2.9

Note: this chapter will be a bit more graphic compared to other chapters as it contains some triggerable topics. I will put a +++ before the section begins if you wish to skip over it and will have another +++ mark where it ends.

5 weeks.

It has been five weeks, almost six, since Gang Meili died.

Violently murdered, carved and discarded. The haunting image of the character for 'whore' always lingered at the back of Shi Zixin's mind, reminding the commander that the killer is still out there.

Uncaught.

"Commander Shi!"

Lines of men salute their commander as Shi Zixin gives a tired wave, snapped out of her thoughts. "At ease, lads. We've got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it."

The thing about wars is that they appear much longer in hindsight, something Shi Zixin would've never realized if she hadn't ended up in a war. The original war, according to this body, lasted a bit over 18 months; yet, it's felt like ages and Shi Zixin is only 1/3rd of the way through. Surely, her tactics have changed the way things have flown, but still...

War has aged me considerably...

Shi Zixin's eyes scanned her brigade. Sadly, with Lau's orders, all the other original generals, save for Lau himself, have passed on due to poor management and tactics. They were quickly replaced, unsurprisingly by Shi Zixin's original brigade members, and had their own troops.

Meanwhile Lau, being the snake he is, wriggled his way into being second-in-command of the whole army. Then, the Chief Commander mysteriously died on the battlefield, and Lau took on that role.

However, it seemed as if Lau was losing the power he had as many looked more to Shi Zixin for guidance, a thought that always made a smile creep onto her face. Yet, Lau was still the highest ranked, and Shi Zixin was second.

Shaolian's countryside had been overtaken, leaving only the Southern part remaining; however, it'd be the hardest to overtake. The towns are more populated, more soldiers would be on the prowl, and the capitol is just a stone's throw away. If the capitol was overtaken, everything else'd crumble easily, but Shi Zixin is still working on a plan for that.

"Afternoon training will be under General Fu and General Gang today," Shi Zixin informs, suppressing a yawn that bubbled in her throat. The transmigrator wasn't even sure when she last had a good night of sleep, let alone any dreams. "Groups A and C with General Fu, and B and D with General Gang."

The once loud-mouthed man stepped forward, now sporting a trimmer look. After the death of his sister, Gang Xiabo worked even harder so that he could one day avenge his sister. However, with the killer still free...

Shi Zixin shook off these thoughts and went to her tent following breakfast, looking at the maps coating the walls.

I just have to knock Lau off his pedestal as Chief Commander and it can all be over...

'About that...'

Shi Zixin bolted from her thoughts as a frown came onto her face. 'What's the problem, 008?'

'You need to remain Chief Commander, or whatever the highest position possible is, until the whole ordeal is over; regardless if you win or lose the war. If you die as Chief Commander, you'll get the points and have met your goal. But, let's say the Jinzhouan army is distinguished before your death, or you're removed from power....'

Shi Zixin's eyes widened in fright.

'And if I don't, I lose 1,000 points,' Shi Zixin gasps.

I can't allow that to happen!

At dinner, Fu Junjie noticed that Shi Zixin was tenser than usual at the table, silently eating as the men joked about the crown.

"Tha' other day, when we was a'spyin' in Wenyoou, I heard tha' ladies there talkin' about the Emperor's concoobine," the soldier drawls out. "She's pregnant again, or somethin' like tha likes of that."

"I'm almost jealous of tha Emperor," his friend responds in a similar accent. "Having women available day 'nd night to me like an all-you-ken-eat buffet. Hey, General Shi!"

Shi Zixin glances up from their porridge. "What."

"Yoo wish yoo had an 'arem like tha Emperor?" the soldier asks. Fu Junjie watches on, eyes shining in anticipation.

"I have you lot," Shi Zixin scoffs. "You all whine like women and scream at the slightest bit of pain. What's the difference?"

The side of the table chuckles a bit as the man turns red.

"Commander Zixin, you always hear us blabbin' about our wenches back home," a different man slurs, giving a wide grin to the transmigrator, "but we know nothin' about you!"

Some men glanced over, eager to hear from the closed-off commander. Others didn't care and kept eating.

I need some kind of story, right?

"I really didn't have much of a romance," Shi Zixin brushes off after a moment of consideration. "I had one, but...it was a little short lived."

More people slowly glanced over, eager to hear the drama. Some were much more attentive than others.

"You've got to tell us now!" a man declares, earning jeers from the crowd. Shi Zixin sighs, relenting.

"I was married," Shi Zixin begins, "a year or so ago. I can't remember the exact dates, time seems to blur with war..."

Well, that's not the only thing blurring time...

"Anyway, another man shot my bride at the wedding reception a long time ago," Shi Zixin says as everyone's face paled. Fu Junjie covered her mouth in shock as a strange expression warped behind her hand.

Shi Zixin stood up with his plates as everyone scurried.

"At ease, men," Shi Zixin says quickly. "I'm finished with my meal. Two hours of meditation, then off to bed for all of you."

Shi Zixin rushed out after putting away the dishes, an elated smile beginning to spread her face.

That's it! How could I have been so blind to the notion before?!

