Chapter 1286 - Promise!
Chapter 1286: Promise!
Luo Yang saw the look Tian Fang had given him. He angrily said, “Go ask the lieutenant general yourself.”
It seemed Luo Yang was angered by something.
Although Tian Fang was suspecting something was up, he still sat down in front of Ling Lan with a smile on his face and asked, “Lieutenant general, can you tell me what actually happened here?”
Ling Lan’s current condition was actually not any better compared to her condition after the battle on Planet Haijiao. Her collar and sleeve area revealed the bandages over her body clearly. However, Ling Lan’s nonchalant behavior gave Tian Fang the impression that the injuries didn’t seem that severe.
After hearing Tian Fang’s question, Ling Lan calmly replied, “It’s nothing. I just told Senior Colonel Luo that I’m going back to the Federation.”
These words made the smile on Tian Fang’s face freeze up.
“Um, Lieutenant general, can you say that again? I think my ears have heard something crazy.” Tian Fang picked his ears with his fingers and asked again in disbelief.
“I’m going back to the Federation for a while.” Ling Lan raised her eyebrows and spoke out her decision once again.
“Lieutenant general, are you joking?” Tian Fang driedly laughed.
“I never joke when it comes to important matters,” Ling Lan said indifferently.
Tian Fang forcefully pulled his hair and swore under his breath. He actually didn’t think that under such dangerous circumstances, Ling Lan was actually crazy enough to return to the Federation.
Even the strongest general died in the hands of those people. If Ling Lan were to return, he would definitely be like entering a tiger’s den.
“Don’t think too much. I’m only going back for a while. After I have done what I need to do, I’ll return immediately.” Ling Lan knew Tian Fang didn’t have any ill thoughts against her, and was just worried about her. Thus, she patiently explained what she planned to do.
Tian Fang turned around and looked towards Li Lanfeng, who was still preparing tea, and asked in a serious tone, “You agreed with him?” He had heard that Li Lanfeng was someone with many plans and strategies in mind. Why didn’t he try to stop the lieutenant general’s dumb decision?
“I will listen to the lieutenant general,” Li Lanfeng replied very calmly, but Tian Fang saw the helplessness in Li Lanfeng’s eyes. It seemed Li Lanfeng also disagreed with the lieutenant general on this decision, but in the end, Li Lanfeng didn’t succeed in stopping him.
“Although we belong to different clans, according to the war time regulations, if a clan was to lose communications with the Federation, the person with the highest rank shall be supreme commander. Thus, you are our commander. In that respect, we don’t have the right to go against the decisions you make,” said Tian Fang with a cold look on his face. “However, the decision you are making is too dangerous. It’s even an illogical one. I have to ask the reason why you want to go back. If you can’t convince me, then I won’t agree to you returning to the Federation.”
Tian Fang’s words made Luo Yang more determined. Their expression showed that if they couldn’t be convinced and Ling Lan still wanted to leave, then there will be bloodshed thereafter.
Seeing Tian Fang and Luo Yang being worried for her, it reminded her of the time when she was young and arrogant. Back then, she led a ship full of students and took control of the 7th Bugle Call. It should be said that her actions offended them greatly. Even if she had asked her father to clean it up for her by taking in the 7th Bugle Call into the 23rd Division to erase their punishments, all of this was still her fault. If these people were narrow minded, they might have hated her for their entire lives. However, she didn’t think that in the end, the people who came to rescue her were actually them. In the end, they even chose to betray the Federation and took her into the territory of a neutral nation.
Of course, Ling Lan knew that his father was the reason the two of them saved her with all of their efforts. The longer she was in the military, the more she understood what kind of position her father held in the hearts of the soldiers. It wasn’t the usual respect they had for a high-ranking officer. Instead, it was an idolization from the heart. Such a terrifying effect was closely related to the 16 years of time when her father had ‘died’. In that time, the military headquarters worked their hardest to create geniuses and monstrous individuals to perfect them into another Ling Xiao through magnifying the accomplishment he had done and picturing him as the perfect soldier. Just like that, after years of hard work, it affected that generation of soldiers. As time passed, those soldiers grew up and became higher-ranking officers in the military. These officers then affected the soldiers they were leading and carved this idolization into the hearts of all levels of the military. The seeds were sown, and buds had bloomed.
