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Qi Fa rushed over in a hurry, as the situation between Zhang Huwei and Cao Ke had changed dramatically. Cao Ke suddenly launched a fierce attack, severely damaging Zhang Huwei's command center. Although he miraculously survived amidst dozens of shells, Zhang Huwei's life was hanging by a thread.
Fortunately, at that moment, Ikeda Kenji arrived just in time to rescue Zhang Huwei and used his strategic insight to trap Cao Ke within the confines of a planet. Without reinforcements, escape would be impossible.
However, the fate of being trapped did not mean that Ikeda Kenji's side would kill Cao Ke in such dire circumstances; rather, it meant he would be left to perish within the confines. Of course, if Cao Ke chose to abandon his occupation and return to a simple life in the countryside, he could survive on meager rations.
The premise was that this planet would not be destroyed by Ikeda Kenji.
This was also why Shangguan Wangyu let go of a perfect opportunity to eliminate Jufeng and felt compelled to rescue Cao Ke.
He was indeed ruthless, but he still had some friends. His former girlfriend no longer recognized him, and childhood friends had turned into enemies. If he lost Cao Ke as well, he would truly become a solitary figure.
Years later, when Jufeng discussed this matter with Shangguan Wangyu, he made this assessment:
“If you hadn’t lost all sense of morality, perhaps the entire Cosmos would belong to you; but conversely, it is precisely because you haven’t lost your morality that you are still alive today.”
...
Jufeng hurried back alongside Qi Fa, disregarding the need for caution as they passed through the defense network and returned at full speed to their base.
When Shangguan Wangyu received reports from his subordinates about an intrusion in the defense network, he could not afford to pursue Jufeng. He quickly ordered his entire force to relocate and head towards Cao Ke to rescue his comrade.
Upon returning to the Battleship, Jufeng ’s first command was: mobilize and support Ikeda Kenji and Zhang Huwei.
However, traveling to a distant Star Domain would take at least some time. It was feared that Zhang Huwei might not be able to hold on for that long. So when Jufeng returned to the command room, he saw the barely conscious Commander Zhang appearing on the screen.
It was a pale face; the sharpness of his features had faded, and his eyes seemed half-opened, looking utterly exhausted.
Zhang Huwei had managed to hold on until now just to see Jufeng one last time. The older generation of Commanders—Chen Lao, Pand Zhong—along with him were either deceased or nearing death. Therefore, before passing away, he needed to see Jufeng and personally hand over the United Forces to him.
In a certain sense, this was a ritual. So Jufeng donned the uniform of a commander, appearing particularly solemn and dignified.
"Commander Zhang, Jufeng reporting for duty."
Perhaps in the presence of death, there was an inevitable touch of sorrow, as Jufeng's voice trembled slightly. The complex emotions he felt when Chen Lao departed surged back to his heart.
Hearing this, Zhang Huwei slowly opened his eyes a little. Though still devoid of light, they seemed to pierce through light-years, intersecting with Jufeng's gaze in mid-air.
A smile flickered at the corner of Zhang Huwei's mouth. After a moment, he spoke in a very weak voice, "You look quite like I did when I was young in that uniform."
This was Jufeng's first conversation with Zhang Huwei, and it was the first time he realized that aside from the powerful rhetoric he displayed at press conferences, Zhang Huwei was so gentle in private.
"I remember when I was seventeen, poetically speaking, it was the season of blooming flowers and rain. Many friends were still in love or reading comics, while I had already begun learning survival skills in the desolate forests."
Zhang Huwei recounted his youthful history vividly. Unlike the dramatic tales favored by students filled with love and hate, his memories were simply a plain gray.
Gunfire, training, a monotonous life. Yet Jufeng could read from Zhang Huwei's eyes a deep affection and nostalgia for such a life.
What did that prove?
If a certain period in life is worth remembering, then that time must indeed be valuable.
Zhang Huwei's entire life was bound by the two words "military career," yet there was not a trace of resentment or monotony on his face. For him, such a life was nothing short of perfection.
Jufeng listened quietly as Zhang Huwei recounted years of experiences—some trivial and some grand achievements. He appeared very patient; Ouyang Chang was equally patient, and even the usually unruly Qi Fa had quieted down. The entire command room listened attentively, and surely on the other side of the video link in the Hurricane Army command room, it was the same.
After a while, Zhang Huwei suddenly broke into a violent cough. The sound echoed like the grim reaper's death knell, irritating to hear.
Zhang Huwei paused to catch his breath and then smiled again. "It seems that King Yama intends to give me some serious business now. I don't know why, but seeing you young people—so young yet so outstanding—gradually taking on the responsibilities of the entire Cosmos makes me truly nostalgic for my own earlier days."
Zhang Huwei paused for a moment, the smile on his face fading into the serious expression he often wore during press conferences and in times of war, which made Jufeng feel a sudden weight of gravity in his heart.
" Jufeng, the purpose of my words is to help you understand. The current Cosmos is something we have exchanged our youth and lives for. We have maintained its stability for decades, yet ultimately, we still did not have the chance for a good ending."
"Therefore, from now on, this is your responsibility."
"You are one of the few young people I have met who truly makes me envious. However, your opponents, Cao Ke and Shangguan Wangyu, are also rare talents that come once in a century. You are fortunate to have been given this opportunity; yet you are also unfortunate to be living in an era where flowers bloom so vibrantly."
"The times dictate the pattern; inevitably, some will live, some will die, some will win, and some will lose. And I hope that in the end, the one who survives and writes history will be you, Jufeng."
As Jufeng listened to Zhang Huwei's hopeful words, he suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders grow heavier. Yet for some reason, he also felt a sense of reassurance within himself. Zhang Huwei's entrustment further solidified Jufeng's determination to forge ahead!
"I really like a saying: every person has their time to die, whether heavy or light. Each person has their own benchmark in their heart. But for us soldiers, what matters most is to live up to the stars on our epaulettes and the trust placed upon us by the people. I believe I have done that."
Zhang Huwei's face regained its tranquility and peace, as if death could not wait much longer; his eyelids began to flutter gently.
"I must go now. My last request is that you give Ganwen a chance in the future; he has had it tough too. Back then, his mother was dissatisfied with my long absences and divorced me; he took her surname. As a father, I have let him down; this will be my only regret in this life."
Zhang Huwei's voice gradually weakened, his lips moving as if trying to say something but unable to articulate it.
His eyes slowly closed, the last glimmer of light fading away; within his eyelids should be complete darkness.
Jufeng was stunned by Zhang Huwei's final words! He had never imagined that Ganwen and Zhang Huwei had such a relationship, yet he had never heard Ganwen mention it before. Surely there was deep resentment towards Zhang Huwei within him.
Suddenly, Zhang Huwei's hand fell limply to the ground, his body becoming motionless.
In an instant, a suppressed sob echoed in the command room.
Why must every person face death?
Why must I personally see them off?
Jufeng felt a bit uncomfortable but did not want to reach out to wipe it away.
Jufeng removed his hat and saluted.
The entire command room removed their hats and saluted.
The entire Dragon Breaker Army and Hurricane Army, tens of thousands of elite United Forces, removed their hats and saluted!
This was the most honorable funeral for a soldier!
(To be continued)
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