Father and Son

Anping Calendar, year 350.

Great Xia Prefecture, Nanyuan City.

Su Family.

As soon as Su Yu stepped through the door, he caught the scent of food. He tossed his schoolbag aside, walked to the dining table, and casually snatched a piece of red-braised pork to pop into his mouth.

Chewing, Su Yu looked toward the kitchen and mumbled, "Dad, let's have a different soup tomorrow. Eating meat every single day is getting old."

"Be grateful you have something to eat, stop being so picky!"

Su Long's grumbling drifted from the kitchen. "Look at you, you're eighteen this year. When will you learn to take care of yourself? Your old man has played both mother and father for so many years; I'm finally about to be liberated."

Su Yu chewed the pork and chuckled. "Dad, your cooking is so good you're practically a master chef. I'd love to cook for myself, but the problem is, once I burn it, it's inedible!"

"Ha!"

Su Long let out a scoff. All talk and no action—if you're so capable, get into the kitchen yourself.

Soon, Su Long walked out wearing an apron, carrying the dishes.

Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall with a burly, powerful frame, he looked exceptionally comical in the ill-fitting, tiny apron.

Su Yu nagged him about it every time, and this was no exception. He shook his head and said, "Dad, can't you just get a bigger apron? It's not like our family can't afford one!"

"What do you know!"

Su Long couldn't be bothered to argue. He set the dishes on the table and, without taking off the apron, sat down and said, "Eat! Every bit saved counts, and besides, this apron is new..."

"You've been saying that for three years!"

Su Yu rolled his eyes. Saying it was new three years ago was one thing, but three years later? His old man really had the nerve to say it.

Su Long didn't mind. He sat down and began to eat, devouring his food with lightning speed.

Su Yu was long used to this and didn't pay it any mind. He sat down to eat, sighing as he did so. "Dad, is there fighting on the front lines again? I saw recruitment vehicles downstairs when I got back. They were recruiting in our residential complex. I wonder whose family..."

Su Long's eating slowed for a split second. He quickly set down his bowl and chopsticks, his expression turning serious. "Defending the home and country is everyone's duty! Judging by your tone, do you think serving in the military is a bad thing?"

"No!"

Su Yu hurriedly clarified. His old man was a veteran; he couldn't just spout nonsense, or his father's "bear paws" would be no laughing matter.

Su Long gave a light huff before picking up his bowl and chopsticks to continue eating.

As they ate, Su Long's tone shifted, becoming slightly somber. "A-Yu, the front lines are in turmoil. The major war legions are issuing mobilization orders one after another! Recruiting new soldiers, calling back the veterans..."

Su Yu's chopsticks paused mid-air. He looked up at his father, his previous casual demeanor gone, and frowned. "Dad, that doesn't have anything to do with us, right? You've been retired for 18 years, and I've just come of age. Plus, I need to take the entrance exams for higher institutions. The recruitment drive shouldn't reach our family..."

"18 years..."

Su Long let out a soft breath. Yes, 18 years.

"I've been retired for 18 years, and including this one, the Demon Suppression Army has issued the call for veterans to return five times! After 50, you're no longer in the recall range."

"The first four times, because you were still small, Dad was worried about you—worried you couldn't take care of yourself—so I didn't answer the call."

Su Yu's expression shifted. "Dad, our family doesn't have to go. It's allowed by policy!"

"Yes, the policy allows it!"

Su Long grinned, looking up at his son. "That's why I didn't go. 18 years, four calls, and I didn't go! But today, my son is an adult! You're 18!"

"Dad!"

Su Yu's expression changed completely. "What are you trying to say?"

"You know what Dad is trying to say."

Su Long looked at his son, feeling a mix of pride and relief. He smiled. "18 years ago, although your dad wasn't much, I was at least a squad leader in the Demon Suppression Army, in charge of 30 men."

"Back then, your mother was about to give birth to you, and I took leave to come back. Who knew... your mother would just leave like that, and you had just been born. There were no elders in the family to help, and I really couldn't walk away..."

"There was no choice, so I retired!"

Su Long bared his teeth in a bitter smile. "When I left the Demon Suppression Army, not a single brother from my squad came to see me off! It wasn't because they were eager for me to leave; it was because they were afraid I wouldn't be able to stop myself from running back!"

"It's been 18 years. No one has contacted me, fearing I'd want to go back. I dream about them yelling at me, telling me to go home and raise my baby..."

"Of those 30 men, nine died in battle the first year I left..."

"Not a single one retired. The remaining 21... do you know how many are left?"

"They're still on the battlefield!"

Su Long's eyes turned red. "I was selfish, so I didn't dare ask, and I didn't dare inquire! I didn't answer the first four calls, but this time... A-Yu, Dad thinks that even if I die, I should die on the battlefield, wrapped in horse hide. Your old man... doesn't want to die in the rear!"

Su Yu fell silent.

He had long known his father was always thinking of the front lines, always thinking of those old brothers. If his mother hadn't passed away during childbirth back then, his father would never have retired from the Demon Suppression Army.

But he had thought that after 18 years, his father would have forgotten, would have let go.

Today, his father told him: he hadn't.

He couldn't let go!

"Dad..."

Su Yu's face was pale, looking quite ghastly. "The front lines are in turmoil, and more and more soldiers are dying in battle. In the last 18 years alone, there have been five veteran conscriptions—one every three or four years. You've served in the military; you know what that means..."

