There were many people sitting in the room: Zhang Tie's parents, his sister-in-law, his sister-in-law's parents, and a man whose face looked somewhat similar to his sister-in-law's, but who was a few years older than her. As soon as Zhang Tie saw that man, he knew that he must be his sister-in-law's older brother.
My sister-in-law's family must have heard about what happened to us and came to confront us. They were a little agitated, while my parents were a bit more silent. In this situation, although what my in-laws said was a bit direct and unpleasant to hear, it wasn't entirely without reason.
The room was filled with conversation when Zhang Tie Zhang Tie suddenly lifted the curtain and appeared inside. Everyone was startled when his dark red lieutenant uniform came into view. Only Zhang Tie's parents, upon hearing Zhang Tie cough, jumped up from their chairs with delight. As parents, how could they not recognize Zhang Tie's cough?
The entire family of the eldest sister-in-law was terrified, especially the eldest sister-in-law's father. He had just been cursing the red-skinned dog, and when he suddenly found a real "red-skinned dog" in the room, he was so frightened that he almost slipped off his chair.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home!" Facing his excited parents, Zhang Tie rushed forward and hugged them tightly. Unlike others, his parents noticed Zhang Tie first, and then noticed his military uniform. Then, his parents' reaction was exactly the same as his older brother's. Their joy and excitement at seeing Zhang Tie Zhang Tie turned into worry about his uniform.
"Where did you get these clothes? Take them off right now, this is no joke..." Dad's expression changed instantly.
Zhang Tie quickly took a step back, slamming his boot heel against the ground, and snapped to attention. He raised his right hand to his eyebrows and gave his parents a solemn military salute. " Zhang Tie, newly Iron-Blood Battalion Iron Horn Legion 39th Division, Ironhorn Legion, Northern Frontier Military Region the Norman Empire, reporting for duty! Your son is now a proud officer of the Norman Empire..."
"Are you still causing trouble?" Zhang Tie's father glared at him, his face clearly showing anger.
Knowing that it might be difficult to explain in a few words, Zhang Tie simply took out a Norman Empire officer's certificate that had just been issued that day from the small pocket on his shirt and handed it to his father. "This officer's certificate was just issued at the 39th Division Headquarters this afternoon. It's genuine. Please check it, Mom and Dad."
In the Norman Empire, soldiers held a superior status, and all their supplies were of the highest quality, especially for officers. The status of the Norman Empire soldiers was evident in the exquisitely crafted officer's certificate Zhang Tie held in his hand.
Zhang Tie's military officer's ID was a small, dark green booklet. In the very center of the booklet was a thumb-sized relief of the Norman Empire, made entirely of silver. This silver dragon relief was exquisitely crafted. Below the relief were two crossed longswords, surrounded by a circle of leaf-like patterns.
The moment Zhang Tie's father held the small, dark green booklet in his hands, he immediately determined its authenticity. The booklet's cover was made primarily of a special animal bone glue, several unique plant fibers, and certain minerals. While seemingly unremarkable, it possessed a very high level of technological sophistication. Its manufacturing process was a highly advanced secret, beyond the reach of most small nations. In the entire Blackson Human Corridor, there were probably fewer than five countries that mastered this material manufacturing industry, and the Norman Empire was one of them. The Norman Empire's technology, known as the " Black Iron Era Universal Molding Material," originated from the Eastern Continent, surpassing the material-making techniques of other countries and making it unique in the entire Blakerson Human Corridor. Zhang Tie's father happened to know the reason behind this, so the moment he held Zhang Tie 'Zhang Tie officer's ID in his hands, he immediately determined it was genuine.
The officer's ID card was opened, revealing a compartment made of the same special " Black Iron Era Universal Molding Material," though its color and texture differed slightly from the cover. The texture was closer to a type of paper, but smoother to the touch. Inside was a photograph of Zhang Tie Zhang Tie, followed by his name, and then a detailed description of his appearance and physical characteristics. Next came Zhang Tie rank and position. The photograph bore a steel stamp, and below it was a double-layered watermark. Zhang Tie 'Zhang Tie current rank and position were also clearly stated above: Second Lieutenant, Third Platoon Leader, Fifth Company, Iron-Blood Battalion, 39th Division, Ironhorn Legion Northern Frontier Military Region Iron Horn Legion of the Norman Empire.
The officer's ID was so real it couldn't be more so, so Zhang Tie's father was completely dumbfounded. How could his son, after being captured by the Norman Empire soldiers, return as an officer of the Norman Empire? This transformation was too fast!
Zhang Tie's mother also curiously took the officer's ID card and examined it carefully.
Taking advantage of the brief moment, Zhang Tie turned around and smiled at his sister-in-law's family, who had already stood up and seemed somewhat flustered. "Uncle, Aunt, and Brother, please don't stand on ceremony, have a seat!"
"You... you... you... you are Zhang Tie?" The elder sister-in-law's father asked, somewhat dumbfounded. The man who had been speaking fluently just a moment ago was now stammering.
"Didn't we meet when Uncle came last time? Uncle even said something to me back then!"
The last time Zhang Tie met his father-in-law, the father-in-law was furious and said to Zhang Tie, "There's not a single good person in your Zhang Family." Reminded by Zhang Tie, the father-in- Zhang Family suddenly remembered that when they came to the Zhang Family to demand an explanation, they had indeed met Zhang Tie before leaving. Gradually, in the father-in-law's mind, the Zhang Tie of the past began to overlap with the Zhang Tie Zhang Tie in front of him, wearing the uniform of a second lieutenant of the Norman Empire.
The moment the two images overlapped, Zhang Family's father-in-law's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. Everyone knew that Zhang Tie must have heard everything he said when he entered, including the insult "red-skinned dogs" directed at the Norman Empire soldiers—the first person in Black Flame City to utter that insult had already been sent to the gallows by those same red-skinned dogs, and after hanging there for several days, his body was probably nowhere to be found.
