Yu Lian saw the reactions of both individuals. Clearly, Meng Jiao, as an heir to a martial arts family, was still a hot-blooded youth; while Simon Vayali, from a small merchant middle-class background, had many more things to consider.
“Uh, Captain… I, I just submitted my application to the Security Department last week! There’s a director there who really appreciates me.” Simon’s tone seemed to carry a hint of pleading.
Going to the Security Bureau, becoming a bodyguard for dignitaries with his own abilities, not having to face the elements on the front lines, following big shots around to enjoy the good life, and traveling abroad at public expense—isn’t that appealing? Plus, there were generous allowances.
“I have two choices… one is to serve as the Third Assault Team Leader on the Dreadnought Free, or to be a Deputy Battalion Commander in the Thor Paratrooper Division of the Outer Rim Fleet,” Meng Jiao said.
Up to now, the organizational structure of the Commonwealth Guard indeed drew inspiration from the Extraordinary Administration Bureau. Organizing spiritual energy users into a unified army was one aspect, but more importantly, it served to manage and monitor the personnel data of all spiritual energy users. However, in reality, spiritual energy users themselves were scarce resources, and military academy high-achievers like Meng Jiao and Simon had always been sought after by various military organizations. It would truly be a pity if they remained in the Commonwealth Guard merely as enforcers.
“Yes, spiritual energy users and spiritual energy users are different after all. Some spiritual energy users are indeed just warriors, and in the future, they will also be the main force of the spiritual energy army. But some spiritual energy users, like us, must bear even more important responsibilities! To be honest, if both of you truly intend to stay in the Blue Guards, demanding of yourselves only to be brave individuals, exercising your muscles daily, and living off generous salaries while waiting to die, then I would look down on you. Such a conversation wouldn’t even be happening today.”
The two young spiritual energy users exchanged glances, scanning most of their “colleagues” at the banquet who hadn’t received much formal education, and immediately felt a strange sense of superiority.
“However, precisely because of this, it is imperative that people like you set an example.” Yu Lian struck while the iron was hot: “Don’t worry, this won’t affect your future career development; on the contrary, it will bring too many benefits.”
In any case, these two were still young, the type that was relatively easy to persuade. Moreover, Yu Lian didn’t really need to specifically ask for their consent; he had already included their names in the report he submitted to Marshal Alwin. Once the conscription order came down, they would have to go whether they liked it or not.
Oh, my, as a mere Captain, I can now directly communicate with the highest military Commander! Yu Lian felt quite good thinking about this.
…Speaking of which, Nishita Chairman invited me to his home last time. If I had accepted then, even the highest military and political Commander would be considered my backer, right?
As an aside, Defense Committee Chairman Keith Nishita very formally and sincerely invited Yu Lian as a guest, but the latter politely declined, stating that “a young officer who has just entered active service privately visiting the residence of the highest military and political Commander would harm your esteemed reputation if word got out,” which the former reluctantly accepted.
Actually, what Yu Lian wanted to say was, “Get as far away from me as possible, don’t you know how precious your Grandpa Yu Lian’s time is?” But who knew Chairman suddenly handed Yu Lian a Lightsaber.
Yes, it was a Lightsaber, a Commonwealth military item, one of the symbols of the Guerrilla, the thing that could even cut through Dreadnought armor.
According to Chairman, he obtained it by chance and originally intended to keep it as a collection, but then thought that a precious sword should be given to a hero, and so on.
Although this thing looked like a fluorescent tube when wielded, it was a spiritual energy fluorescent tube that perfectly fit Yu Lian's aesthetic. Yu Lian was inexplicably moved and decided that in the future (at least on the surface), he would show Chairman at least a modicum of respect. So, he said many more auspicious and pleasant words, which greatly pleased Chairman, who then no longer took Yu Lian's refusal of his invitation to heart.
“I eagerly await your future performance, Captain Yu Lian. I also eagerly await the magnificent sight of you becoming a General before thirty, leading our Blue Star warriors! United, we will surely create a brand new future! United, let us make Earth great again!” He expressed such expectations, his face filled with the radiant glow of a pioneer bearing a heavy burden.
This guy’s acting skills were truly so superb that he could even deceive himself; he had definitely reached the profound realm of the Great Dao.
If I hadn't known the later history and understood this guy's true nature, I probably would have thought he was indeed an excellent politician worth following, right?
