Mercy

After establishing their plans to overrun the enemy's bases, Rin wasted no time to prepare for her journey to their next target - the Tongshu province. By now, she was awaiting the enemy's attack.

On the third day, when the sun peeked out over the horizon, a ray of sunlight shone through the window and illuminated the lands. In the quiet room Rin stayed in, there were scattered papers and books all over the ground, covered in writing.

Sitting at her desk, Rin filled out the remaining space on the page. She sighed softly, and her eyes fell on the papers in her hand. Her eyes were cold and vacant; what was going on in her mind could not be deciphered clearly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Rin grabbed a new paper and began to write on it.

"Advisor Lan, the enemy has made it through Zhaoxing province." The soldier that entered instantly reported.

Despite the fretting news, Rin appeared calm.

"How far are they to us?" She demanded, not looking up from her papers.

"From words of the scouts..." The soldier paused delicately. "Two days."

"Have our troops made it to their bases?"

"Yes, they are waiting for your command." The soldier answered although he seemed rather hesitant on something.

Rin ignored the unease in his voice. "Good. Tell them to stay hidden until further instructions."

"Yes, Advisor Lan." The soldier said and inclined his head in a small bow.

There was a moment of silence in the room before the soldier spoke up once more.

"Pardon me for questioning, but what will we do if they make it past the border and to our location?" He asked. A note of doubt crept into his voice.

"Then we'll be ready for them," Rin finished scribbling the last word on her paper and looked up at last, and her soft voice spoke sternly. "We have over three thousand men, more than enough weapons to defend their attacks, and troops ready to take charge on their base. Everything we need to prepare has been settled."

"But—" The soldier began once more, then closed his mouth instantly at Rin's icy stare.

"If you have nothing more to report, then you're dismissed."

Lowering his head, the soldier left the office. Alone, Rin closed her notebook and leaned back in her seat, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Emerald eyes settled on the red, burning flame. The air was still and the flame barely flickered. It was steady and bright enough to relieve the darkness of the room.

Rin hooked her lips up into a smile filled with disdain.

She would ensure he who plays with fire becomes its victim.

...

No more than a day had gone by before they received word of the enemy's arrival. They were going to attack.

At dawn, Rin stood on the province walls and waited. General Donghai from the western imperial palace joined alongside her mission to the province. While he claimed it was to provide her support, Rin knew the emperor ordered him to observe her.

Not that she minded. The more he saw of her work, the more he would sway to her side.

The bright sun hung up in the mid sky and the gentle rays of the morning sun had gradually turned into a blazing, hot sun. Soon enough the enemy appeared. There they stood, immense and beautiful, the great horses framing the distant purple mountain beyond.

The bronze stallions threw long shadows across the waving grasses as the enemy led the troops under their hooves and down the field, his strongest men beside him. They were big men with fierce faces, hair wore loose past the shoulders. Their cloaks were made of skins, the pelts of bears and wolf.

Hands behind her back, she stared at them and her emerald eyes hardened as they rested on the man in the front. Dark hair and eyes, skin a faint tan. He must be their leader.

However, there was something familiar about him and his men. Their clothing and demeanor seemed similar to men she met before.

Before she could think any longer, a soldier's voice brought her back.

"Advisor Lan, the enemy is almost here."

Rin didn't say anything, and her sharp gaze penetrated the army advancing their way. An unknown glow flickered across her eyes momentarily before she directed her gaze to the province governor behind her.

"Prepare the tributes."

Nervous, the governor nodded and ordered them to deliver the list. When the enemy was only a few feet in front of the wall, they came to a halt at the sight of the white flag waving at the top of the wall.

An Ruo raised his hand to a halt, a cold smile spreading on his lips.

"It seems they're surrendering." His eyes shifted to the man beside him. "What do you think, Manchu?"

The man turned to face him, blue eyes hardening as he straightened his spine. Manchu gnashed his teeth, but his eyes revealed helplessness. He glared at An Ruo for another second or two, and then his nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply.

"Do you plan to accept it?" Manchu couldn't quite keep his skepticism from showing, and An Ruo laughed.

He raised his head to the white flag at the top of the wall. His black hair fluttered in the wind, while his dark eyes became sharp.

