RIN

Chapter 185

"This..." An Hongyu's voice trailed.

"Yes," Manchu confirmed. "It's the head of Governor Duyi Zhong of the Jilin province."

Silence pervaded the tent. Everyone's eyes locked intensely on the decapitated head in the center of the floor.

An Hongyu's cold eyes stared at it silently. After a long time, he said wearily: "Who killed him?"

Despite asking, he could already guess who did it.

As expected, Manchu replied: "An Sun."

Once more, there was silence. At that point, An Hongyu's expression twisted, a fleet of emotions flashing across his face.

"Before his death, An Sun informed us of your orders. In the beginning, yes, he was reluctant. But to ensure no harm would come between him and the clan, he beheaded Governor Duyi. We never expected to return and prove to you his loyalty he would..."

Manchu's hands gripped into fists, his expression filled with pure loathing. An Hongyu shifted his eyes from Manchu to stare back at the head. His mood was complicated.

"Thank you. You've done well..." His voice sounded faint. "As for An Sun's honor and loyalty to the clan, we will conduct a proper ceremony to celebrate his death."

A strained smile appeared on Manchu's face. He cupped his hands and lowered his head.

"Thank you, my Lord."

An Hongyu nodded before waving his hand to dismiss him. All the while, his eyes remained on the head below his feet. Manchu bowed his head and turned to leave the tent.

Stepping out, he breathed in a large breath of the spring air. It would seem he succeeded in his first mission.

At the time when An Sun and Bai Han left to find Bai Rin, he and the troops had set their plans into action. It was predicted that An Hongyu suspected An Sun of rebellion long before his so-called 'death.' To them, his name was recognized as a dead and treacherous bastard child.

While not false, this didn't sit too well for Manchu and the troops. After some discussion, Manchu set up a plan. To show An Sun was still loyal to the clan even before his 'death', he would deliver to them the head of Duyi Zhong.

To be more precise, a look-alike.

Manchu ordered the remaining troops they had to search for someone with similar features to the Jilin governor and bring him over. Not long had passed when they found someone.

After that, all was set in stone.

Not only would this bring light to An Sun's name, marking him as an honorable son and member of the clan, but this would also cause discord between An Hongyu and An Ruo.

It was killing two birds with one stone. A win-win situation.

Standing in the center of the field with his hands behind his back, Manchu's eyes curved.

He would make sure An Sun's plans would not be in vain.

"Shall I bring refreshments to your tent, General Manchu?" A soldier beside him asked.

Manchu shook his head. "There's no need. I will be resting. Unless it's the Great Head An himself calling, make sure no one disturbs me."

The soldier nodded. "Yes."

About to take a step into his tent, Manchu paused. His eyes swept over to a certain figure walking in the distance. The man wore a hooded cloak, brown and nondescript. The rising sun was peeking over the tents behind his shoulder, so it was hard to make out the face beneath his hood.