The military jeep arrived as swiftly as it departed, leaving a crowd of people staring at each other in bewildernt.
Then, one by one, every pair of eyes turned to Yang Hu. So, this young man was a Military General—and an Eighth Rank Military General at that.
"I'm sorry! I... I never ant to hide it from you." Yang Hu turned to face Shi Qinghan, who was staring at him in astonishnt. "I thought that was all in my past, that it would never co back. That's why I..."
"I knew you weren't an ordinary person." Shi Qinghan smiled, her dark eyes filled with a bitter sorrow. "I'm not worthy of you."
She was just a girl from a rural village. Most likely, her future held a marriage to soone from a neighboring town and a life identical to her parents'. How could she ever hope to reach the heights of a distinguished Eighth Rank Military General? But... tears stread from the corners of her eyes.
"No!" Yang Hu took a step forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I like you, and I want to marry you."
Shi Qinghan trembled. The blockhead had finally said the words, but...
"But you're a general, and I'm just a village girl. I'm not worthy of you in any way," she sobbed, pressing her face against his chest, her heart filled with despair.
"Silly girl, do you really think I care about any of that?" Yang Hu kissed the top of her head, the tough, steely man suddenly overco with tenderness. "I can't go to the movies with you tonight.
"Wait for . I'll be back to get you soon." He cradled her face in his hands and declared with resolve, "Okay?"
"Okay!" Shi Qinghan nodded frantically. "I-I'll wait for you!"
"I have an older brother who is the most incredible person in the world. When the ti cos, I'll ask him to be our wedding officiant." Yang Hu gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm going to marry you with all the honor and splendor you deserve."
"Mhm!"
After changing his clothes, Yang Hu picked up his bag and, looking back every few steps, left the small village.
Shi Qinghan clutched the movie ticket in her hand and smiled faintly. "Brother Hu, I'll wait for you to co back."
***
「The next day.」
Today was the public announcent of the new War God of the State.
Chen Yang rose early, as he always did, and went for a run around the residential complex. From the passersby to the people strolling in the plaza, everyone was discussing who would ultimately receive the title.
Expressionless, Chen Yang acted as if he heard nothing.
After breakfast, he sat alone in the courtyard, flipping through a magazine.
Qin Qiu stood in the doorway for a long ti. She could tell he had been distracted ever since he returned from the Xue Family's estate yesterday. He appeared calm, not a single ripple on the surface, but how could that possibly be what he truly felt inside? He had dedicated the best fifteen years of his life to the Martial Departnt. In the end, was he fated to simply watch as another man built a grand mansion and hosted lavish banquets?
Qin Qiu didn't know what was going through Chen Yang's mind, but she herself was truly indignant!
On what grounds?! When it ca to military achievents or reputation, was there anyone in the entire world who could compare to her husband?
"Honey, let's go for a walk. How about fishing at the Qingyuan River?" Qin Qiu walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his back. "We can go anywhere you want," she murmured softly.
Chen Yang turned, tapped her lightly on the forehead, and grinned. "Alright, let's go fishing."
Just as they were about to leave, they ran into Su Ling.
"Boss..." Su Ling hesitated before changing the subject. "Boss, did... did you kill Li Chen?"
"I did." Chen Yang nodded. "Why? Is the Li Family causing you trouble?"
After all, the whole affair had started because of Jiang Ying, a woman connected to Su Ling. It wouldn't be difficult for the Li Family to trace the matter back to him after a thorough investigation.
"I just heard the Li Family is looking into it," Su Ling said with a dismissive wave. "I'm not afraid of them."
Chen Yang didn't press further and drove toward the Qingyuan River, with Su Ling scurrying along behind them.
The banks of the Qingyuan River offered a breathtaking view. Chen Yang and Qin Qiu sat side-by-side on two small stools while Su Ling quietly brewed tea nearby.
Holding a fishing rod for the first ti, Qin Qiu was a bundle of nerves and excitent. Even with Chen Yang constantly explaining the basics, she panicked every ti the float so much as twitched. Flustered and chattering, she was just like a child who had found a new toy. But when she saw Chen Yang reeling in one fish after another, she pouted and began to mutter, "Why aren't any fish biting my hook?"
It made Chen Yang not know whether to laugh or cry.
