Chapter 120: Liu Shaoyu at a Crossroads

Chapter 120: Liu Shaoyu at a Crossroads

“At this hour?” Liu Shaoyu frowned as he looked at the incoming communication request. Could it be Wang Weifu? Liu Shaoyu felt that was quite likely. He had many questions himself.

Upon answering, a puzzled expression crossed Liu Shaoyu’s face, for the person on the screen was not Wang Weifu.

“Hello, my name is Yun Shichu. I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Temporary Combat Command of Huaxia,” a deep voice resonated in Liu Shaoyu’s ear.

Yun Shichu? Liu Shaoyu was certain he did not know such a person, though the name did appear somewhere—just moments ago, in that stack of documents.

“Greetings, Commander Yun. May I ask the purpose of your call?” Liu Shaoyu responded.

It is often said that one’s character can be discerned from their appearance—a notion once belonging to physiognomy. Nowadays, aided by the S gene, Liu Shaoyu could roughly gauge a person’s character by their looks, yielding a fairly accurate conclusion.

Yun Shichu’s features were broad and commanding, radiating an imposing sense of righteousness. Yet Liu Shaoyu also sensed extraordinary wisdom behind those eyes.

“I wish to have you return to Earth,” Yun Shichu said decisively.

Liu Shaoyu was somewhat amused and exasperated by this request; after all, he had just barely escaped death from that place.

“If it’s about that, I don’t see any reason to continue this conversation,” Liu Shaoyu said bluntly, refusing.

Perhaps anticipating this response, Yun Shichu’s stern expression softened into a smile. “I understand you faced some unpleasantness on Earth before, but rest assured, your safety will be meticulously protected by the military this time.”

Liu Shaoyu’s face betrayed no change, but inside he was full of complaints. Though he was unsure of the true relationship between the military and the Republic’s Radiance, he didn’t believe they were at odds.

Since the five-member squad had already kidnapped him once, he saw no reason to return.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t intend to go back,” Liu Shaoyu politely declined.

“Comrade Liu Shaoyu, don’t forget—you are still a soldier,” Yun Shichu said. Since he had reached Liu Shaoyu by communication, he undoubtedly did his homework. Moreover, Liu Shaoyu’s military status was an undeniable fact.

“Soldier?” Liu Shaoyu repeated the word silently to himself. Was he still a soldier when the five-member squad kidnapped him? And with all he had done recently, he had almost forgotten that identity.

Seeing Liu Shaoyu fall into thought, Yun Shichu’s tone softened: “No matter what, you remain a soldier of the Huaxia Republic. That will not change.”

“Speak then. What do you need me to do?” Liu Shaoyu asked.

A look of approval flashed in Yun Shichu’s eyes—he admired Liu Shaoyu’s decisiveness.

“Director Xu wishes to see you,” Yun Shichu said.

“Director Xu?” Liu Shaoyu heard the name after a long time.

“Yes, Director Xu. Report your coordinates, and I will send someone to pick you up,” Yun Shichu said.

“All right. But…” Liu Shaoyu hesitated. Since Yun Shichu’s communication came through the Republic’s Radiance, and given the five-member squad’s intent to capture him, sharing coordinates here wasn’t a wise choice.

“Rest assured, this communication line is specially approved by the Chairman. Without permission, no one else can intercept it,” Yun Shichu assured him.

Though reassured, Liu Shaoyu remained uneasy. Nevertheless, with no other options, he shared his coordinates.

“I have noted it. See you at the designated coordinates in about a day,” Yun Shichu said before ending the call.

After the communication ended, Liu Shaoyu pondered why he was summoned back this time. Could it be related to the five-member squad? The Chairman’s special approval line suggested the Chairman was involved. But which Chairman—military or national—he could not tell.

Lost in thought, Liu Shaoyu’s communicator rang again.

Upon answering, the person on screen smiled, while Liu Shaoyu furrowed his brow. If it wasn’t Yun Shichu, then who?

“Why that expression?” Wang Weifu smiled in confusion.

“What expression should I have?” Liu Shaoyu replied.

“At least… a bit happier, I suppose?” Wang Weifu considered.

Liu Shaoyu was at a loss for words regarding Wang Weifu. Everything that had happened seemed inexplicably tied to him—from the rescue and the War Dragon, to the death of Monkey, which was closely linked to Wang Weifu as well.

