CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 7: TAKE MY ASHES AWAY

Ding-ling clang.

In the headset, Xiong Taiguang seemed to be fiddling with some metal.

"It should be those badges."

Su Yue frowned.

Once while helping Xiong Taiguang with things, he inadvertently saw a bag half full of badges.

There were also some at home; his father had received many during his time in the military for commendation. Besides honor, they had no special use.

But for Xiong Taiguang to have half a bag of them, that was impressive. Su Yue once thought this guy was an antique dealer.

...

"Brothers, it’s been ten years.

"In the seventh battlefield, our squad, I’m the only one left alive. Each of you was shameless, going off to reincarnate early — now even primary school is over, and what about me? I’m carrying your wishes, and I have to fulfill them one by one.

"Tofu Puff, you said after you died, you wanted to bless your wife in heaven, find a good man for her to remarry. Unfortunately, your wish didn’t come true. Sister-in-law didn’t want to remarry, and my persuasion was useless. I could only leave her 8 million cash to let her live better... Rich people, they eventually get happier over time.

"Pig Kidney, you were a beast too. You said that once you left the Miracle Corps, you’d seek out a brothel a hundred times a month, enjoy it every day. Damn, I believed your nonsense. You bastard were so rotten your kidneys almost shrunk, and you were nearly caught by the patrol at the law enforcement office. Twelve floors — when I jumped, I almost died.

"Sugar Haw, you mischievous child. You said your father was seriously ill and you wanted to care for him till the end. Yet, your father just passed away last year, lying eight years in the hospital. However, during those eight years, he received the best medical care and I ensured he had a grand funeral according to your county’s traditions. I wore mourning clothes for you, rest assured."

"Toilet Paper, I revitalized your family’s paper mill, injected 5 million in capital, expanded several workshops, and your dad became famous as the Toilet Paper King. You can reincarnate at ease, continue selling toilet paper in your next life, and benevolently benefit the bachelor dogs."

In front of Xiong Taiguang was a box of dark beer. He dismantled his disguise, placing the half-bag of badges one by one on the ground.

His mind was filled with their memories — the joy, anger, sorrow, and laughter.

Ten years!

Tofu Puff, Pig Kidney, Sugar Haw, Toilet Paper.

The greasy, ugly faces, stained with blood before dying —those are images Xiong Taiguang could never forget in his life.

"Old Sausage, as a squad leader, what kind of lousy wish did you leave? To eat hometown brine noodles as breakfast for a year? Don’t you have a conscience? Doesn’t it hurt? I developed gastritis eating that — now just hearing ’brine noodles’ makes me want to puke."

Tss!

Tss!

Xiong Taiguang opened one can of beer after another.

"It’s been ten years. I, Old Bear, have fulfilled your dying wishes. Sadly, I cannot restore your names to the Honor Wall of the Miracle Corps.

"After all, it was our squad’s mistake, disobeying military orders on the battlefield, acting rashly, causing significant losses to the Corps. It was our fault, we can’t get on the Honor Wall."

Gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp.

Xiong Taiguang drank a whole can of beer without catching his breath.

"But I’m not convinced, Big Bear. One mistake should erase all accomplishments?

"I must have our squad’s name on the Honor Wall, that’s my dying wish too, Big Bear.

"I stole the black key. Even if it meant using threats, I wanted you to become heroes."

Gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp!

Another can of beer went down:

"But unfortunately, I underestimated the army’s discipline, I still failed.

"Sorry, brothers.

"Big Bear completed your wishes; my wish remains unfulfilled, and will never have the chance to be realized.

"In a while, people from the Miracle Corps will come to arrest me. Even in death, I want to die at the hands of the Miracle Corps. The Investigation and Arrest Bureau has no right to arrest me."

Xiong Taiguang smiled slightly:

"Ten years ago, our squad violated the rules of the Miracle Corps.

"Ten years later, I’ve violated the laws of Shen Zhou Martial Dao again. If Old Sausage were alive, he would probably beat me up again.

"I have no parents, no friends. I only have teammates. You’ve all died, living is painful for me.

"Maybe it’s better to reunite in heaven sooner. I’m the rookie in that world, don’t bully me again."

Gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp!

Gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp-gulp!

After that, Xiong Taiguang kept drinking.

...

Su Yue’s face was grim.

Those names like Tofu Puff, Sugar Haw must be Xiong Taiguang’s comrades.

