99 Eldest Son (1/2)
In the An Clan's main base camp.
”Sir, the reports came in. I think you'll want to see this!”
Turning to the sound of the soldier's voice stood the tall, slender figure of a man with dark black eyes.
The soldier walks up to him and hands the young man a scroll. Taking the scroll from the soldier, he quietly dismisses him with a wave of his hand.
The soldier bows before retreating.
In silence, the man reads over the scroll's contents.
The man reading the scroll in his hand, with his bushy brows knitted tightly together, was the eldest son of the An Clan, An Ruo – An Sun's brother.
After a moment, his stern expression loosens.
”An Sun plans to travel further north. It also seems he took in a new strategist,” He set the paper down and looked to his side. ”I was worried when father provided him the authority to invade the Eastern Empire, but it seems he only plans to stay north.”
Glancing to his side, An Ruo's pitch black eyes stare intently at the figure standing off to the side. Standing with their head lowered was another man, his skin pale and his short hair a radiant blond.
”Master Ruo seems satisfied with this outcome.” The man's soft voice spoke.
”Of course. An Sun has never been smart, always handling things with raised fists. Allowing someone like him to become the new leader of the An Clan worries me.”
Sitting down on a wooden stool, An Ruo rubs the space between his eyebrows.
”Even though father wouldn't allow such a day to occur, I still worried one day his strength may rise. But with this new information, I can finally rest easy. It seems that younger brother of mine is still a fool.”
The pale young man nods his head and walks over to pour the man a cup of wine. Nodding his head in thanks, An Ruo consumes the cup's contents and sighs.
”I still don't know what father was thinking, giving An Sun such a large army. Although the outcome was decent, it may give him unwanted ideas.”
”You're right Master Ruo.” The pale man nodded, his head lowered.
An Ruo looks over at the blond young man standing obediently to his side with a blank stare.
”If you have something to say then say it. Speak.”
Only raising his eyes slightly, the blond man's pale eyes squint.
”Pardon me for what I'm about to say master, but…” He froze for a moment before continuing. ”This decision of his to go farther north, it seems rather unusual don't you think?”
”Not particularly, An Sun has always been repulsive. When given the chance to shed blood he won't hesitate to take it.” An Ruo sighed.
”That may be true, but I believe Master Ruo should keep a closer eye on him. For a while now, you and Chief An have been unable to distinguish his thoughts. Which is why Chief An gave him an army, to test where his thoughts lie.”
An Ruo's eyes dimmed, a frown gradually forming on his face. ”Do you think An Sun is that smart to discover father's plans?”
The blond man raised his pale eyes to look directly at An Ruo. ”I can't be too sure. However, you did say he brought a new strategist to his side, maybe he could be feeding him information.”
An Ruo's sharp gaze focused on the young man, his thoughts taking in the young man's words.
”I'll have someone look into this new strategist of his, maybe we can use him if he's willing. As of now, I don't see An Sun as a potential threat.”
His coal eyes darkened, an evil glint flashing within them.
”However, if he is, then I'll have no choice but to eliminate him.”
Dear brother, you better hope not to become my enemy, otherwise, be prepared to pay the consequences.
…
Three days passed before Governor Duyi finally made his decision. Rin had foreseen that Duyi Zhong would accept their alliance. However, she hadn't expected him to make such an unusual condition.
”I agree to form an alliance, under one condition. Once you succeed in raiding the capital and gaining a portion of land, I want half of the land.”
The four all sat in the governor's office, all settling the alliance terms.