192 Fate Demands (1/2)

The door to Rin's room opened, but she paid no attention to it. Feeling something land on her shoulder, she shifted her gaze. The moment her eyes landed on the familiar bird, her eyes softened. She raised a finger and gently stroked Ju's head. The falcon indulged in her touch with closed eyes.

”You were rather harsh to that boy.” A voice sounded behind her.

Rin lowered her hand from the bird's head and looked back down at the book in her hand.

”Maybe so. But it made him listen.”

Wei Jingyi stared at the girl's small back and sighed helplessly. He couldn't deny her words.

”You seem to have established a very strong family here.” His eyes wandered around the large room.

”Yes,” Rin said with the same calm tone. She skimmed a page in her book and coughed into her fist.

”Then may I ask why you still plan to leave them behind? It's clear they care about you.”

When Rin paused from flipping pages, Wei Jingyi grew silent. The room was filled with stillness until slowly, Rin turned to Wei Jingyi, her eyes slightly cold.

”Are you perhaps questioning my choice to go?” Her voice was dangerously calm.

”No. I have already pledged to follow you regardless of your decision. I just couldn't help but point out a notable fact.” Wei Jingyi walked toward the table with a pot of tea and poured it into two cups.

Rin stared at him silently. When he passed her a cup, she sighed and set the book down on the table before accepting the cup from his hand.

”Don't think I don't understand how cruel my actions are. I've been told that enough already.” Rin voice was soft, depressed even.

The man across from her silently stared as she spoke in a gentle voice. Her eyes tilted down to stare at her cup as she coughed lightly.

”But it's not about what I want, it's what fate demands.”

Wei Jingyi's brows furrowed. ”And what does fate demand?”

Rin didn't speak and looked at him seriously. She glanced down at her cup and traced her finger along the cup's rim. For a moment, something flashed within her eyes. Lifting the cup up, she guzzled it in one go before wiping her wet lips with her thumb.

The corners of her lips curved. Her smile held complete coldness. ”That I take back the empire from those who betrayed my family.”

...

The following morning, Rin woke up and headed to the training ground as usual. Just before she and General Guo began training, her actions stopped. Rin raised her head reflexively. A pair of nervous eyes were staring straight at her. It was Aiguo.

She couldn't help but be a little surprised by his appearance. The corners of Rin's lips curved upward ever so slightly, giving her a look of vague bemusement.

”I thought I said you had the day off today.”

”I…I want to grow stronger. I promise I'll also train harder!”

Not just Rin, but General Guo behind her was surprised as well. They looked at the boy who stood before them with a firm and grave expression on his face.

Rin's cheeks puffed a little. The laugh would not be contained any longer. It burst from her lips and echoed through the area.

Aiguo looked at her dumbfounded. In that instant, Rin grabbed a bamboo stick from the ground and tossed it to him.

Aiguo's eyes widened as he quickly stepped forward to catch it. Grasping it in his hands, he lifted his head to see a hint of a smile appearing on Rin's face.

”Then let's train.” Her emerald eyes lit up.