Chapter Thirty-Four: Conditions From now on, I promise to update regularly (? `▽??)

“First, I don’t want my freedom to be restricted. I’ll do whatever I want. Being Commander is just a title.”
“Alright, no problem.” Letting Long Yu serve as a nominal Commander was exactly what Ren Kaiming had in mind, so he agreed without hesitation the moment Long Yu spoke.
Giving Long Yu the title of Commander would tie him firmly to the Safe Zone, while the real power would remain in Ren Kaiming’s hands. His little calculations were clicking away in his mind.
“Second, my parents and my sister must be provided with the best living conditions.”
“Of course, naturally.” Ren Kaiming agreed to the second condition without the slightest pause.
This demand of Long Yu’s seemed more like a formality. How could the Commander not have the best conditions?
“That’s all. Just these two conditions.”
After stating his simple demands, Long Yu had nothing else to add. The reason he accepted the role of Commander of the Safe Zone was, first, for the sake of his family, and second, to enjoy the satisfaction of returning home in glory.
Long Yu was never one to endure things silently. For him, if something displeased him, he would say it; if he wanted to do something, he would do it.
After all, everyone only lives once in this world. Why shouldn’t one live happily?
“That’s it?” Ren Kaiming was a little surprised; he’d expected Long Yu to make a long list of demands, but there were only these two!
“That’s all. These are enough,” Long Yu confirmed.
In truth, to Long Yu, agreements were meaningless. If he was ever unhappy, he could just leave. What use were promises?
“Then let’s hold your appointment ceremony tonight!” Ren Kaiming asked Long Yu.
He chose this timing for a reason: to show those who had served under Commander Li that Long Yu was now on his side. If they were smart, they’d behave; if not, he wouldn’t be merciful.
Of course, Long Yu had no interest in his little schemes.
What Long Yu cared about now was letting his parents and sister live in a grand house, eat the best food, wear the finest clothes, and never be bullied again.
“Alright! But first, show me where I’ll be living from now on.” Long Yu agreed to Ren Kaiming’s proposal and immediately asked.
“Oh, right, right… I almost forgot in all the busyness.” Ren Kaiming slapped his forehead, as if just remembering.

“Commander Long, why not stay in Commander Li’s former residence? I’ve already had everything cleaned out and replaced with new furnishings.”
Commander Li’s former residence? That didn’t sound bad at all. The place where the Safe Zone’s former leader lived surely wouldn’t be lacking.
Thinking this, Long Yu readily agreed to move into Commander Li’s old home.
With Ren Kaiming leading the way and Long Yu’s own impressive physical stamina, they arrived in just a few minutes.
Looking at the luxurious villa and the surrounding gardens, Long Yu nodded in satisfaction, silently cursing at how well these people had been living.
But, from now on, all of this belonged to him. The thought brought a smile to his lips.
The guards around the house had already been replaced by Ren Kaiming, and most of the furnishings were new. After a brief inspection, Long Yu found himself even more pleased.
He realized just how limited his previous experience had been; these people truly knew how to indulge themselves.
This sofa, this table, this lamp—everything was different from what he’d had before.
After chatting a bit more, Ren Kaiming hurried off—he still had to reorganize the Safe Zone and prepare for the evening’s ceremony.
After seeing Ren Kaiming off, Long Yu decided it was time to bring his parents and sister over. Now that everything was settled, it was time for them to return.
With that thought, he opened a portal and returned to where his family was staying.
His parents were busy cleaning their room when he arrived.
“Dad, Mom, stop packing. We’re going back now!”
Hearing this, his parents’ expressions changed drastically—they were clearly fearful of the Safe Zone.
“It’s alright, I’ve taken care of everything. There’s no more danger,” Long Yu reassured them, seeing their concern.
Looking at their son’s confident expression and his firm promises, Long Yu’s parents finally relaxed.
Since his return, their son had become a different person. Maybe he really could do it!
“Let’s go.” Lifting his sister into his arms, Long Yu took his parents back to their new home—Commander Li’s former residence.

Gazing at the resplendent house before them, his parents appeared a little dazed. “Son, are we really going to live here?”
His mother’s uncertainty was evident; after a life of hardship, such luxury was beyond imagining.
“Of course we’re living here. This is our home now. You can rest easy,” Long Yu quickly reassured them.
“Your son is different now. I’m powerful. You can both live here without worry!”
“From now on, Mom, Dad, you can do whatever you like. No one in this Safe Zone will dare cross me.”
Seeing the pride on their son’s face, his parents said nothing more. They were overjoyed that their son had changed for the better.
“Oh, right. Dad, Mom, I’m going to take my sister to see someone. Maybe there’s a way to treat her injuries.”
He looked tenderly at his sister, who had fallen asleep in his arms. She used to be so lively, but now, after all she’d endured, she barely spoke and was even timid around him.
Looking at her wounds and her broken limbs, Long Yu’s anger flared again. Even killing those people felt too merciful.
Leaving the house, Long Yu, guided by the guards at the door, went straight to find Ren Kaiming.
He needed Ren Kaiming’s help to find someone with healing abilities or a skilled doctor to treat his sister.
The crystal cores could heal her external wounds, but the chronic ailments caused by long-term abuse were much harder to cure.
In the military compound, Ren Kaiming was issuing a series of orders to various officers.
One after another, the officers took their orders and left; the room grew emptier until only Ren Kaiming remained. He wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling exhausted.
After so long under constant tension, he was weary. He had waited for this moment for so long—those days hiding in the basement, scraping by while Commander Li did as he pleased. Now, his efforts seemed worthwhile.
He had finally made it through. Everything would get better from here on out.