223 Retrea (1/2)

”Manchu…” An Sun spoke in a voice only he could hear.

As if he heard him, Manchu shifted his glare from An Ruo and looked to him. There was a complexity of emotions running through his face, but in the end, his eyes turned up into a smile. A smile that made An Sun's heart tense with unease.

”Scraaa!”

All men turned to the sound of a bird's cry above. It was then that the stoic face of An Ruo changed, a flash of frost flashing across his eyes. When he looked back at An Sun, the fury in his eyes ignited even further.

”Very well played,” An Ruo sneered.

He moved his hand slowly away from his axe, backed off a step, and turned with a glare.

”Retreat!” An Ruo shouted amongst the battlefield.

At the sound of his order, more and more Tuhan men repeated word for a retreat. An Ruo's eyes fixed on Manchu as he gradually walked across the field toward him. Manchu watched his movements with unconcerned eyes, his line of sight never leaving him.

The two were only a few inches apart when An Ruo placed a hand on Manchu's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

”Thank you,” His voice was laced with a smile.

Looking at Manchu, An Ruo touched the bloody wound on his cheek, his smile growing even colder.

”You don't know what you've just done.”

”I think I know.” Just like his expression, Manchu's voice revealed nothing.

The smile on An Ruo's face faded, his nails digging deep into Manchu's shoulder.

”Good. Then be prepared for what's to come.”

Walking away, the Tuhan men followed behind their commander. Manchu sighed and glanced over his shoulder. Staring back at him, two gray eyes shone in the dark. His figure stood amongst the blood and chaos, etched in the moonlight. An Sun unconsciously stepped forward, hands sweating at the palms.

With one last smile, Manchu turned around to follow the Tuhan army. He never looked back. A moment of panic overcame An Sun as he lost the color from his face. It was as if his heart had suddenly stopped beating, and all the blood had run down into his boots.

”The Tuhan men…they are retreating!” Fan Mingli, who finally made it to An Sun's side shouted with bright eyes.

When he noticed the pale complexion of the man beside him, his brows furrowed.

”Captain Sun?” Fan Mingli peered at him closely with his small, dim eyes.

The words he spoke, An Sun could not hear. His gaze remained solely fixed on the disappearing figure in the distance. Without thinking, he began walking toward Manchu, his speed increasing.

Beneath his feet, the ground felt soft. His heart was pounding within his ears. He staggered backward, his mind swirling, his breaths shallow until suddenly everything went black.

…

”Son of a…! Where the hell did he go?”

”Right!”

The heavy sound of footsteps rushed past the corridor. Rin watched from nearby, her body pressed up against the cold stone wall. When they were out of sight, she sighed a breath of relief.

By now, the Tuhan men had entered the city. However, rather than raiding and killing everyone within sight, they were searching for her. She could only think it was because they knew she was the Western Empire's leading strategist. Although there was one flaw in that theory.

How did they know what she looked like?

When Rin initially fought with them on the wall, they didn't hesitate to attack her – that is until they saw her appearance through the light of the flames.

At that moment, Rin had taken note of their odd gazes. If she were to compare it to anything, it was like a beggar catching sight of a piece of gold.

The sound of voices strained her back from her thoughts.