Book 4, Chapter 251: Absence Makes The Heart Fonder
Book 4, Chapter 251: Absence Makes The Heart Fonder
“Yu Wan said that the boy made it into Yangzhi City’s Martial Valor University some time ago and became a martial artist. Later on, he went to Central City’s main campus. Apparently, he’s working for the Defense Bureau now. He’s pretty successful,” Yu Jie answered.
“Oh? Is that so? He must have had a pretty hard life, then.” Han Kuang was quite surprised.
All those who could make it into the main campuses in Central Cities were outstanding martial artists. As for what position his nephew got? He didn’t put much attention to it. Based on his nephew’s age, he shouldn't have graduated yet, so he was most likely sponsored by Jibei Road’s Defense Bureau. This was common, but it also meant that he was going to have a bright future ahead.
After some thinking, he said, “Wasn’t Yu Zhen also a martial artist? Maybe that’s why her son is also suitable for that path.”
The moment he said it, he regretted it.
Just as he expected, Yu Jie snapped, “What’s good about being a martial artist? Yu Zhen was a girl, and yet all she did was practicing martial arts. Life was so tough for her back then. Forget my parents, even I found my heart aching for her whenever I watched her. If Yu Zhen had just listened to me instead of marrying that researcher, she wouldn’t have gone missing.”
Han Kuang didn’t interrupt. He had listened to Yu Jie grumbling about this so many times that he knew she would never stop once she started. So, he said instead, “I’m hungry. Let’s go grab something to eat.”
“I made pumpkin millet porridge for you. Get Mrs. Ling to serve a bowl for you. You have a weak stomach and worked late into the night yesterday. You should take good care of yourself. Don’t eat anything greasy in the morning. Also, don’t smoke,” Yu Jie nagged.
“Sure.” Han Kuang put on his clothes and went outside to wash up. Then, he went to the dining room beside their bedroom and sat down. Mrs. Ling put a bowl filled to the brim with pumpkin millet porridge in front of him, and he took a spoonful before nodding. Even after so many years, he loved Yu Jie’s porridge the most.
Once he was done, he felt his stomach warm over, and it was a comfortable feeling. He rinsed his mouth and went back to his study to pick up the documents he had yet to go over, because they were delivered yesterday at midnight. After that, he picked up the military newspaper that came in the morning.
His unit was stationed at the border of Central City. If the army failed to defend the merged space or something happened there, they could move right into Central City to defend or perform a counterattack. That was why they needed to always be up to date on all news regarding their Central City.
After reading for a while, he heard laughter and chatter downstairs from his daughters. The two girls weren’t like him, but resembled Yu Jie more. They were extroverts and always became incredibly lively whenever they had guests.
He could also hear a young man talking. The slightly hoarse voice made it clear that he was a soldier, so Han Kuang was sure that it was Yu Jie’s son, Nian Qian.
Back then, his brother-in-law had come to him to secure a future for his son. Coincidentally, Han Kuang could recommend exactly one person to the military. Nian Qian’s physical attributes were outstanding, so Han Kuang got him into military school, from which the young man later graduated. In comparison, his own eldest refused to join the military, even on the threat of death. Instead, he insisted on opening an agent company. The thought made him shake his head.
After going through the newspaper, he didn’t find any news worth paying attention to, so he put the newspaper aside, changed into another set of clothes, and went downstairs.
***
Nian Qian was talking to his cousins in the corridor. The two girls were quick-witted and cheerful. It was five years ago that he had last visited them, and now, they had become teenagers and grown into their looks. Han Xiaohuan, the older sister, was sixteen and resembled Han Kuang. She had a tall nose and rather prominent facial features that gave her a heroic air. Han Xiaojing, the younger sister, was fourteen and resembled the Yu sisters. She had gentler features and a beautiful face.
Just then, he saw Han Kuang come down and immediately stood up to salute him, “Sir.”
Han Kuang saluted him right back. He was pleased with how Nian Qian addressed him and smiled. “We’re family. You don’t have to be so serious at home. Just call me Uncle Kuang.”
“Roger!”
“Anyway, sit.” Once Han Kuang settled down, he waited for his daughters and Nian Qian to sit down as well before asking, “Where are your parents?”
“Aunty Jie brought them to the city for sightseeing. My siblings went with them.”
“That’s good too. Since you came back and I have time today, let’s spend some time talking—”
Just then, Han Kuang noticed his daughters leaning against each other while slouching in their chairs. He frowned and snapped at them, “Why are you slouching? Where are your manners? Sit up straight!”
Han Xiaohuan and Han Xiaojing immediately sat up straight.
Han Kuang turned to Nian Qian. “You’re a lieutenant colonel now, aren’t you? That couldn’t have been easy, considering your age.”
“I was constantly walking on eggshells. Always terrified of making mistakes,” Nian Qian said.
