Zen walked to where he would meat his team. It was the same tree that they all had met under just before their first mission.

He walked there to find Lao Lu and Deng Dandan, waiting under the tree. Lao stood straight, arms behind her back and looking stern. Dandan was sitting down, her back turned to the captain and a sour look on her face.

“Captain Lao,” Zen clasped his hands and bowed.

Lao nodded. “Quite a debacle you have gotten us into, Wang Zen.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“I’m sorry, Captain.” He bowed apologetically. “I thought I was helping us. I heard if we complete this mission, we’ll become an A-rank squad.”

Lao kept quite and narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. “I do not think you are sorry Wang Zen. But there’s nothing I can do now. Where is Yun Ip Chun?”

“Not sure,” Zen shrugged. “I haven’t seen him yet.” He looked over to Dandan, who was still sitting on the floor, her back turned to them.

Zen nodded to Lao and walked towards Dandan.

“Deng Dandan, you good?”

“Fine,” she scoffed.

He walked in front of her. “Still angry at the Captain?” Zen said, making sure their conversation could not be heard.

“I’d expect that kind of crap from a man, but not her. Not the captain.” She said.

Zen kept quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Just take it easy on the Captain. I think something is up between her and Zhe. Which is why Zhe made sure she was saddled with a team of misfits.”

“Misfist. Is that what she called us.”

Zen smirked. “She doesn’t need to.”

Zen could see Yun coming over from afar.

“Dandan, whatever you do, don’t tell Yun about what Lao trying to disband us.”

“Why not?”

“Our team is already on the ropes, last thing we need in a dangerous mission is Yun being more rebellious.”

“Fine,” she said.

“Cool,” Zen said, thrusting his fist out before her.

Dandan looked at his hand in confusion. “What’s this?”

“You know?” Zen said. “A warrior’s oath. We seal it with a fist bump.”

“Get your hand out of my face!” she said, swatting his fist away.

Zen sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Hey guys!” Yun said as he walked over.

“Get in line Yun Ip Chun.” Lao said.

“Yeah yeah.” Yun said. “Zen’er, good to see you. Oh, Dandan-love. You look good and your head is so shiny. Did you make yourself look good for li lol me?” He said reaching out for her bald head.

“Touch me and I’ll rip your balls and stuff them in your behind!” Dandan said.

Chun withdrew his hand back sharply. “Geez, she’s angry today.” Chun said, leaning in and whispering to Zen.

Zen fanned the smell of alcohol in his breath away. “She’s always angry.”

“Yeah but she is more than usual today.”

“Are you two done?” Lao said.

“Yes, Captain.” Zen said as they faced her.

Dandan rose to her feet to stare at her

“Our next mission is an escort mission, much like our last.” She said. “This time we are escorting a member of the Delivery Stork Sect.”

“We’re helping another sect?” Dandan said.

“Delivery Stork? They deliver letters and packages.” Zen said.

“Yes,” Lao said. “They are not a traditionally combat focussed sect like our Blue Swallow Sect so they do partner up with us on extra dangerous missions. We will be escorting her into an unstable zone. Follow my lead, protect the charge and we may find success. Now, let us go and meet our charge.”

The girl sat alone, under the normal Delivery Stork uniform, which was a white tunic with gold and black trimmings. Afar she saw four people approach. They wore, in some form or another, the Blue Swallow uniform. She rose to greet them.

“Hello,” she said, bowing. “Will you be my escorts?”

“Yes,” Lao said. “I am Captain Lao, these are my teammates, Corporals Deng Dandan, Wang Zen and Yun Ip Chun.”

The from the Delivery Stork Sect clasped her hands and bowed. “I am Yi Nuo, from the Delivery Stork Sect. I am charged with delivering a message to Regent Heng. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.”

“Oh! I almost forgot.” Zen said, taking out his scroll. He unfurled it and placed it on the ground. “I invoke the Wang Zen, Wang Shibi contract to summon Wang Shibi!”

There was a pillar of blue light. From the light, a giant, orange and red gorilla appeared, roaring while beating its chest.

Yi Nuo yelped and fainted.

“Shibi, was that necessary.”

“Shibi mighty!” Shibi said.

“Oh, our charge has fainted.” Chun said.

They all looked at the unconscious girl.

“Well, this mission is off to a good start.” Chun sighed.