Chapter Twenty-Two: The Imperial Capital, His Return

He had just disconnected from the StarNet. Within ten seconds, he had changed into his military uniform, adjusted his cap in front of the mirror, activated his smart terminal, and saluted. “Sir.”

On the other end of the connection was a stern-faced middle-aged man. “Your request for reassignment back to the Imperial Capital has been approved. However, due to the imminent arrival of the third son of the Moxie family, Moxie Lianhao, in the capital, an urgent mission requires you to lead a fleet to receive him and escort him safely all the way back.”

Zhan Yu frowned, but nodded in acknowledgment. “Understood.”

After the call ended, his brow furrowed even deeper. He truly couldn’t fathom what was happening within the Moxie family. If he had been surprised when Kuang Shao told him the Moxie family’s first and second sons were personally going to meet Lianhao, then this new development left him even more astonished.

To transfer someone from the Black Domain to provide support and escort all the way to the capital—though it was on his route as he was headed there anyway—still seemed excessive, especially since he was not a member of the Moxie family. What did this mean, assigning him to this task? And with an entire fleet at his disposal—such extravagance.

He straightened his cap and left his quarters, instructing the guard, “Notify Regiment One to prepare for departure.”

“Boss, are we really going to pick up the Moxie family’s third son?” The speaker was Azuo, Zhan Yu’s comrade.

Zhan Yu nodded. “Of course.”

Azuo was clearly dissatisfied. “Why are we getting involved with the Moxie family? And with how deep the waters run in the Imperial Capital right now, with everything centering around them, do we really want to get mixed up in this?”

Zhan Yu shook his head. The Zhan and Moxie families had long maintained a semi-allied relationship. Though the Zhan family had dwindled in recent years and alliances through marriage had grown rare, he was certain that if the two families did not stand together, once the Moxie family fell, the next target would be the Zhans. Their enemies’ ambitions extended far beyond the Moxies. He suspected even his own family’s patriarch supported this assignment; otherwise, no one would have dared to give him this mission. He turned to Azuo. “Go get ready. We leave in ten minutes.”

“Boss!” Azuo and the others had followed Zhan Yu since their days at the First Military Academy in the capital. Even when he chose to venture into the chaos of the Black Domain, they had chosen to follow. But he still hated to see their leader drawn into the murky depths of the capital’s politics. He understood why Zhan Yu had come to the Black Domain in the first place. If they were just going to fetch the Moxie family’s third son, why had they tried so hard to avoid the capital three years ago and come to this place that chewed people up and spat out their bones?

“Three years is enough. I have my family, my responsibilities, and I have all of you.” Zhan Yu’s expression was solemn, his hand clenched tightly as he gave Azuo a firm punch on the shoulder. “Don’t worry.”

With that, Zhan Yu strode out. Ten minutes later, they would set off, and as commander of the fleet, countless matters awaited his attention.

“Boss!” Zhan Yu paused for a moment, but did not stop. He had his responsibilities; three years of indulgence was enough. Even if he disliked it, he had to return to the capital.

Azuo called out loudly, “Whatever you choose, your brothers will always support you!”

Zhan Yu did not look back. He knew this was true brotherhood—brothers for life. He raised his right fist high in the air. Though he did not turn, he knew Azuo would do the same.

Indeed, behind him, Azuo also raised his fist tightly.

They had spent eight years together at the First Military Academy in the capital, and eleven years in total, including their time in the Black Domain. They had carved out their own territory in this chaotic starfield. Now, as they returned to the capital, who could say they would not once again make their mark?

Boarding the command ship, after giving all necessary orders, Zhan Yu noticed the communication alert ringing. He activated the smart terminal. “Grandfather.”

“Hmm, Yaoyao, do you resent me for calling you back to the capital again?”

His grandfather, Zhan Shaohua, was one of the Federation’s generals and had been his idol since childhood. Zhan Yu had always believed that one day he would become a hero of the Federation, just like his grandfather, and for thirty years, he had pursued that goal. Yet, as he grew older, he realized that being a hero of the Federation was far more complicated than he had imagined.

The Federation itself was not the paradise he had pictured—where everyone and everything strove solely for the people’s survival. The year he graduated, he discovered that his father had not died honorably in battle against the insectoids, but had been treacherously murdered. He couldn’t understand it—why, when all were human, all citizens of the Federation, in the face of external threats, would anyone turn their guns on their own people?

So, without hesitation, he left the glittering capital behind and came to the chaos of the Black Domain.

In these three years, he had grown and learned much. Not everyone could live a carefree life; every person bore their own responsibilities, and his were especially heavy. Three years ago, he had been weak once—he could not afford to be weak again.

“No, Grandfather, I have never blamed you.” He pressed his lips together. “It was me, always me who was too weak.”

Zhan Shaohua bit his lip. His grandson had truly grown up. All these years, even when his only son had died not on the battlefield, but in a villain’s plot, he had not shed a tear. Yet now, his eyes grew moist. “No, it wasn’t you being weak. It was me—I was useless, unable to protect you all.”

Zhan Yu shook his head. “From now on, it’s my turn to protect you.”

“Good, good!” Zhan Shaohua nodded repeatedly. “Be careful. Your journey back will not be smooth.”

Zhan Yu nodded emphatically. He had worried his grandfather for too many years—it was time he grew up.

“For two thousand years, our Zhan and Moxie families have always supported each other. Now, in these chaotic times, we must stand together more than ever. The Zhan family now has only you, and its future will rest in your hands. The road ahead was supposed to be yours to choose, but I must remind you: though it’s been centuries since our families were close, the Zhans and the Moxies are, and always will be, allies.” Zhan Shaohua’s face was grave.

“I understand, Grandfather,” Zhan Yu replied earnestly.

“As long as you understand. I am getting old. The Federation’s future rests with your generation.” Zhan Shaohua had always been proud of his grandson’s excellence, but now, he was even prouder of his maturity.

“Grandfather, you’re still young. People of the Federation now live to a thousand years—at just over three hundred, you’re far from old.”

He chuckled. “They say you can live to a thousand, but who can guarantee it? This gene serum was only introduced a hundred years ago. No one has lived that long yet to prove it.” Zhan Shaohua smiled, unconcerned about his lifespan. “Your grandmother is already preparing your favorite dishes. Come home soon.”

Three years had passed since he last returned. He wondered what awaited him now. The capital—he was finally going home!