Chapter Twelve: The Venerable Old General

Chapter Twelve: The Admirable Old General

What?

Xia Zheng actually refused General Song Xinghui’s official invitation. Did this boy know who the old man standing before him was? This was a figure whose mere footsteps could make the entire Federation tremble.

Dias thought he must have misheard, but seeing the stunned expressions on the faces around him, he realized he hadn’t.

“Xia Zheng, don’t be so ungrateful,” Dias couldn’t help but curse.

Song Xinghui’s face darkened as he turned around. “Captain Dias!”

“Here!” Dias instantly snapped to attention, as did everyone else—except Xia Zheng.

“You are hereby officially transferred from the military headquarters to the Eternal Night Outpost. Unless you earn a First-Class Merit, you will never return to headquarters.” Song Xinghui’s voice was devoid of emotion.

Dias was stunned, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. But when he met the old general’s sharp gaze, he understood—he had lost his position at headquarters.

“Yes, sir!” Dias dared not disobey. For a general of Song Xinghui’s rank, transferring an officer below the rank of colonel required only a subsequent report, not an application.

Filina, too, was shocked. She covered her mouth and looked towards Xia Zheng.

Dias turned to leave, but halfway to the door, he suddenly looked back at Xia Zheng, eyes filled with venom, as if he were facing a mortal enemy. Then he left for good, without another glance back.

For the first time, Xia Zheng felt what it was like to be regarded with such deep-seated hatred, as though it could become a tangible weapon. A chill crept into his heart. He realized that from now on, as long as Dias had the chance, he might try to destroy him completely.

With a furrowed brow, Xia Zheng understood something: in this world, you could reason all you wanted, but unless you had a strong enough fist to back you up, even if you were in the right, you’d still be beaten down by those with power.

“Sorry, I have something to attend to. I’ll be going ahead,” Xia Zheng said, not wanting to linger any longer. Since he had already offended the military, there was no need for further courtesy.

But just as he was about to leave, Song Xinghui stopped him. Xia Zheng looked up at the old general, seeing not anger but a look of regret and sorrow. In that moment, his own resentment faded.

“Young man, come take a walk with me. I won’t stand in your way,” Song Xinghui said, heading towards the back of the hospital—the convalescence area, where there was a beautiful garden.

Xia Zheng followed. Filina’s feelings toward him were complicated; she admired his talent and independence, yet felt discontent because of Dias’s plight. She watched him walk past her, full of conflicting emotions and a sense of loss. Perhaps, after today, they would never meet again.

In the back garden, birds sang and flowers bloomed. Song Xinghui watered a pot of flowers, kettle in hand. Xia Zheng stood beside him, at a loss for words. Today’s events had left him with a tangled heart.

“Xia Zheng, if Dias hadn’t made things difficult for you at the start, would you have joined the military?” Song Xinghui asked as he watered the plants.

Xia Zheng nodded. “Most likely.”

“Then he can’t complain about his fate. Do you think my punishment of him today put you in a passive position?” Song Xinghui pressed on.

Xia Zheng didn’t answer. He was still young and couldn’t see all the way to the bottom of matters.

“Good child, you’re better than many clever people for not trying to be too smart. There are plenty of smart people in this world, but even more who think they're clever. I transferred him to protect you. Dias is competent and brave, but narrow-minded and vengeful. Now that you’ve offended him, staying in headquarters would have led to an early conflict, which would have hindered your growth. That’s not what I want to see.” Song Xinghui moved on to the next plant.

Xia Zheng followed, finally understanding that the old general’s actions were not just for show, but for his protection. With that, he felt a surge of goodwill for the venerable general.

“Thank you, General. I admit I was prejudiced against the military before, but in you, I see a different picture,” Xia Zheng said.

Song Xinghui laughed. “That’s the most sincere compliment I’ve ever heard.”

After a few exchanges, Xia Zheng lowered his guard and grew more talkative. Song Xinghui was not a mere general, but a learned man—accomplished in both the martial and the scholarly. Two such people naturally found much to discuss, and as their conversation deepened, there was a sense of friendship that transcended age.

“General, the car is ready whenever you wish to depart,” a white-uniformed bodyguard came over, hesitated, and reminded softly.

Song Xinghui nodded, glanced at the sky, and gestured for the guard to leave. Then, he said to Xia Zheng, “Do you truly believe you’ll develop better in the Heavenly Blade Squad?”

Xia Zheng thought for a moment and nodded. “General, I’m really not suited for the military. I value freedom, which is a disadvantage for a soldier. In the Heavenly Blade Squad, I have access to resources and opportunities. As long as I work hard, I believe I won’t be inferior to the military’s gifted warriors.”

“Good, good, that’s the spirit! If that’s the case, I won’t insist. I know Chu Yan—he once served under me. After he was wounded, I wanted to transfer him to headquarters, but he always refused. He’s proud and stubborn. Now he’s running a company for gifted warriors. Not bad. With you joining, I believe his Heavenly Blade Squad will only get better. Xia Zheng, even if you’re not with the military, my expectations for you remain. The Eternal Night City is the Federation’s long-standing wish and the military’s sworn goal to reclaim. Gifted warriors are humanity’s last hope. Whether you’re in the army or anywhere else, as long as you stand with humanity, you’re our comrade, never our enemy. Always remember this.” Song Xinghui’s tone was earnest and heavy.

