RIN

Chapter 174

At the top of Fa Mountain, a clear and pristine [1]mausoleum rested at the top. Painted golden walls, sculpted walls, and glass tiles scattered the afternoon sunbeams, producing a luminous scene that did well to show off the importance and care of the Jade Mausoleum.

Surrounded by frost coated trees, on the outside of Jade Mausoleum, fresh crimson blood tainted the calm and quiet tranquility.

Inside, corpses scattered over the entire mausoleum floor. Bright, red blood flowed on the floor, and the smell of death permeated every corner.

In the middle of the sea of blood, a tall figure stood, his body draped in a long, silk robe with a dragon symbol. Although he was already middle-aged, he hadn't lost his figure. His eyes were deep and unreadable.

The tiles beneath his feet were covered in a garish red river of blood, rivulets of it flowing out of the arms and legs of the dead bodies.

Suddenly, a clear voice called out from behind, "Your Majesty, General Duan has returned from his mission."

The emperor hadn't withdrawn his gaze from the three tombstones and said in a low, magnetic voice, "What did he find?"

The subordinate quickly responded, "It appears the An Clan's leading commander has been killed in an ambush."

"Hmm." There was a shift in the emperor's expression. The deep pools of his eyes flashed for an instant, quickly masking over the change as if he had never been surprised in the first place. "That lad sure had no shortage of brute strength, even our army could hardly manage without the Bai families help."

He returned his sword to the scabbard on his waist. The emperor bestowed a faint glance that held no emotional fluctuations to the slain bodies below him. It was as if in his eyes, they were not even as good as air.

"It truly is a shame."

The subordinate behind him said nothing and silently kneeled. After a prolonged moment of silence, the emperor ordered, "Arrange to have their bodies disposed of. And clean up this mess. I don't want a single drop of blood to further taint this place."

"Yes, your Majesty." The subordinate bowed and quickly went to attend his orders.

Left alone, the emperor shifted his gaze to the sword resting high on the ceiling above the three tombstones. Images of a woman flashed before his head. Her brilliant golden hair spread upon the white ground, the tips tainted with crimson red. A sword, folded perfectly in the woman's cold, porcelain hands while she lay still in her own blood.

His pupils dilated as he sank deep into his thoughts. When a sudden notion came to him, his eyes narrowed. The emperor glanced at the third tombstone, the words 'Liu Rin' engraved on the front.

Only after a long period of silence, did he look away with a sigh and leave the Jade Mausoleum.

...

The next few days passed in a blur. In those days, they finally returned to the Bai Manor.

"Hah!" Rin swiftly threw out her own fist in a fast jab, striking it into General Guo's face.

He dodged his head to the side. Rin followed the punch with another using her other hand. He caught it in his large palm, his fingers swallowing her fist.

Gritting her teeth, Rin thrust her knee up, but he blocked with his other hand and shoved her back with both hands to her abdomen. She stumbled a few steps before finding her balance and looked back with sharp eyes. General Guo backed up and cracked his neck, his hard face bearing a stern expression.

As he stepped closer, Rin stepped back, maintaining a measured distance. When her body connected a kick to his side, her body hummed with excitement. Though she knew it didn't affect him, the contact thrilled her.