At 5:46 a.m., a new day broke. The sun was rising while the moon had yet to set; the morning light was exquisite. Dew glistened on the branches outside the window, while mountain flowers blossomed in full splendor across the hills and on the bedside table.
At Medical Station 101, which had survived the catastrophe, exhaustion lingered on nearly everyone's face, though thankfully bright smiles shone alongside it.
From now on, they would have plenty of stories to tell.
While taking a shower, Han Qingyu noticed dull aches across his chest and back. His heart twinged as well when he remembered that none of the remaining five family heads had carried any cleft bones.
At this moment, Han Qingyu still didn't know that the two families Zhu Jiaming had stayed with before their downfall had perished simply because of a single cleft bone.
And he currently possessed three.
Testing his limbs with a few movements, he decided a comprehensive examination probably wasn't necessary. Han Qingyu changed his clothes and packed his belongings.
Three still-mysterious cleft bones, four metal blocks, and around twenty blue crystal source energy blocks—this was his entire personal stockpile of resources.
Wu Xu had some as well, and Wen Jifei had a few.
The scarcity of metal blocks was Han Qingyu's biggest headache at the moment. As his physical foundation continued to improve, the number of metal blocks required to trigger a life source energy overflow had also increased.
He had burned through four blocks during the battle last night. If he fought again shortly, it might suffice; but if some time elapsed before his next fight, he wasn't even sure if the remaining four blocks would be enough to create an overflow.
And that detail was paramount.
On one hand, the vitalized source energy overflow itself was the strongest among the three source energy turbines Han Qingyu currently commanded.
On the other hand, without it leading the way, Han Qingyu had no way to ignite the fourth turbine he had only touched for the first time last night—the newly forming bone-source turbine.
In other words, without enough metal blocks as a guarantee, his combat strength would plummet by more than half.
Where could he get his hands on that stuff, though? Under normal circumstances, nobody went around carrying metal blocks!
*Why not just go back, threaten Shang Nianhua, and have her lead the way to raid the headquarters of those seven families? Beat Azure to the punch.*
Thinking along those lines, Han Qingyu felt an even greater urge to head back.
"We're really taking off just like that?" Wen Jifei asked with slight reluctance as he packed his own bags nearby. Back in Squad 1777, a whole bunch of people knew his actual capabilities, but here, nobody did. Here, he was "Matchless Strike" Wen Jifei.
Nodding, Han Qingyu picked up a large roll of duct tape, preparing to head down and tape up the Jeep's windows. "Can't be helped. The flowers are delivered; if we don't leave now, we never will."
Wen Jifei chuckled, and a faint trace of amusement showed in Wu Xu's eyes as well. It was rare to see Han Qingyu get flustered, so they both found it entertaining.
Then let's go. Wen Jifei stopped resisting, swung his backpack over his shoulders, and took a few steps before pausing, as if suddenly remembering something overlooked.
"Oh, right. Shiheng and the other two haven't arrived yet. Shouldn't we wait for them?"
"No need. If we run into them on the road, we run into them. If not..." Han Qingyu pondered and said, "We'll just treat it as Shiheng taking his car out for a spin."
The three headed downstairs toward the parking lot, chatting about learning to drive along the way. Medical Station 101 was slowly regaining order, and familiar faces lined the path, all looking their way.
Han Qingyu was walking and talking when, *thud*—he suddenly collapsed face-first onto the ground.
***
Mu Qijian walked out of the hospital room, turning to shut the door gently.
The corridor was packed with people, yet completely silent.
"How is Qingzi?" Wen Jifei stepped forward, asking anxiously.
"He... has seven bone fractures throughout his body."
When Mu Qijian looked up to say this, her eyes instantly rimmed with red.
The young man who had fought his way from the He family all the way to the medical station last night, engaging in brutal combat before personally bringing back forty-two captured medical personnel—the young man who had subsequently brought them flowers—turned out to have a body battered to this extent.
Almost everyone felt a pang of heartache and guilt, plunging the entire corridor into silence. Wen Jifei was dazed for a second. "Could they have mixed up the X-rays?"
He felt that Qingzi hadn't looked that badly off.
"That was the very first thing he asked, too," Mu Qijian said, glancing at Wen Jifei. Though her eyes were red, she couldn't help letting out a wry smile. "No, the films weren't mixed up."
