229 Escaped (2/2)

Hands behind her back, she looked up at the sky and listened to the soothing sounds of doves. There was a smell of rain in the evening air, but no drops were falling yet. A smile played on her lips.

It truly was a beautiful day.

”Advisor Lan,” A voice sounded behind her.

When she turned around, Rin saw it was a soldier from the imperial palace.

”They've arrived.” He said.

Heeding his words, the smile on Rin's lips grew.

”Then let's welcome them, shall we?” She walked past the soldier with steps as light as her heart.

They arrived in front of a large wooden door. A bedroom to be more exact. When she knocked on the door announcing her presence, a familiar figure opened the door. His deep gray eyes stared down at her with a new light. He smiled.

”Come in,” An Sun opened the door wider for her.

Nodding her head in thanks, Rin stepped inside and instantly turned her gaze to the man on the bed. A large sense of relief floated off her chest.

”It's been a while, Sir Manchu.” Rin smiled.

With linen bandages wrapped all around his back, arms, and legs, those blue eyes never failed to offer a clever grin.

”Indeed it has, little strategist.” Manchu chuckled, his brows knitting a little in pain. But as always, he endured.

Rin walked toward the bed and examined his figure. A bit of grief washed across her eyes, but it quickly vanished with ease.

”I'm glad to see you're alive.” She would have said alive and well, however, looking at his condition, it was hard to consider it anything but that.

”Yeah, well, I may be alive, but it still hurts like hell.” Manchu leaned against the headboard and sighed.

Rin just smiled. Unconsciously, she flinched in shock when she felt a presence behind her, only to feel a hand press on her back as if to reassure her. Lifting her eyes, she saw An Sun staring down at her with a faint smile, before slipping his hand away from her back to hand Manchu a cup of water.

While sipping his water, Manchu glanced between the two. The eyebrow on his face raised, but he said nothing. His expression was impassive as always.

”So, I take it you didn't just come here to check in on me,” Manchu said to Rin while setting the cup on the side of the table.

Rin's brows furrowed in displeasure. With a soft sigh, she settled down on a chair.

”You're not wrong, there is another reason for why I came. However, I did want to see how you were doing Sir Manchu.” Rin said firmly, indicating her concern for him.

Manchu waved his hand. ”I get it. Just skip to what you wanted to ask me.”

Resting her hands on her lap, Rin's lips tightened. After a few moments, she finally spoke up again.

”It's regarding the battle between the An Clan. The truth is…I don't have confidence that we'll defeat An Ruo.”

It was at that moment, the mood in the room shifted. Both men looked at her with puzzled stares, especially An Sun.

”What do you mean? We won a battle against them before. Shouldn't that show we're qualified to fight against them?” An Sun said, his arms crossed over his chest while he leaned his hip against the wall.

”Yes, but that was only due to misjudgment on their part as well as for the fact that they retreated first. The next time they attack, they won't fail to make the same mistake twice.” Rin explained solemnly. ”And if my intuition is correct, An Ruo will request for more troops. Either way, we will suffer more losses than victories.”

”So, what do you need me for?” Manchu asked, bringing Rin's attention back to him.

”The tunnels back in Jilin. You were the leader of the operation. I need to know, how far did you dig them?” Rin's voice couldn't hide her anxiousness.

”The tunnels?” Manchu scratched his chin. ”Those have already been completed. But why do you…”

At that moment, Manchu's eyes widened, the light blue in his eyes shimmering brightly. A wide foolish grin spread across his face. An Sun also picked up on Rin's plans. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift in a smile as well.

”You want to attack them from below?” An Sun asked, his face painted into a handsome grin.

The joy shining in Rin's sparkling eyes couldn't be hidden at all, shimmering like two bright stars. Her expression was enough of an answer for the two of them.

”But how will we get access to the northern side? Although there's no feud between the western and northern empires, their emperor still wouldn't allow us to battle in their territory.” Manchu pointed out.

Rin's eyes were still upturned crescents as she chuckled and said, ”Don't worry, I have that settled.”

Both men glanced at one another. Just from her words, they could guess what...or rather whom she was referring to help settle their plans.

Meanwhile, in the northern empire, the usual quiet estate at the end of the city was suddenly whirring alive with commotion.