After Ling Xiao had returned and became a general, the military headquarters then discovered that their decision back in the day was extremely dumb. They made an idol powerful enough to sway the minds of the common soldiers. Perhaps this was the reason some people always plotted against Ling Xiao and some people chose to just watch from a distance. Ling Xiao’s existence had indeed bred a lot of negative feelings.
Ling Lan didn’t want these two people, who cared about her, to become sad because of her. She thought for a moment and then said, “My mother has already taken a big hit with the fact that my father is no longer around. If I don’t report back to her, I’m afraid she might not be able to hold on.”
After saying all that, Ling Lan’s eyes turned dim. “Something already happened to my father. I don’t want anything to happen to my mother. Otherwise, what’s the point of me getting out alive?”
Tian Fang wanted to say something against that line of thought, but words couldn’t come out of his mouth.
“The general’s wife is well-guarded. It will be hard to get close to her. Plus, I am sure that there are countless people watching her every move because they are sure you will go back to her once you return,” said Luo Yang. No matter where they escape to, after how many years, they still have to return to the Federation in the end. After all, that’s where their roots were at and the fact that the death of General Ling Xiao still had to be avenged.
“I know, but I am confident I won’t alert them of my presence.” In terms of mecha piloting, there were many people stronger than her. She could guarantee that. However, in terms of physical skills, other than her master Mu Shui-qing, it wouldn’t be that easy to detect her even if it was against an imperial realm formidable warrior. The only troublesome matter was that without Little Four, it will be difficult to enter Planet General.
As long as there was a will, there was a way.
“Who are you taking with you? Don’t tell me it’s just you. I will definitely not agree to that.” Tian Fang knew he couldn’t stop Ling Lan anymore. He could only try to think of ways to increase the chances of Ling Lan surviving, so that he could return safely.
“Quality over quantity. I will take Li Lanfeng and Luo Lang. Just the three of us is enough,” replied Ling Lan.
“No way. The three of you won’t be enough. It’s too dangerous,” Tian Fang didn’t even think and refused Ling Lan’s proposal.
“Making fake identities is troublesome. I, Li Lanfeng and Luo Lang have fake identities from during a previous mission,” explained Ling Lan.
“You don’t have to worry about that. Our identity before was a mercenary team. We can disguise ourselves as a mercenary team and enter the Federation,” rebutted Tian Fang.
“Mercenary teams can only enter the Federation. Only soldiers and citizens with good backgrounds can enter Planet General,” replied Ling Lan. “Plus, without enough strength, you going there will be a burden. Major General Tian Fang, don’t forget, back then, your people all lost to me.”
Tian Fang turned speechless. In the end, he could only say helplessly, “In that case, please be careful.”
“Okay.” Ling Lan nodded gratefully. As she was standing up to leave, Li Lanfeng quickly drap her cloak over her.
Tian Fang also stood up and led Ling Lan out of the room. After reaching the door, he suddenly spoke up, “Lieutenant general, the 7th Bugle Call needs around 45 days to get repaired. If you don’t return in 45 days, we will take the 7th Bugle Call back to the Federation, and if that happens, we won’t be able to keep in contact with you anymore.”
This was Tian Fang’s decision and was also a reminder for Ling Lan. Although his words seemed heartless, his tone still carried a hint of care and hope. All in all, Tian Fang hoped Ling Lan could return safely, take the 7th Bugle Call to the place Ling Lan needed to go and achieve greatness.
“I understand.” Ling Lan put out her hand.
Tian Fang put out his hand and the two of them shook each other’s hands firmly. This was the promise made between the two of them.