One day later, Luo Zheng woke up and after finding out about the ard rescue by Lan Xue, he felt a warm and firm sensation in his heart, very moved, and full of gratitude towards Ghost Hand and the others. He continuously used the family's Breathing Skill to heal, and a week later, Luo Zheng was able to get up and do so recovery training. The base doctors, having seen many with abnormal physiques since everyone at the base was a Soldier King, didn't think much about Luo Zheng's quick recovery.
Luo Zheng was recovering well, and Lan Xue was very pleased. That morning, Lan Xue brought a set of clean military clothing for Luo Zheng to change into. Without much thought, Luo Zheng complied and changed. Afterward, Lan Xue signaled for Luo Zheng to follow her to the tarmac, where they boarded a helicopter. Lan Xue personally piloted the helicopter as it soared into the sky.
Two hours later, the helicopter landed at a military base in Beijing. A car was waiting; Luo Zheng remained silent from start to finish, simply following Lan Xue. They got into the car, and the two rode in silence, occasionally exchanging glances. Half an hour later, the car arrived at a large military compound.
Luo Zheng observed briefly—there were two visible watch posts and three hidden ones, possibly even more undiscovered. The security was strict. He glanced at Lan Xue, saw her nervousness, and was surprised. He thought about asking but decided against it. The car stopped in front of a building.
Lan Xue motioned for Luo Zheng to get out of the car. They went directly upstairs and stopped at a door on the third floor. Lan Xue raised her hand to knock but hesitated, a blush creeping over her cold features. Luo Zheng looked at her, Lan Xue rolled her eyes at him, and hearing soone coming up the stairs, she knocked on the door in a panic.
The door was quickly opened by a woman, who was startled to see Lan Xue but then smiled happily and stepped aside, calling out, "Mr. Li, your granddaughter has co to visit you."
"Let them co to the study," a kind voice called from inside.
"Hello, Mrs. Zhao," Lan Xue greeted as she walked in and signaled Luo Zheng to follow. They reached the inner room and gently pushed open the door. Lan Xue called out warmly, "Grandfather, I've co to visit you."
"You still rember this old man, do you?" an elegant old man replied with a loving smile, his eyes full of affection as he looked at Lan Xue. He put down the newspaper he was reading, gestured for Lan Xue to sit, and then turned his gaze to Luo Zheng who had just walked in, scrutinizing him.
Not having permission to enter, Luo Zheng only stood at the doorway. Seeing the elder's gaze upon him, he was about to greet him when he suddenly felt an overwhelming aura envelop him. The kindly eyes of the elder were filled with a fierce battle spirit, sharp as a blade's edge, as if slicing through Luo Zheng's body, causing him to startle and inwardly take a deep breath to calm his runaway emotions and heartbeat, forcing himself to be calm as he looked back at the elder.
Suddenly, Luo Zheng felt the elder's aura shift; an aura of superiority enveloped him, this one carrying a thick air of authority. Born of humble beginnings, Luo Zheng inherently feared officials, his heart trembling and a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Having experienced life and death situations, Luo Zheng had developed his own perspective on the world. Soon, a sense of pride from his grassroots background surged within him, like a blade piercing through layers of deception—why shouldn't the commoners contend with the officials, who says the nobles are inherently noble?
Luo Zheng's stubborn nature surged, using the family's Breathing Skill to stabilize his emotions; he faced the elder's authority calmly, his eyes flickering with a determination to defy the heavens, a boldness to challenge emperors swiftly dispelled the terrifying authority from before.
"Who are you?" the elder asked with a faint smile, as if he had just noticed Luo Zheng.
Luo Zheng knew the elderly man before him was no ordinary person. Lan Xue addressed him as Grandpa, indicating a close relationship, likely the person Lan Xue respected the most. He courteously said, "Luo Zheng," in a tone neither servile nor overbearing, gracious and appropriate.
"Do you know who I am?" the old man asked with a smile.
Seeing Lan Xue secretly signaling him with her eyes, looking worried, Luo Zheng couldn't help but smile and said, "I know, you are her grandpa. As a friend of Lan Xue, it's embarrassing to co empty-handed on my first visit. Lan Xue didn't tell whom I'd be eting, my apologies. If possible, I will definitely make it up to you later."
"Interesting," the old man observed Luo Zheng's proper response and, more importantly, his composure under decades of accrued official authority, completely at ease without any awkwardness or panic, humble yet confident, calm and unstoppable. He smiled and said, "Please, have a seat."
Lan Xue, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, quickly moved a stool over, and said with a slight blush, "Grandpa, look at you, scaring him on his first visit—I won't let you off if you keep doing this."
"A girl being protective," the old man said jovially, not offended at all, and looking at Luo Zheng with a glance of appreciation and scrutiny, he said, "Let's be direct. I've settled your issue. The Song family won't target you publicly, but I can't guarantee the sa privately. You may marry my precious granddaughter, but you need to show so capability. In the eyes of us old folks, family interests and power both matter. What do you think?"
Luo Zheng knew Lan Xue had sought soone influential to resolve the matter, but didn't know who. Hearing the elder's words, he glanced at Lan Xue, his expression suddenly serious, and said earnestly, "Thank you very much for your help. I still don't understand the rules of the ga at your level. Just tell what you need to do."
"Good, a young man full of sharpness, but I hope it's not all talk. I'll give you six months to beco an Ordinary Level Soldier King. If you succeed, I assure you, you'll have no problems. Within a year, if you can reach Elite Level, I might consider your marriage with her. Within two years, if you can beco the Strongest Soldier King, I will personally officiate your wedding. How does that sound?" the old man said, his tone light yet undeniably resolute.
"The Strongest Soldier King?" Luo Zheng heard again of this mysterious title, his expression darkened as he seriously pondered it. Facing these high-level individuals, no empty talk or lies would suffice. Either he could or he couldn't, as lying would only make things worse for him.
"Grandpa, aren't you being too harsh? Two years is too short; the previous one took three years," Lan Xue knew the old man ant well, yet this seed impossibly difficult. The previous Strongest Soldier King had taken three full years to achieve and had beco a legendary figure. Two years to accomplish this? Lan Xue barely dared to think about it, her look towards Luo Zheng both worried and peculiarly expectant.
"Okay, I agree to your terms," Luo Zheng said with a resolute face, his gaze firm, emanating a sharpness as if he dared to change fate itself, his brilliance undeterred and forward.
"Good, would you dare to make a military pledge?" the old man asked, pleased.
"Why wouldn't I? If not successful, then let it be for righteousness," Luo Zheng replied, pausing at each word, his tone absolutely determined.
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