"Everyone, quiet down! One more sound of arguing and you're all out! No one will participate in this operation!" Mu Fei finally erupted in anger, looking down at the noisy crowd.

Chen Ge, one of the Eight Prodigies of Longteng University, stood up and said, "Mu Fei, you're the organizer, so come up with a plan. Everyone just whispering and discussing won't save Student Zhao Ting. Nothing can be accomplished without a leader."

Mu Fei replied, "I absolutely cannot accomplish this alone, but if we all work together, we will definitely succeed. Although we don't have a plan right now, if we all think carefully together, we will surely come up with one."

Qu Han, another of the Eight Prodigies, who harbored feelings for Zhao Ting, appeared more anxious than anyone else at this moment. "Please, everyone, think quickly! If we delay any longer, it will be too late. Didn't they say the Ministry of State Security has decided to come to the school tomorrow to take her away? Once she's in their custody, we won't be able to save her, and can only watch her be sentenced."

Mu Fei reactivated his persuasive abilities, declaring solemnly, "Classmates, we all know Student Zhao Ting is a good person—gentle, skilled, and never one to fuss over gains and losses. All this because she wrote an article, and what she wrote was the truth, with no fabrication whatsoever. Yet, the current rulers of Great Dragon Country have allowed themselves to be blinded by greed, arbitrarily arresting people without discerning right from wrong! I heard from a friend that anyone who commits a 'political' error at this time will either die or face life imprisonment. You've all known Student Zhao Qian for a long time. Although we've had many conflicts in the past, his character is nothing like the despicable and shameless portrayal the government gives, as if he disregards the interests of our nation! In fact, it's the complete opposite! To be honest, I personally don't like Student Zhao Qian, but now is not the time to discuss personal grudges. Zhao Qian had the courage to defect from Great Dragon Country to establish Tai Hao and stand against the Japanese and the Americans. Why can't we? I propose that tonight, after we rescue Student Zhao Ting, we all flee to Tai Hao and go fight the Japanese devils!"

Gao Sheng, one of the Four Vajras of Longteng University, slammed the table and jumped up. "Damn it, I've had enough of the Japanese for a long time! I admit I don't have warm feelings for Student Zhao Qian either, but in a time of national crisis, whoever fights the Japanese devils is the one I’ll respect! Asking me to live in harmony with the Japanese for a hundred years? Only if you twist my head off!"

Qu Han stood up. "Hey, hey, can everyone stick to the topic? I invited you all here to discuss how to save Student Zhao Ting, not to discuss fighting the Japanese devils!"

Mu Fei countered, "Then have you considered this: if we rescue Zhao Ting at this moment, the Ministry of State Security won't let us off the hook. So, saving her is important, but finding a way out for everyone is even more critical!"

Qu Han sighed in resignation. "I'm already in deep, so whatever you all say."

Mu Fei clenched his fist. "First, we save her. Then, we race to Hainan Island tonight, and from there, we take a boat to Nansha to find the Tai Hao troops. We'll fight the Japanese and Americans together!"

Looking at the dozen or so students below, Mu Fei paused. "We won't force anyone who disagrees with this plan, but at this moment, you must withdraw from the operation. Once you participate in rescuing Student Zhao Ting, the nation will not spare us. You need to think clearly."

Shen Mao, another of the Eight Prodigies, sprang to his feet. "Think about what, man? We've been on edge for days! The government is incompetent, but we university students can't be incompetent too! Since that damn Zhao Qian dared to fight the Japanese, why shouldn't we? Which one of us has a lower background than him? What he can do, we can do too!"

Mu Fei stated, "Student Zhao Qian’s background might be lower than ours, but he’s far more capable than us."

Chen Ge chimed in, "Yeah, he almost snatched away all the beauties of Longteng University by himself. He truly is more capable than us."

Qu Han interjected, "Didn't he leave us with two?"

