72 Surrender (2/2)
The governor's deep eyes remain relaxed, almost devoid of any emotion.
”I'm sure in a few years the city will be prosperous once again after I'm gone.”
Without hesitation, he gently lifts the gleaming sword on the table. The swift sound of the polished blade unsheathing from its holder echoed clearly throughout the room.
”When the boy wakes up, tell him…”
As Governor Tao told Wei Jingyi what to pass onto Rin, the middle-aged man's eyes widened slightly - but in the end, he solemnly lowered his gaze.
”Yes, Master Tao.”
”En, good.”
With graceful movements, the governor sways the sword in the air before aiming toward his neck.
Clatter--!
The echoing racket of the sword falling to the floor sounded.
Dark red pools of flowing blood painted itself onto the cold tile floors, the man's purple robes now soaked in the red liquid.
…
Lying motionlessly in a small bed within the governor's estate, Rin's long silk lashes tremble as they slowly flutter open. Upon gently opening her eyelids, Rin's eyes are met with the familiar ceiling of her room in the governor's estate.
Governor Tao…
Immediately shooting her eyes open, Rin sits up from the bed to stare down in her lap. Puckering her forehead, Rin tries her best to recall the events that took place before everything went dark.
”You're awake, princess.”
Detecting the familiar sound of Wei Jingyi's voice, Rin quickly shifts her gaze to stare at the frail unshaven man standing to the side of her bed.
”The governor, what…”
”Governor Tao's dead, princess.”
At first, heeding his words, Rin's expression went vacant and her eyes deep without a hint of emotion displayed.
Suddenly, a faint numbness entered Rin's body. A tightness could be felt in her throat – her mouth going dry. Her emerald eyes burning hotly with a raging emotion.
Bam--!
In quick, practically invisible movements, Rin stormed out of her bed to strike violently at the seemingly weak Wei Jingyi.
In the end, Rin's fiery punch was effortless, as the man soon captured the girl's pale white fist.
”Why…” Rin harshly drew her lower lip between her teeth and her head lowered. ”Why didn't you stop him?”
No matter how hard she tried, Rin couldn't restrain the tears from flowing down her cheeks - her eyes welling up with hot, raging tears.
With more anger and force, Rin slams another blow toward Wei Jingyi.
”You could have stopped him, but you didn't! Why?!”
Catching the girl's punch once more, Wei Jingyi calmly pulls Rin's spare arm behind her back while gripping her other in his hand.
”Have you forgotten who trained you? Do you really think you can overpower me?” His gruff voice was indifferent without a hint of emotion.
”Besides, as his servant, what right do I have to stop my Master? It was his choice. How could I have stopped him?”
Rin gnashed her teeth, more tears welling up in her flaming eyes. In the end, she uttered nothing. There was nothing else for her to say.
Observing the girl's eyes shed silent tears onto the floor, the middle-aged man sighs wearily, his hands that were gripping her arms began to slowly loosen.
As Wei Jingyi released her, Rin hadn't noticed how weak her body was - emotional fatigue taking over her as she collapsed on the floor limply.
She didn't understand why her emotions were in a turmoil. Rin knew the governor for one month, although seemingly long, it was barely enough time for her to develop any strong emotions.
Yet inexplicably tears fell from her eyes, her body kneeling down on the floor, numb.
”As his servant, it's my duty to inform you of his final words to you before his death.” Wei Jingyi stared down at the frail, pale figure silently crying on the floor.
Rin's expression becomes stiff. Slowly, she raises her head at the bearded man.
”What did he say?”