"Hello, is this the Lingzhou Military District? I'm He Mu, He Feng's younger brother."
After a moment's pause on the other side of the phone, a firm, middle-aged man's voice sounded.
"Hey there, my condolences."
"That video on the internet, is it true?"
"Although I refuse to believe it, that video is true," the middle-aged man replied.
Immediately afterward, the middle-aged man added: "Since we weren't there to witness the incident with our own eyes, the military will not characterize the matter."
"I seek your understanding on this part. After all, with that video in place, the military is not likely to award He Feng any honor.
"What's more… This assault was deadly, resulting in the death of Professor Liu Zhen, a very influential figure in the scientific community. This incident has caused protests from all sectors of society, especially the scientific community. This situation today is already the result of our best efforts."
There was a moment of silence.
A few breaths later, He Mu suddenly asked: "Did the satellite capture anything? The military should have other monitoring channels, right?"
Upon hearing his question, the middle-aged man was apparently taken aback.
Only after a long time did he reply with some lack of breath: "That is a military secret."
"I want to go to Lingzhou City and check out my big brother's residence and the place where the incident happened."
He Mu's tone was decisive.
"Uh, I'm sorry, everything has to be carried out following regulations… Erm, I have other important things to take care of. I'll be hanging up first."
Beep, beep, beep…
…
Listening to the lifeless beeps in the phone, He Mu was baffled.
It was just as he thought. His big brother's death wasn't as simple as it seemed.
But what was the truth?
He Mu couldn't figure it out.
But no matter what, he had to go to Lingzhou City! Only by going to the scene and finding the survivors who experienced the disaster would it be possible to know the truth.
But before that, He Mu lowered his head and looked at the familiar suitcase.
His big brother bought this suitcase with him when he joined the army, and used it up until three days ago.
He carefully opened the suitcase. Inside it were a few specially-customized clothes and some monster body parts.
In addition, there was a delicate leather box printed with the logo of a dragon.
Just as He Mu was about to open the leather box to see what was inside, something pressed under the leather box caught his attention.
It was the corner of an envelope.
He Mu widened his eyes, hurriedly lifted the leather box, and pulled the envelope out.
Six words were written on the envelope.
"To my younger brother, He Mu."
It was apparently a posthumous letter.
Phew…
He Mu exhaled and opened the envelope.
There was indeed a letter inside, written with an unique font formed due to his big brother's imitation of their mother's handwriting.
…
Younger Brother, I'm glad I wrote this letter.
In fact, I started writing such letters the first year I joined the army. I write these letters on your birthday every year. When your birthday arrives the next year and nothing bad happens to me, I tear the letter up and rewrite it.
The reason why I write this is, on one hand, because our parents didn't leave us with any last words when they left, which was a regret for us brothers.
And I don't want that regret to happen to you again.
On the other hand, it is because I, as your big brother, can't stop worrying about you.
…
Now that you've read this letter, I'm sure I've died, right?
Luckily, I didn't take you with me.
But from now on, you are the only one in our family…
But don't worry, I've thought of a way out for you, and even found hope for you to return back to normal.
Just yesterday, I learned from a good friend's teacher that the Dragonheart Genetics Company has recently developed a new special cell-catalytic drug that specializes in healing a variety of old injuries. The effect is amazing; it is also said to be able to make amputated limbs regenerate.
This drug is still in its experimental stage. It still needs a year or two before hitting the market. But using some of my internal connections, I can obtain it within half a year. But because the drug is extremely strong, patients under 18 years old are not allowed to use it. So you will have to wait a year before getting it.
Of course, the price of this drug is also very expensive at 15 million yuan apiece.
So He Mu, don't blame me for not leaving you much money. Because I've spent all my money on this…
But if you are really short on money, you can sell away my collection. Those are the spoils of war I've gained over these years, and are probably worth a few million yuan. But I reckon you won't sell them, knowing very well how stubborn you are.
…
Drip, drop.
Tears dripped down on the posthumous letter softly. He Mu wiped the corner of his eyes and continued to read the posthumous letter from a year ago.
If that drug works and allows you to fully recover, go and find your cousin. That kid is doing well in Capital University and seems to be studying under a master of his discipline.
I've been helping his family for a few years now, and we've been keeping close contact. So let him take you to Capital University to undergo a special channel assessment. If you can pass the test, you can become a Red Mist Fighter with boundless prospects in the future.
If you don't pass, it's fine too. Including myself, three of our family members have died for the country, so you can get a place to study cultural subjects at Capital University and do whatever you like.
…
Take a step back; if that drug doesn't work or doesn't allow you to fully recover, our family has the honorable allowances of three people, which is enough to clothe and feed you in the future.
When the time comes, you can live in Nancheng and use that money to find a reliable person to take care of you.
When you get old later, donate the rest of the money to the Tengyun Foundation of Nancheng.
If I die, I'm most sorry for the people back home. I spent the money raised by the people back home, but ultimately failed to return to Nancheng as promised, to become the Guardian of Nancheng…
Of course, I believe that you can definitely recover, because I think you are very special. You do not deserve to live a life like this.
I could tell from the fact that you've never wet the bed or worn open-crotch pants when you were a toddler. Not only that, but you also preferred to rely on technology rather than let Grandma Wang next door take care of you.
It's like you were born knowing the feeling of shame and how to behave.
In short, He Mu, after my death, don't give up hope. I know you can live well.
At the same time, don't be too sad. Your big brother is a soldier, and it can't be more normal for soldiers to die on the battlefield. Your big brother has passed away without regret.
By the way… If you meet Lin Wei one day—the girl you once teased and who always passed our door every day while I was in school…
Tell her that I died.
…
This posthumous letter should have ended by now, but your big brother, I, still have to pour out what's on my mind!
It's about your injury!
I didn't make up that story I've been telling since I was a kid. I promise with my life that it's the truth! I'm not lying!
But no one ever believed me! They even took it as a joke!
17 years ago, Mother gave birth to you and stayed in the hospital due to weakness.
At that time, Mother was in a coma. Father went out to buy food, and the only relatives in the ward were seven-year-old me and you, still in your infancy.
That day, Mother faced an assassination. The killer entered the ward dressed as a doctor, came up to punch me hard in the head, and went to the bedside, about to inject Mother with some kind of poison.
That was when I witnessed a scene that I still remember with disbelief, even until today.
It was you, He Mu. It was you who suddenly jumped out of the swaddling clothes, punched the sturdy assassin's body, and knocked him back seven to eight steps. He was smashed into the window and directly fell down from the sixth floor…
Damn it, I'm laughing as I write this. How was that possible?
But goddammit! It is really the truth! I saw it with my own eyes! My vision might have been slightly blurred after being punched in the head, but I knew I saw it clearly!
If it weren't for this, you wouldn't have been injured. You weren't hurt because the killer dropped you on the ground, but because of that punch…
Anyway, I believe that as long as you recover, you will definitely be more successful than me!
Do your best, He Mu. After all, you are the last member in our family.