“If things were different, maybe I’d be a little happier,” Liu Shaoyu said gravely.

“I know about Monkey’s death. I’m truly sorry,” Wang Weifu said, but offered no further words.

Liu Shaoyu saw sincere remorse on Wang Weifu’s face, but nothing could bring back the lost life.

“What do you want?” Liu Shaoyu asked, unwilling to speak further about Monkey.

Wang Weifu understood his mood and straightened his tone. “You should have already received the upgrade, right?”

Wang Weifu’s words confirmed Liu Shaoyu’s suspicion: this upgrade had indeed come from him. Liu Shaoyu nodded.

“In fact, his current capabilities exceed your expectations. This upgrade mainly targets the Federation’s computer system, specifically to block certain functions of the Republic’s Radiance,” Wang Weifu explained.

“You know about the five-member squad?” Liu Shaoyu asked, as it seemed unlikely Wang Weifu would randomly send an upgrade targeting the Republic’s Radiance without knowledge of that.

An embarrassed smile appeared on Wang Weifu’s face. “Yes. I’m sorry about that.”

This was not the answer Liu Shaoyu wanted; an apology solved nothing and changed nothing.

“Actually, the person who rescued you was sent by me,” Wang Weifu said after a moment’s hesitation.

What? Liu Shaoyu found this strange. He had seen the escape pod that saved him—a typical Huaxia military facility. Smuggling one in was unlikely, and the wreckage of the warship proved it was a Huaxia military vessel. So it was a fact that his rescue came from the military.

But now Wang Weifu claimed he sent them, which complicated matters further.

“Where are you?” Liu Shaoyu finally asked. He did not want to label Wang Weifu’s actions as desertion on the battlefield, but that was the reality.

“Have you heard of the Galactic Dawn Thought Society?” Wang Weifu asked.

Since Liu Shaoyu’s computer had been upgraded, Wang Weifu did not fear eavesdropping. The main concern for eavesdropping was the Republic’s Radiance.

“Galactic Dawn Thought Society?” The phrase flashed through Liu Shaoyu’s mind. The name was familiar, yet mysterious. It had a long history, and previous projects like the God Plan were closely linked to it.

“I’ve heard of it,” Liu Shaoyu replied briefly, though only in passing.

“Do you understand it?” Wang Weifu asked after hearing the response.

Liu Shaoyu was puzzled by the question, as the answer was obvious to him.

“No,” he answered honestly.

Wang Weifu seemed prepared for this and continued, “Then, do you understand Huaxia?”

Liu Shaoyu could not answer as simply as before. He was just an ordinary citizen of Huaxia. If anything, he also held a soldier’s status. Perhaps Commander Yun or the Chairman could provide an answer, but Liu Shaoyu truly did not understand Huaxia.

“Not really,” he said after careful thought.

“Then let me simplify: do you know the five-member squad?” Wang Weifu asked again.

Liu Shaoyu certainly did not know the five-member squad; if he had, he wouldn’t have foolishly walked into their trap.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Liu Shaoyu asked, bewildered by Wang Weifu’s line of questioning.

Sensing Liu Shaoyu’s impatience, Wang Weifu cut to the chase. “Because what I want to say is this: the Huaxia you understand is not the Huaxia that exists now.”

“What does that have to do with the five-member squad?” Liu Shaoyu asked.

“Or perhaps you should ask what the relationship between the five-member squad and the Republic’s Radiance is,” Wang Weifu replied.

“And what is that relationship?” Liu Shaoyu felt that knowing the answer might change many things, though everything was already chaotic enough. He felt it necessary to uncover at least part of the truth.

“The five-member squad… is the Republic’s Radiance,” Wang Weifu said.

“But the Republic’s Radiance is a computer system, isn’t it?” Liu Shaoyu did not understand Wang Weifu’s meaning.

“Saying it’s just a computer somewhat underrates it,” Wang Weifu said with a hint of sarcasm, as if the term ‘computer’ tarnished the name Republic’s Radiance.

“Then what is it?” Liu Shaoyu pressed on, sensing the situation was more complicated than he thought.

“It’s a long story. But after I tell you, you may have to make a choice. Do you want to hear it?” Wang Weifu asked.

“Better than this mess. Go ahead,” Liu Shaoyu replied without much hesitation, for he truly did not want to remain in his current state.