Just as Bo Guozhi concluded his conference with Jinping's officials, he received notice the recruits' newest captain requested to see him. Curious, Bo Guozhi arrived in his office, surprised to find the young man already waiting. He very quickly took note the air surrounding An Sun was dark and heavy. It was easy to sense something was amiss.
When Bo Guozhi asked what the issue was, he was surprised by the words he heard.
"Sir, I would like permission to leave for the Western Empire."
The moment An Sun finished speaking, Bo Guozhi seemed taken aback, his brows furrowed. A rare expression of skepticism on his face. He had been silent for a moment before he leaned forward in his seat, hands folded on the desk.
"As your commander, I must ask your reason for wishing to go west. You must know the Western Empire is not an easy territory to cross." Bo Guozhi tapped a finger on the desk.
"I am well aware, sir. I wouldn't make such a request if it wasn't important." An Sun said.
"Mm, then do tell what this reason is."
An Sun paused for a moment then spoke up.
"I received word from a companion of mine residing in the Western Empire that it is currently under attack by an unknown enemy. Three of their provinces have already been destroyed."
A frown marked Bo Guozhi's face.
"Let me see the letter," He waved his hand.
Taking the folded paper from his pocket, An Sun passed it to the commander. While reading the letter, Bo Guozhi's expression gradually changed. When he finished, he looked up at An Sun with a narrowed gaze.
"Who is this companion of yours?" He asked seriously.
"Bai Rin." An Sun said without further identification, but it was enough for Bo Guozhi to react.
"The granddaughter of the Bai family?" Bo Guozhi stared at him, eyes wide in astonishment, and An Sun nodded.
Bo Guozhi gazed at him for several seconds, clearly considering what he'd just been told, then shook his head.
"This matter...I will investigate it. But I can not promise I will be able to help. After all, we are not in an alliance with the west."
An Sun felt his hands close into fists behind his back.
"But innocent people are dying. Did we not vow to fight to protect those in need of help?"
Bo Guozhi replied sternly, "Our job is to protect those of our own. The Northern Empire does not need to assist the west. Those matters lie on their territory, not ours."
An Sun's jaw clenched in a suppressed anger. Those gray eyes barely concealed the rage seething within as he spoke, "What if their enemy takes over the Western Empire and goes for the north? Then what do we do?"
"Then we defend our people as we always have." Bo Guozhi said calmly in his seat.
After hearing his words, An Sun was even more bothered. He could not help shift his deep eyes to look at the letter in the commander's hand.
When he thought of Rin encountering the unknown enemy with the Western Empire, he felt helpless. Weak again. He had men who trusted him, a strong backing behind him, and the strength to take down anyone within his path.
And yet he still couldn't protect the ones he cared for. The ice in his eyes burned suddenly hot with remembered emotion, and his nostrils flared.
Noticing the grim expression on An Sun's face, Bo Guozhi sighed heavily.
"An Sun, you are now a captain in charge of the lives of your recruits. In a few years, perhaps you will be promoted and eventually become commander. However, no matter your rank, there will always be a force stronger than yourself. It's a harsh truth, but that's how life is." Bo Guozhi said, and his voice was sharper than before, edged with command.