Chen Ge replied, "He left two, but those two are deeply attached to Zhao Qian too. Otherwise, who would risk writing an article praising that guy at a time like this? Everyone knows the country has imposed a gag order on any speech related to Zhao Qian and Japan. He Yiqing went to the ocean for archaeology; those parasites can't catch her. Poor Zhao Ting, she just wrote about her family's affairs and is now branded a supporter of rebellion. It's truly pitiful."

Mu Fei said, "Classmates, this is not the time to discuss romantic entanglements. I admire Student Zhao Qian. Even though he stole Li Qi, whom I secretly admired, that doesn't stop us from finding him to fight the Japanese. At this moment of national peril, we shouldn't divide ourselves over such trivial matters. Once we wipe out the Japanese and the political situation stabilizes, we can settle scores with him then!"

"Right! Right!" The crowd voiced their agreement. Although many among them were spoiled sons of the wealthy and high-ranking officials who only sought enjoyment, they were still passionate youths. When the external environment changed, their dispositions would also shift, especially since several of them had personally witnessed the Battle of the East Sea. Recalling the scene when Hero Li San came to the school to give a report, how could these young men not feel their blood boil?

Mu Fei waved his hand. "Alright, let's formulate the rescue plan now. Student Zhao Ting is currently held in the school's Political Department, guarded personally by Director Huang and three campus police officers. The Ministry of State Security will send personnel to escort her tomorrow morning, and she will very likely be charged with undermining national security. Saving her then will be harder than ascending to heaven. Now, let's divide the tasks..."

Director Huang of the Longteng University Political Department was exceptionally happy today because he had personally apprehended a political dissident pinpointed by the National People's Congress. He never expected that such a young, pretty girl would be so bewitched by that Zhao Qian fellow, desperately speaking well of him, extricating him, and vouching for him. To act against the tide like this now was to mock the nation for making mistakes! That man's previous contributions were immense, but he couldn't disregard the nation's decision and act unilaterally on military matters; that showed utter disregard for the rulers.

When Director Huang first saw the article online, he suspected a student from their school was responsible. Sure enough, a classmate soon informed on her. He immediately detained the person and reported to the Ministry of State Security. However, the Ministry was currently short-staffed in their hunt for rumor-mongers, so they instructed him to hold her temporarily until personnel arrived the next day. Director Huang locked her in his office. Since the girl offered no resistance, he didn't need to tie her up, especially with two campus police guards stationed outside the Political Building and another guarding the door to his office.

The restaurant delivered two small dishes and a bottle of Wuliangye. Director Huang intended to drink while indulging in his dreams of promotion. His ancestors had built their fortune by informing on others, but in recent years, the state had lost interest in political matters, preventing the flourishing of his ancestral trade. Seeing the current chaos in society, Director Huang knew his time had finally arrived.

While drinking, Director Huang said to Zhao Ting, who was huddled in the corner, "Why are you, a young girl, dabbling in political struggles? You should be studying your law properly, instead of speaking up for that traitor."

"Pah!" Zhao Ting spat at Director Huang. "Director Huang, I never realized you were this kind of person. Open your eyes and look at the world outside! The state branding Zhao Qian a traitor and seeking peace with the Japanese severely violates the will of the people! How is Zhao Qian a traitor? I heard the state mistakenly branded him a traitor once before. Can the crime of treason be assigned so casually? How many good things has he done for our Great Dragon Country? Even setting aside the major cases he adjudicated while serving as Director of the Rectification Office, he recovered TW and reclaimed Southern Tibet, realizing a dream of our Great Dragon Country's common people that lasted decades! How much contribution did he make to the economic and military rise of Great Dragon Country? Anyone with eyes can see it! Only the blind remain obstinate."

Director Huang jumped up. "How dare you insult me? Don't think I won't hit you just because you're a student!" As he spoke, Director Huang approached Zhao Ting and reached out to grab her.

Zhao Ting thrust out her chest. "You dare!"

