Elder Xu's words carried immense weight, striking the heart of everyone in the Longevity Hall.
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
Everyone was stunned senseless by the astonishing scene before them.
To make a Pillar of the Country call it "the honor of my life"!
To make a prestigious military family call it "glory for our entire family"!
What on earth had this young man named Yue Xiaofei done?
Who in the world was he?!
"Grandpa Xu, what are you doing? Please put your arm down! I can't accept such an honor!"
Elder Xu's gesture startled Yue Xiaofei too. He rushed forward and reached out to help the old man lower his arm.
What kind of joke was this?
How could Yue Xiaofei accept such a grand salute from a century-old founding hero who had devoted his life to his country and its people?
But Elder Xu's arm might as well have been cast from iron. It did not budge.
He shook his head and looked at Yue Xiaofei with utmost seriousness in his weathered eyes.
"Xiaofei, you can accept it!"
"You deserve this salute from me, Xu Anbang! And you deserve it from the entire Xu Family!"
With that, he slowly lowered his arm, though he still stood straight as a ramrod.
Elder Xu turned to face all the guests below the stage, his piercing gaze sweeping across the hall.
"I know many of you are curious about this young man. You're wondering who he is."
"Some of you know him and know what he's done for this country and its people."
"But far more of you may know his name without knowing his deeds. Some may never even have heard of him."
Elder Xu paused. He took a deep breath, then spoke with a passion no one had