Xia Zheng nodded solemnly. “General, reclaiming Eternal Night City is every citizen’s wish. I will do my part without hesitation!”

“Good. This is my private number. If you ever face trouble you can’t solve, contact me.” He wrote a number on a slip of paper and handed it to Xia Zheng. Xia Zheng took it, memorized it after a few glances, and then—demonstrating his ability—caused the paper to vanish into thin air before the general’s eyes, as if evaporated.

A flash of regret crossed Song Xinghui’s eyes. In the end, he still lamented losing such an outstanding talent for the military.

After accompanying the old general to his car and watching the well-kept vintage military vehicle drive away, Xia Zheng was about to leave as well.

“Xia Zheng, are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Filina emerged from somewhere, unable to hold back the question.

Shaking his head politely, Xia Zheng replied, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant Filina. I’m already an employee of the Heavenly Blade Squad. I’m grateful for your appreciation and help, but I really am not suited for the military. Goodbye!”

“Then… will we still be friends?” Filina caught up with him and asked.

Looking at the bright and valiant Filina before him, Xia Zheng felt a stir within. “As long as you regard me as a friend, we’ll always be friends.”

“Good. That’s enough for me. We’ll definitely meet again.” Filina nodded, content.

“About Captain Dias…” Xia Zheng couldn’t help but ask.

Filina shook her head. “He brought this on himself. You don’t need to feel guilty. Besides, he and I are only engaged by arrangement, not by our own wishes. I never agreed to marry him. Now, after all this, our engagement….” Hearing this, Xia Zheng couldn’t help but feel a surge of delight, though he knew such feelings were a bit lowly.

Hurriedly, Xia Zheng took his leave. Filina watched his departing back, seemingly lost in thought, then, as if making up her mind, turned and went back to the hospital.

“Captain Chu, that’s what happened with the military. It’s all settled now.” After returning home, Xia Zheng reported to his parents, omitting many details but assuring them that the military would trouble him no more. Only then did his parents finally relax.

After listening, Chu Yan on the other end of the line fell silent for a moment before saying, “General Song was my old commander. I’ve always admired his character. You were lucky to meet him today—otherwise, things might have been dangerous….”

“Indeed, I almost had no room to refuse, but I still spoke out—and now Captain Dias sees me as a mortal enemy,” Xia Zheng said with a sigh.

“Don’t worry,” Chu Yan comforted. “Since General Song transferred him out, he’ll be stripped of his influence. There’ll be some internal competition, but Dias can only target you in secret now. Be prepared for that.”

“Understood, Captain. Actually, the best way is for me to become as strong as possible. Once I’m much stronger than him, he won’t be a threat any longer, right?”

Chu Yan laughed. “Exactly. Those from the military respect strength above all. Unless it threatens the Federation, the authorities won’t limit them much. So long as you keep growing stronger, you’ll be fine. But it’s not easy—Dias is likely at A-rank, and though you have tremendous potential, turning it into real power is a long journey.”

“I understand, Captain. I’ll report in tomorrow. But, Captain, how will you teach me to train my ability? Last time, I only managed to use it under real combat pressure. Normally, it’s unreliable,” Xia Zheng said, troubled.

Chu Yan replied mysteriously, “Don’t worry about that. Report in tomorrow and you’ll get a surprise. I should say, though—my ability is completely different from yours, so I can’t be your mentor.”

“Huh? Then… did you find a mentor?” Xia Zheng asked curiously.

“Of course! Just come tomorrow. Anyway, the call’s getting expensive. I’m hanging up. The training room you broke yesterday is being repaired today—costs over a hundred thousand! My heart aches…” Chu Yan joked before hanging up. Hearing the cost, Xia Zheng couldn’t help but click his tongue. No wonder during the interview, Vice President He Guohui thought all gifted warriors were paupers—each repair cost a small fortune. Even with a post-tax salary of half a million, it wouldn’t cover many repairs.

============ On the High-Speed Train to North Boland District ============

A girl who looked like an elementary student, dressed in a black trench coat and resting her head on a shoulder bag, lay sprawled across a double soft seat—both tickets bought for herself. Munching on a lollipop, she glanced at an email in her inbox:

Senior Sister,

I write this letter as if speaking to you face to face. My company has recently recruited a peerless talent—a psychic ability user, and a particularly rare one: materialization within the psychic class. We have no mentor for this field, so I must beg you to come out of seclusion and assist us. The salary is negotiable, there will be beer and barbecue every day, and an unlimited supply of lollipops. I earnestly hope, divine Senior Sister, that you will grace us with your presence. I promise to welcome you with the utmost hospitality.

After reading, the little girl flipped onto the seat, biting her lollipop and sneering, “You haven’t been disciplined in years and you’re getting cocky, aren’t you, Chu Yan? Just you wait—Senior Sister will give you a real lesson!”

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