Break My Leg

The crowd surging toward the conference hall did not seem dispirited. As they walked, they enthusiastically discussed the clash between the supers just moments ago, as well as Han Qingyu's two strikes against Ye Jian. Mingled among them, representatives from the alliance nations who had come to observe chattered away in various languages, gesticulating wildly with their hands and arms whenever words felt inadequate. Just moments ago, a twenty-year-old one-year rookie from the Azure Huaxia Front had clashed head-on against Snow Lotus's Ye Jian twice, snapping Ye Jian's twin blades. What was more, after spitting up blood and returning, he was actually able to pack his things and attend the meeting. In this world governed by martial power, this was undeniably a momentous and shocking event, because the name Ye Jian alone carried immense weight. Even though everyone knew in their hearts that Han Qingyu had enjoyed the advantage of his weapon and was far outmatched in actual strength, the boost he gave to morale and human spirit remained tremendous. Hope and expectation were always the greatest inspiration for people's hearts. It was precisely because of this that whether it was Ye Jian's appearance and escape or Li Sen's unexpected defection on the spot, the negative blow and impact they brought were diminished considerably. Soon, this incident would spread far and wide as astonishing news—to the alliance nations, and to the likes of Snow Lotus and Voyage. The reports would center on that man from Xilang Peak, Han Qingyu of Squad 1777, and what foreigners called "The Qing" or "The King"... "Took a loss today." The outcome was decided, and this time Han Qingyu hadn't even managed to scavenge the broken blades. Striking Ye Jian twice at twenty had little real impact on Han Qingyu himself. But he would firmly remember this battle: the first time since joining Azure that he had fought at a complete and utter loss. Several of them followed the flow of people and turned into the conference hall's main entrance. Regiment Commander Li Wangqiang of Regiment 425 stood up among the rows of benches, waving from afar for them to come over. A broad smile was plastered across his face, looking exceedingly pleased with himself. Han Qingyu found his seat, slid the wooden case horizontally beneath it, braced it with his heels, and then took out a blue crystal source energy block to fiddle with in his hand. Army medics came over to examine him, but he politely declined. The meeting had not yet begun. People throughout the hall were finding their seats and greeting acquaintances. Star Hall, which was said to hold eight thousand people simultaneously, bustled with lively clamor. The time was 9:36 AM on the morning of September 1, 1991. "The first day's agenda isn't particularly interesting. It's basically just the Legion Commander saying a few words—he really only gives a few brief remarks every time. Then the leaders of each department and army will go up to present their summary reports. "Medals and decorations will have to wait until tomorrow. The only thing worth watching today is probably the rank promotions. Aside from Qingzi, the rest of you should also receive unconventional bumps up... Maybe Lao Jian and I will get one too, haha. "But we'll only be mentioned on the list. Those who actually take the stage have to at least be promoted to Major General this year." As a seasoned veteran with plenty of conference experience, Li Wangqiang took the initiative to introduce the specifics of the All-Army Conference to the young soldiers of his regiment. As he spoke, he exchanged greetings with passing acquaintances, showing off Han Qingyu and the others. At the same time, in a lounge behind the hall. The old staff officer unfolded a small piece of white paper, carefully counted the various pills prepared by the doctor, placed them gently on the table, and brought over a cup of boiled water. "I've finally figured it out. That boy doesn't care in the slightest about striking Ye Jian twice today. He has zero interest in meddling with things he doesn't understand—power, status, ideals, philosophies—he ignores all of it and only stares at what's right in front of his eyes." Listening to the old staff officer's chuckling tone, Chen Buer tilted his head back and tossed all the pills into his mouth at once. He had been taking these pills three times a day for roughly a decade. With his level of strength, his body rarely fell ill, so when he truly was sick, medicine offered limited help. Gulping down the water in one breath, Chen Buer turned his head, looking somewhat frustrated and helpless. "That's why I say he lacks ambition! Makes my liver ache with anger." Going by Han Qingyu's deeds over the past year, the boy absolutely deserved to be built up as a focal pillar, and he was undeniably capable of standing tall. Yet his personality made him utterly unsuited for it. This put Chen Buer in a difficult dilemma. It was much like carrying a heavy shoulder pole along a mountain path for a long, long time. His shoulders ached, and he wanted to find someone to take over some of the burden in the future. Yet when he finally found someone suitable, that person only cared about running into the woods to pick a few pieces of fruit to eat. "Is that so?" The old staff officer chuckled. "I find myself liking him more and more." Sole Witness Legion Headquarters, Military Law Department. Li Sen squinted to adjust to the light before him. The interrogation room was not as grim and terrifying as he had imagined. He did not know whether this was preferential treatment from his old friends, or if they had simply not yet adapted to this sudden turn of events. There seemed to be a hitch in the procedure. Li Sen stood by the door and took the initiative to unstrap the source energy apparatus from his body, setting it on