About half an hour later, a broad-frad, well-built middle-aged man walked down from the bank, heading straight for Chen Yang.
"Who are you?" Su Ling asked with a frown.
The man didn't even spare Su Ling a glance. He walked right past him and stopped at Chen Yang's side. He looked first at Chen Yang, then out at the vast river. "It took a while to find you."
"General Xue," Chen Yang recognized his forr comrade-in-arms instantly. "Shouldn't you be at ho waiting to receive your title as War God? What are you doing here looking for ?"
The visitor was none other than Xue Dingshan, the man rumored to have the most support and who was considered destined to beco the first War God of the State since the founding of the nation. By all rights, if he wasn't at the Martial Departnt, he should have been at ho awaiting his official appointnt.
"Who would have thought that the once-invincible Zhennan Prince, a man who reigned supre, would already be living the life of a retiree? It's a truly poignant thought." Xue Dingshan clasped his hands behind his back, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Even though you've stepped down, there are still whispers on the street that I, Xue Dingshan, am unworthy. That only you, the Zhennan Prince, are worthy of the divine title."
"Is that why you ca here today?" Chen Yang asked.
Xue Dingshan turned and leaned against the riverside railing, crossing his arms. He stared at Chen Yang and chuckled. "I mainly wanted to see you one last ti. This great figure I once looked up to... I might not get the chance to see you again.
"After all, we'll soon be worlds apart."
Though his tone was deceptively calm, it was dripping with superiority and arrogance.
"What's there to be so smug about?" Su Ling muttered without looking up, his eyes fixed on the teapot. "Your title could be revoked at any ti, for all we know."
"Haha..." Far from being angered, Xue Dingshan roared with laughter. "I'm not like so people who, out of sheer boredom, go around provoking forces they know they shouldn't. Vowing to destroy the Martial Association? And what was the result? The Martial Association is still standing, while he's the one who got dismissed from his post. What an absolute joke!"
Su Ling glared at Xue Dingshan. Though boiling with fury, he didn't dare speak his mind and could only scoff, "The petty man has his day."
"And I'm certainly enjoying it," Xue Dingshan said, lighting a cigarette. He took a long drag and blew a cloud of smoke toward Chen Yang. "When it cos down to it, I really should thank you. If you hadn't kept making such a fuss, not only running yourself into the ground but also triggering a massive reform of the entire Martial Departnt system, my ascension today wouldn't have been possible."
Putting on a show of sincerity, Xue Dingshan gave Chen Yang a slight bow with his fists clasped. "So, in a way, you're my benefactor."
"Haha..."
Faced with Xue Dingshan's mocking laughter, Chen Yang remained impassive. But Qin Qiu, at his side, couldn't take it anymore. "Getting so smug before the official announcent is even made," she sneered. "It's obvious you're no good."
"Who else could it be but ?" Xue Dingshan puffed out his chest, brimming with confidence, then shot back, "It's true I'm not as great as the Zhennan Prince, but I have more staying power!"
"You..." Qin Qiu was furious and about to say more, but Chen Yang stopped her.
SCREECH!!
Several cars screeched to a halt on the embanknt nearby. A line of Martial Guards in uniform quickly disembarked and assembled in formation.
"See? Even way out here, they still found ." Xue Dingshan straightened his clothes and patted Chen Yang on the shoulder. "Consider yourself lucky. You get to witness the ascension of Xue Dingshan in person!
"Today's events will surely beco an unforgettable mory for years to co."
"Boy, prepare to bow down!"
With that, Xue Dingshan strode confidently toward the embanknt.
A director from the Bureau of Secrets stepped forward, holding a docunt. He announced, "By official decree, your position as Nine Gates Admiral is hereby revoked. You are promoted to War God of the State, with the bestowed title of 'Carefree'!"
"Salute!"
WHOOSH.
The uniford n snapped their hands to their brows in a crisp, unified salute, their gazes solemn and fixed straight ahead. A thunderous cry followed.
"We salute the War God of the State!"
The soundwave rolled out like thunder, washing over the riverbank.
Xue Dingshan, however, was completely dumbstruck. His advancing foot froze in mid-air, his expression shifting unpredictably—a fascinating spectacle.
"..."
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