Chapter 1-Go to the Light

Deep in the Yun Yue Plateau in southwest Zhongzhou State, amid vast stretches of primeval forest, was a campsite you can never find on map.

The campsite was basically built inside the primeval forest. Apart from the trees that sheltered people from the wind and rain, there were only a few undulating mountains around the campsite.

The borderline between Zhongzhou State and Annan State lay less than two kilometers away from the main entrance of the campsite. It was somewhere extremely remote that few people ever set their foot on it. Not even birds would shit there.

The campsite was pretty small. There were only about a dozen thatched huts for people to live in and a small but clean open-air training ground.

A watchtower about 10-meter-high and a flagpole, on top of which the Star Flag of Zhongzhou State fluttering in the air, stood desolately in the middle of the training ground. This was the highest point of the campsite. But in such an environment, the view from the watchtower was merely a little better than from the ground. However, it was better than nothing.

The sun went down.

The setting sun drew back its last rays from the training ground, which then fell into the dusk.

A gust of wind followed the nightfall.

The star flag on the pole was trembling in the violent currents. The wind blew clouds away. All this made the whole campsite look like a bleak but vivid picture.

A group of soldiers in military uniforms saluted silently under the Star Flag, looking solemn and respectful.

Among these 40 or 50 soldiers, the chief was a middle-aged man, about 50 years old. His appearance and figure looked common. But the pair of penetrating eyes on his face were very impressive. He were in military uniform. Nothing in his uniform could show his rank. However, obviously he was commanding this squad.

The middle-aged man looked up at the fluttering Star Flag above for a long time before he put down his hand.

"Old Li, go back with me."

The middle-aged man put down his arm and looked at an old man beside him. He said so sincerely as if he was begging the old man, "After years of hard work and valuable service at the border, everyone has noticed that it is time for you to retire and enjoy the rest of your life. The tough environment here is no good for your health."

The neatly combed hair of the old man is grey, but his posture was perfectly straight. Unlike the middle-aged man, he wore a military rank, Lieutenant Colonel. It’s not low. Anyhow, considering his age, it’s not very impressive either.

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the old man narrowed his somewhat misty eyes, shook his head with a smile and said with a cracked voice, "Soldiers should die on the battlefield. How can I go back to enjoy the easy and carefree life and wait for death? Dongsheng, I appreciate your kindness, but I won't go back. Old as I am, I can still carry a gun and do something for my country a few more years. After staying here for so long, I will not get used to the easy life even if I go back."

The middle-aged man named Dongsheng had a look of bitterness. He opened his mouth and said worriedly, "Old Li, But your health... does not allow you to stay here anymore."

"I know my health condition."

The old Lieutenant Colonel sounded indifferent and looked determined. "Although I can't live too long, I can still carry a gun for years. Dongsheng, I’ve made up my mind. No further discussion about this topic is needed."

He paused for a while and suddenly laughed at himself, "Of course, if you come here to arrest me today for Li Kuangtu, my son, who had betrayed our country years ago. I, Li Honghe, am ready to plead guilty and go with you right now. That brute betrayed our country and, as his father, I'm guilty as well. It is the father's fault to only feed his son without teaching him properly. I have nothing to explain for myself."

"Old Li!"

Ye Dongsheng's expression changed. He looked displeased and raised his tone of voice, saying angrily, "What are you talking about, old man? You are the hero of Zhongzhou State. Who dares to say that you are guilty? If anyone else dares to do so, I will be the first one to shoot him! For hundreds of years, the military law of Zhongzhou State has never indicated that one's crime will implicate others! He is a traitor, but it has nothing to do with you. It's not the same thing. If we don't trust you, how could we keep you at the border for 20 years?"

The old man had no expression on his face. He just looked up at the Star Flag overhead with his sad eyes.