" Zhang Tie..." The woman from the Zhang Family, whose belly was gradually growing larger, stepped forward anxiously. "My father was just talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart..."
"What did Uncle say?" Zhang Tie feigned ignorance, spreading his hands. "I was just chatting with my older brother outside and didn't hear anything. I came back this time for two reasons: first, to reassure Mom and Dad; second, to tell everyone that I've been assigned a military officer's dormitory. The conditions are very good, much better than that little attic. I'll be moving out of the house in a couple of days. Also, older brother and sister-in-law, your wedding can't be delayed any longer..."
Hearing Zhang Tie's words, everyone in the room looked at Zhang Tie with complicated expressions. At that moment, even Zhang Tie's parents felt that their son seemed to have grown up...
The rest of the process was much smoother. For over an hour, everyone in the room listened to Zhang Tie tell his "story".
During the Survival Trial, he caught the eye of Captain Colin, who gave him a manual of the Iron-Blood Divine Fist. Later, he was accidentally struck by lightning during the trials, but instead of being hurt, his training speed increased dramatically, and he mastered the Iron-Blood Dark Force without any hindrance. Thanks to the Iron-Blood Divine Fist and the Iron-Blood Dark Force, he surprisingly received preferential treatment from the Norman Empire's army after being captured. After the misunderstanding of being falsely accused was cleared up, he was personally drafted into the army by Colonel Leibniz, the highest-ranking officer of the 39th Division. According to the Norman Empire law and tradition, he instantly became a second lieutenant in the Norman Empire...
This process was like a bizarre adventure story, leaving everyone speechless. As for the dangers encountered during the trial and what happened at the Black Dungeon Club last night, Zhang Tie glossed over them, afraid of worrying his parents.
Finally, we had a pleasant meal with my sister-in-law's family, discussed the wedding arrangements, and then they left satisfied.
After his sister-in-law's family left, Zhang Tie was immediately grabbed by his mother, who began to seriously ask him about being struck by lightning and Zhang Tie current physical condition. Only after repeatedly confirming that Zhang Tie was really alright did his parents finally feel completely relieved.
After the meal, Zhang Tie deliberately spoke in a very happy tone about his visit to the officers' quarters of the Iron-Blood Battalion that day.
"Mom and Dad, you don't know, the officers' quarters even have hot showers, it's so convenient! The officers' quarters have everything, even laundry service. I'm moving in there when I officially report to the military camp in a couple of days..."
Hearing this, the smiles on my parents' faces became slightly forced.
"Mom and Dad, give me a smile..." Zhang Tie used the same tactics he used at home, putting one arm around his father and the other around his mother, and kissing them both on the cheek. "Aren't you happy to see your son doing so well?"
"Happy, of course I'm happy, but..." Dad hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't.
"I know what Mom and Dad are worried about. Don't worry, my life is the most valuable thing. No matter where I am, I won't be reckless. Besides, the 39th Division is stationed in Black Flame City now. Even if I move away, I can come back to see you anytime. Your son is all grown up now, and it's time for him to go out and make his own way in the world. I have a goal now, which is to save enough money to buy you both a big house so you can sit on the balcony and watch the sunset every day..."
All evening, until bedtime, Zhang Tie played the role of the family's clown, making his parents happy. Dressed in his solemn Norman Empire military uniform, Zhang Tie was particularly charming as he vividly and deliberately told them all sorts of funny stories from the Survival Trial. His parents, who had initially been frowning, finally relaxed under Zhang Tie's deliberate performance. Especially after hearing Zhang Tie's "nonsense" about dating three girlfriends at once, Zhang Tie's mother finally laughed and gave him a light tap on Zhang Tie head.
"You? I'd be grateful if you weren't a bachelor. If you're so capable, bring three girls over so I can see them sometime!"
"Fine, I reckon, putting aside my brother's side for now, just on my side, I'll have fifty or sixty women calling you 'Mom,' and then your daughters-in-law will have over a hundred kids. You and your dad won't have to do anything anymore; just running the Zhang Family's kindergarten will keep you two incredibly busy!" Hearing such outrageous words, even Zhang Tie's father couldn't help but want to kick Zhang Tie in the butt...
Zhang Tie Zhang Tie's witty banter filled his home with laughter once again...
After washing up and going to bed at night, Zhang Tie still slept in his little attic. During the two months he was away from home, his mother had kept his little attic very clean and spotless. Knowing that Zhang Tie Zhang Tie was coming back today, his mother had specially changed Zhang Tie bedding to a clean set. The bedding had been aired out during the day, and you could smell the sunshine and warmth on the bed.
Shedding his cheerful facade in front of his parents and older brother, Zhang Tie stood silently in this familiar little attic for ten minutes, carefully observing everything in the room. Only then did he understand what true reluctance meant. At this moment, as he was about to leave this home, everything here made Zhang Tie feel extremely reluctant to leave.
After standing there blankly for a long time, Zhang Tie took a deep breath and comforted himself, saying that no matter what, one always has to face reality.
Thinking about reality, Zhang Tie locked onto the archway in his mind for the next few seconds, and then disappeared from the room.
--Welcome to Castle of Black Iron, handsome and imposing Fortress Master!
--The fourth mutation evolution of the yeast solution is complete. This mutation evolution was successful, and you have obtained the Origin Energy Spiritual Aura Yeast. Please check it!
Upon entering the Castle of Black Iron, the second notification message made Zhang Tie almost jump for joy. After two months and three failed attempts, the bottle of yeast solution Zhang Tie had brought to the Castle of Black Iron had finally completed its first mutation, granting Zhang Tie a brand new bottle of yeast solution...