Director Huang was actually startled by the young girl. He retreated to his seat and took another sip of wine. "I won't hit you. The Ministry of State Security will take you tomorrow. You can struggle with them then. The state has issued a gag order; anyone commenting on Japan or Zhao Qian will be sentenced. Hahaha!"

Zhao Ting sneered, "You underestimate Zhao Qian too much. He simply doesn't want to oppose his own country and people. Otherwise, you would have died ten thousand times over!"

Director Huang popped a peanut into his mouth. "Keep bragging. What virtue or ability does he have? I heard the troops he led out were originally ours from Great Dragon Country."

Zhao Ting retorted, "If Zhao Qian lacked ability, how could he establish world-class high-tech enterprises like Great Earth Energy and Universe Communications? You are all idiots."

Director Huang paused. Great Earth Energy and Universe Communications were indeed world-class high-tech enterprises, but he quickly laughed again. "Too bad these enterprises have been seized worldwide, including some of their assets in Great Dragon Country. The state made a fortune from that, too."

"You are shameless! If Great Dragon Country insists on neutrality, why seal Tai Hao's industries? You are all pro-Japanese lackeys, and you will all meet a bad end!"

Director Huang ignored Zhao Ting, focusing only on his official career. As long as he could get promoted, he didn't care who was right or wrong.

The two campus police guards stationed at the entrance of the Political Building were stunned by the scene unfolding before them. Two gorgeously dressed women were swaying back and forth in front of them, seemingly intentionally displaying their ample figures. "Handsome guys, why are you standing here like wooden sticks on such a hot day? Let's go out and HAVE some fun."

Guard A asked, "Who are you? Why are you dressed like that on campus?"

The long-haired woman replied, "We are the flower blossoms of the Art Department. She is Ru Hua, and I am Ru Yu. Don't you recognize us? What a pity. Two handsome and stalwart guys like you shouldn't be guarding duty on such a hot day. Hua Hua, are you hot?"

As she spoke, the long-haired woman tossed her hair back, and her low-cut blouse opened even wider, revealing a mound of plump white flesh that nearly made the two guards faint. In reality, it wasn't hot at all in the spring evening.

The short-haired woman said, "Hot! Too bad no one is buying us drinks. Otherwise, we could have a few drinks and then find a place to party all night."

Guard B reached out as if mesmerized, grasping the air twice. He seemed to be fantasizing about the sensation of touching those two mounds of flesh. Licking his dry lips, he said to Guard A, "Let's split the shift. You take the first half of the night, and I'll take the second half. That way, we can both rest and still have time to HAVE fun with the beauties. What do you think?"

Guard A laughed lecherously, "Great idea."

The long-haired woman grabbed Guard A, puffing out her chest so that the rich scent of her cleavage nearly made him bleed through his nose. "Handsome, this is a university, not a prison. We've never heard of the Political Department needing guards. Anyway, no one is watching you. How about we go experience bliss first, and you two can come back for the second half of the shift?"

Guard A was completely disoriented. "Good, good, good. Let's go to our dorm room."

As soon as the two campus police officers were led away, several figures flashed out from behind the building. Mu Fei asked Qu Han, "Can those two female students you found handle those two guards?"

Qu Han replied confidently, "Don't worry. Those two vixens are sexually starved; they won't let go until they've squeezed those two guards dry."

Mu Fei shook his head. There were truly all sorts of people in this society. He left two students behind in the shadows to monitor the situation at the building entrance, while the rest quietly crept toward Director Huang's office.

"What about the one at the door?" Gao Sheng whispered while crouching at the corner of the stairs.

Shen Mao made a signal. "Take him out."

Gao Sheng said, "Fine, you go."

Shen Mao protested, "Why me? I don't know any martial arts."

Gao Sheng kicked Shen Mao in the rear. "You go out dressed as a woman to distract him, and we'll knock him out from behind."

