218 Tuscahara Tribe (1/2)

The white shafts of daylight had passed, replaced with the shadows of evening. A large bonfire in the center was lit and the flames rose boldly against the black sky. Before that great fire, the Tuhan's skin glowed red, orange, and gold.

Every eye reflected the flickering flames, each iris containing a small picture of the bonfire before them. The men were smiling and jesting among themselves while enjoying the feast.

In one of the camp's [1]yurts, An Ruo, Manchu, and other members of Tuhan men gathered around inside. A faint light shone down through hidden windows above. Sheepskins were scattered across the mud floor. They drank fresh, fruitful wine and ate delicious roasted meat from the prey they hunted not too long ago.

”Commander, how come we didn't just invade the province and be done with it? Why spare them?” A Tuhan soldier couldn't help but ask, his comment causing the other men to recall their commander's actions earlier.

Although they didn't say anything, everyone else was curious as to why they showed mercy. Even if the province surrendered, the An Clan would show mercy to no one. They would kill, enslave, and take all the women for themselves. That was their way.

Yet today, their commander showed a rare sign of tolerance. This decision confused many of them.

An Ruo faced their inquisitive stares and grinned. He rested a hand on his knee and happened to direct his sights on a certain figure standing in the far corner. While the rest were enjoying their feast, Manchu had settled himself in a chair by the window and stared out with a vague expression.

He couldn't care less about what they were discussing.

An Ruo smirked and looked back at the Tuhan men.

”I want something they have. Something very valuable.”

”Then why don't we just kill all of them and take it?” A Tuhan man asked.

The others voiced their agreement and nodded their heads. An Ruo shook his head as if they spoke of something absurd.

”Something, no--someone like this is not to be taken so easily. If I want to take them, I need more preparation.”

Manchu, who had been drinking quietly in the corner, suddenly froze to An Ruo's words. He tried not to look in his direction to divert suspicion, the unease in his chest surging forward. His eyes were still filled with murky, unreadable depths, and his thin lips were pressed into a line.

”What makes this person so important?” Someone asked.

The crackling sound of burning coal from the braziers on their sides sounded through the room. With an unreadable look, An Ruo's eyes glinted mysteriously.

His eyes seemed to carry more passion than usual as he stared at the red coal, which had almost been swallowed in darkness. His deep gaze was currently filled with greed.