Er Yin return to the Duke's mansion. The guards who were off duty rush to greet her in a rough way. She is used to it and her binding at the chest is very secure. She is not afraid that anyone will find out that she is a female.
"Hey you still haven't grow up!"
"What do you mean brother? I am already an adult!"
"He is an adult. without beard! Look at us! I shaved this morning and i need to shave later again!"
"Too much hormones!"
"The man among the men haha!"
"What do we have here?"
"Duke Yan!"
The men all saluted including Er Yin. The Duke walk up to Er Yin and pat on the shoulders.
"Good to see you back. Now everyone at ease and go on to what you are suppose to do."
Luo Ming then assign Er Yin to sleep in a room with three other men. Er Yin did not mind as they are the morning and mid shift guards. While she is guarding the night shift, most likely they won't be sleeping together. She place down her personally belongings in the cabinet opposite of the bed. On the long roll of bed, a neat blanket and pillow is place at the corner near the window. She guess it must be her spot.
The snow melt and she starts her duty on the next night. It is an easy job just stand guard and night time, there is no one walking around. It's quiet in the mansion. She stands outside with another guard. They stare at the empty space infront of them. Behind the door, the Duke is reading his book on his couch. He occasionally look away from his book to see the back view of two men. The quiet night soon becomes day light and Luo Ming walks up to the two guards. Er Yin and her night shift partner exchange duty with Luo Ming and his partner. She look into the room to see the Duke have fallen asleep with his mouth open and his book in his hand. One leg stretch out the other other bend inwards. His long pony tail is hanging down and some of it land on the floor. She walk over and remove the book in his hand. She walk to his bed and take the blanket to cover over him. His couch looks too small for a tall man. Er Yin shake her head and yawn. She walk out of the room and look at Luo Ming. He tells her to sleep well. She nod her head and walk away sleepy.
A month later, the Duke said that he is needed to go to another province urgently. He dispatch some of the men to follow him. Everyone is to pack light. Er Yin is included as one of the men. She is told that they are going to stay a month in the new location. She pack up medicines of all types. She brings along the dagger that her father have given to her and it saved her life in dangerous situations. Er Yin sharpens her sword given to her by the emperor after saving the the Prince on the last mission. The sword have a golden handle with dragons holding on the blade. The sword have inscribe the name 'Xie Yi Jin' on the left and the right side 'brave' on it. After she sharpens it, she gives it a wipe and put it back into the scabbard. The next day the Duke and his men ride off in the daylight. Everyone is dress with their armour and equip with the weapons. Er Yin is once again in another mission. This time, they are brief that they will be going to a mountain to arrest or kill bandits that are killing merchants who pass the area. She have prepare herself mentally and physically. She pray to the sky before the sun rise to ensure that she will return alive. The scouts are send out ahead of the group. The Duke command his men to stay in the forest and await for news. It takes three days for the scout to return. After he explain the plan, the men are divided into three groups. One to create chaos in the bandit hideout. Another to start the attack and the last to sweep the remaining. Er Yin is in the group to sweep. While the Duke and Luo Ming is to start the attack.
The large group creep up into the mountain. The scouts and the men in-charge of putting smoke bombs creep into the bandit hideout. They waited in the dark to hear sound. Finally a scream is heard. The Duke and his team rush up and start the attack. Er Yin can see smoke is started inside the hideout. Men are screaming and yelling. Her heart is beating fast. She swallow her saliva hard and watch for the signal to enter. Finally she see the flag raise and her team runs out from the place they are hiding. They rush in and assist with the fight. The bandits are not easy. They are skilful and strong. She harden her heart and take her first strike to attack. She swing her sword around as she see the bandits are rushing to her. The sharp blade managed to cut their skin. Blood ooze out and they fall. She use her long legs to swing a kick on the one trying to stand up. He flys back wards and land on the crates behind him. She continue to attack to help her men. From a distance she see that the Duke is loosing a fight soon. She hurry off and seeing a bow and arrow she pick it up and aim at the attack to shoot. That man collapsed and she rush to the Duke. He is stabbed on his side. With her sword on hand, she fight off another attack and managed to doge and stab the leg of the bandit. He scream and fall. Swiftly she pick up her sword and doge another incoming sword that is aiming at the Duke. With all her might, she push and stab the bandit. That man scream and the night goes on with her trying to protect her master. Till no bandit is standing, she sits next to the Duke who is pressing his side. The blood slowly ooze out staining his clothes.