187 Abandon For Peace (1/2)

As everyone in the Bai Manor tended to their duties, a loud roar rang out from the entrance of their Master's study with the presence of one who often commanded a group of troops.

”You little brat! Do you dare to repeat what you just said to me?!”

Bai Han slammed his fist against the table, causing the tea set to clatter, tea cups falling to the side. Fury and frustration warred within him and he trembled with the force of his anger. While this went on, Rin simply sat peacefully in her seat.

”Grandfather,” Rin attempted to speak up again but was cut off by Bai Han's shouts.

”You plan to leave again? Hah! No. Absolutely not!”

While Rin massaged her temples, she saw General Guo fixing the disordered tea set quietly. He finally cast his gaze upon his niece.

His tone turned cold as he said, ”I refuse as well.”

Rin had a bitter smile in her heart. As expected, their reactions were just like back then when she chose to leave for the North Borders.

But how could they not refuse after she told them she planned to leave to the Eastern Empire with no solid explanation?

However, whether they agreed or not, she would go.

Rin lifted her delicate face, looked at the two men across from her with eyes clear as she asked, ”Do you both remember when we first met?”

The two men's expressions cooled for a bit, a look of confusion on their faces.

”Yes.” General Guo nodded his head, his cool face became increasingly grim.

He recalled they found her in the woods alone, only to discover she was a civilian from the burned down village near their camp.

Rin drew in a deep breath and raised her head awash in grief, ”The men who burned down that village, they were looking for me. Those buildings and people burned in flames because of me.”

General Guo and Bai Han went silent. The expressions on their faces were all grave and serious.

Bai Han pressed his lips together. He wanted to ask what she meant, but he just couldn't bring himself to ask.

In the end, he said, ”Is this why you plan to go to the East? To seek vengeance on the people who burned your village?”

Rin looked at him, her eyes somewhat empty. Suddenly she smiled sadly.

”They killed my mother.”

Her words pierced like needles into the hearts of Bai Han and General Guo. Their eyes went wide with disbelief as they stared at Rin. Her figure suddenly seemed small, almost wrapped in dim shadow. The sadness that had just been visible on her face vanished instantly.

She looked back up at them, her eyes were bright and clear. She spoke with grave determination. ”Those people rest in the East, corrupting people with a false title they do not deserve. It's a difficult choice, but at some point in my life I must make difficult choices.”

Bai Han could no longer sit still in his seat. He stood up and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his eyes blood-red from the force of his anger.

He suddenly stopped and asked harshly, ”Do you understand what you're saying? What if you get killed?!”

Rin stiffened from his words and shifted her gaze away, hands clenched into fists on her lap. She finally sighed and shut her eyes. With some difficulty, she opened her eyes yet again.

”I know it's a risk. But I have to take it. I have to do this.”

”You're abandoning the people who care about you! You're abandoning us, again!”

Rin faced her grandfather's furious gaze straight on. One of them was looking downwards, while the other was looking upwards. The two of them blinked in unison, then again. The atmosphere was a little strange. There was a certain tension in the air.

Her determination could be seen on the set of her brows.

”You're my grandfather. From the day you saved me when I was young, you have always been my family. Together or apart you will always be my family.”

Bai Han's brows furrowed deeper. His head lowered slightly, and his gaze landed on his precious granddaughter. His heart shook just a bit.

There was a faint smile in her eyes as she said softly, ”I've not chosen to leave to abandon you. I'm leaving to bring us peace.”

Rin was silent, everyone was silent. Only the sound of the flickering candle flame resounded through the room.

Finally, Bai Han was the one to break the silence. In a hoarse voice, he said, ”I understand you want to seek justice for your mother…but I refuse.”