But the problem was, only he knew this guy's true nature, so he could only continue to play along.
“Yes, your subordinate eagerly awaits that day (when you mess up)!” Yu Lian said with a sincere face, tightly grasping Chairman’s hand, his expression as devout as if he were making a wish to the universe spirit.
Adults in the real world need to mature, everyone understands that, right?
It’s really easy for people to fall! Indeed, one needs to constantly reflect on oneself, and maintain a simple style of criticism and self-criticism! Yu Lian, you must not forget your original intention!
Thinking of this, during the subsequent banquet, Yu Lian utilized the expression management and conversational skills meticulously taught by Feifei, and plunged into the crowd of “ordinary” spiritual energy users, beginning his networking and business hours of clinking glasses.
It must be stated that although these wild spiritual energy users, who had been incorporated into the army, all held officer ranks, they were still somewhat timid when facing a genuine “Moon People” like Yu Lian. Yu Lian’s demeanor made them feel somewhat flattered, and the atmosphere on site quickly became enthusiastic.
“Ah hahaha, I awakened when a giant worm hit me! Yes, I almost died! Ah hahaha, everyone standing here is a hero who narrowly escaped death!”
“What, you said you awakened when you were working as a mercenary, got knocked off a cliff by an enemy, fell into a deep pool, and happened to be struck on the forehead by a physical enhancement gem? Oh, my apologies! May I ask your name?”
“Yes! If it’s you, I suggest you start honing your will and stabilizing your spiritual energy through the Spirit Nurturing Method! The Spirit Nurturing Method is available in the military’s internal database. You are already a military spiritual energy user, so you can download it for only 50,000. What, you’re not very literate? Uh… no, you must attend night school! I can recommend you! Don’t mind me, it’s necessary!”
“Oh, this is Fairly’s Blade, commonly known as the Wind Dagger? Is this your family heirloom? To strengthen it, you need high-quality wind spar and a small amount of living metal; elemental gems would be even better! No! Don’t go to the Commonwealth Alchemy Workshop, their fees are too high. I have contact information for a good and affordable alchemist here.”
“Empire Assault Team swordsmanship is indeed very suitable for building a foundation. Indeed, if you can’t get the Fifth and Sixth forms, it won’t be enough later on. Coincidentally, I have a set of the Fierce Bull Charge Sword, which is the family martial art of Marquis Rallhi. Yes, the Marquis Rallhi who served as the Governor of Earth. Haha, of course I got it from the black market in Big Apple City.”
“That’s right! The black market is excellent; you can always find good things. But it’s also not safe, everyone knows that, right? So, you must go with companions, and it’s best to bring knowledgeable companions so you won’t be cheated.”
“Knowledgeable companions? Ah hahaha, have you forgotten who our Commander is? Even if she’s busy with a myriad of tasks, she can always recommend some reliable helpers to everyone.”
Even academic archaeologists would be fooled in the black market, or rather, they would be even more susceptible to being cheated. However, Major General Malowen is not a simple academic; don’t forget her adventurer attribute.
Since treasure hunting and the black market were mentioned, most of the spiritual energy users Present were no longer sleepy. Not to mention those who came from unorthodox backgrounds, even spiritual energy users with some lineage, who hadn't experienced making a fortune or greatly advancing their power in the spiritual energy underground black market or some archaeological site, leading to the pinnacle of their lives?
And so, the atmosphere on site became even more enthusiastic. The wild spiritual energy users had completely accepted Yu Lian as one of their own, and with him mediating, even educated military officers like Meng Jiao and Simon joined in.
Yu Lian handled the situation with ease until someone finally noticed the treasure he was wearing on his finger.
“This? Yes, this is indeed a Pamino Ring; it can create air currents!”
“You mean this? This thumb ring… Heh heh, I’m not sure what it is either, so I’m still researching it. Hmm, what’s confirmed so far is that it can dispel certain toxins and purify the air! It should also be some ancient treasure.”
“Oh, yes, I got it from the black market in Mist Capital. It’s said to have come from Count Salwen’s mansion. Heh heh…”
The first to notice that the thumb ring on Yu Lian’s hand was extraordinary and curiously inquire was a Major John Flair. In his early forties, he didn’t look like an officer, but rather like a refined middle school teacher.
