Chapter 004: Just a Bit Old in Age_1

Tu Yuan stared expressionlessly at the holographic projection screen before him, which repeatedly played the footage of Ji Xinghe effortlessly performing a Judo throw. Despite having seen many skilled fighters, he couldn't help but admire the elder Ji. Quite impressive for someone of 65 years.

Yet, Tu Yuan remained expressionless. After watching the footage a few times, he shifted his gaze to another holographic projection screen that clearly displayed all of Ji Xinghe's information. The reason for his indifference was that Ji Xinghe's records did not indicate any martial arts abilities.

So he asked straight away, "Why?"

The detention center officials and New Phoenix City Police Station officers were confused, unsure what the renowned Federal Major General was asking.

Major General Tu Yuan was quite popular because he didn't become a Major General just this year. Three years ago, Tu Yuan, at the age of 37, became the youngest Major General in the Federation's history.

Those unfamiliar with Tu Yuan didn't quite understand the crux of his question. But his companions immediately got it and speculated, "Could it be possible that his knowledge of Wing Chun is true, but his learning and practice were never captured by surveillance?"

Surveillance is ubiquitous, yet it doesn't cover every single location.

Anything not caught on surveillance wouldn't be recorded by big data. Without any corresponding learning or practicing records, even the Federation's AI program couldn't possibly know that Ji Xinghe knew martial arts.

Tu Yuan slightly furrowed his brows.

"You know martial arts, and you're a good fighter. But from childhood to your current age of 65, you've never been in a fight with anyone. Why is that?" he asked.

His staff officer uncertainly answered, "A good temper? He doesn't argue or fight unnecessarily."

"Good temper?" Tu Yuan's brow furrowed even deeper as he pointed to the footage of Ji Xinghe performing the Judo throw on his opponent. "Is this a good temper? Can a person with a 'good temper' steal a Single Soldier Starship? Or pick up a kitchen knife and plan to slaughter Imperial Ape mecha on the front line?"

The staff officer's tone suddenly turned certain as he said, "Yes, a good temper. But his relative, Lieutenant Ji Chenxing, the only family he had in the world, has died. He's an elder who had to send off his junior, so his temper is not good."

Ji Chenxing was posthumously promoted from a lieutenant to a staff officer. This wasn't an honorary title but came with actual benefits. Besides Ji Xinghe's own pension and retirement funds, he was also eligible for the Federation's higher standard bereavement allowance given annually.

"You're mistaken," Tu Yuan corrected flatly. His point of contention, however, was strange: "He doesn't have white hair."

Ji Xinghe in the holographic projections indeed didn't have a single strand of white hair. This was confirmed by both the detention center officials and the officers processing the case.

The staff officer confusedly replied, "He's 65 years old and doesn't have white hair, which means he takes great care of himself. Plus, he knows martial arts, so this shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Tu Yuan pondered momentarily.

"Then why, when he's so upset and impulsive, unable to control his temper, does he still not have any white hair?"

Tragedy-stricken overnight?

Everyone present understood Tu Yuan's implied meaning but thought he was being rather nonsensical. They found the idea of someone turning gray overnight due to sadness incredibly rare and unrelated to the case at hand.

Still, nobody questioned him. After all, they were dealing with the Federation's youngest Major General. The title of "youngest Major General" signaled more promising prospects than that of just a Major General.

"Bring me Ji Chenxing's files."

Three seconds after Tu Yuan made this request, he received a tablet from his staff officer. The tablet had holographic projection functionalities but they weren't activated because Ji Chenxing's classified information couldn't be viewed by others present.

While scrolling through the files, Tu Yuan paused suddenly.

"Suspected?"

"Yes, suspected." His staff officer, who had seen all of Ji Chenxing's classified information, confirmed, "As for this, we haven't been able to establish certainty yet. We've sent agents for confirmation though, which should take around three days."

Suspected of what?

Everyone around grew increasingly curious. Could it be that Ji Chenxing didn't die?

But that was impossible. The Federation's military was always stringent about these matters. Missing meant missing, and dead meant dead.

Tu Yuan nodded, handed the tablet back to his staff officer, and then focused his attention on the New Phoenix City police officers and prison officials.