Shi Zixin sat down in her tent, quickly scribbling notes down. One may consider her a one-trick pony for this, but there'd be no one better to suit the role; besides, who would she trust more with this other than herself? Infiltration is quite easy. All you need is a warm cup of tea and a wide smile accompanied by a kind demeanor. Those bastards will-

Fu Junjie knocked on the wooden post, holding two cups.

"Come in," Shi Zixin ushers in, not bothering to turn around as Fu Junjie enters.

"Everyone's gone to bed," Fu Junjie's voice calls from behind Shi Zixin.

Shi Zixin laughs in surprise. "I've been so immersed in my work, I apologize," Shi Zixin says as she shakes her head, turning around to face Fu Junjie. "But I think I've-WOAH!"

Before Shi Zixin was Fu Junjie, but she was dressed in only a nightgown, her chest visible beneath the thin transparent cloth.

Shi Zixin quickly averts her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, General Fu, I didn't mean to-"

"It's all my fault," Fu Junjie responds quite sheepishly. "I should've worn something else. I just thought you weren't feeling well so I brewed some herbal tea in my tent to help-"

"You didn't have to-"

"I needed to," Fu Junjie cuts off, a tad too forcefully. "I would feel horrible if I left you like that. You seemed quite distraught when you left at dinner."

"It's quite alright, I was just planning the next move of attack," Shi Zixin says, eyes still on the floor. "You can go to bed."

"But this tea will go to waste, and you're all about rationing..." Fu Junjie responds, slyly calling Shi Zixin a hypocrite.

The transmigrator sighs. "Fine, you may stay, just grab the blanket from my bed and wrap it around yourself, it's too chilly."

The girl happily obliges and Shi Zixin lifts up her head again to see Fu Junjie have a cup extended to Shi Zixin as she sits cross-legged on the cot. Shi Zixin sits down and accepts the cup, quickly draining the cup as Fu Junjie watches.

"Damn, I was thirstier than I thought," Shi Zixin comments as Fu Junjie extends her own cup.

"Take mine, then, I already had plenty in my own tent."

"I'm good-"

"It's fine," Fu Junjie giggles. "I'll be sure to brew more for the future."

Shi Zixin hesitantly takes the extra cup and drinks it, a bit slower this time, and only drains it halfway.

"What kind of tea is this?" Shi Zixin asks and Fu Junjie smiles. "Sarsaparilla. Do you like it?"

"Yes, thank you." Shi Zixin takes another sip and Fu Junjie nods. "Anytime. So..." Fu Junjie scootches closer to Shi Zixin. "What's your newest plan?"

"I can't reveal too much yet since it's not for certain-"

"Come on, big boy! You trust me, right?" Fu Junjie hums and Shi Zixin raises a brow.

Big boy? What the hell is going on with Fu Junjie?!

"I'd just be going away for a while," Shi Zixin says, words feeling like molasses in her mouth as her cloak grew heavy on her. Fu Junjie's brows furrow. "Are you alright, Shi Zixin?"

"I'm fine..." Shi Zixin shakes her head, moving her shoulders slightly as her body began to burn up. Sweat began to bead at her temple and Fu Junjie took off her blanket, dabbing Shi Zixin's forehead.

+++

"There, there, maybe you're getting sick," Fu Junjie reasons. "Here, let me help..."

Hastily, Fu Junjie rips off the sash and throws open Shi Zixin's hanfu, revealing a thin tunic under it.

"Stop," Shi Zixin says, holding her hands up in defense as Fu Junjie grabs ahold of them, slowly lowering Shi Zixin's head into a pillow.

"You're sick," Fu Junjie repeats. "So, so, so sick of being so lonely. I'm here for you, dear..."

Shi Zixin's face was bright red and her breathing labored.

That bitch! She spiked my drink! And if I can't get her off of me, who knows what'll happen!

'008, help!'

'System functions are temporarily down due to aphrodisiac influences. Will reboot in T-8 minutes.'

Damn it!

"Stop," Shi Zixin pants out as an eerie grin stretches across Fu Junjie's lips.

"I've waited so long to taste you, Shi Zixin..." she cooes, lust flashing in her eyes as she threw aside the blanket. Fu Junjie quickly straddled Shi Zixin's chest, unaware of the binding beneath her. With slim fingers, she grabbed ahold of the remnants of Shi Zixin's tunic, pulling the general's head up.

Shi Zixin's half-lidded eyes could still see how crazy Fu Junjie looked right now.

"You want this just as much as I do," she says, blowing hot air in Shi Zixin's face as an involuntary chill runs down the commander's spine. Fu Junjie slams her mouth against Shi Zixin's, forcing kisses against the general as Shi Zixin struggled to push her off, finally deciding on biting Fu Junjie's lips.

Fu Junjie moaned in surprise, rearing her head back. "More!" she cries out, rubbing on top of Shi Zixin as bile rose up the commander's throat. With nimble fingers, Fu Junjie ripped the tunic and was prepared to lick the general's chest...

But saw the same bandages Fu Junjie herself used.

Fu Junjie looks up in shock, the previous lust now quelled for the time being.

