226 His Truth (1/2)

”Hhaa…Hhaa…”

With his hands bound in front of him to a wooden pole embedded deep within the floor, Manchu clutched onto it tightly and panted with uneven breaths. Another whip landed on his freshly cut skin, and a searing pain lanced through his head until colorful spots flashed in front of his eyes.

His groan came from deep within his chest that twisted into raspy, painful moans by the time they left his cracking lips. His skin had been broken so many times by the whip - he could feel the wounds sting and open on every breath. Every movement caused some muscle, skin, or bone to ache. Manchu's eyes closed as he sucked himself into a deeper place – a place away from the dull pain.

With an emotionless expression frozen on his face, An Ruo circled Manchu like a predator scanning his prey. Manchu coughed violently, sending a thin spray of crimson blood onto the dirt floor, some landing on his bound fists.

Standing in front of him, An Ruo stared blankly at Manchu, the man's face smeared with dirt and blood. Manchu looked up at him and blinked through the strands of sweaty hair in his face. He couldn't help but grin weakly, his teeth stained lightly red.

An Ruo said nothing. Instead, he continued looking at him with emotionless eyes.

”Just remember, your devotion toward him led you to this situation.” He spoke each word coldly as if to engrave it deep within the other's mind.

”A wise decision on my part,” Manchu chuckled in a raw, raspy voice thick with pain.

An Ruo's gaze narrowed. He slashed toward his face with a long, thin whip. The cut bled, but beside Manchu's hand, he scarcely felt it.

”In two days, you will be executed in front of the entire army. When that's over, I will send your head to my father,” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. ”…then send An Sun's next.”

Manchu narrowed his eyes as he stared darkly at An Ruo, who looked at him with gratification. With the whip on his hip, he stepped out of the tent. He turned to the guard posted outside.

”Send him some water and whatever leftover scraps of meat or bread we have.”

”Yes, sir.” The guard bowed his head and left to carry out his order.

An Ruo watched him leave. His fingertips moved to the whip on his side as he touched the rough rope. When he lifted his hand, there was a fresh smudge of blood on his fingertips. He rubbed it between his fingers and suddenly smiled, eyes filled with bloodlust.

…

It fell soft and steady, muffling the sound of their horses' hooves and running down their faces. The rain was light—just enough for them to wear their cloak's without soaking it through.

Walking along at a slow pace as the light faded around them, Rin found her exhaustion weighing heavy on her. She needed sleep, but she dared not.

Yet after a while, the motion of her horse became as soothing as it rocked her back and forth, and Rin found her eyes growing heavy. She let them close, just for a second, and then snapped them wide again.

She couldn't fall asleep. Not now anyway.

Rin knuckled at her eye and rubbed it hard to keep it open, clutching the reins tightly and kicking her mount forward. When she caught up to An Sun and General Donghai, she quickly forced her exhaustion away in worry of them noticing.

Thankfully, the cold rain kept her awake. Before long, night fell, and they arrived in front of the palace gates. When led inside, they removed their cloaks and were ushered by a eunuch to bathe before they met the Emperor.

After her bath, Rin was given a pair of soft royal blue robes. She stepped out of her room and headed over to meet with everyone to see the Emperor. Walking into the hall, she saw General Donghai and An Sun were already waiting with the eunuch.

”You sure took your damn time. I know you look like a woman, but I didn't expect you to get ready like one either.” General Donghai commented scornfully.

The edge of both Rin and An Sun's lips twitched. He glanced at her and seemed to remember the similar comments he made to her in the past. Looking back, An Sun could only imagine how she felt, as she had actually been a woman.

Rather than responding to General Donghai's taunts, Rin turned to the eunuch. As if recalling what they were there for, he raised his head.

”Please follow me. The Emperor is expecting you.”

The three followed the eunuch until they arrived in front of the Emperor's study. Entering, they were greeted by the man himself in a black and golden dragon robe. He turned to them, and his eyes landed on the new individual who entered.

An Sun and the Emperor's eyes met. They stared at one another for a moment longer before he turned to Rin.

The Emperor suddenly smiled. ”I heard about your victory in Tongshu. You've done well.”

Rin bowed her head. ”Thank you, your Majesty. However, there are still more steps to be made to win our final victory.”

”You're right.” The Emperor sounded quite happy about the prospect.

Very soon, the discussion turned to the events that took place in Tongshu. When the Emperor heard everything from the Tuhan army's first appearance to their retreat, his expression drastically changed.

”All of their weapons have been destroyed?”

”Most of them, we were only able to access the ones closest to the Western Empire. However, their main weaponry lies within one of the Northern Empire's provinces.” An Sun explained.

The Emperor took his words deeply, seemingly pleased by the turn of events. However, on his side, General Donghai bore a deep frown. He was displeased.

”Mind I ask how you know this is reliable? I kept my silence at Tongshu when you mentioned the hawks. But I have to ask now. How do you know this?” General Donghai's voice had changed, now. It was much sharper than it had been before.

Rin frowned. ”General Donghai, with all due respect, Captain Sun is a viable member of our army. Had he not relayed to us such information, our plan in Tongshu would have failed.”

General Donghai scoffed. ”With all due respect, Northern Strategist, but he's no captain. Maybe to his little team of runts back in Jinping, but not here.”