133 The Scapegoa (1/2)

Before the red sun bit the mountain, An Sun's troops awoke and departed early in the morning. The snowy mornings were especially cold.

Rin shivered slightly. She shrank her neck and buried most of her face in the collar of her cloak, revealing only a pair of beautiful emerald eyes.

At that moment, before riding on her horse to depart, An Sun called her over. Tilting her head curiously, Rin walked over toward him. Standing in front of the man, she watched as his gaze lowered to wander over her figure up and down.

Rin dramatically blinked her emerald eyes.

”Lord An?” Rin asked, her brows creased slightly.

An Sun raised his head and didn't bother to hide his look of disapproval. Rin heard him mutter something under his breath as he turned to reach for something on a cart.

”Wear this.”

Feeling something heavy and warm wrapped over her body, Rin stumbled a bit. An Sun then lifted the hood of the blue-furred coat until it cupped around the youth's small, porcelain face. Rin looked toward An Sun with a baffling expression in her clear eyes as he adjusted the coat around her.

The hint of a smile could be seen in the crease of An Sun's eyes - his cold, handsome face showing a rare warmth.

An Sun patted her shoulder lightly. In an indifferent tone, he said, ”Go.”

Rin blinked blankly before she nodded to his words with a slight upward tilt of her lips and walked back to her horse.

The troops who were preparing to leave saw their interactions and looked at their commander with baffled eyes.

It would seem that the little strategist was favored by their cold commander.

He treated him as if he was a child!

Manchu also saw this scene. Looking at the tender expression on the handsome man's face, he said nothing and simply released a loud sigh. Manchu climbed his horse, and they all set off.

…

In the early morning, the troops proceeded to ride their horses through the frigid cold air and heavy snow. With her entire body wrapped in the coat An Sun gave her, she found the cold weather easier to bear.

While Rin rode beside An Sun, Manchu rides behind them to keep guard of the cargo.

Suddenly, Rin asked, ”What does Lord An plan to do when you return to the main camp?”

An Sun's dark, gray eyes from beneath his metal mask stole the youth beside him a glance.

”Do you doubt me?”

Rin shook her head and softly spoke, ”No, I'm just a little curious.”

An Sun was silent for a while before replying in his usual magnetic tone, ”The old man might punish me and keep me on guard for a bit. But, after some time, I'll offer to cultivate my skills outside to atone for my negligence to his commands.”

Rin's brows raised. ”You believe he'll set you free again?”

”Even if he doesn't, I'll find a way.” An Sun calmly replied.

Rin stared at An Sun quietly. Her lashes lowered slightly and the hands holding her reins gripped.

”Lord An, there is a way to be free of your father's suspicion. You could...”

An Sun's cold voice cut her off. ”No.”

Rin was a little startled as she looked over with a slight frown. She hadn't even said anything and he already rejected her idea!

An Sun's eyes darkened slightly, yet his voice remained serene. ”Do you think I can't protect you?”