The letter had been read to the end.
Stifled sobs filled the secret chamber.
This final letter lacked the stirring fervor of the earlier accounts of battle, yet carried a deeper sense of tragedy and despair.
Like a boulder, it weighed on everyone's heart.
"Sniff... sniff..."
Lin Xiaolu was already a sobbing wreck. Leaning against Chen Duo's shoulder, she said, "They... they held the line... why did it have to end like this... it's so unfair..."
Chen Duo's eyes were red as well, her voice choked with tears. "The Dragon Kingdom has planes now, and cannons, and torrents of steel. No one dares bully us anymore! If that brave hero Lu could see it, he'd be so happy!"
Bai Bing nodded emphatically.
"That's right! Young Master Lu Zhenhua's last wish has come true! Today's Dragon Kingdom is a mighty dragon standing proud in the East! This age of prosperity is everything you wished for!"
Yue Xiaofei closed his eyes and let the scalding tears roll down his cheeks.
His heart brimmed with endless regret, grief, and anger.
If his granduncle Lu Zhenhua had written this final letter... he had probably met a grim end.
Otherwise, given his grandmother's capabilities back then, she would never have failed to find his granduncle if he were still alive.
Yet the conviction in that final letter ignited like a flame in his heart.
He silently swore to himself:
Granduncle, rest assured!
I will safeguard your unfulfilled ideals and our nation's dignity, and even... surpass them!
"When red flags fly across the world, we'll ride into Eastern Japan to admire the cherry blossoms!"
Yue Xiaofei made that vow in his heart, word by word, his gaze growing utterly sharp and resolute.
"We must erect a monument to Young Master Lu!"
Bai Zhengling suddenly spoke, his