194 The Path To Success (2/2)
”When?” General Guo asked.
”Possibly in a week's time.”
”I see.” General Guo sat up with a sigh. He walked toward the table with bottles of wine and unclogged a cork with a pop.
”Is there anything we can offer to make your travel smoother?” He poured the red wine into a cup and passed it to the young man.
An Sun took the cup and shook his head. ”Besides a horse, there's not much I'll need.”
”Money?” General Guo's brows raised.
An Sun snorted. ”What use is money when there are the woods?”
The woods could provide him with a place to sleep and food.
In response to those words, General Guo's eyes lit up with admiration. He grunted in approval.
”I'm guessing you'll be enlisting in an army in the north?”
An Sun nodded his head. ”I heard there was one in Jinping.”
General Guo's eyebrows raised. He was surprised. ”The Jinping province army has a rather rigorous training course.”
An Sun chuckled. ”That's why I'm going there.”
After speaking, in one shot, he drank the wine in his cup until there wasn't even a single drop left. The wine was sweet and strong, redolent with the smell of northern spices.
General Guo sighed helplessly as he poured more wine into his empty cup. ”I happen to know the commander there. If you'd like, I can send in a good word for you.”
An Sun glanced at the man as the wine was being poured. Something flashed within his gaze. Truth be told, it was the first time someone willingly offered to help him with no motives.
It was unusual.
A hint of a smile flashed through An Sun's eyes, but it was quickly hidden.
”There's no need. I decided to go on this journey using my strength, and that's what I intend to do until the end.”
While he was appreciative of the other's kindness, he could not allow himself to borrow the power of others. Even though he earned the respect of many of his troops, to others he was only feared not just for his ruthlessness, but the name behind him. The majority of his life he was raised with the backing of the An Clan.
This time he wanted to make something of himself with his own hands. Only then will he be able to make a name for himself.
Turning, General Guo looked at An Sun. Hearing the young man's response and seeing he was so settled on his purpose, he felt rather pleased. If An Sun hadn't decided to join the army in Jinping, he would have recruited him into the Bai army.
He raised his cup toward An Sun with a rare smile on his face. ”In that case, I wish you well on your journey. If you change your mind, the Bai family will be here to support you.”
An Sun's lips twitched upwards in a smile when he saw his actions. He raised his cup and clanked his cup against General Guo's.
”I'll remember that.”
They drank. An Sun held up an empty wine cup and reached for the gourd to fill it up once more.
Suddenly, a commotion occurred outside.
”Master Bai! Master Bai!”
Following the maidservant's shriek, lanterns flared to life all over the previously dark Bai Manor.
Both men raised their heads in the direction of the maidservant's voice. Very quickly, the peaceful mood turned grim. An Sun's eyes narrowed. From the frantic tone in their voice, he could sense something was wrong.
The two stepped out of the study to see the lantern lights were burning bright in the hall, making it as bright as day. Appearing from around the corner, Bai Han's face went cold, like an ancient lake locked up with frost.
”What happened? What's with all the commotion?”
Just before they had the chance to further investigate the situation, they heard another cry.
”Summon a physician! There's blood! On the pillow! And she's soaked with sweat! The young miss...She threw up blood!”
No one spoke for a moment. The grating sound of the maidservant's words was ringing in everyone's ears. The news hit everyone like a bolt from the blue.
Bai Han's eyes were vicious. His face was pale but full of anger and fear, enough to make others shudder.
”Summon a physician, now!”