Within the guest room in the Western Empire's Imperial Palace.
"Well, that went better than I expected." Wei Jingyi examined the items on the desk. He lifted a candle stand and turned it around in his hand before setting it down.
Leaning against the bed frame, book in hand, Rin calmly replied, "The Western Empire is currently against an opponent with a higher power. When one's desperate, they'll often make risky choices."
Wei Jingyi looked up and saw the girl sitting on the bed. Pale eyes moving calmly, while her fair hand danced across the pages.
"That offer you made is also rather risky. I take it you have a plan?"
From the beginning, Rin's expression never changed. When she heard his question, she gave him a light glance. There was silence for a while before Rin looked to the side and scratched her cheek.
"The truth is…I don't have a plan yet."
"What?" Wei Jingyi was startled, and disbelief appeared on his face. "Have you thought of the consequences if you fail?"
Rin let out a sigh. "Of course, at worst he'll have me killed with the thought of being a spy from the north."
This sentence troubled WeiJingyi even further. "If you didn't have a plan, then why did you place such a proposal?."
There wasn't a strand of worry in Rin's expression, instead, she smiled even more calmly. "Because I have faith in the Bai family's teachings. I didn't invest years of training for nothing."
"Master…"
Rin chuckled softly. "Don't worry, have faith in your master."
Wei Jingyi's expression twitched as he looked at Rin, and sometimes he could not bear to understand her. When they met with the Emperor, she was composed, clever and didn't reveal too much or too little. Who would have thought it was because she didn't have a plan. In the end, however, she always managed to surprise him.
Wei Jingyi closed his eyes and his face looked a little tired, "Yes, Master."
Rin pulled up the corner of her mouth and chuckled again before continuing to write in her notebook. Even though she didn't have a plan, she wasn't too worried. At the very moment when people underestimate her, is when she can make a breakthrough.
This was her greatest advantage.
…
The first glimmer of dawn had just arrived. Rin awoke at this time, and then briefly washed her face before leaving her room.
As she gazed at the glimmer of sunrise on the horizon, she took a deep breath of the pure and fresh morning air. After a short moment, her face revealed a wisp of a gentle smile and left to see the Emperor.
At the barracks, Rin, the Emperor, and a group of over fifty troops gathered. The garrison was extremely large and wide - over an entire kilometer in every direction. It was completely paved with grayish-white stones and was simple yet magnificent.
"These will be your recruits. Each one of them has enlisted in our army this week, which means none of them have ever wielded a sword, bow, or undergone any physical combat. Since you have so generously offered to help, it will be your responsibility to train them the best they need to be. All within one month of course, as you promised."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, he snuck a glance at the youth beside him. Just as he figured, there was little to no expression on Rin's face. Even after his words, her composure remained the same - her emotions couldn't be discerned. The Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly while his expression turned gloomy.
Rin noticed the Emperor's suspicious gaze but thought nothing of it. Whether he trusted her or not was none of her concern for the time being. As long as he or anyone else didn't bother her plans, she didn't mind what they thought of her.
Rin smiled lightly and said, "I will try not to disappoint you, your Majesty."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed up, a deep mysterious glint flashing within them. He then glanced at the tall man beside him.
"As I mentioned before to ensure you don't try anything, I will be assigning General Donghai to observe your training."
Shifting her gaze, Rin looked at the man beside the Emperor, and her eyes widened a bit. She studied him boldly. Standing beside the Emperor was a monstrous man with small black eyes, the left side of his face scarred. One ear and part of his cheek had been cleaved off, but a bit of pale white flesh remained. He was attired in heavy silver armor that covered his tall and stocky build.
A wisp of a cold glow flashed in the man's eyes upon meeting her gaze. There was no recognition in those fierce eyes. Rin blinked but displayed no further reaction.
So this would be the man watching her.
She had to admit, he was rather intimidating. But as usual, if he didn't interfere with her plans, she didn't care whether he watched her or not. Looking back at the Emperor, Rin just smiled without a word.
Again, surprised by her reaction, the Emperor frowned and let out a deep sigh.
"Then I will no longer take up your time. You may begin.��
Rin and the others bowed their heads towards the Emperor until he left. When she raised her head to look over the group of new recruits, she easily detected the stiff and unyielding expressions on their faces.
She wasn't surprised.
Rin's first impression upon arriving here was that these fellows didn't trust her, and many even felt hostile towards her. After all, they entered the army to grow stronger, not be used as test subjects. She knew she had to make a show of her strength and make her purpose clear.
With her hands behind her back, Rin looked at the troops silently.
"General Donghai," She suddenly turned to the large man beside her.
General Donghai was silent as his frosty eyes stared at her.
"Do care to duel with me for a moment?"
The question was a sudden peal of thunder. Odd expressions appeared on the faces of General Donghai and the others. He paused, cocking one eyebrow and both ears at the young man's bold request. Those emerald eyes looked delicate and innocent; making the light in General Donghai's eyes darken.
The young man's nose was narrow, but it had an excellent shape and looked very delicate. His lips were plumper than most men, glossy and rose-tinted. His short hair framed a pair of bright round eyes that were brimming with vitality.
To come to the point, he looked weak.
General Donghai's mouth grew tight and hard before he grunted in acceptance.
Rin looked pleased and reached for a sword on the side of the wall, whereas, General Donghai reached to his hip, and stepped forward as he drew his sword.
Right at this moment, a sound of laughter that carried ridicule sounded out from the side. Rin had an emotionless expression as she gazed at the troops' teasing looks.
"I would advise those of you watching on the side to watch very carefully."
The troops fell silent, but it was clear from their gazes that they viewed her words as a jest. Rin didn't mind and focused her attention back to General Donghai.
"Please don't hold back, general." Rin smiled.
The man standing in front of her had his eyes flash with a bit of astonishment, curiosity seemed to spark in his gaze. Although it soon sank back into its stoic stillness, leaving no trace behind. He grunted another sound of agreement and prepared his position.
Rin clutched the sword in her hand, her grip strong and firm. The sword, an elegant and lethal weapon. Light and easy to hold. Shifting her gaze, she saw General Donghai place the sword in his left hand. Her sword was also in her left. This made things fair.
Their blades touched. And suddenly, the courtyard rang to the song of swords.