the table. He then withdrew a short blade bound inside his left sleeve and placed it beside the apparatus. Next, he unpinned the three Azure Guardian Medals—two silver, one bronze—from his chest and arranged them neatly on the metal casing of the apparatus... Finally, he took off his shoulder insignias and laid them flat atop the device, just like the medals... After finishing all this, Li Sen stood straight and hesitated for a moment. "If possible, I want to die on the battlefield." His old friend from the Military Law Department looked back at him and said nothing. *** Xilang Peak battlefield camp. The white, snow-covered mountain was ringed by layers of defensive troops camped outward. The black Great Spike mothership still rested atop the summit, where a camp also seemed to have been established. Over the past two days, researchers from various nations had been heading up the mountain from time to time. He Tangtang sat at the entrance of Squad 1777's camp with a cigarette dangling from his lips, gazing at the mountain. He was listless—not necessarily depressed, but his eyes were completely devoid of spirit. Liu Shiheng walked over, sat down beside him, and glanced at Xilang Peak with a frown. He clicked his tongue, his expression and tone both tinged with anxiety. Striking his lighter several times in a row, he failed to light his cigarette. "Damn it, when on earth are we pulling out? Weren't we supposed to withdraw in batches? There's still no definite word." "Aside from the wounded, I haven't seen anyone withdrawing these past few days," He Tangtang said without turning his head. "Not only haven't they pulled back, but it looks like reinforcements have arrived. I'm afraid we might have to fight another round—against humans. Those outfits like Snow Lotus and Pure Purgatory will probably show up if they're coming." "For real?!" Liu Shiheng grew anxious at once. He had always been terrified of the battlefield. When Han Qingyu, Wu Xu, and Rusty Sister were around, he was already panicking; now they weren't even here. "How would I know if it's real? But look at this setup—doesn't it look like we're ready for battle at a moment's notice? Besides, since that morning, none of the supers have shown their faces... Supers guarding against supers, isn't that how it works?" He Tangtang wasn't afraid of another fight; he was just unaccustomed to Qingzi and the others being away. "Tangtang," Liu Shiheng called out in a low whisper, his tone sounding as if something momentous had happened. "Yeah?" He Tangtang turned to look at him. "Come here." Liu Shiheng pulled He Tangtang up, carefully skirted around the rest of the squad, and led him into a ravine down the slope behind the camp. "What is it, really?" He Tangtang asked, puzzled once they finally stopped. Liu Shiheng stared straight at him. "Can you break my leg?" He Tangtang was stunned. "What?!" "Help me break my leg... I tried, but I couldn't bring myself to do it." Huge anxiety and fear were wrapped in Liu Shiheng's expression and eyes. "I don't want to stay here another single day. Seriously, help me." "..." He Tangtang flared up instantly. "Are you out of your mind?!" Liu Shiheng looked sheepish. "I..." "Let me tell you, I, He Tangtang, won't do something like that!" He Tangtang jabbed a finger at his own nose. "And you're not damn well allowed to do it either! Don't you dare disgrace Qingzi and 1777!" "What does that have to do with me?!" Liu Shiheng's composure suddenly broke, his voice loud and fierce. "Qingzi is a badass, he can fight—what does that have to do with me?! I can't fight! Squad 1777 wants its squad colors, what does that have to do with me?! I don't give a damn! All I want is to stay alive and go home! Even if I'm crippled, I can guard a base. As long as I survive..." He Tangtang was left dazed by his sudden hysteria. "So I was never the same kind of person as you guys, understand?! Now I don't want to run with you anymore, alright?! Stop fucking demanding that I be like you all day long!" With that, Liu Shiheng turned around, planted his left foot against a tree trunk, and drew his war blade, turning it flat. He prepared to use the flat of the blade to smash his own leg. He lined it up once... twice. "Go ahead and hit it. Once you do, I'll carry you back. We'll say we were sparring and I accidentally hit too hard and broke it," He Tangtang said from behind him. Liu Shiheng turned his head. "Really?" "Really. I thought about it, and I understand you. But I can't do it for you. You'll have to grit your teeth and do it yourself." "Then... fine." Liu Shiheng turned back, raised his hands, and lined it up twice more, three times... The war blade cut through the air, *whoosh, whoosh*. He Tangtang stood behind him watching, struggling to stifle his laughter. Finally, Liu Shiheng spun around, avoiding He Tangtang's gaze. As he sheathed his blade, he mumbled, "Forget it. If a fight really breaks out, I'll break it then." The two of them walked up the slope, one behind the other. "What is that?!" Liu Shiheng suddenly froze. The ten o'clock morning sky abruptly dimmed. Following the brief gloom, a heavy crimson glow reflected from a void like a black hole in the sky, enveloping the entire summit of Xilang Peak. "Shuttle craft... so many." Across the mountains and plains, soldiers stepped out of their tents. There were no large vessels—not a single one. Within sight, at least several hundred shuttle craft swarmed out like a flock of birds before scattering, diving down toward Xilang Peak and various areas across the surrounding plateau. Liu Shiheng stammered, "Could... could it be that the last tractor beam actually completed halfway? And because of Qingzi, the main force got blocked, so only these came out in the end?" He Tangtang broke into a grin. "Yeah. They're practically delivering themselves on a silver platter, ha!"