204 Conques (2/2)

An Hongyu's mouth gave a bitter twist. ”The Western Empire?”

An Ruo nodded. ”We had previously failed to seize land from the Eastern Empire due to its strength and alliances with the Northern Empire's army, the Bai family. However, the Western Empire has yet to forge alliances with other empires. They will be weaker with reinforcements, especially if we claim their strongest provinces first. When we gain enough control in the northern and western empires, we will be able to attack the strongest...the Eastern Empire.”

After An Ruo finished speaking, silence filled the pen. He continued kneeling before his father, waiting for his response.

Suddenly, An Hongyu laughed, the sound rattling among the pen and bouncing from the ceiling. His smile was a flash of white teeth in the thicket of a huge black beard. While An Ruo's words caught him by surprise, he was nonetheless pleased with them.

”This request of yours. I accept. I will prepare the items for your travel.”

The look in An Ruo's eyes seemed to shift up as he bowed his head.

”Thank you, father.”

...

Manchu had been helping the Tuhan troops set up for the big feast that night when he sensed a hard stare on his back. He disregarded it and continued to skin the animals by his feet while sitting on a wooden bench.

”You handle that dagger well,” An Ruo's calm voice sounded behind him.

Holding back a sigh, Manchu shifted his head to see An Ruo staring at him with curved eyes. He sensed from his stare; An Ruo was in a pleasant mood. That usually suggested something bad for him.

In response to his praise, Manchu said nothing, continuing to makes piles of red, raw meat beside him.

”Such skill...I will need it on my next conquest.”

At this, Manchu's brows furrowed as he turned back to An Ruo with a troubled frown.

”What are you talking about?” He hated beating around the bush.

An Ruo just chuckled and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

”I wouldn't make plans anytime soon. After all, you'll be joining my men and I to the Western Empire.”

Hearing those words, Manchu was even more surprised, his frown deepening. An Ruo looked pleased and pats his shoulder.

”I hope you don't fail me. I wouldn't want any accidents to happen.”

Patting him on the shoulder one last time, An Ruo walked away toward a group of Tuhan men, who greeted him with a respectable bow. Manchu watched his movements for a while before turning back to the half-skinned animal in his hand.

He was certain during this conquest...An Ruo would try killing him.

At the thought of this, Manchu was relatively calm. What worried him the most was the idea of the conquest. An Ruo's influence was growing. Over the last few months, the An Clan had spread its territory and had become a threatening power among the empires.

With An Ruo's mindset for more power, he very soon would invade over half of the empire's lands. The An Clan, no--An Ruo would be unstoppable. This would bring calamity on not just An Sun's plans, but everyone.

Manchu twirled the dagger in his hand with a profound expression. After a while, he sighed tiredly. At times like this, he wished he had the little strategist by his side.