For the average person, this would already be considered a decent outcome.
However, this round of conscription was targeted at Different Species, and due to secrecy concerns, it was highly unlikely that anyone on the conscription list would return, even if they did not die in battle, seeing them again in their lifetime would be quite difficult.
Although the government would provide compensation, the families would be taken care of properly, but one would certainly end up as a sacrifice.
"It's all rumors and exaggerations, all this talk about Different Species. In my opinion, these are just little pieces of gossip."
Du Quan immediately spoke up.
"Indeed."
"The government hasn't mentioned anything publicly, so it might just be a normal recruitment."
"Right, Lin Yuan, don't take it too seriously, maybe after you retire, you could be called back to take a post in the military region..."
...
Several people began comforting Lin Yuan.
Of course, it was just to comfort him.
In reality, no one was optimistic about this conscription.
Even though the government had not explicitly stated the purpose of this conscription, the compensation for all those on the conscription list had already been put in place.
This wasn't a secret; anyone slightly diligent could find out about it.
After all, if this were just a normal recruitment, why would so much compensation be offered?
"Actually, there might be a way out. My elder uncle works in the military region, and I'll ask him tonight if he could make some flexible arrangements..."
Huo Qingyao then spoke up.
He was the only one present with a military region background, and the 'most confident' person to make such a statement.
"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Yao."
Upon hearing this, Du Quan immediately responded.
This time, it wasn't flattery, but a sincere expression of gratitude.
As a classmate and friend for so many years, he didn't want Lin Yuan to embark on a point of no return.
The other people present, especially the females, their eyes suddenly lit up upon hearing Huo Qingyao's words.
Huo Qingyao's statement carried many implications, the most obvious being the possibility to influence the conscription list, which was a significant connection to have.
Compared to this, Chu Shiyu, who had just promised to help with arranging a job, seemed rather insignificant.
Just a job, how could it be compared to Huo Qingyao, who might influence recruitment within the military region?
For a moment, other than Zhao Qiwu, the few women at the scene, including the one who had wanted Chu Shiyu to arrange a job, began to draw closer to Huo Qingyao.
Lin Yuan, sitting aside, found Huo Qingyao's chest-thumping manner not only unoffensive but somewhat amusing.
The conscription list, being vetted by the Goddess of Wisdom, was it something that could just be changed on a whim?
Yet, Huo Qingyao was ultimately trying to help him, even if the nature of that help was his attempt to outshine 'Chu Shiyu.'
At Lin Yuan's level, the overt and covert struggles between Huo Qingyao and Chu Shiyu were like child's play, laughable.
"It's about time."
"I should go now."
"Someone is waiting for me."
Lin Yuan glanced at the time, stood up to say his farewells.
Immediately, without waiting for anyone's agreement, he left the coffee shop and walked towards the roadside.
"Huh?"
The people at the site frowned upon seeing this.
Especially Huo Qingyao, who had promised to ask his uncle, and though he had not guaranteed anything, the least Lin Yuan could do was to express his thanks.
However, Lin Yuan said nothing and just sat there, now using any excuse to leave?
Such impolite behavior left Huo Qingyao somewhat resentful.
"This guy..."
Huo Qingyao, looking through the glass of the coffee shop at Lin Yuan's retreating figure, was about to say something.
Just then.
A sleek black, streamlined hover car pulled up at the curb.
To be precise, it stopped in front of Lin Yuan.
"That hover car's license plate?"
Chu Shiyu also noticed it and his focus immediately concentrated on the license plate.
Although his family didn't have military background, they often dealt with the government and he immediately recognized the license plate of the black hovercar as government-exclusive.
With this kind of license plate, one could enter special roads, not only was the distance shorter, but it also avoided the possibility of "traffic jams".
However, these kind of specially supplied hovercars were generally only used to transport important figures. Why was it stopping in front of Lin Yuan now?
"It must be a coincidence, definitely a coincidence."
Chu Shiyu couldn't help thinking in his mind.
Yet following that, under everyone's gaze, a tall man stepped out from the black hovercar and respectfully ushered Lin Yuan into the vehicle.
This...
The crowd at the scene fell silent once more.
They had originally thought that Lin Yuan's statement that 'someone was waiting for him' was just a made-up excuse.
But unexpectedly, it was true, and the person waiting for him was driving a government-supplied vehicle.
"This license plate belongs to the Evolver's Association. I've seen this kind of plate before when I followed my uncle to the Association for errands..."
Chu Shiyu seemed to have realized something and spoke again.
Evolver's Association.
Huo Qingyao's expression changed slightly.
Among the many government departments, the Evolver's Association was undoubtedly one of the toughest to deal with.
They managed the Evolver community, were exceptionally assertive, and very influential.
Simply put, why would the assertive Evolver's Association send a special car to pick up Lin Yuan, who was just a student?
Everyone was filled with doubts.
This made no sense at all.
"Hahaha, maybe there's some cooperation between the military district and the Evolver's Association."
Huo Qingyao racked his brains and gave this reason.
"Perhaps."
"It's the only possibility."
Hearing this, the others nodded slightly.
Although the explanation was extremely absurd—the Evolver's Association and military district have always been separate systems—what else could they collaborate on?
However, it was the only explanation that made sense of the current situation.
After all, Lin Yuan was on the military conscription list, and the only connection to the Evolver's Association could be through the military districts behind the conscription.
"A few days ago, I revisited the conscription notice and found that Lin Yuan's name was no longer on the conscription list,"
At this moment, the previously silent Zhao Qiwu suddenly spoke up.
As soon as these words were said,
everyone was momentarily stunned.
Especially Huo Qingyao, his expression completely stiffened.
He wasn't a fool; he knew how difficult it was to be removed from the conscription list, especially with this kind of mandatory conscription.
Though he had said with confidence that he would inquire with his uncle upon returning, it was more a matter of routine—he guessed his uncle wouldn't have much of a way to help.
Even if there was a way, the cost would be horrifying, certainly not something one would pay for an outsider.
But now, Lin Yuan's name had truly been removed from the list?
"Impossible."
"I must inquire with the Goddess of Wisdom."
Huo Qingyao immediately linked to the network and, upon discovering Lin Yuan's name was gone from the list, began to initiate a connection with the Goddess of Wisdom to inquire why Lin Yuan was exempted from conscription.
The next moment,
a solemn and grave female voice rang directly in Huo Qingyao's ear.
"Warning, first-class citizen Huo Qingyao, you are inquiring into content beyond your authority, suspected of violating Charter Article 560."
"This is your first warning. If you continue to inquire, you will be sent to the highest court for trial."
Hearing the Goddess of Wisdom's chilling warning, Huo Qingyao turned pale with fear and fell to the ground with a thud.
The highest court of the Cosmic Human Alliance had always been where those who committed heinous crimes were judged, with every case tried there being of major significance and resulting in a severely adverse impact.
What abilities did he, Huo Qingyao, have to warrant the highest court taking time to judge him?
Huo Qingyao's teeth chattered, and his legs shook uncontrollably.