Shen Mao retorted, "Do I look like a woman? At least give me a bun to stuff in my chest."

Mu Fei interrupted, "Stop arguing! We don't have time for this nonsense. We need to deal with the guard first, then we can proceed with the rescue!"

Seeing that the other side was ready, Shen Mao coughed and walked toward the campus guard outside Director Huang's office, twisting his hips. "Hey handsome!"

The guard almost spat out his words. "Hey your mother! What kind of freak is this? School regulations strictly forbid anyone from entering the Political Department building tonight. Get lost!"

Shen Mao suddenly pointed behind the guard. "Look! A female student is running naked back there!"

"Where, where?" The guard frantically turned to look, and bang! A rod struck the back of his head. He let out a muffled groan and passed out.

With a creak, the door to Director Huang's office opened. Director Huang peered out drowsily. "What is it? I assign you a task, and you're this careless? You? What are you trying to do?"

Director Huang finally saw clearly that only a group of students stood before him, but their eyes were unfriendly. Chen Ge spat, "What are we trying to do? Your mother! Classmates, beat him! This old dog has been badmouthing my father several times! Beat him to death!"

The group of young men swarmed him and delivered a flurry of blows. Poor Director Huang of the Political Department lost his handsome face that day, and his wife later divorced him because of it, running off into the arms of a younger man.

Zhao Ting, hearing the commotion outside, couldn't help but run out to look. "Why is it you all!"

Qu Han flattered her. "It is us! Everyone came to save you. Aren't you touched?"

Mu Fei pushed Qu Han aside. "Cut the nonsense. Student Zhao Ting, we came to save you so we can flee to Tai Hao and fight the Japanese."

Zhao Ting exclaimed happily, "Great! My godfather will surely welcome you."

"Your godfather?" The classmates were confused. None of them knew about this connection Zhao Ting had.

Zhao Ting blushed. She had never publicized this matter before; she had spoken too hastily in her anxiety. "It's Zhao Qian. He helped my family clear their wrongful name, so my father asked me to acknowledge him as my godfather."

Qu Han chimed in, "Oh, then I'm relieved. No matter how unreasonable that guy is, he wouldn't harm his own goddaughter, right? That's... taboo."

Zhao Ting actually had no good impression of Qu Han, especially after the incident at the gift shop, which revealed his selfishness and arrogance. But now, these people risked danger to save her, and she couldn't help but be moved. It seemed people could change; they just needed the right external environment.

Gao Sheng punched Qu Han. "Can you shut your foul mouth? Look at the time! Do you still care about this stuff? We need to get to the station immediately to leave the capital. Once the Ministry of State Security realizes we rescued her, we might be intercepted before we even reach Hainan Island."

Zhao Ting asked, "Why are you going to Hainan Island?"

Mu Fei explained, "We know the closest Tai Hao unit to Great Dragon Country is in Nansha. We want to go to Hainan Island and then set sail to find them."

Zhao Ting replied, "Is it that complicated? We can just call them! I know they all have abilities to travel through heaven and earth; they can definitely come pick us up safely."

Gao Sheng urged, "Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

Zhao Ting said, "But I don't know my godfather's phone number."

The others sweatdropped. Zhao Ting added, "But I know Zhou Ni's phone number. She can definitely find godfather."

Shen Mao patted his chest. "Please, Student Zhao Ting, we are just a bunch of students, and we are terrified. Can you stop making us anxious like that?"

Before Zhao Ting could make the call, Qu Han's phone rang first. "Hello? What? Understood. Everyone conceal yourselves immediately; we're pulling out."

Mu Fei asked, "What happened?"

Shen Mao reported grimly, "Not good! Three vehicles have arrived outside, and many police officers got out. The students keeping watch say they've entered the Political Department building! Do you hear that? Footsteps!"