"I'm feeling a little patient today. Let us hear their surrender." He said after a moment and waved for one of his men to convey his orders.

An Ruo's quiet sincerity took Manchu aback. After raiding every province insight, he now finally decided to act peacefully and accept their surrender? A sense of suspicion emerged, but Manchu waited silently for things to unfold.

Back at the wall, when Rin was informed the enemy suddenly accepted their surrender, she was monetarily shocked. She heard of the enemy's past acts. Even with provinces that surrendered, they still attacked. This had been the first they accepted. Or perhaps they were trying to give them false hope. Rin's eyes narrowed slightly as a dangerous cold glint flashed through her eyes.

Either way, she would still move on with their plans.

"Send the captain down, be prepared for any attacks," Rin commanded the row of soldiers behind her, who nodded to her orders.

With no change in expression, Rin placed her hands on the cold stone ledge, eyes observing the scene below. The province army captain had already made his way down to stand before the enemy, a scroll and wooden box in his hand.

Everyone watched the scene with unwavering gazes and tense breaths.

"The province of Tongshu humbly offers you our surrender. Please accept our tributes in return for our people's safety."

Time passed slowly as minutes and seconds ticked by, and the oppressive silence made even simple breathing more stifling. The captain continued to hold the tributes up to An Ruo, who simply looked down at him without a word.

Just as he elevated his hand to accept the list, his burning gaze crossed the crowd and looked at a certain figure on the towering wall. Then, his eyes fixed on the person for a moment, and he couldn't move his sight away.

The soft light of the morning sun shined on the young man in white. He emitted a very alluring atmosphere as if he was a deity that had descended. It was those cold, beautiful emerald eyes and the elegant, black silk-like short hair that fluttered with the spring wind.

An unknown light began to glow in An Ruo's black eyes, and he raised his hand.

"I think I've had a change of heart," An Ruo's voice sounded through the field. When his eyes stole a glance at Manchu, a sneer spread across his face.

Looking back at the province captain, An Ruo said in a cold, yet gentle voice, "Tell your governor I reject your surrender."

The moment the province captain heard An Ruo's words, he raised his hand, eyes brimming of panic.

"What—"

An Ruo suddenly laughed out loud and his laughter was full of ridicule. "I believe in fairness, so I'll allow your province the chance to defend yourselves. You have two days to prepare yourselves."

Glancing one last time at the figure standing on the wall, he ushered his men back. Manchu, who happened to notice the sudden change in An Ruo, furrowed his brows. He turned to look at the top of the wall. When he saw the person looking down at them from above, his initially calm eyes suddenly reflected shock.

"...Little strategist?"

At that moment, Rin watched as the enemy seemed to be turning away, unaware of their sudden reason. As she watched them leave, she felt the stare of the leader fall upon her, his pupils became colder, a complex luster within its depths. When he turned to leave, Rin felt another stare on her.

Shifting her gaze, she froze. She widened her eyes as her face turned stiff and she was lost in a daze.

Those pairs of blue eyes had given her a quick sullen glance before he swerved his horse to follow behind the men. Rin watched his departing back in silence, her expression unreadable.

"Advisor Lan, the enemy is leaving! Are they retreating?" A soldier beside her voiced, his eyes slightly hopeful.

"No. They will be back." Rin said, her voice strange as she stepped away from the wall to walk out the door.

"Advisor Lan?" The soldier was surprised by the sudden cold aura surrounding the young man.

Everyone watched in confusion and surprise as the young strategist walked away in bitter fury. Striding down the halls, Rin's expression was harsh. When she made it to her room, her back leaned against the door, trying to adjust her breathing. Her clenched fist was shaking violently.

Manchu. Manchu was with the enemy. No—he was with the An Clan.

But why? Why was the An Clan suddenly attacking the Western Empire?

Of all the reasonings, Rin could only think of one thing.

Power. The An Clan wanted to expand its power. Like her, they must have heard of the dispute between the Western and Eastern Empires. For enemies, this was the ideal time to strike the empire while it was weak.

Just like she had planned, to use their vulnerable position to elevate her power.

Rin slowly closed her eyes with a heavy expression then reopened them. She glanced at a piece of paper on her desk and gripped her fists. Walking over, she began to write.

She needed to send a letter to An Sun.