"You're...you're a girl?" she asks. Shi Zixin nods frantically, hoping to get the bitch off her chest.

A grin spreads across Fu Junjie's face. "I'm glad I won't have to suck you off, then. But, I still would've done anything for you, dear~!"

+++

"Pardon?" Shi Zixin pants out as a frown crosses Fu Junjie's face.

"You...you don't remember?"

Shi Zixin's silence was enough and Fu Junjie sighed. "Well, I only just remembered. All those years ago, when you and I were together."

Fu Junjie leans closer, tapping a finger lightly on Shi Zixin's forehead. "An eternal promise lets you remember anything!"

Fu Junjie leans back with a wide smile as blood begins to trickle down from the corner of her mouth. "The mark on your finger...I gave it that to you, dearest."

Shi Zixin's foggy mind began to clear up in realization of the situation.

No...how is this possible?!

"And it seems that fate just has to keep us together! No matter what gender or age or if we're even siblings, I'll love you, dear," Fu Junjie says, licking the corner of her mouth to get rid of the blood; only to smudge it more. "I can see you remember me now, Liliana."

Fu Junjie giggles. "And somehow, in the recesses of your memory, you remembered my rather tragic death. It's not the war that blurred your memories, it's your past life! Even if it was just a coincidence that you and Liliana had a similar past, your mannerisms are still the same. You always drink tea in the same way a noble did back in Terria. Whenever you sneeze, your left knee jerks up a bit. And that mark...that beautiful mark..."

A red flush of delight darkens Fu Junjie's face. "I can recognize that imprint from miles away. The legend was true after all. And now, we're here together! It's meant to be, don't you think?"

"Juh...justttt..." Shi Zixin struggled to form words together, causing Fu Junjie to let out an eerie giggle.

I'm trying to say "just die again!" Agh!

"There's nothing standing in our way now, now that I pushed Gang Xiabo's whorish sister out of your life. Aren't you glad?"

Shi Zixin felt bile rise up her throat, mind going back to the images of Gang Meili's defiled corpse.

I...It's all my fault again...

Fu Junjie kept an eerie grin on her face as she leaned down towards Shi Zixin's ear.

"I did it because I love you, my dearest!"

'System rebooted! Aphrodisiac has fully metabolized.'

Fu Junjie pulls away from Shi Zixin's ear, licking her lips seductively. "Now, shall we get this going?"

A smirk crosses Shi Zixin's lips. "Of course," Shi Zixin pants. "I've missed you so much, Reginald."

Fu Junjie cackles victoriously as Shi Zixin wraps her muscular arms around Fu Junjie's slim back, flipping her over so Shi Zixin was on top.

Shi Zixin straddled Fu Junjie, gazing with adoration down at her former tormentor.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy this," Shi Zixin informs, voice swelling with lust. "Close your eyes, dear, and prepare for a night that'll last a lifetime."

Fu Junjie squeezes her eyes shut, grinning in excitement.

Suddenly, a pillow covers Fu's face.

Fu Junjie screams into the dense pillow as Shi Zixin presses down tightly, feeling Fu Junjie scratch at her arms and her torso. The scream was muffled enough so no one else would hear, but Shi Zixin pushed on tighter just to make sure there was no risk.

Suddenly, Fu Junjie goes limp. Shi Zixin keeps the pillow there for a few more minutes, arms shaking as she tried to message 008.

'008? Hello?'

'Are you alright, Eman?'

Shi Zixin sighed in relief.

'I thought you were resetting completely. Like, 100% wiped.'

'Only a power off. I'm glad to see you're doing fine, though. Anything important happen when I was gone? I have no record of what occurred.'

Shi Zixin glanced down at the body on her bed.

'Someone tried to poison me by using an aphrodisiac and smothering me,' Shi Zixin decides to respond. 'But... I was still stronger in the end.'

'Good. You should probably move the body, though.'

Shi Zixin nods, removing the pillow to see a final look of bliss on Fu Junjie's face. Disgusted, Shi Zixin stood up and quickly put on her tunic.

Shi Zixin shortly inhaled before picking up the cup of tea and smashing the glass on the floor.

Grabbing Fu Junjie and her blade, Shi Zixin inhaled slightly before letting out a yell, knocking over a chair. With one motion, Shi Zixin slit Fu Junjie's throat as they fell outside the tent.

Men rushed out to see Shi Zixin hold a blade shakily in his hands. Shi Zixin staggered upwards, pointing at Fu Junjie's corpse.

"Fu Junjie lied and has been lying all along," Shi Zixin stammers out, breathing heavily. "She was a spy from Shaolian. And she's not the only traitor among us."

=

Hi everyone!

As you may have noticed, Villainess has been on hiatus for a while...five months to be more specific, but who's counting? In that time, I've had two jobs, applied to 10+ colleges, stressed over school, and have had less free time to get in the writer's mindset.

While I cannot promise the constant updates I used to do, I hope the improvements in quality of writing and storytelling will make do.

Once more, thank you for all of your love and support! Please vote, comment, and add Villainess to your library if you like this story!