Ye Dongsheng sighed slightly. He swallowed his pride and lowered his voice again, saying, "Old Li, the case of Kuangtu’s treason has been adjudicated and that was a judgement of that special time. There are a lot of details about the case still do not add up. From my personal standpoint, I do not believe Kuangtu would commit treason. Although 20 years have passed since then, chances are that we might reverse the conviction if we investigate it carefully. Old Li, we need you, our anchor, to return to Youzhou to be our consultant."

Li Honghe seemed to have been disheartened. He shook his head and replied in an indifferent tone, "Forget about it. After all these years, what's the point of reversing the verdict? Dongsheng, if you are not here to denounce me, then go back. This place is very suitable for me. I'm an old man on the verge of death. I surely will suffer a lot in a colorful world like Youzhou. Don't bring that forth any more."

Ye Dongsheng opened his mouth. He tried to say something but stopped on a second thought. What could he say since things had gone to this point?

"Old Li, I'll provide you with time to think about it and come back to visit you in a year. If you have any requirement, please don't hesitate to say. I'll do my best to help you."

Ye Dongsheng silenced himself for a while before he opened his mouth with a bitter smile.

Li Honghe just shook his head, showing that he had no demands.

Ye Dongsheng sighed deeply. He did not stay there any longer but directly strode to a helicopter that was stopping in front of the watchtower.

The rotor of the helicopter swirled and whipped up the dust.

While walking to the helicopter, Ye Dongsheng suddenly turned around and shouted out loud, "Old Li, would you like to come back to Youzhou with me if we could prove Kuangtu to be guiltless and wash off your shame?"

Dust rose beneath the rotor and made Li Honghe's expression undistinguishable. Li Honghe narrowed his eyes and said in a voice not too aloud but firm, "Dongsheng, I'm waiting for the good news."

Ye Dongsheng nodded and directly walked into the cabin.

The helicopter took off and flew higher and higher. Ye Dongsheng sat in a seat in the cabin and looked down over training ground that was becoming smaller and smaller, watching the old man who turned around and went up to the watchtower. He mumbled to himself, "What are you holding on to?"

At the same time.

On the top floor of the watchtower, a young man with his back to Li Honghe asked the same question as Li Honghe entered.

"What are you holding on to?"

"You don't understand."

Li Honghe looked at the young man standing at the window and answered kindly.

This was a lean young man in his twenties who could easily leave others a favorable impression at first sight. His good-looking face appeared to be a little pale due to perennial malnutrition. He was very gentle and his eyes were pretty clear. No one could see any sharpness, aloofness, or arrogance from him. He stood peacefully at the window of the upper space of the watchtower, looking at the helicopter flying farther and farther away, with an undisguised desire and longing in his clear eyes.

Gentle as jade, quiet and calm.

Nothing could be more apt to describe him than these words did.

"Why don't you just leave?"

Hearing the old man's answer, the young man finally turned around and added calmly, "Grandpa, this should be the fourth time someone asked you to leave here, right? Why don't we leave while we can?"

"We shouldn’t."

Li Honghe nodded his head and said in a deep voice.

"You are waiting for the highest bid?"

The young man asked as he raised his eyebrows slightly.

"This is an involuntary choice."

Li Honghe smiled bitterly and continued, "Tianlan, you do not understand. Only when you leave here and go into the outside world will you understand some of the things."

"Outside world."

Li Tianlan said these words quietly in his mind and then mocked himself, "Outside world?"

He had almost heard these two words since he was a child for countless times, but in fact, his world was nowhere except for the campsite in front of him. He did go out once more than a year ago, but only to a place even more isolated than here.

Outside world?

What was that?

He observed his surroundings silently. The top floor of the watchtower was just like a common room if not windows were equipped in all four sides for surveillance. The room was made of wood and it managed to shelter them from wind and rain by an outer layer of tarpaulin.

The interior of the room was poorly decorated. There was only one big bookshelf full of books that could make others feel intimidating. On either side of the bookshelf, there were two plank beds for people to have a rest. There were two desks on which writing brushes and Chinese art paper were placed not far away from the bookshelf. That was where the grandpa and grandchild practiced calligraphy in their daily life.