Once he learned he had bone fractures, Han Qingyu immediately began to feel the pain. He didn't undergo surgery, but neither did he dare leave the medical station. Fearing for his life, he lay obediently in bed.
Around two in the afternoon that day, many people gathered in his special ward. Numerous severely wounded veterans, including Wang Zhanpo, Liu Chunlin, and Li Jincheng, were carried over on stretchers to chat together.
Han Qingyu was more than happy to spend time with them, listening to their battlefield experiences and stories, exchanging combat techniques. This was far more relaxing than being fussed over and pampered by the doctors and nurses.
*Beep, beep-beep...*
At that moment, several communicators went off simultaneously.
They answered.
"Final all-region transmission on the 101 dedicated frequency. This is the final all-region transmission before the 101 dedicated frequency is terminated." The call from the headquarters communications officer signaled that the emergency protocols concerning the Medical Station 101 incident were officially drawing to a close.
"The specific meritorious service awards for units and individuals are currently being compiled by the legion. Portions have already been submitted to the Azure Huaxia Council and the World Alliance Council for review..." The communications officer suddenly paused, his voice dropping. "Legion Commander?"
Soon, Chen Buer's voice came through the communicator: "I thought about it, and decided to save the words of gratitude for later. I'll try to find time to visit 101 in the near future and see you all in person..."
After saying this, the Commander of the Sole Witness Legion offered a salute over the radio waves to the entire Medical Station 101, then continued:
"First, I would like to make an independent announcement... In my personal capacity, I have decided to confer upon Private Han Qingyu and Private Wu Xu of Squad 1777, Regiment 425, Ninth Army... the Legion Saber Insignia."
Chen Buer's tone was calm.
Yet the moment he finished speaking, the air throughout the ward seemed to shudder.
The transmission ended.
The veterans in the ward fixed their burning gazes directly on the faces of Han Qingyu and Wu Xu.
The two exchanged bewildered looks.
"What is an insignia? What's the Legion Saber Insignia?" Han Qingyu asked earnestly.
"..." An entire row of already severely wounded veterans nearly departed this world on the spot.
"You... you haven't even heard of the Saber Insignia?!" Wang Zhanpo demanded loudly in indignation, before muttering under his breath, "Well, I suppose that makes sense. It hasn't appeared in a long time, after all."
"The Legion Saber Insignia is also known as the Commander's Insignia..." Li Jincheng chimed in to explain.
Essentially, the Legion Saber Insignia was embroidered onto clothing. After today, it would be worn over the right breast of Han Qingyu's and Wu Xu's combat uniforms.
The insignia's design centered on the very warblade Chen Buer had used to slay the Red Shoulder all those years ago.
"To any frontline soldier of the Huaxia Front, the honor and recognition this Commander's Insignia represents is greater even than the Gold Azure Guard," Wang Zhanpo added.
For decades, nearly the entire Sole Witness Legion of Azure Huaxia had worshipped their Legion Commander with blind devotion. Han Qingyu was well aware of this, but it wasn't what he cared about right now.
"So, besides being embroidered on our uniforms, what practical meaning does it have?" Han Qingyu phrased it tactfully, feeling it improper to ask too bluntly.
Wang Zhanpo looked at him with a solemn expression, endless envy burning in his eyes.
"It means the Legion Commander is saying: if one day he takes the field in person, forms another suicide squad, and unleashes that blade once more... he will choose you to stand beside him as comrades."
Their gazes felt tangible, resting upon them as countless eyes locked onto their faces... The veterans nodded heavily with deep conviction.
They were all soldiers of Azure Huaxia's Sole Witness Legion. To every single one of them, this was the supreme honor.
*Wait, what kind of reward is that? Isn't that just a punishment?* Han Qingyu pondered for a moment before asking cautiously, "Could it be a little more specific?"
"Huh? Specific about what?" the veterans asked, bewildered.
"Like... source energy rewards or something," Han Qingyu offered timidly.
The veterans: "..."
"Doctor! Resuscitate them, hurry! There are several of them... Quick!"
Following his feat of eliminating the experts of seven prominent families the previous night, Han Qingyu had once again nearly wiped out an entire ward of battle-hardened veterans who had survived last night's bloodbath—all single-handedly.
Chapter 224