Burning Bridges | | Jing Yuan X Reader | |

Unparalleled Woes

Upon first glance, the sight of blood may scare away an innocent few, but not in the eyes of a soldier. A soldier he was, even in the face of such agony. 

"Never let your weapon slip. Or it'll be you who lays dead instead of them. Am I understood, Jing Yuan?" 

He stood still, unmoving as the Empress cast his sword before him. Straightening his shoulders and hardening his expression, not a sound was dared to slip from his trained tongue. 

"That's all. Once you leave- burn it all down." She ordered; long silver hair touched by the simple gazes of moonlight as she left him in the broken mansion. 

He knew her to be one to get the job done, not questioning her motives or her reasons as long as she was the one behind the order. That's how it had been and how it was always going to be. 

Or at least, that's what he assumed- until he saw your heartbroken face. Rage filled tears as they pried your arms off the bodies of your loved ones. 

Jing Yuan shook upon meeting your fiery gaze. Such condemnation and resentment that spurred within you for his idle compliance. Your chest heaved violently as you ripped your broken armor from his guards. Screaming over the fire and rain- 

"You traitor! How could you lie to me?!" 

A burning feeling in his chest began to consume his every being, refraining from dropping before you in remorse. 

"Get Y/N out of here! Bring them to the barracks!" his brows turned up in horror as you began to laugh. It was a cruel and desperate cry that fled your trembling lips. 

"As if I'd give you the satisfaction!" You spat, plunging your elbow into the guard's stomach as you ran to the stables. Wrangling the reins of his own steed as you bolted away from your desolate home, vowing to return one day to seek your revenge. 

Jing Yuan would never forget your face that day, the way you gazed into his soul and pierced his heart with your eyes alone. Despite it all, he still had a job to do. To protect the people of the Xianzhou kingdom from external threats. 

Many years had passed since you disappeared, taking his steed into the distance and leaving him behind. 

"Master Jing Yuan, are you listening to me?" 

"Of course...What did you say?" 

With an irritated groan the poor disciple of the great warrior slammed his palms over his face. A disgruntled groan coming from his chest -as he dared to imagine smacking his bewildered teacher- out of his daze. 

"I was asking if you wanted to interrogate them yourself." 

Lifting his brows, the General clearly had not heard the entirety of the conversation. His diligent student shook his head and ushered the general to the prison chambers. 

The General had been far more absent minded as of late- constantly pondering over pointless things. His pupil began to wonder if he was secretly going senile. 

"You dare think your own master is going senile?" 

"I didn't say anything!" He retorts, completely astounded. 

"You said it with your mind. Yanqing, that's three sparring sessions with the sixth sword instructor!" Huffing, Yanqing lowered his head before opening the prison gate. 

Entering the dungeon, a loud crowd of inmates could be heard cheering on what seemed like a fight. Pushing through the prison guards who were incentivizing the inmates to continue, the general's heart sunk into his chest. Looking in through the cell bars to see your smiling visage at the table, beating another inmate at celestial jade.