This was the world that Li Tianlan grew up in. He did not hate the current environment, but after going out once, he was more and more eager to go outside again and enjoy the scenery outside.

However, his grandpa had kept him in check all these years. Every time he asked to go outside, his grandpa would tell him that the right time was yet to come. He didn't know when would the right time come. Recently, however, he had become more and more impatient.

He took a deep breath, picked up a piece of white cloth, and wet it in water. Then, he walked to a plaque on the desk and wiped it silently.

This plaque was arguably the most valuable thing in the entire campsite. It was about two-meter-long and one-meter-wide and made from red sandalwood. It was a rarity even if it was presented in the top circle of Zhongzhou State. The two words on the plaque were written so naturally and smoothly that they looked like floating clouds and flowing water. They fully demonstrated the demeanor of great master.

Li family!

Li Tianlan looked at these two words silently and suddenly asked, "Did the man who just come here to say he could reverse the verdict for my father?"

"It's for my son, not your father. He won’t do it for your father."

Standing in front of the bookshelf and looking at the books on it, Li Honghe replied carelessly.

"Is there any difference?"

Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows again. He was gentle and frail-looking, but the action of him raising eyebrows made him look alive, with a sharp expression between his brows.

"Of course."

Li Honghe said calmly, "They don't know that I have a grandchild. If they know your existence... Hehe..."

Li Tianlan's expression became slightly stiff and he did not speak.

Li Honghe burst into laughter and kept saying, "I trained Ye Dongsheng personally in those days, so I know him well. He said he was worried about my health, and I guess he is telling the truth. It is estimated that he will send two private doctors to me within three days after his departure. He is kindhearted."

"So?"

Li Tianlan's heart instinctively beat more quickly. He didn't know what it meant, but he was very clear that if private doctors did come here, this campsite would be visited by outsiders for the first time over many years.

"So it's time for you to go outside. It's the right time."

Li Honghe smiled at his grandson with his gentle eyes, from which his heartfelt satisfaction and delight were revealed.

Li Tianlan's body shook obviously. He quickly looked back at Li Honghe.

Li Honghe pulled a book from the bookshelf and opened it. He took out an invitation and a card.

He then came to Li Tianlan and handed him the invitation and card, saying in a calm tone of voice, "You shall leave today."

Li Tianlan received the two items with hands shaking involuntarily. The invitation his grandpa handed to him almost attracted all his attention instantly.

The whole invitation was jet-black except for the silver Star Flag and the four small silver characters beneath the flag that were engraved on its cover.

Sky Academy.

There were two academies in Zhongzhou State that were rarely known by people but were extremely famous in certain circles.

One was called Deep-sea Academy, which was located in Youzhou.

And the other one was called Sky Academy, which was located in Huating.

They were the top two Special Warfare Academies in Zhongzhou State.

They were the gathering places for young elites in Zhongzhou State.

The best Special Warfare Members, the picked spies, and the most promising Martial Artists gathered together and competed with each other.

The two Special Warfare Academies did not have a long history. However, they had cultivated quite a lot good generals within just a few decades. And this was no doubt a glory.

Over the course of several decades, the two Special Warfare Academies had produced hundreds of generals, numerous agents, as well as several special warfare magnates.

Under the premise of serving the country, the outstanding graduates of each session from both the Sky Academy and the Deep-sea Academy had a considerable autonomous right. They could independently choose to enter various Special Warfare Departments in Zhongzhou State and would get special trainings.

For anyone with strength, ambition, but without backer, the admission letter from either the Deep-sea Academy or the Sky Academy was like a road to heaven!

And the jet-black invitation in Li Tianlan's hand was precisely the admission letter from the Sky Academy.

Li Tianlan had a tidal surge of emotions. He was excited not only about the admission letter but also because his father who had graduated from the Sky Academy and finished his study with the highest marks.

Had he betrayed Zhongzhou State?

He had to find out the truth this time!