“Walking on eggshells, huh? That’s the right attitude to have, but don’t even think about saying that to me. I can tell that you’re brave. The first time I met you, I knew that you were suited to being a soldier. It seems like I was right.” Han Kuang pointed at him.
Han Xiaohuan cut in, “I heard that Nian Qian led a special unit to one of the island nations for a mission.”
Han Kuang frowned.
Nian Qian quickly rushed in to explain. “It’s no longer confidential. My unit was mainly there to gather some technical data and verify results. The mission was a huge success, so we will be introducing the technology to the other battalions.”
Han Kuang was interested upon hearing that. “Could you give me the details?”
Nian Qian shared with him the things he could say. The data itself, though, could not be said to even Han Kuang, at least not without his commanding officers’ approval.
Han Kuang was a military advisor, so he deciphered plenty of things based on what Nian Qian told him, and he sighed in amazement. “Your unit is ahead of the others. But that makes sense. You’re close to the sea. Since you’re facing the island nations, you face pressure from the Linacrox Union, so all the cutting-edge technology has to go to you first. Anyway, let’s cut this topic short. Don’t continue it anymore. Why don’t you tell me about your life after you joined the army?”
“Sure.”
Their conversation revolved around the military from start to finish. Most of their discussions were about reformations and technology at the frontlines, along with the military standards of the other countries.
Han Xiaohuan was incredibly interested in these things and was completely engrossed, but Han Xiaojing was just listening for the gossip. When she saw that they had finished their tea, she filled their cups.
Han Kuang felt much better after spending a considerable time talking to Nian Qian. While he drank tea, he asked, “How did you come here this time?”
“My cousin got an airship for us. We reached Gu County before switching over to a car. The trip went by pretty smoothly.”
“An airship?” Han Kuang was surprised. Only those with high status could use airships. It seemed like he had underestimated his nephew. He brought a cup to his lips.
“I heard from Yu Jie that your cousin is working in Jibei Road’s Defense Bureau. What’s his position?”
“The director.”
“Oh, the director, huh...” Han Kuang was drinking tea when the shock kicked at him so hard that he spat the tea out.
“Dad, are you okay?” Han Xiaohuan asked in surprise.
Han Xiaojing quickly patted his back and even dabbed at his shirt with a handkerchief.
Han Kuang could not even be bothered with the tea on his shirt at this point. He stared at Nian Qian in amazement as he wondered whether his ears were playing tricks on him. “What did you just say? Your cousin is the director? Of the Defense Bureau?”
“Yes. The director of Jibei Road’s Defense Bureau,” Nian Qian replied with a nod.
Han Kuang was completely floored, and his expression was one of bewilderment. As a military adviser, of course he knew what the Defense Bureau entailed. The director of the Defense Bureau had the highest rank in the Central Cities, along with the chief secretaries. They answered directly to the capital, and if they were in the military, they were considered generals.
He stared at Nian Qian in disbelief. Then, after some hesitation, he asked, “How did your cousin get to his position?”
Nian Qian cleared his throat a bit and said slowly, “Well, he’s... a martial arts master.”
Han Kuang’s eyes flew wide open. This news was even more shocking than the last one, so much so that he felt like he couldn’t wrap his mind around it. His mind was blank for a good long while, and he only snapped out of his daze when his daughter called out to him. He quickly straightened his teacup to save the tea from spilling over. Then, he took a few quick sips to hide his loss of composure.
Some time passed before he felt his bewilderment fade. He mumbled, “A martial arts master...”
Even he didn’t realize that there was a slight quiver in his voice.
As a military adviser, he knew more than the average person, so he was aware just how powerful martial arts masters were. After sucking in a deep breath, he asked, “When did that happen?”
Nian Qian thought about it. “A few months ago.”
Han Kuang nodded. News about martial arts masters was usually not made public. The Central Cities didn’t share information either, so it made sense that Shannan Road had never heard about it.
Still, when he took a look at the sky and the bright sun outside, he found the situation surreal.
A moment later, he asked, “Is your cousin twenty years old yet?”
“After the New Year, he’ll be twenty.”
“A martial arts master at twenty years old...”
Han Kuang gasped in amazement. Just how talented must he be to become one at such an age?
There were martial arts masters in the military, but he had never met them, because they were all stationed at the frontlines of the merged space and seldom came out. Even if they did, they traveled via airships. However, he had read up on the strength of martial arts masters, so he could imagine just what kind of a prominent figure his nephew was going to be in the future.
He sucked in a deep breath.
Then, he remembered something and asked, “Did your cousin say that he’s coming over as well?”
Nian Qian nodded. “He wanted to, but some government business suddenly came up, so he had to take care of it.”
Han Kuang nodded. He could understand that. His nephew was the director of the Defense Bureau and a martial arts master, so he definitely had a lot of work in his hands.
They continued talking until the phone rang and Mrs. Ling ran over. “Mr. Han, your commanding officer called and said that you’re required for an emergency.”