"I would like to meet him in person. Is that possible?"

"Of course, certainly."

"No problem, we'll arrange it right away."

After ruling out the probabilities of Ji Xinghe being an Imperial spy or terrorist, the officers who knew the ins and outs of the case felt a sense of pity. They were, in fact, prepared to withdraw the charges.

But their withdrawal wasn't enough as it also required the prosecutor's office to drop the charges. Only then would there be no court proceedings.

The police, the prosecution, and the law - essential components of the federal legal system.

...

Ji Xinghe was brought out of his solitary cell. The detention facility staff, already aware of his situation, offered a kind reminder, "Major General Tu Yuan is here for you. Be careful with your words. Behave and they might be able to help you. You might be able to go home."

"Thank you."

After responding, Ji Xinghe fell silent, but his steps became more resolute. However, this had nothing to do with whether he could go home or not.

As he entered the interrogation room of the detention facility, Ji Xinghe saw Tu Yuan. Previously, he knew Tu but Tu didn't know him. However, now he felt that Tu must recognize him as well.

"No need."

Tu Yuan waved his hand, stopping the detention staff from handcuffing Ji Xinghe as per the procedure. He then gestured for Ji Xinghe to sit down.

As the towering figure of Ji Xinghe, standing well over six feet tall, sat down, he still gave Tu Yuan a sense of grandeur and robustness. Ji Xinghe's spirit and sharp gaze were dazzling, as if at any moment they could explode and hurt someone.

This didn't fit the situation of an old man mourning his son's death, and it certainly didn't fit the situation of a criminal facing a general.

"Stop pretending. I won't allow you to enlist," Tu Yuan cut through Ji Xinghe's facade and asked directly, "What's up with your martial arts?"

Within two sentences, Ji Xinghe's tall figure hunched over. It was as if his impressive height had collapsed. His energy disappeared all of a sudden, and his voice became hoarse.

"Does it matter?"

"Doesn't it?"

"If you won't let me go to the front line, nothing matters."

"But you should very well know that you going to the front line means nothing. The federation's Mechas are precious. With your physical condition, you won't be able to bring out the full performance of a Mecha. You'd just be wasting the federation's resources."

"I can fire."

"If Imperial starships and fortifications were that easy to hit, why would we need to manufacture Mechas? That's an alien planet, not Azure Star. The battle methods are completely different."

"I can operate Single Soldier Starships. I know some operations require someone to go on a suicide mission. I'm not afraid to die. Give me a Single Soldier Starship, I'll ram it into wherever you want me to, as long as there are Imperial apes there."

Tu Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"It's pointless, as you wouldn't be able to fully utilize the capabilities of a Single Soldier Starship either. You'd be intercepted and shot down halfway."

"How about a gun? I have money. I can buy from you. Just let me go to the front line."

Tu Yuan fell silent again, but it was unclear whether it was because of Ji Xinghe's words or his increasingly hoarse voice.

Ji Xinghe didn't want to stay silent. This might be his last chance.

"I don't eat much. I can pay for myself. I don't have to stay in the barracks. I can stay in a tent."

"I can use my pension and retirement benefits for this. I will give you all of it. Just let me go to the front line."

"I don't need a Mecha or a gun. Give me any scrap metal you don't need. I can build a suit that can adapt to the alien environment. Not a Mecha, just a space suit."

"I won't waste the oxygen in the camp, nor in the alien base. I can live outside all the time."

"If nothing else works, next time you attack the Imperial Star using the Transition Gate, just throw me along. Give me two swords, that should do the trick."

"The Eight Chop Sword would be best. I know Eight Chop Sword. I don't have one, but I really know how to use it."

"General, I can fight well. Really, I can fight well."

Ji Xinghe looked at the silent Tu Yuan and hesitated before saying, "I can take on ten like you."

Finally, Tu Yuan could not help but erupt in anger, "I'm a goddamn desk Major General! Even if you could beat a hundred of me, what's the point? You're 65 years old! If you were twenty years younger, I'd let you go. But you're 65! Can't you just retire peacefully?"

Ji Xinghe fell silent and after a long while, finally spoke again.

"No, because my son is dead."