212 Force Beyond Control (2/2)

Behind Fan Mingli were the other recruits during their first mission together. They too were surprised at the scene before them. Seeing the group of men look at him with a confused and skeptical expression, An Sun sighed heavily. Stepping back from his horse, he turned to the group.

”There's something I need to take care of.”

One of the men's eyes widened. ”You mean…You're leaving?”

An Sun said nothing, but the men needed no words to read the thoughts behind his eyes, and Fan Mingli chuckled harshly.

”Why?” He demanded bitterly.

”Yeah, why? What's so important that you need to take care of?” Another recruit joined in on the questioning.

Sighing, An Sun looked up at the sky to see the sun was rising behind the mountains. It would be morning soon. If he didn't leave now, the others would wake up and for certain, Bo Guozhi would have him monitored.

Rather than offering a full explanation, An Sun kept it brief.

”There's trouble in the Western Empire where a friend of mine is taking refuge. I intend to help them.”

The men were momentarily shocked by his words. The Western Empire was in trouble?

But more importantly, An Sun was leaving...

”So, you're leaving just like that? After becoming captain and leading us, you're just going to throw it all away?” Fan Mingli spat, unable to contain the hurricane of emotions whirling within him. ”I thought you were better than that, but it turns out you're just…”

”Fan Mingli.”

The whipcrack authority of those two words cut through Fan Mingli's white-hot tirade like a knife, and he froze. For one dreadful instant, everyone seemed to hold their breath, unmoving, waiting, paralyzed between one moment and the next.

”I'm not abandoning my position, and I'm certainly not abandoning any of my men. I made a vow to you that I intend to keep.” An Sun's voice was colder than a northern winter and sharper than a long blade. ”But right now, I need to complete the vow I made to another. When I finish my duties there, I will return to all of you as your captain. I have already settled in a letter who will be in charge during my absence.”

Fan Mingli and the men said nothing. After a moment of silence, one man walked to the front and looked at An Sun hesitantly.

”This…This threat in the Western Empire…is it dangerous?”

An Sun sighed and shook his head. ”I won't know how serious or dangerous it is until I get there.”

Growing silent again, all the men looked at one another with an unreadable look. When looking back at An Sun, the man's expression revealed resolution.

”In that case, I would like to join you, Captain Sun.”

The man's words not only shocked the rest of the group but An Sun as well.

He continued, ”You vowed to protect those we care for, and as your men…it's only fair we do the same. As our captain, we should protect you as you've done for us.”

It only took a few seconds after the man spoke for another to chime in.

”He's right. Captain Sun, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to learn how to shoot at a target!”

”Yeah, me too!”

Fan Mingli watched the men's reactions, then stared at An Sun where their eyes met. Pursing his lips, he let out a loud huff.

”Captain Sun, I always thought of you as a brave man. But today…I see nothing but a fool.”

”Hey, Fan Mingli…” A man frowned but was interrupted by Fan Mingli's raised hand.

”Leaving behind the title you've earned, and the men you trained to carry out the vow you made to another makes me realize what a fool you truly are.”

Staring into An Sun's deep gray eyes that glinted slightly with surprise, Fan Mingli grinned.

”Because of this, I can't help but want to serve alongside you even longer.”

An Sun stood completely motionless for almost a minute. Then he tossed his head and turned to the men, and this time his smile was almost natural.

”I see,” He chuckled and shook his head helplessly. ”Then if you're willing to fight alongside me, I will do my best to protect you as I hope you will for me.”

The men's eyes brightened, and they nodded their heads.

”Yes, Captain Sun! You can count on us!”

An Sun concealed an amused smile and turned back to his horse.

”Well, hurry up then. You have five minutes to get ready, or I'm leaving without you.”

Just as he finished his sentence, the men fled to their rooms to collect a few belongings for the new trip they would take on. An Sun watched their departing figures and chuckled.

Looking above to see a certain bird hovering above him, An Sun's smiles deepened. Touching the letter in his pocket, a look of determination flit across his face.

”I'm coming for you, Rin.”