27 The Fall of Yuan City (2/2)
”Hum” Geng Xin acknowledged.
”General was worried with the situation on Yuan City... He suspects those that survived will probably retreat here by the next two days.”
”It is indeed possible” he agreed ”did he offer to send me help too, I supposed?”
The messenger stiffened, his legs fidgeting at the annoyed tone to the Prince's voice. Unable to think about anything else to say, he only mumbled.
”Indeed he did... Y-Your Highness.”
”I see” he said, his words slow, his eyes closing slight as if he was deep in thought ”You can pass my words then”.
”Your Highness” the man fell to his knees, head bowed in sign of respect.
”Tell my brother the Zao Empire is fortunate to have a General as capable as him. I, He Geng Xin, will as well accept his help.”
The messenger was speechless. It wasn't secret that the relationship between the brothers wasn't good. Still, to listen to the Crown Prince's sweet words... a cold shiver ran down his spine, bringing with it an ominous feeling.
When the man had already left the city, his figure getting farther away over a brownish horse, He Geng Xin turned to his aide, a slight, cold smile on his face.
”It seems that my brother needs our help on Hong City... We should head there immediately.”
His aide blinked, completely stunned by his master's words. Was... What was master even thinking? Wasn't that wishing for death by treason, Hum?
”But Y-Your Highness” he stammered, looking at the blank faces of the few guards near them ”The Rebels...”
”They have been quite for a while now. You can see most have retreat from the farthest sides... Only a few still stay”.
The aide looked at his master again. Wasn't that making noise on the east to attack on the west? Didn't the Crown Prince himself comment about the Mu's tactics that same day, when they were listening to the morning reports? What was Geng Xin thinking?
”Just leave some trusted guards to take care of the walls and watch over the remaining citizens” he continued eventually, his eyes never leaving the retreating messengers figure ”I can't just leave my good brother to fend off the enemy army outnumbered, can I?”
”Master...” the aide mumbled, his gaze also falling on the lone man riding a tall, brown horse ”the news...”
”Oh?” He Geng Xin smiled again, his eyes shining cold as he extended a hand to his bow, bringing an arrow from his back at arranging it against the tight string ”unfortunately... it seams the rebels have reached him first” adjusting his aim, he left out a breath. ”He never made it to Yuan City”.
And let go of the arrow.
Before the body fell to the sandy floor, two guards dressed in black rose from the recesses of the City Walls. In a few seconds, the messenger, his horse, and most important, the words he had conveyed, were like they had never existed.
Soon, Yuan City would fall.