Chapter 446: Chapter 445: Returning to Hometown in Glory
This day.
The Imperial Capital was very lively.
Because for several decades, the execution ground, which had not been opened and was thoroughly discarded...
Broke precedent to open on this day.
And the person about to be executed was Lin Diguang, who once held a prestigious status in the Imperial Capital, nearly above all but a few, serving as the former Director of the Inspectorate.
His crime was embezzling and deducting the Polar Star Battlefield’s martyr’s compensation funds, using them as his personal ascendancy funds...
The execution ground, representing a nearly barbaric civilization, was reopened just to declare that certain baselines are never to be touched!
Once breached, regardless of what position you ascend to, if exposed, you will face the harshest of punishments.
Even though the law of implication has long vanished, for those like Lin Diguang with such vile crimes, the Empire has clearly decreed that none of the Lin family or descendants may hold office, join the military, or engage in any public service positions!
Even if no mistake is made, feasting on the blood and bones of those martyrs to grow, it is your fault, even if you did nothing wrong.
Watching on the platform...
The criminal kneeling there was directly executed by beheading, his head soared high, and blood gushed into the sky.
Frightening the crowd into a burst of exclaims...
Sun Lingli was not particularly shocked, after all, as a martial artist, she had seen blood before.
But she was still somewhat bewildered and disbelieving up until now.
Disbelieving of what Xu Lingjun had just told her...
For her, her parents always existed in theoretical knowledge.
She knew her mother died from overwork while taking care of her.
And her father, a martyr of the Polar Star Battlefield, died because of Feng Zhichen... but she didn’t remember what her father looked like, and even the circumstances of her mother’s death were told to her by Feng Zhichen.
So she could easily forgive Feng Zhichen.
Because in her heart, Feng Zhichen, who was loving and strict with her, was her true parent.
But now, Xu Lingjun told her that her father was once alive, but now he was dead... and before he died, he left a few words for her.
Though just a few words, they inexplicably made her feel a bit sorrowful.
A hollow emptiness in her heart.
Watching Lin Diguang’s body fall to the ground, watching his family rush up crying to collect his remains.
She stared blankly, tears slowly dripping down.
She murmured, "Turns out, I once had a father."
"Here, keep it safe."
Xu Lingjun handed a small porcelain bottle to Sun Lingli and said, "Because the flames were too powerful, this is all the ashes left... I think, returning to you this way, he should rest in peace."
And all of Sun Lingli’s joy, all of her expectations had dissipated, replaced by endless sorrow, she softly asked, "Has he always missed me?"
Xu Lingjun nodded and said, "He thought you were dead, so he wandered aimlessly... but when he saw me wearing your protective talisman, he overcame decades of psychological suggestion and the torment of the virus, securing a chance for us to survive with his life. If not for him, I might not have made it back alive."
Sun Lingli, bewildered, said, "I don’t know how to react, should I cry my heart out? Or... I already can’t remember what he looks like."
"Just remember his name, he wanted you to live well, and you just need to remember him."
Xu Lingjun placed the protective talisman into the small porcelain bottle and said, "The Transformation Capsule is under development, with the Void Gold being transported back, your father played an indispensable role, by then I can get a smaller Transformation Capsule for you, and you can carry it with you, he will protect you."
"Thank you."
"It’s I who should thank you."
Xu Lingjun said earnestly, "You gave me two things, and both helped me greatly... this Feng quan token..."
He paused and said, "I can return the protective talisman to you, but I fear I cannot return the Feng quan token."
"Because of your position?"
"Yes, I need the position of Wind Fist Style Master."
Sun Lingli said, "For this matter, I’m afraid you need my master’s consent, and... and..."
Her expression was somewhat peculiar.
"It’s okay, we’ll go see him now."
"Go... to Qingzhou City?"
Sun Lingli was a bit stunned, not expecting Xu Lingjun’s decisiveness.
"Of course, honestly, I haven’t been back in a long time, it’s a good chance to see how Qingzhou City is now."
