189 Peace Never Lasts (2/2)
”I will fight to create a new peaceful future for us all. So do me a favor…fight smart, and don't die under the hand of those fuckers.”
Manchu blinked before letting out a crafty smirk. ”You don't need to tell me twice.”
An Sun's eyes curved, there was a slight smile on his lips as he let out a laugh. The two men smiled at one another and walked away from the training grounds.
…
”I think we're done here for today.”
Heeding those words, Aiguo heaved a loud sigh of relief and collapsed numbly on the ground. Rin glanced over at him with a raised brow.
”Tired already?”
Aiguo breathed heavily, unable to respond. He felt like a dying fish out of water. Seeing this, Rin sighed and shook her head.
”Go rest. Take a bath if you must to loosen your muscles. But come back tomorrow early in the morning.” She took a cloth from her pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Aiguo's eyes opened, their depths sparkling as if he had received the words of a goddess.
”Yes!” He stood up to the best of his ability and bowed down to General Guo and Rin before leaving.
The two watched him limp away silently.
”He's not very strong is he?” General Guo said.
Rin sighed. ”No, but he can be with more training.”
General Guo looked down at her without any sort of expression on his face. Although his tone was calm, his words made Rin stiffen up for a brief moment.
”Do you plan to train him as a soldier for your revenge?”
There was a subtle hint of awkwardness on her face. She pursed her lips as her gaze swept over her uncle.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with intense, unreadable emotions. One thing was for certain, he looked troubled.
She controlled her emotions and forced out a faint smile. ”Are you angry with me?”
”No, not angry.”
”Are you disappointed in me?”
”Should I be?”
”In regards to my actions for the last few months, yes.” She innocently blinked.
General Guo sighed. ”I am not angry nor disappointed in you, Rin.”
He stared at her clear almond-shaped eyes filled with uncertainty. He soothed his knitted brows and the corners of his eyes lifted instantly.
”I want you to know I understand. Even though we're family and I want nothing more than to protect you, I understand the purpose that drives you. I was the one who found you after all. Even as a child, I could see the pain and suffering you bore. I know it must have been difficult for you.”
As he spoke, he looked down at his niece without any visible emotions in his expression, however, his eyes were soft.
Rin stared back in shock; she blinked her emerald eyes blankly at him. All her life, General Guo had been very brief with his responses, whether he agreed with her or not.
This had been the first he spoke such heart-warming and well depth words. She was deeply touched but also filled with reminiscence. She suppressed the turbulent emotions in her heart.
”No one's less happy about this than I am. I can't forget what I saw the day my mother died. And I can't pretend it won't hurt the moment I leave all of you.”
”I know. I respect your reasoning. I wish you didn't have to do it, but I respect it. There are no easy choices with things such as revenge.” General Guo's tone of voice was not severe, he spoke simply out of pure honesty and his expressionless face was simply his normal appearance. ”However, all I ask is you consider the future in your choices. Because when a choice is made, the future has already been set.”
Rin was a little surprised, which showed in her expression as she looked at her uncle. She helplessly replied, ”I will uncle. And…thank you.”
The man grunted in response before turning to pick up the bamboo staffs from their previous sparring match.
”Go clean up for eat breakfast.” He ordered as his gaze turned away from her.
Rin nodded her head, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Without speaking, she turned and left to bathe. When he no longer heard her footsteps, General Guo raised his head and stared in her direction.
Unknowingly, the ice on his face melted away, leaving only a tiny, warm smile on his lips. He sighed while shaking his head.