In fact, that was exactly the case; before his awakening, he truly taught history at a middle school in a small town, and was also very interested in mysticism, archaeology, and Enlightenment relics, making him a seasoned and insightful enthusiast.
However, he awakened by a stroke of serendipity.
There's no helping it, this universe is just so friendly to extraordinary beings!
“It was fine when I was an ordinary person… but now that I’m a spiritual energy user, it’s inevitable to have other thoughts. Although I awakened with ‘Pure,’ which isn’t very good at direct combat, it can still play a role on the battlefield. Besides, not to mention anything else, the hundreds of thousands in annual allowances and a house in Big Apple City can take very good care of my family.”
Aside from Meng Jiao and Simon Vayali, whom he already knew, this Major Flair, who was refined, humorous, and pleasant to talk to, was probably the most agreeable person Yu Lian met at the entire banquet. Perhaps they could become friends in the future.
As for the person with the lowest favorability towards Yu Lian at the scene, that Helfan, although he also came, he avoided Yu Lian like the plague, hiding in a corner and drinking alone.
However, his personal low pressure certainly couldn't change the fact that this was a delightful banquet for both hosts and guests.
Major General Malowen watched Yu Lian from afar, feeling increasingly regretful. She had always felt that her Commander was a transitional figure, but if the other party was willing to be her deputy, this process would clearly be very pleasing.
Yes, who said only male superiors liked capable and attractive deputies?
Then, when her few years as a caretaker Commander ended, Yu Lian’s qualifications and achievements would also have risen. Perhaps before he turned 30, he could become a General and then take over the entire Blue Star Guard.
It sounds a bit unscientific, but in the mysterious world of extraordinary beings, what is scientific? Not to mention anything else, in the Empire across the way, that invincible Emperor was only 25 when he won the election and took on the role of Star Realm Knight Order Leader as the Crown Prince.
For some reason, the still very attractive Azhisha felt this way.
Sigh… what a pity, such a talent ultimately does not belong to me!
In any case, after this banquet, the cohesion of this group of spiritual energy users increased significantly.
Captain Yu Lian is a man of principle, which became a common understanding among many.
Then, there was a period of waiting. On August 4th, Commonwealth Year 830, Yu Lian's official appointment document arrived.
As a high-achiever from the Central Defense University, Department of Strategic Studies, and the holder of the tiger amulet, he would serve as a military special commissioner for the Luna Star System, in his capacity as a newly appointed operations staff officer of the Commonwealth Defense Committee General Staff Headquarters.
“So… what kind of position is this special commissioner?”
“To put it plainly, it’s like a supervising general with an imperial sword. Responsible for investigating and inspecting local defense and public security, and when necessary, even authorized to directly take over command of the entire army. Hmm, Yu'er didn’t know that?”
Of course I know! I also know that although this is a temporary position, its authority truly has no upper limit! At least in the Luna Star System, I can completely walk sideways.
“Nishita Chairman and Marshal Alwin really think highly of you. What else are you dissatisfied with, Yu'er?”
Because I’m simply not satisfied with this title! If it were called a supervisor, I might be quite pleased. Yu Lian pouted, looking at Feifei, who was packing luggage for the two of them, and a slight annoyance immediately vanished.
“No need to pack so much! Once we get there, the army will provide everything; I just need to bring some personal clothes.”
“Yu'er still needs some casual clothes; you can’t just buy them when you get there, can you? Even if you have money, you shouldn’t spend it like that.” Feifei smiled, “Besides, I’m a girl after all, so I always have more things to bring than you.”
Feifei’s words always made sense, so Yu Lian decided not to say anything. However, his and Feifei’s belongings were packed in the same suitcase, which was a bit strange.
“Boat tickets depart from Moon tomorrow at 3 PM! So we still have to leave early in the morning.”
…So, what are we? What is “we”?
“Me, ah, heh heh, I’m now in the News and Propaganda Department of the Defense Committee. What I’m openly responsible for now is the coordination between the Ministry of Defense and the News Department, and occasionally I also act as the military’s press spokesperson, and handle some news work. Oh, right, I’m also responsible for some editing and reporting work for the military newspaper. So, this time, I’m going to the Luna Star System as a Propaganda Department investigator to do news investigations!” Feifei smiled even more cheerfully: “How about it, Yu'er, surprised? Unexpected?”
I always feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before. Is it just my imagination?
Damn, I uploaded it and forgot to schedule it. Just found out…