"I... I haven't even married yet, haven't been admitted to a higher academy, and haven't given you any grandchildren..."

Su Long grinned, showing his teeth. "It's fine, Dad will wait! Do you really think I'm going back just to die? Your old man is going there to win battles!"

"Dad!"

"Kid, enough nonsense, eat!"

Su Long interrupted his son. As he ate, he mumbled, "Finish this meal, and you'll have to cook for yourself from now on! If there's no food, go out and eat. There's money in the card; you know the password."

"They're waiting for me downstairs; I can't delay too long."

"When you get into a higher academy, remember to write to me. I'll receive it whenever I have time."

"Just aim for the Daxia Civilization Academy. You've really brought honor to your old man; it's a sure thing. Your teachers have already spoken with me. As long as nothing goes wrong, you're guaranteed to get in. My Su Family has finally produced a talent!"

"I wonder how your brain is wired; you're too smart. I even suspect you aren't my biological son... but fortunately, you look exactly like I did when I was young..."

Su Yu's face was still pale. Hearing this, he couldn't help but retort, "Dad, are you sure you looked like me when you were young?"

"Nonsense! Could that be a lie?"

Su Long looked up, revealing his rugged face, and grinned. "Ask the neighbors next door, don't I look like him?"

Su Yu felt helpless, knowing his father was changing the subject. He steered the conversation back. "Dad, are you really going? It's not that I look down on you, but you've been off the battlefield for 18 years and haven't been training. You're only at the Thousand Jun Ninth Stage even now. Is there any point in going?"

"Who are you looking down on?"

Su Long said indignantly, "What's wrong with the Thousand Jun Ninth Stage? The battlefield isn't just about raw power. If it were, we wouldn't need to fight wars! Anything is possible on the battlefield. Back in my day, I was only at the Qianjun Seventh Level, yet I still killed a powerhouse of the Wanshi Realm!"

Su Yu felt troubled. He didn't know if this was true, but his father had been saying it for years, so it was likely not a lie.

The point was, he didn't want his father to go to the front lines.

The front lines were in turmoil, with large numbers of soldiers dying every year. The situation was becoming increasingly critical, and his old man was nearly 50. To return to the battlefield now... Su Yu didn't dare to think about it.

"Dad..."

"Shut up!"

Su Long cut him off, stood up to clear the dishes, and said sternly, "I've already registered. If I don't go now, I'm a deserter! It would have been fine if I hadn't registered, but you know the consequences of not going after registering! Being a deserter means death!"

"Dad, couldn't you have waited for me to come back and discuss it?"

Su Yu was furious!

He already knew he couldn't change anything. Just as his father said, it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't registered. For these veterans, the conscription order wasn't a forced draft; these veterans had earned their merits on the battlefield to have survived and retired.

But once registered, it meant re-enlistment. He was a soldier now, and not going meant being a deserter.

"Discuss what?"

Su Long said dismissively, "Don't worry, I won't die. Even if I do fall in battle, the pension is substantial. Remember to go collect it! It'll be enough for you to get married and have children. I've already thought it all through for you!"

With that, Su Long picked up the luggage he had packed long ago, took off his apron, and grabbed his backpack as if he were just going on a long trip. He added casually, "Study hard for your exams. Supporting the human race from the rear is just as important. Once you're in the civilization academy, make the Su Family proud!"

"Civilization Academy... I'll brag about it when I get back. My son got into the Civilization Academy; he's much better than that bunch of guys!"

"It's just a pity I won't be able to see your acceptance letter. Take a photo of it later and mail it to me with your letter, otherwise those guys will think I'm just blowing smoke..."

"Dad!"

Su Yu hurriedly stood up and chased after his father, feeling panicked and at a loss.

His old man was really leaving!

For the past 18 years, he had grown accustomed to relying on his father. With his father suddenly leaving today, he had no mental preparation at all.

"You're an adult, not a child. Don't be a crybaby!"

Su Long grinned and said, "If you weren't an adult, I wouldn't be leaving! But now, I have to go back. 18 years ago, in my squad, there were a few boys the same age as you. Yu, do you know? I had a dream. I dreamt of them... In the dream, they were crying and screaming about how much it hurt, saying to kill all those beasts. Your dad has some regrets. Back then... I should have sent you to the Military Family Compound. Someone would have raised you anyway."

Su Long's eyes turned red. "There have been five conscriptions. The first four times, I had already packed my bags, but every time I saw you, I became selfish. I couldn't bear to leave! This is the fifth time. Will there be a next time? If there is, by the time I'm 50, the Demon Suppression Army won't take me anymore!"

"I'm off. The Battlefields of the Heavens... your old man is returning!"

"This time, I'll kill a few Wanshi Realm experts to show you. I'll make sure to leave evidence so you can't say a word!"

Su Long waved his hand and strode forward.

For the first time in 18 years, Su Yu saw his father looking so carefree and heroic.

But this... was not what he wanted to see.

"Dad..."

"I told you, no more nonsense..."

Su Yu stood at the door, gritting his teeth, and suddenly shouted, "If you don't come back, I'm going to become a matrilocal son-in-law! I'll marry into another family! I'll change my surname and cut off the Su Family's incense. If you don't care, then I'll do it!"

"I..."

Su Long stumbled, nearly turning back to curse.

He suddenly didn't want to leave; he wanted to go home and beat this kid to death!

This kid was actually capable of doing that!

His Su Family had finally produced a talent, and if he married into another family, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace even in death!