Chapter 119: Commander versus Commander

Chapter 119: Commander V Commander

“Commander, your spacecraft will depart in three minutes,” a stewardess whispered softly beside Yun Shichu.

He nodded in acknowledgment, glanced at the time, and upon confirming it, closed his eyes. Calculating the flight duration, he seized this moment to rest briefly—thirty minutes of shut-eye after a sleepless night.

The spacecraft’s engines ignited, and it began to move slowly. From its appearance alone, it was clearly a shuttle of the Chinese military. The golden five-pointed star emblazoned on its hull signified the occupant’s identity. In fact, at this time, only military vessels were capable of leaving the planet.

To Yun Shichu, having a stewardess was unnecessary, especially with an entire ship full of cloned soldiers accompanying him.

He shook his head at his own thoughts—quite a bit of ceremony, indeed. Yet as he considered the person he was about to meet, his shaking head grew more pronounced.

Though he called him an old man, Yun Shichu couldn’t help but feel boundless respect for that elder in his heart.

“Hopefully this time it will go smoothly,” Yun Shichu muttered to himself, trying to boost his spirits, but his tone betrayed no hint of confidence.

“Commander, Commander, we’re approaching,” the stewardess called softly again. Years of habit had left Yun Shichu sensitive to such quiet summons, and he had already awakened from his light sleep when she approached.

“Yes, thank you,” he replied politely.

“You’re welcome,” she smiled and stepped back into the cabin. Everyone knew that despite his high rank and authority, this commander was approachable in private.

Gathering his composure, Yun Shichu gazed out the window. A sky-blue planet appeared—a world much like Earth, yet different. So many memories were tied to this place, but now was no time for nostalgia.

Upper Capital Star System

Yun Shichu’s destination was this very sky-blue planet, also called the Upper Capital Prime, situated in the third orbital layer of the Upper Capital Star System. People commonly referred to it as Upper Capital Star. Its geographic position held special significance—it marked the boundary between the inner and outer star zones of China.

Administratively, it was known as the Upper Capital Special Star District, guarded by its own independent garrison. The supreme commander of these forces was exactly the person Yun Shichu was about to meet.

His father-in-law, Daluyewei, Supreme Commander of the Upper Capital Military District.

“Hello, my dear... Yes, I’m almost there... Okay, understood... Don’t worry, I know... I definitely won’t... Yes, goodbye,” Yun Shichu spoke into the communicator before landing. His wife was anxious about this meeting.

Yun Shichu smiled wryly, realizing he might be overestimating the importance of this matter, even bordering on obsession. That was not good, he thought. Some things don’t unfold merely because one wishes them to.

Lost in thought, Yun Shichu felt the faint vibration of the spacecraft. Looking outside, they had arrived.

He could hardly recall the last time he came here. After some reflection, he remembered it was when Xiao Nuan was born—eighteen years ago.

Surveying the familiar surroundings, he couldn’t help but sigh at how swiftly time had passed.

“Commander, the commander is already waiting inside,” a cloned soldier’s voice interrupted his reverie.

Focusing, Yun Shichu saw the soldier and nodded, following him into the building after so many years.

Inside, Yun Shichu once again saw that imposing figure, standing by the window, seemingly gazing at something beyond. Sensing footsteps behind him, the elder spoke, “Shichu, you’re here?”

Hearing his name, Yun Shichu responded quickly, “Yes, father-in-law, I’m here.”

“Hmm, have a seat,” Daluyewei turned and sat down first. Only then did Yun Shichu take the vacant seat beside him.

“I heard from Yun’er you’re now a commander?” Daluyewei’s tone was slow but direct.

Upon hearing the question, Yun Shichu straightened his posture. After a brief pause, he answered, “Yes. Commander of Operational Command for China.”

“Oh? Appointed by the Military Commission?” Daluyewei’s question cut straight to the heart of the matter. Yun Shichu knew that if he answered poorly, this meeting would be over before it began.

“No, appointed by Chairman Hua,” Yun Shichu replied truthfully. He could not lie here; this was his initial strategy. As he contemplated how to proceed, his father-in-law spoke again.

“How many years has it been since you last came here with Yun’er?”

Yun Shichu hesitated, unsure why the elder suddenly asked this, but replied promptly, “The last time was when Xiao Nuan was born.”

At the mention of Xiao Nuan, a smile appeared on Daluyewei’s face. “Xiao Nuan must be eighteen now, a young lady.”

“Yes, she’s grown up,” Yun Shichu said.

“I, as her grandfather, probably wouldn’t recognize her now. She’s grown up, all grown up,” Daluyewei murmured, his voice softening, and Yun Shichu felt that the man before him was no longer the commander, but simply an old man.

“After this period, I’ll have Xiao Nuan come visit you,” Yun Shichu said hurriedly.

“After this period? I’m afraid it won’t be so easy to get through this time,” Daluyewei sighed again.

Only then did Yun Shichu realize he had inadvertently steered the conversation back to a sensitive topic, although it seemed the discussion was veering away from his original expectations.

“Speak plainly—what is your intention this time?” Daluyewei, knowing the purpose of Yun Shichu’s visit, finally spoke first.

“I hope you can temporarily lend the operational control of the Upper Capital Military District to the Operational Command,” Yun Shichu said after a moment’s silence, bluntly expressing his desire.

Daluyewei was somewhat surprised by Yun Shichu’s frankness. From what he remembered, this young man was full of schemes and slick words. Why was he so candid today?

Under the penetrating gaze of his father-in-law, Yun Shichu no longer avoided eye contact as he once did. He was no longer the naive youth of over a decade ago.

After a long pause, Daluyewei’s expression softened into a smile. “Times have changed. This era ultimately belongs to your generation. Very well, let you young ones have your way.”

Daluyewei had long looked down on Yun Shichu, believing him lacking in responsibility—a quality he deemed unworthy of marrying his daughter. But today, Yun Shichu seemed truly transformed. Moreover, Daluyewei himself was weary.

The endless scheming was no longer something this soldier could endure. It was time to let go of certain burdens.

“Thank you,” Yun Shichu said sincerely.

“Ha ha ha, thank me for what? Everything I do is for China. And you?”

“For China,” Yun Shichu replied with firm conviction.