213 Mercy (2/2)

”Do you plan to accept it?” Manchu couldn't quite keep his skepticism from showing, and An Ruo laughed.

He raised his head to the white flag at the top of the wall. His black hair fluttered in the wind, while his dark eyes became sharp.

”I'm feeling a little patient today. Let us hear their surrender.” He said after a moment and waved for one of his men to convey his orders.

An Ruo's quiet sincerity took Manchu aback. After raiding every province insight, he now finally decided to act peacefully and accept their surrender? A sense of suspicion emerged, but Manchu waited silently for things to unfold.

Back at the wall, when Rin was informed the enemy suddenly accepted their surrender, she was monetarily shocked. She heard of the enemy's past acts. Even with provinces that surrendered, they still attacked. This had been the first they accepted. Or perhaps they were trying to give them false hope. Rin's eyes narrowed slightly as a dangerous cold glint flashed through her eyes.

Either way, she would still move on with their plans.

”Send the captain down, be prepared for any attacks,” Rin commanded the row of soldiers behind her, who nodded to her orders.

With no change in expression, Rin placed her hands on the cold stone ledge, eyes observing the scene below. The province army captain had already made his way down to stand before the enemy, a scroll and wooden box in his hand.

Everyone watched the scene with unwavering gazes and tense breaths.

”The province of Tongshu humbly offers you our surrender. Please accept our tributes in return for our people's safety.”

Time passed slowly as minutes and seconds ticked by, and the oppressive silence made even simple breathing more stifling. The captain continued to hold the tributes up to An Ruo, who simply looked down at him without a word.

Just as he elevated his hand to accept the list, his burning gaze crossed the crowd and looked at a certain figure on the towering wall. Then, his eyes fixed on the person for a moment, and he couldn't move his sight away.

The soft light of the morning sun shined on the young man in white. He emitted a very alluring atmosphere as if he was a deity that had descended. It was those cold, beautiful emerald eyes and the elegant, black silk-like short hair that fluttered with the spring wind.

An unknown light began to glow in An Ruo's black eyes, and he raised his hand.

”I think I've had a change of heart,” An Ruo's voice sounded through the field. When his eyes stole a glance at Manchu, a sneer spread across his face.

Looking back at the province captain, An Ruo said in a cold, yet gentle voice, ”Tell your governor I reject your surrender.”

The moment the province captain heard An Ruo's words, he raised his hand, eyes brimming of panic.

”What—”

An Ruo suddenly laughed out loud and his laughter was full of ridicule. ”I believe in fairness, so I'll allow your province the chance to defend yourselves. You have two days to prepare yourselves.”

Glancing one last time at the figure standing on the wall, he ushered his men back. Manchu, who happened to notice the sudden change in An Ruo, furrowed his brows. He turned to look at the top of the wall. When he saw the person looking down at them from above, his initially calm eyes suddenly reflected shock.

”...Little strategist?”

At that moment, Rin watched as the enemy seemed to be turning away, unaware of their sudden reason. As she watched them leave, she felt the stare of the leader fall upon her, his pupils became colder, a complex luster within its depths. When he turned to leave, Rin felt another stare on her.

Shifting her gaze, she froze. She widened her eyes as her face turned stiff and she was lost in a daze.

Those pairs of blue eyes had given her a quick sullen glance before he swerved his horse to follow behind the men. Rin watched his departing back in silence, her expression unreadable.

”Advisor Lan, the enemy is leaving! Are they retreating?” A soldier beside her voiced, his eyes slightly hopeful.

”No. They will be back.” Rin said, her voice strange as she stepped away from the wall to walk out the door.

”Advisor Lan?” The soldier was surprised by the sudden cold aura surrounding the young man.

Everyone watched in confusion and surprise as the young strategist walked away in bitter fury. Striding down the halls, Rin's expression was harsh. When she made it to her room, her back leaned against the door, trying to adjust her breathing. Her clenched fist was shaking violently.

Manchu. Manchu was with the enemy. No—he was with the An Clan.

But why? Why was the An Clan suddenly attacking the Western Empire?

Of all the reasonings, Rin could only think of one thing.

Power. The An Clan wanted to expand its power. Like her, they must have heard of the dispute between the Western and Eastern Empires. For enemies, this was the ideal time to strike the empire while it was weak.

Just like she had planned, to use their vulnerable position to elevate her power.

Rin slowly closed her eyes with a heavy expression then reopened them. She glanced at a piece of paper on her desk and gripped her fists. Walking over, she began to write.

She needed to send a letter to An Sun.