Xu Lingjun laughed, "Returning with the status of a commander, it should be considered a triumphant return, wearing silk and brocade, going back home, right?"
"But... but I promised the Pavilion Master to catch the train back tonight."
Sun Lingli was troubled, "The Pavilion Master doesn’t allow me to stay out overnight."
"You’re all grown up, no need to listen to elders too strictly, come with me... although a phone call would suffice, it’s more sincere to go in person for something like this."
Xu Lingjun took Sun Lingli by the hand and started to walk.
When suddenly, feeling her wrist being held, Sun Lingli’s heart inexplicably fluttered, and then a feeling of sweetness washed over her... especially when thinking that this person before her was recognized by her biological father.
She didn’t know why, but the sense of vigilance in her heart just disappeared entirely with his gentle hold.
Indeed... staying out overnight shouldn’t be a big deal, right?
She quietly thought in her heart.
Now that Xu Lingjun needed to travel, it became much more convenient, not even needing tickets.
Especially when going to see Feng Zhichen for a serious matter...
With a single command, half an hour later, a private flying device was already waiting in front of them.
They sat inside.
Watching Sun Lingli, holding her father’s ashes, appear somewhat flustered... it was evident that as an obedient child, she had never disobeyed her elders’ commands before.
It felt a bit thrilling.
The flying device soared into the sky, heading in the direction of Qingzhou City.
Qingzhou City wasn’t close to the Imperial Capital, but the exclusive flying device was one of the fastest means of transportation within the planets, not allowed for civilian use except for military purposes.
Just over an hour later.
When they got off the flying device, they were already at Qingzhou Airport.
The Qingzhou Airport, once destroyed by bombs, had long been restored to its original state.
As the two disembarked, a specialized staff member immediately approached to respectfully greet Xu Lingjun.
"Thank you for your service."
Xu Lingjun nodded, indicating he did not require a car service, and then led Sun Lingli inside.
This was where he grew up, he knew it all too well.
And before they even exited the airport...
Yue Jinyan and Guo Xu, among others, had already hurriedly approached.
They had received news that Xu Lingjun, one of the Commanders in Chief of the Ten Major Military Regions, had arrived in Qingzhou City.
A Commander in Chief of the Ten Major Military Regions was a person who truly held real power and military authority, their status incredibly high, nearly reaching the top ranks in the nation... qualities such as strength, temperament, background, and wisdom, if one attribute was lacking, there’d be no stepping into this position.
And Xu Lingjun, at the age of twenty, achieving the rank of Commander in Chief, his future potential was almost limitless.
It was no wonder...
Even City Lord Yue Jinyan had to personally come to greet him... and specifically brought along Guo Xu, who was familiar with Xu Lingjun.
"Hahahaha, Xiaojun, long time no see."
It was no wonder...
Guo Xu was not fussing over titles like Commander, as Xu Lingjun was his godson in spirit. If not for the fact that the child’s mother had vehemently opposed, using her words, "Marrying you is already grievance enough, won’t you let me hold onto a hope?"
Did he have to attach a mother’s identity to her to be satisfied?
However, the bond between the two was not like father and son; it was deeper than father and son... umm...
He laughed heartily, stepping forward to embrace Xu Lingjun, "Xiaojun, well done, I’ve heard about your achievements, you’ve really brought glory to our Qingzhou City!"
Xu Lingjun also embraced him back momentarily, nodded, and smiled, "Uncle Guo, long time no see."
Looking at those familiar faces.
Then, his gaze fell on one among them.
He smiled and said, "Vice Director Yuan, long time no see."
He still remembered, the two of them, though not very acquainted, had once lain in the same medical vehicle, a bond forged through shared adversity... although he wasn’t seriously injured, while this Vice Director Yuan almost didn’t make it back because of heart congestion.
But being together was still fated.
Yuan Tianqing had a peculiar expression, and vaguely replied, "Yes, long time no see."