RIN

"Emperor Guan Hong wants us to return?" Rin read the letter with a slight frown.

"His Majesty has heard of your success in Tongshu province against the Tuhan enemy and has asked for your return to discuss further strategies."

Rin listened to the emissary's report and suddenly frowned. How is it the emperor knew all of this?

Glancing behind her, Rin's eyes narrowed when they happened to meet the face of General Donghai. He looked back at her indifferently.

"I may be serving you here, but in the end, my duty is to report everything back to the emperor."

Not at all surprised by his explanation, Rin folded the letter and looked at the emissary.

"Inform your emperor that we will be leaving tomorrow morning. I hope he understands, but there are still things that need to be settled here. Especially after we have suffered an attack, I must ensure everything is secure before I leave."

The emissary appeared hesitant and couldn't help but glance at General Donghai. This subtle act of his caused Rin's eyes to flicker darkly.

"Is there something wrong with what I said?" Her voice was colder than ice. "Please state clearly if the emperor would like me to arrive by tonight. I can make it happen. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any problems with me staying one more night in Tongshu."

General Donghai's brows raised. Her voice was so thick with irritation that it was almost a growl. He had to laugh at such fierceness.

"Inform the emperor we will arrive tomorrow as the strategist said," General Donghai waved his hand to dismiss him.

Nodding his head, the emissary quickly walked to his horse before mounting away. Rin watched him leave with a look of displeasure before turning around with a huff. When she met General Donghai's amused smirk, her frustration grew.

"What?"

"You have quite the temper in you for such a small boy."

"I do not." Rin could not keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"Sure…and I don't enjoy cutting the limbs and hearts of bastards."

The edges of Rin's mouth twitched. It was so very clear he enjoyed killing people to an unhealthy extent. However, she understood his comparison. She looked up at General Donghai with a scowl, but the man continued to stare mockingly at her. The droopy flesh on his left eye raised as if he were arching his brows.

Rin thickened her voice as she said, "I would rather not be questioned for my choices, that's all."

Listening to his words, Rin's lips pressed together. She knew that but even so…she couldn't help but feel bothered by it. Even though the emissary's act just now had been rather reasonable and subtle, it still showed he didn't regard her words to any extent.

She felt like a spoiled and angry child everyone wished to please but did not respect.

Sighing, Rin lifted her head to General Donghai before turning away. When she noticed a certain figure coming down the stairs, her eyes brightened.

It was An Sun.

At the same time, General Donghai also happened to notice An Sun's arrival.

"You still have some who will bend the knee and back for you." He commented simply.

In shock, Rin looked at General Donghai with a burning glare. He sneered and just shrugged his shoulders.

"By the way, I've informed the emperor about your friend as well. Tell him to come with us tomorrow morning."

"I understand," Rin nodded her head and noticed An Sun walking in their direction.

As An Sun approached, he couldn't help but notice the amusement in General Donghai's eyes.

"Well, I have matters I need to attend to. Don't forget to tell him, strategist."

"Yes."

Again, Rin nodded her head and watched the man leave while whistling a tune. Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if that man enjoyed teasing people just as much as killing them.

Meanwhile, An Sun watched the general leave with an unreadable expression, before shifting his gaze back to Rin, his right eyebrow raised.

"Tell me what?"

Rin gazed back at him with her hands resting behind her back. Strangely, she couldn't seem to look him in the eye as she glanced ahead.

"Emperor Guan Hong has summoned us to return to the palace and discuss our following plans. He would also like it if you came as well."

"He suspicious of me, isn't he?" An Sun stated rather calmly.

"Possibly. But that just means you have to earn his trust, right?" Rin said and looked at him with a light smile.

"Right." An Sun chuckled while smiling back.

Feeling something shift within her chest, Rin took a deep breath then turned her eyes away slowly.

"I…I need to make sure the casualties are settled before we leave."

Nodding his head, An Sun watched with crossed arms as the girl scurried away. His gaze did not move until her figure disappeared from his sight. Sighing heavily, An Sun touched the scar above his right eyebrow.

…

On the morning of their day of departure, General Donghai, Rin, and An Sun prepared their horses at the front of the gates. Before they left, Rin made one last check to assure they had everything they needed.

The journey to the western palace wasn't by any means longer than a day, but it never hurt to prepare in case of the unexpected. At the same time, An Sun was adjusting the reins on his horse.

"Captain Sun…" He heard a nervous voice call to him. He recognized the voice as Fan Mingli.

Glancing over, An Sun saw the young man standing before him, his expression slightly pale.

"What is it?"

Fan Mingli licked his thick lips nervously. "About…About that mission you gave us. I still don't know if I can do it. I'm not strong or fast. I can hardly hold a sword without my arms trembling. If I go…I might only hinder everyone's progress."

Listening to him quietly, An Sun sighed.

"You're right. You're not strong."

Fan Mingli bit his lower lip.

"You have thin arms that can hardly hold a sword. You run slower than a tortoise. Your reflexes are terrible, and often at times you cry too much."

The more words An Sun said, the gloomier Fan Mingli felt. By now, his head was hung low in excruciating shame.

"But you're not a coward." The same time he spoke, Fan Mingli's head raised. An Sun looked at him with a smile. "Even though you're scared and want to run in fear, you fight. You fight to protect your comrades."

Placing a hand on his shoulder, An Sun smiled. "You can't succeed with just physical strength, you need brains too. That's why they need you. I need you."

Fan Mingli stared puffy-eyed at the man, and his lower lip trembled.

"C-Captain Sun…"

"Stop. No crying." An Sun warned.

Swallowing his emotions with puffed cheeks, Fan Mingli nodded his head. Smiling helplessly, An Sun patted the young man on the shoulder and walked his horse toward the front. When he saw Rin, the smile in his eyes softened.

"Are you done checking everything?"

Rin looked up from her list to see An Sun towering over her. She blinked and cleared her throat.

"Everything is settled."

Nodding his head, An Sun raised a hand and gently patted her head.

"Then let's go."

In shock, Rin watched him pass by her with wide eyes. The top of her head still felt warm from his touch. When she looked over, she saw General Donghai staring at her with a tantalizing expression. Her face began to heat up uncontrollably at that moment, then she looked away with a heavy huff.

Mounted on their horses, the three stood in front of the city gates. An Sun looked back to see his men waving goodbye to him. He smiled and nodded his head back, before fixing his gaze on the person beside him.

The sun rose over the city, reflecting a morning glow upon the buildings and trees. The light reflected in Rin's eyes as she stared at everyone in Tongshu with a deep gaze.

"Come on, move your asses, you two! Enough dramatic gazing, and let's go!" General Donghai shouted from ahead.

Both looked at the man with twitching faces. Sighing, Rin glanced at An Sun, who also happened to be looking back at her. She controlled her emotions and forced out a faint smile.

Ushering her mount forward, Rin's head lowered to hide the unpleasant and painful expression on her face.