Show Your Strength

Rin did not have a restful night. While there were moments she would recall the events at the lake, she was also busy planning their attack against the Tuhan army. Thus, for the entire night, she restlessly wrote down strategies and techniques to protect Manchu.

Before long, the morning of the second day arrived. The battle of the Tuhan army had come. Standing around a broad table with a map laid out before them, everyone within the room began discussing their battle tactics.

"The goal is to hold back the Tuhan army for as long as we can until our men at the province bases launch their attack." Rin pointed to the colored pieces on the map, which imitated the Tongshu and Tuhan armies. "We plan to starve them of their weaponry and food. With a lack of supplies, they will be on the verge of collapse."

"But how will the Tuhan army know we've infiltrated their base? Is it not miles away?" A Tongshu general questioned.

Rin was silent and calmly turned toward An Sun. When he noticed her stare, his eyes lit up in understanding. He walked up to the table, feeling numerous eyes on him. Needless to say, everyone's curiosity was caught.

An Sun cleared his throat, then said, "The Tuhan army has a way of communicating. Through hawks. It's how they've been successful in numerous battles for the past few years now." He turned to the map, then continued to explain, "When their base is attacked, the Tuhan will send a hawk to the main army here. When that happens, the men will retreat."

Everyone had wondered how their surprise attack would catch the attention of the Tuhan army, but as soon as An Sun explained it all became very clear. While no one argued over his statement, others were skeptical – including General Donghai.

In the end, he said nothing. Although An Sun could still feel his skeptical stare on him, he ignored it and stepped back from the table, allowing Rin to take control of the meeting once again.

"The time for their attack is unknown, but at every moment, we will be ready." Rin's cold eyes scanned the men around the table. "Any questions?"

Rin watched as the men shook their heads, their eyes glowing with certainty. She couldn't have been more pleased. Suppressing the content smile threatening to crack on her face, Rin stepped back with her hands behind her back and dismissed everyone.

When she left the room, she was surprised to see An Sun waiting for her beside the door. He leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest in a relaxed stance.

Recalling the time in the lake, Rin's movements stiffened. She cleared her throat and managed to put on her best calm expression.

"Do you need something, Sun?"

Having noticed her presence the moment she stepped out of the room, An Sun turned his head, leaned off the wall, and walked toward her. There had been a moment of silence between the two before he finally responded.

"I will be fighting in the front lines."

Rin nodded her head in understanding.

"I see. Then, I hope you stay safe." As if suddenly recalling something, her eyes brightened. "If you're worried about Sir Manchu, I've already informed the troops to avoid harming him. As of now, it's the least I can do to defend him without garnering suspicion."

An Sun's eyebrows raised. He chuckled, then shook his head.

"Thank you...but that's not what I wanted to talk about."

The edges of Rin's brows creased in confusion. She suddenly straightened her shoulders, an eerie premonition arising in her heart.

"What is it?"

An Sun stared at her for a long minute without saying a word.

Then, in a voice a bit gruffer than he'd intended, he asked: "Do you remember what I told you before I left for Jinping?"

Rin stared back at him without blinking. Furrowing her brows, she tried recalling the moment An Sun spoke of. It didn't take long for her to remember.

[Leaving behind fate, destiny, and your path, if the time came when you could no longer rely on them...will you come to my side?]

The two looked at one another as both seem to evoke that moment at the Bai Manor. Rin was at a loss as to how she could tactfully respond, when An Sun's head suddenly bent down toward hers.

"Do you remember?" He asked again, an eyebrow raised.

Immediately, Rin could feel her face heating up. The two stood very close together. Everything that was said was like a hot breeze; Rin heard it with her ears, but it also seemed to reach her heart.

She took a step back and nodded her head.

"...I do." Rin whispered.

She'd sounded downright pitiful. An Sun tried not to smile.

"Then do you also remember what I said about relying on me?"

"W-Why are you suddenly bringing this up?" Rin asked. The wariness in her voice was evident.

An Sun smiled. "When I fight out there on the battlefield, I want you to rely on me. Trust me. This is no longer a battle you need to fight on your own."

Hearing those words, Rin tried to glance away calmly, but she couldn't seem to manage. She felt a flutter that became a tightening in her belly. Her heart stopped, skipped a few beats, then started up again in a frantic rhythm as he just kept watching her.

Several minutes passed before she managed to calm her beating heart. She blinked at An Sun and then said very seriously, "In that case, please fight strongly. Show me your strength and return to me. Otherwise, I won't have any need for you by my side."

She will be strong for him as well. However, those thoughts, she kept to herself.

Although her words sounded harsh, it was the sentence An Sun had expected from her. The woman had a stubborn streak in her nature. That flaw amused him. To him, her words had spoken more than anyone would ever imagine.

She wanted him to return alive. As he did for her, she cared about him.

"That's a promise then." A hint of joy could be heard beneath An Sun's deep, husky voice.

Rin had nodded her head with an unreadable expression before she walked around An Sun and down the stone halls. While she seemed to be calm on the outside, to An Sun, it appeared as if she was running away. His eyes curved in amusement.

...

Dusk had settled, turning all the banners black. Yet, not a single sight of the Tuhan army was seen. Rin had been organizing the archers and swordsmen who would fight in the battle when she suddenly heard a soldier shout loud for everyone present to hear.

"The Tuhan army has already approached within three miles!"

At that moment, the tension in the room grew. Every soldier, who had felt a sense of hope and confidence, suddenly froze. Rin could see the anxiousness and dread in each man's face. From the beginning, however, her face remained unchanged. Her eyes were murky, with unreadable depths.

She looked at the soldier who had spoken with a cold, clear expression.

"Prepare the archers! Men, gather your swords, spears, and shields! Form a line and be ready to fight for your province!" She ordered loud and clear.

Brought back to reality, the men nodded their heads and quickly began grabbing their shields and swords. After declaring orders left and right, Rin's gaze met with a pair of gray eyes. An Sun's gaze pierced through her very being, eyes filled with such clarity her heart couldn't help but tremble.

Without words, the two already understood the other's thoughts. Looking at An Sun across from her with a meaningful expression, Rin's eyes brightened.

Right now, it was time to show their strength.