190 A Decision & Farewell (2/2)

The young man with blue eyes walked toward his horse and turned around to look at the people behind him. His mouth twitched in a suppressed laugh.

”…You all didn't have to wake up to see me off you know.”

Standing beside her uncle and Aiguo, Rin looked at Manchu with a faint smile.

”Would you perhaps prefer we ignored you and continued with our morning breakfast?”

Manchu was a little dumbfounded. He helplessly replied, ”That would be a little…” Harsh, he thought.

Rin chuckled and looked at him with a sincere expression. ”Farewell, Sir Manchu. Be safe.”

Manchu smiled with a sigh. ”And you, little strategist.”

A twitch developed in the corner of Rin's eye. She never understood why he continued to call her by that unusual nickname.

When Manchu's gaze met a pair of gray eyes, he froze for a moment before curving his lips into a crooked smile.

”It's time to say goodbye now, huh?”

An Sun looked at him and chuckled. ”Yeah. So it seems.”

Manchu smiled. ”Right.”

The two stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything. There were no other words needed between the two.

”Get going you idiot.” An Sun patted him on the shoulder.

Manchu nodded and turned to his horse. Mounting onto it, he looked down at the group of people below him. They all looked at him with kind expressions. At that moment, something within his chest tightened upon seeing this scene. He cleared his throat.

He glanced at Rin with a signature smile and said, ”Oh, that's right. I have been meaning to tell you, little strategist…you look even better as a girl than you did a man.”

When Rin heard his words, her eyes widened. She couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth from twitching. Manchu laughed by his own joke and glanced at An Sun one more time before he shifted his horse and urged it forward.

The tall wooden gates to the Bai Manor opened and his figure gradually disappeared down the bustling streets.

As the gates closed, the young man's figure was no longer seen. Everyone stood and stared at the gate in utter silence when a low rumble suddenly sounded into their ears.

”I'm hungry,” Aiguo grumbled while rubbing his stomach.

Rin sighed and glanced at her uncle. Deciphering the meaning of her gaze, he nodded his head.

”Let's go eat.” General Guo motioned him forward.

Aiguo's eyes lit up, but his brows quickly furrowed. ”What about Rin?”

General Guo sighed. ”She'll be right behind us.”

Opening his mouth to retort, Aiguo closed his mouth when receiving the general's glare. He nodded his head and followed behind him. With just Rin and An Sun left, the two stood silently.

”Sir Manchu's quite a clever man.” Rin suddenly said, her hands placed behind her back.

An Sun shot a look in Rin's direction, an eyebrow raised on his face. He could see faint reassurance reflected in her unreadable depths.

Even though his voice was still the same, his tone had become much warmer and gentler. ”Yeah, he is.”

Rin smiled and turned her gaze to the gates. The moment those doors closed, Manchu had set on his new journey. Unknown to the rest. She was sure An Sun was worried about when he returned to the An Clan. But they both knew Manchu was a capable, sharp character.

He would survive.

Meanwhile, An Sun's eyes continued to stare up at the gates. The moment Manchu turned around and the gates closed, his mind was set. He slowly shut his eyes...When he opened them again, they were back to his usual clear gaze.

”You once said that even if your attempts to succeed your purpose are in vain, you have to try.” An Sun said, his voice calm. ”I've made my choice.”

Rin's slender brows drew together. An Sun focused his gaze on her lovely features. The usual chill in his expression faded and softened as if the spring breeze had pushed it away.

”For me to advance and become my own man, I need to start something by myself with my own strength. I'm going to earn my honor.” His eyes were bright and clear and he spoke with grave certainty. ”I'm leaving to travel farther north.”