199 A Promise (1/2)

The day had been cold, gray, and wet. It had poured all morning, and even when the rain stopped that afternoon, the clouds refused to part. They never saw the sun.

In front of the Great An leader, An Ruo lowered his head with his knees sunk into the ground. A hush fell over the torch-lit pen.

”Tell me the truth…did you not say you were informed that An Sun planned to defy my orders?”

”Yes, father. That is what my scouts informed me.”

An Hongyu's stern expression did not flicker. Instead, it worsened. It was clear from An Ruo's words he was settling the blame on his scouts. However, didn't he choose whether or not to tell him?

”I see…” An Hongyu shifted his gaze to the side, his expression oddly cold. ”Then do you mind explaining this to me?”

Seeing a bag was thrown in front of him, An Ruo raised his gaze before looking at his father. An Hongyu was staring at him with a cold and hard expression.

”Open it.”

An Ruo lowered his gaze back to the brown bag and suddenly sensed an ominous premonition. When he opened the inside of the bag, a genuine expression of shock reflected on his face.

”Father, this is…”

”The head of Governor Duyi Zhong.” An Hongyu said, seeing the look of shock on his son's face. ”Killed by your brother, An Sun.”

An Ruo got quiet. He looked back down at the head and stared at it with a complicated gaze.

”How did father receive this?” He couldn't help but ask.

”Does it matter?” An Hongyu snarled, in a voice thick with malice ”Do you not realize your words have caused me to mistrust one of my own sons? Even if it were an accident, the lack of thought in your actions led to a nearly irreversible mistake.”

An Ruo did not expect to be rebuked by his father – someone who hardly showed dissatisfaction toward him. Lifting his gaze, An Ruo saw his father's eyes were dark as they looked straight at him. His father's cold gaze and even colder tone surprised him.

The fists by his side clenched.

”I admit to my mistakes father. To compensate for tarnishing brother's trust to the clan, I will establish a proper ceremony in honor of him.”

For a moment, An Hongyu looked pleased with his words before reverting to his stern expression. He grunted in approval.

”Good. Commence that tonight. We shall have a feast to celebrate. Gather enough wine and meat for everyone.”

An Ruo cupped his fist and bowed his head. But when he rose, his father told him, ”To act without thought, especially regarding the trust of our own members is something I do not accept in this clan. Perhaps you need more time to reflect.”

Walking through the camp, he delivered a few orders to troops on tonight's plans.

”Gather the wine and start preparing the meat for tonight. We'll be celebrating my brother's death.” An Ruo ordered.

The solider looked slightly confused and couldn't help but ask, ”Again? Is there a particular reason?”

Everyone knew within the clan that An Sun was the least favored member. To celebrate his death yet again caused him to be surprised.

Before he could respond, An Ruo noticed from the corner of his vision a familiar figure. Instantly his eyes dimmed.

”I'm about to find that out myself…” His voice darkened a little bit.

An Ruo issued a few more orders to the soldier then walked in long strides toward the figure.

Chewing on a piece of dried meat with a bored gaze, Manchu sensed a pair of footsteps moving in his direction. Turning, he saw An Ruo walking toward him with no emotion in his face. But from the coldness seeping from his eyes, it was apparent how he felt.

Manchu revealed a crooked smile as he approached him.

”I take it from your expression you want to talk in private?”

An Ruo returned to him a smile and laughed coldly.

”Lead the way.”

The two men walked toward Manchu's pen. The moment they entered, Manchu felt a hand grip tightly around his neck and squeeze, his head ramming against the wooden pillar in the pen. He closed his eyes from the harsh impact before opening them to meet An Ruo's dark, malicious glare.

At this point, his expression showed clearly that he was very angry from the vein on his next bulging to the deep frown on his face. The look caused no change of reaction to Manchu, only amusement.

”Do you think I don't understand what you're trying to do?” An Ruo sneered.

Manchu placidly gazed back at him and smiled stiffly.

”I…” He coughed from the tightness of An Ruo's grip. ”I don't know what you mean.”

An Ruo scoffed and pushed Manchu away, releasing his hand from his throat.

”It's no use trying. Your duties as a dog were removed the moment your owner died.”

Hearing those words, Manchu froze as his face contorted into a constrained expression. Unable to say anything in return, his fists by his side gripped and he averted his eyes. An Ruo sneered and turned to leave the pen. Just before leaving, he shifted his gaze to Manchu and said:

”When the day comes, you will be the first person I kill.”

When An Ruo left, Manchu's troubled expression faded. He glanced to the side and let out a heavy sigh.

”I wouldn't be too sure about that…”