208 Appointed Captain (2/2)

An Sun didn't try to engage any further in conversation and closed his eyes once again to soak in the warm steam. To be frank, he wasn't interested in starting a conversation with anyone, especially while bathing.

But apparently, Zi Bingwen couldn't sense the mood.

”Those scars on your chest...How did you get them? I saw how experienced you were earlier when you fought that bear and on the training grounds. Have you been in battles before? Where did you live before you came here? Did you...”

Zi Bingwen's words were cut short when An Sun abruptly stood up from the bath. His long, black wet hair clung to his bare, sculpted back, almost like ink. However, the men didn't have time to admire his built form as the imposing aura from him made them shiver.

The man's face might have been carved of stone, so little did his face show. An Sun stood over Zi Bingwen, his face as hard as a cold shield.

”Do you usually talk to people when they're trying to bathe?”

The anger took Zi Bingwen utterly by surprise. ”N-No, I-I just...”

An Sun sneered. ”My past is none of your concern nor something to entertain your curiosity.”

Zi Bingwen swallowed, trying not to let his fear show. Giving him one last cold glance, An Sun grabbed the towel on the side and wrapped it around his waist before walking out. It had grown so silent in the baths that they could hear the sound of water dripping from the edge of the tub. The silence was all for particular reasons.

Some were stunned by An Sun's sudden shift in mood, while others were more in awe by a certain imposing part on his body. They looked down at their lower halves and suddenly felt bitter.

Life was unfair.

By the time An Sun left the bathroom and dressed, the clouds rolled in to cloak the moon and stars, and the darkness lay as thick upon the barracks.

Moonlight shone through the window and onto his face. A torrent of emotions was flooding his heart right now. Placing a hand on his chest, he squeezed.

Damn scars.

”Sun,” A voice called out to him from behind.

An Sun grit his teeth and turned around. The man approaching him was General Ji Long.

”Yes, general?” His reply was proper enough, but irritation lingered in his expression.

The general considered pointing out that this was not precisely the appropriate attitude for greeting someone of higher authority, but then he thought better of it. An Sun's attitude, after all, was one reason why the commander favored him so much. It was brutally blunt.

Hiding a sigh, General Ji Long answered calmly, ”Commander Bo requests for your presence.”

An Sun's brows arched in surprise but he, nonetheless, followed the general.

...

”Near the end of this period, you all will be embarking on your first assignment. I would like you to be the captain, Sun.”

An Sun listened silently, gray eyes fixed on the man across from him, but his face darkened with each word.

”Sir...”

”Before you say anything, allow me to finish.” Bo Guozhi said, strangely stern. ”I heard about your connections with the Bai family. I know why you've come here.”

An Sun's eyes widened as his face turned stiff. He opened his mouth to explain, but Bo Guozhi raised his hand and shook his head.

”Frankly, I'm a little confused as to why you would want to restart after being given such privileges...but I can't help but respect you even more.” Bo Guozhi said, smiling. He leaned back in his seat and looked An Sun full in the face, his dark eyes bright with admiration.

”Your mind is as deft as your blade; it would seem. Those men need someone like you who thinks not with just your mind, but your heart too. I know you may think this was offered for you too easily, but it is with reason. I think you don't recognize it now, but you're an honorable man, Sun. Worthy of honorable things. Give yourself the credit once in a while.”

An Sun was taken aback. Although this wasn't the first time someone had said praising words to him, he was still shocked.

Rin was the first to speak so frankly to him. She had even risked her life in her trust in him. Trust. Something he always valued among his men, his brothers. In her.

An Sun drew in a deep breath and saw Bo Guozhi still staring. He cupped his fists and lowered his head.

”I'm honored by the trust which led you to select me for this duty. I promise to carry it out the best of my abilities.”

”Good,” Bo Guozhi chuckled and waved his hand. ”Then I look forward to seeing the result of your first assignment, Captain Sun.”