Principles Say No, but He Was the Principle!

Elder Xu was one of Dragon Kingdom's Founding Marshals!

Now a hundred years old, he had once been known alongside the God of War Qin Lie as one of the Twin Pillars of the Military.

When honors were handed out after the war,

he had voluntarily stepped aside, refusing the rank of marshal and accepting only that of general.

Yet no one in the military dared look down on him.

One word from him could shake the entire armed forces.

"Everyone, sit down."

Elder Xu waved a hand, gesturing for them to take their seats.

He walked up to the map. His gaze settled on the red dot marking a city engulfed in Beacon Fire, and he spoke slowly.

"I heard everything you said just now."

"What Zhao Shanhe has done does violate discipline. It's against the rules."

Elder Xu paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"But I've spent my life at war. I've seen life and death, and I've learned one thing—"

"Military law can restrain a soldier's actions, but not his heart!"

He raised a hand and pointed to Jiangcheng on the map.

"Back then, when we went into battle with our lives on the line, what were we fighting for?"

"Not fame. Not fortune!"

"We fought to keep our families safe."

"We fought so our comrades' children would never be bullied!"

"Today, a comrade's son is in danger, and Zhao Shanhe is furious!"

"That is fighting spirit! That is loyalty! That is the very Military Spirit of Dragon Kingdom!"

"If we stand by and watch a comrade's child be humiliated..."

"Who will take a blade for his brothers on the battlefield tomorrow?"

"Who will fight to the death for his country?"

"Discipline matters, but the hearts of our soldiers matter more!"

Elder Xu's voice was not loud, but every word struck home like iron.

The Sea navy general who had opposed the move fell silent, conflicting emotions crossing his face.

He's right...

Mobilizing an army like this was normally unforgivable!

But Elder Xu's words had hit him where it hurt.

He remembered his old squad leader.

If that man hadn't shielded him from a grenade, he would have been dead and buried long ago. He would never have gained the rank or authority he held today.

If that squad leader's child were being bullied by a local tyrant, he would probably draw his gun, punishment be damned!

He might even go further than Zhao Shanhe!

At that thought, the Sea navy general was the first to speak.

"Military discipline is ironclad. That will never change!"

"But there's another side to this—"

"What is a soldier without fighting spirit but a machine?"

“When we fought the Japanese Invaders, we never abandoned a single brother! Zhao Shanhe isn't just protecting a comrade's son. He's protecting a soldier's dignity!”

"We cannot crush that spirit!"

At his words, the other generals voiced their agreement.

Elder Xu looked around the room and continued slowly. "I know you all have concerns. But rules don't change; circumstances do."

"Some things must be done, even if millions stand in the way!"

"Some lines must be held, even if it costs us everything!"

"Whatever the consequences of Zhao Shanhe's actions, I'll shoulder them myself!"

Silence fell over the conference room.

Every general had the same thought—

Mobilizing a hundred thousand troops was against the rules?

But Elder Xu was the rule!

"You said that boy's surname was Yue?"

Elder Xu suddenly turned to the Senior Colonel who had delivered the report.

"Yes!"

The senior colonel nodded quickly. “His name is Yue Xiaofei. He's the son of Zhao Shanhe's former company commander.”

Elder Xu frowned, a complicated emotion flickering through his eyes.

After a moment's silence, he let out a long sigh.

"Ah... I once knew a man named Yue."

"He covered my escape during a breakout, and we were separated."

"It's been sixty years. I imagine... he passed away long ago."

No one dared respond. They simply watched Elder Xu in silence.

This Legend general rarely showed such complicated emotions in front of others.

"Pass on my orders!"

Elder Xu came back to himself. His gaze sharpened, like a sleeping lion waking.

"Order the Air Traffic Control Department to open every air corridor. Zhao Shanhe's forces are to pass through at full speed. No one is to stop them!"

"Order the Jiangbei Military Region to prepare to receive them and support the operation!"

"And tell Zhao Shanhe—"

Elder Xu's voice rose, firm and ringing.

"If he needs men to seek justice, I'll give him men!"

"If he needs authority to bring down those tyrants, I'll give him authority!"

"Whatever happens, I'll take responsibility!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Senior Colonel snapped to attention, saluted, and strode away.

In the night,

radio signals raced across the sky to every corner of Dragon Kingdom.

Boom!

The Supersonic Fighter Jet tore through the clouds and roared south.

"War God, Elder Xu personally ordered Jade Spring Mountain to back you!"

The Deputy General hurried over, unable to hide his excitement.

"All air corridors along the route are open, and Jiangbei has sent forces to meet us!"

"Good!"

Zhao Mengsheng nodded.

Elder Xu's support was a shot in the arm!

But he did not relax. "How much longer until we reach Jiangcheng?"

"Reporting, War God. Even at supersonic cruising speed, at least half an hour!" the Deputy General replied.

"Half an hour? No! That's too slow!"

Zhao Mengsheng frowned deeply. He could still hear the terrible sounds of Yue Xiaofei being beaten in that basement.

His old company commander's son was in mortal danger!

He could not bear to wait another moment!

If anything happened to Yue Xiaofei, he would never forgive himself. Nor would he be able to face his old company commander.

"Wait! Jiangcheng! Jin Dapao!"

A name flashed through Zhao Mengsheng's mind.

"Jin Dapao?"

The deputy froze, then asked, "You mean Platoon Leader Jin from the 7th Armored Company, the one you told me about?"

"That's him!"

Zhao Mengsheng's eyes lit up. He immediately pulled out his Satellite Phone.

"Wasn't he assigned to the Jiangbei Provincial Public Security Department after he left the army?"

Memories of the past came flooding back!

In the 7th Armored Company barracks,

Jin Dapao always had a cigarette between his lips. He would glare at the fresh Raw Recruit with eyes like saucers and challenge him to talk back.

He was the commander of the Artillery Platoon.

He had a fiery temper, and if he went a day without cursing someone out, he grew restless!

He had enlisted three years before Zhao Mengsheng.

And when it came to sheer guts, no one in the company could match him.

On the battlefield, after firing his last round, he had charged into the enemy with a demolition charge in his arms, shouting that he wanted to blow them all to hell.

That had earned him the nickname Madman Jin. Even the enemy was terrified of him!

With his record and ability, if he had stayed in the military, he would have at least one gold star on his shoulder by now.

But that same fiery temper had made him talk back to a superior, forcing him into early retirement.

He had been assigned to the Jiangbei Provincial Public Security Department!

Zhao Mengsheng shook off the memory, found a number, and dialed it at once.

"That old bastard should still be at the Jiangbei Provincial Public Security Department. Jiangcheng is right in his jurisdiction!"

A few seconds later, the call connected.

A loud, gravelly voice with all the roughness of everyday life exploded from the phone.

"Who is this? What's the rush? Can't you tell I'm working a case?"

"Jin Dapao! It's me, Zhao Mengsheng!" Zhao Mengsheng roared into the phone.

"Hahaha!"

Even louder laughter erupted from the other end.

"Well, if it isn't the Great God of War Zhao!"

"Heard you just conquered Wolf Country. Now you remember me? What, calling to show off your little war record?"

"Don't get too full of yourself, Zhao Mengsheng!"

Then his tone shifted. "When it comes to fighting, you couldn't hold a candle to Company Commander Yue! Without him watching your back, you'd have died on the battlefield a dozen times over!"