When Xiong Taiguang slept soundly in the past, Su Yue vaguely heard him speaking in his sleep several times.

Now, Su Yue roughly pieced together the story.

No wonder this guy, a non-local, would eat brine noodles continuously for a year. It was to fulfill the old team leader’s wish.

Xiong Taiguang retired ten years ago, and during these ten years, he’s been fulfilling his comrades’ wishes.

Su Yue felt heavy-hearted, momentarily not knowing what to say.

Even though his own father wasn’t so extreme, he, too, often helped disabled veterans.

Uncle was once his father’s subordinate.

Su Jianjun, rumored to be a battlefield orphan, too.

The battlefield they spoke of, how terrifying could it be?

Even though the Divine Land is at peace, and seemingly no war zones exist in the world, appearing tranquil.

Yet, people of this era are aware that in some mysterious places, countries continue to wage war.

Although the authorities conceal it, numerous clues still inform people of the battlefield’s existence.

Of course, ordinary people could not know more.

...

"Since you’re here, don’t stand outside. Come in."

Su Yue was still feeling sad when suddenly, Xiong Taiguang’s voice came through the headset again.

Creak.

It was Xiong Taiguang’s door, familiar to Su Yue — someone came in.

"Major General? Your name is Pan Yizheng, right?"

Xiong Taiguang held up a beer.

"Hello, veteran."

In a dark green military uniform, with the rank of Major General.

About forty years old, a very young Major General.

Pan Yizheng, expression solemn, stood at attention and saluted.

The Miracle Corps 29th Squad, a once glorious squad, deserved his salute.

"For the Corps to send a Major General to arrest me, the deal is sufficient. I’m quite gratified."

Xiong Taiguang sneered but returned the salute.

This was instinct!

"Senior, the Honor Wall matter, the Military Department deliberated at length, really couldn’t approve.

"The Miracle Corps doesn’t take any form of threat.

"Sorry."

Although Pan Yizheng’s face was expressionless, his pupils flickered.

This criminal before him was once a superstar in the Miracle Corps, a senior he promised himself he would surpass.

But now, times have changed, it’s hard to describe.

"You’re here for the black key, right?

"Too bad it’s not with me, when it’s time for it to appear, it will naturally appear, stop looking for it.

"By the way, if you get the chance, please take some of my ashes and scatter them on the seventh battlefield. All the brothers in the unit died there."

Xiong Taiguang smiled again.

As for the Honor Wall, since it had come to this, there was no need to mention it anymore.

"Senior, is it necessary?

"Your rank isn’t low, you could live very well."

Pan Yizheng looked pained.

"If you still recognize me as this old senior in the Miracle Corps, remember the ashes request."

Spurt!

Suddenly, a mouthful of blood spurted from Xiong Taiguang.

"Senior, you took poison?

"I have confidence in letting you atone and make amends, you didn’t have to die."

Pan Yizheng flashed, hurriedly supporting Xiong Taiguang.

"I kept waiting for the Miracle Corps to come. These badges, please keep them for me.

"Our squad’s names should be on the Honor Wall... The Military Department, too unfeeling, too heartless."

Xiong Taiguang had consumed poison, and despite Pan Yizheng supporting him, he failed to save him.

"Senior, you poisoned yourself?

"I’ve always been waiting for the Miracle Corps’ people to come. These badges, keep them for me... they belong on the Honor Wall. The Military Department... too heartless, too heartless."

Xiong Taiguang, having taken a deadly poison, couldn’t be saved, even though Pan Yizheng supported him.

"Senior, you took poison?

"Sorry... for all the trouble.

"Big Bear fulfilled your wishes, but my own wish... was unattainable, will not come true."

"Soon, the Miracle Corps will come to arrest me. Even if I am to die, I must die at the hands of the Miracle Corps. The Investigation and Arrest Bureau doesn’t have the right to catch me."

Pan Yizheng’s face showed pain, clenching his teeth harshly.

In front of him, a ground full of war badges, each polished bright and shiny.

Xiong Taiguang laughed, spitting out blood.

The black key, the one gifted to me by Xiong Taiguang with the 1 million cash, was suddenly crushed in front of Pan Yizheng.

"The son of Prince Qing can’t be delayed in his cultivation by delivering takeout."

Pan Yizheng didn’t hear this sentence.

Prince Qing’s son cannot be delayed in cultivation by delivering takeout," he said with a smile.

He took another big swig of beer.

...