect Balance, Jingyi was crouched as she eyed the foes she was face-to-face with. Her knuckles turning white around Yu Chang as she held the blade with both hands, the sword practically begging to taste blood after remaining dormant for so long. With an eager smile, Jingyi pinned her attention on a new foe. With watching eyes she raised her sword, holding it stretched to the side as the rat moved closer to the steadfast snake. With alacrity, the soldier swung Yu Chang in the practiced motions of Mamushi: Cutting Grass. The Powerful Blade swung with the grace of its master, and in one swift movement, it pierced through the soldier’s knee. The man nursed his wounded knee, causing Jingyi to pause as she watched the sickening sight. The grip on the handle lessened as the woman felt her stomach twist.

While she was distracted, a man charged at her, his sword swinging outwards in a diagonal strike. The alerting yell of her squadmate caused Jingyi to turn, her eyes widening just before she felt hot pain travel along her shoulder. A cry of pain was held back, the soldier stumbling back before she raised her blade. Anger flashed in passionate eyes as Jingyi forced her last foe out of her mind. The man came at her again, his sword striking outwards in a horizontal strike that aimed to cut her down. Stepping back, Jingyi dug her heels into the dirt as Yu Chang was held forwards. With the use of Mamushi: Gladiolus, she caught the attack with her blade and parried it over her shoulder. With a nimble step, Jingyi moved around her foe before kicking out her foot, striking her foe in the knee with a blow that sent him toppling to the ground. With an apologetic smile that Jingyi truly didn’t mean, she stabbed Yu Chang, piercing the blade through his shoulder before yanking it out. The attack was followed by a cry of pain, one echoed by the soldiers that moved in a mass around Jingyi.

Meanwhile, Pheizhi was fighting his own foe, a man who led the opposing squad. Their swords clashed in a ring of metal, each pushing the other back as they fought for dominance. The commander felt sweat travel down his forehead, his teeth gritting together as he lunged forwards and stabbed his blade. He heard his opponent gasp in pain and he saw his body shook in pain. Pheizhi backed up as he withdrew his sword, his eyes narrowing as he mercilessly struck down the man. Metal bit through metal, his sword striking into the other commander’s gut. With a look of fury, he went down to his knees before Pheizhi abandoned the to check up on his squad. Few enemies were remaining on their feet, but Hou, in particular, caught his eye. She seemed to have a wound, but already three men laid at her feet. It was impressive for a woman who was still so inexperienced in actual combat. She had her fair share of fighting but against men such as these? Pheizhi had to appreciate her skill, leading the man to step back and observe the redhead closer.

Gray eyes watched as Jingyi dashed towards a Yoshiro soldier, meeting the man halfway in a clash of swords. His blade raised to strike against her, but with a teasing smile, she stepped out of the way of her foe’s attack. With nimble feet, Jingyi maneuvered herself around him with the speed that could rival a feral beast. Just as her blade raked across the back of the soldier did he realize his mistake, a pained whine escaping his gritted teeth.

The last opponent was dispatched in a likewise manner. In a last-ditch effort to make up for his Patrol's failure to capture Pheizhi’s squadron, the man lunged forwards and aimed to cut Jingyi down with a vertical slash. But his foe was too swift for his dainty sword, with Jingyi easily jumping out of the way of his attack with her superior speed. Yu Chang was raised a final time in the match, with the red-haired menace swinging the blade downwards against his soldier, the blow knocking the man to the ground.

Once he was on the ground, Jingyi finally gave herself the time to pause. She felt her heart hammer in her ribcage, her chest heaving as she stepped away from the mess she had created. Her ruby eyes were focused on the five bodies, her hands trembling around Yu Chang’s hilt. The feeling of excitement was fading from her system, replaced with a jittery nervousness that Jingyi cursed. Shaking the blood off her blade, Jingyi sheathed her weapon as she forced her gaze to look down at her shoulder. Touching the surface wound, she hissed and quickly pulled her fingers away before shaking her head. The wound would be healed once she got home.

ingyi was a whirlwind in battle, a statement that was agreed upon by both her squadron and their commander, Pheizhi. It was obvious from the way she fought that she was talented with a blade, a proficiency that had took her time to perfect. Not only that, she stood with a glow of confidence around her despite the wound she wore on her shoulder. If he didn’t know better, Pheizhi would even say that she was wearing the scratch like some sort of badge, a mark that she had finally left the training grounds by earning her first battle scar.

With a bark, Pheizhi commanded for his squad to check over themselves and the bodies. He then laid his gaze on the commander at his feet, his blade sheathing as he nudged the corpse with his foot. Confirming that the man was indeed dead, the white-haired man returned his gaze to Jingyi, watching as she sheathed her blade and whistled for that odd beast of her’s.

”Hou! Over here!” He called, clasping his hands behind his back as the both of them ignored the interested looks from the rest of their comrades. Like the obedient soldier that the Hou was raised to be, the red-haired soldier walked to his side, her fingers wrapped around her wounded side. Even hurt she carried herself with the same grace she displayed earlier, her strength and speed once more lying strapped under control. He could easily imagine the lengths the girl could reach if she truly pushed herself.

”Yes, 10 Men Squad Commander Yu?” Jingyi stated as she stopped before her leader, her hand leaving her side to salute the man before falling still. The soldier raised her chin proudly as she stared straight ahead with calm red eyes, straining to keep herself under wraps. Her heart was finally beginning to calm before she was called over, but now Jingyi could feel the familiar feeling of excitement spark beneath her skin. Why did Pheizhi call her over?

"I wish to speak to you once we arrive at back at base,” Pheizhi informed her before stepping back and raising his voice. ”Squad! We’re to head back to base and report this skirmish immediately! Those of you who are wounded report to the infirmary and get yourselves treated!  We’re heading out now!” He ordered, watching as his men regrouped into their original diamond formation. Jingyi even climbed back onto her beast - Dullahan? - though she seemed to lean heavily against the goat. Glancing behind him at the bodies, he memorized the location before falling into position. With another bark, they began to travel back to base.