Li Honghe seemed to have figured out what was going on in Li Tianlan's mind. He said calmly, "Don't do whatever you shouldn't do. Don't be in a hurry to investigate your father's case this time out. It's useless. Your identity must be kept secret. Once others know that you are my grandson, you will only die faster. Of course, you need to reverse the verdict for your father, but you are not qualified to do that right now. At the very least, your achievements should not be inferior to your father's. Only in this way can you be qualified to conduct an investigation about this case."

Li Tianlan nodded his head in silence.

"Do you know why am I still here today?"

Li Honghe suddenly asked. He chuckled and said before his grandson could reply to him, "That's because I'm strong enough."

"Do you think it's a good thing to stay here, grandpa?"

Li Tianlan held the admission letter and could not help asking this question.

Li Honghe took a meaningful look at him and said calmly, "No, I don't think so. But there's something worse that you do not necessarily want to hear."

He shook his head and pointed at the card in Li Tianlan's hand, saying, "When you arrive at Huating, call this phone number and there will be someone to pick you up and arrange the admission for you.

Li Tianlan nodded and asked abruptly, "How about you, grandpa? You're not going to leave with me?"

"I'll be expecting you to pick me up."

Li Honghe smiled and took a step forward to arrange the clothes for his grandson. He added calmly, "Tianlan, there are things not as simple as you deem. You will know that after you get outside. I'm waiting for you to get stronger. I will leave this place when you are able to reverse the conviction for your father and wash off the Li family's shame."

After taking one step back, he looked at Li Tianlan with a smile and continued, "I can afford to wait a few years."

Li Tianlan clenched the admission letter in his hand with a determined look.

For the entire Zhongzhou State, his grandfather was a well-deserved meritorious soldier. Thus, he was very clear that his grandpa's past achievements enabled him to leave this forest with the admission letter from the Sky Academy to vie for the opportunity to reverse the verdict for his father and wash off the Li family's shame. However, the crime his father had committed blocked all the possibility of backing off.

He could only advance but could never retreat on this trip.

He would come to a dead end if he retreat!

"I'm going now."

Li Tianlan put away the admission letter and said straightforwardly.

Li Honghe nodded slightly and suddenly said in a soft voice, "In fact, you still have someone to assist you. By the way, that man is quite powerful."

"I myself arranged an engagement for you the year you were born. You don't have to know who your fiancée is. This marriage is still up in the air and it depends on your performance. That old guy is relatively realistic. If you act like a good-for-nothing, he definitely won't marry you to his granddaughter; but if you behave well, he will send someone to you. At that time, whether this marriage is valid will be up to you."

Li Tianlan nodded silently. He took one step back, knelt down, and kowtowed to the old man three times.

Li Honghe stood where he was without giving any response.

Li Tianlan stood up silently and went straight down the watchtower.

Outside the window, the sun had already disappear completely and darkness enveloped the entire forest.

On a windy but moonless night, Li Tianlan passed through the forest expressionlessly and went further and further.

The old man had been standing by the window and looking at Li Tianlan's back until he completely gone from his sight. He slowly turned around and came to his desk. Then, he picked up his writing brush and ground the ink stick, planning to practice calligraphy.

Neither the grandfather nor the grandson was good at calligraphy, but practicing calligraphy could cultivate their moral character. Therefore, they had kept in practicing calligraphy over the years.

However, Li Honghe failed to write any word after a long while this time. He did not sigh and put down his writing brush until the ink had soaked through the Chinese art paper. He then walked toward Li Tianlan's desk.

The ink marks on Li Tianlan's writing on the desk were already dry. The combination of black and white was especially dazzling.

Li Honghe stared at the Chinese art paper and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Unlike the small characters that Li Tianlan usually wrote, there was only one big word on the thin Chinese art paper. It was written indulgently, revealing an intensive sense of violence:

Kill!

Li Honghe suddenly looked back.

The figure of Li Tianlan had long disappeared, leaving only the endless dark night that diffused the forest like the coldness of a harsh winter.