Chaos erupted; everyone panicked, unsure of what to do. Mu Fei waved his hand. "Don't panic, everyone! It's too late to go downstairs now. We'll go upstairs and hide for a bit. Maybe they'll leave if they can't find anyone!"

Boom! Everyone rushed toward the rooftop. None of them thought to drag the unconscious Director Huang and the campus guards aside—these rookies were far too inexperienced.

They ran higher and higher until they reached the rooftop. There was nowhere left to run. At this point, they could clearly hear the footsteps following them up. Qu Han's face turned pale. "Mu Fei, what do we do? We're going to be caught."

Mu Fei calmly assessed the situation; escape from the roof was indeed impossible. "Everyone, calm down. If we really get caught, we just say we heard Student Zhao Ting was arrested and came to check."

"Can the police be trusted?" someone asked.

Mu Fei replied, "Whether they believe it or not, we'll stick to that story for now."

"Why is it a group of students?" The footsteps finally reached the rooftop. A thin man in plain clothes asked the police officer beside him.

The police officer whispered, "It seems this girl doesn't hold much value for him, so he wouldn't come to save her personally."

The thin man said, "Arrest them all. These people have always been close to Zhao Qian. They must be interrogated strictly. Our Great Dragon Country is in utter turmoil because of that man; these punks must not be spared lightly. At the very least, charge them as accomplices."

Beside the thin man was another man in plain clothes. He said, "Minister, they look like just a bunch of kids. Let them go and just take the young lady surnamed Zhao."

The thin man shot a look at the man beside him. "Zha Bengang, do you know why the Political Bureau sent me to be your leader? It's because you people are unreliable! If necessary, you would also defect with the one surnamed Zhao, right?"

"You!" Zha Bengang became visibly angry, his fists clenching so tightly they clicked.

The thin man scoffed, "What? You want to fight me? Do you have the ability?"

Zha Bengang reluctantly lowered his fists. "I don't want to fight you; you are my superior. But I want to advise the Minister: don't push people too far, or you'll face retribution."

"Retribution!" The thin man frowned, his eyes fixed on Zha Bengang. Suddenly, Zha Bengang’s body began to tremble violently, and the concrete surface beneath his feet cracked and crumbled downward. With a boom, his body suddenly flew upward, slamming into the parapet wall of the rooftop. Fortunately, Zha Bengang managed to grab onto the broken edge, or he would have plummeted down with the shattered wall.

Not only were the police officers stunned, but Zhao Ting and the others were also frozen. Why was there an internal conflict right after they arrived? What was happening? The man was standing upright one moment and flying toward a wall the next!

The thin man laughed triumphantly at Zha Bengang. "I think it's time to purge these stubborn elements. You've worked with the one surnamed Zhao for so long—who knows if you harbor rebellious thoughts? Arrest them all!"

Mu Fei suddenly signaled the few boys beside him. Several of them rushed forward like a torrent, grabbing legs and arms, tightly restraining the thin man.

"Run, Zhao Ting, hurry up and call Zhao Qian to save us!" Mu Fei shouted to Zhao Ting, who was standing there like a wooden doll.

The thin man suddenly roared, "No one leaves!" He flung his arms out and kicked with both feet. "Go to hell!" Qu Han and Chen Ge were actually thrown airborne, falling toward the Political Department building! From mid-air, Qu Han’s curses could still be heard: "Damn your mother, you bastard! I’ll be a hero again in eighteen years!"

Zhao Ting was stunned. She hadn't expected things to turn out like this; falling from such a height meant certain death. Even though she didn't particularly like Qu Han, they were classmates after all, and any past grievances were ancient history, especially since these people had risked their lives to save her.

Gao Sheng swiftly snatched a brick from the ground. "Damn their ancestors for eighteen generations! He killed Qu Han and Chen Ge! Let's fight him to the death!"

Mu Fei was also furious. He had originally thought the worst outcome would be a few years in prison, but now people were dead. Although these classmates weren't the closest, they had attended the same school, and their cooperation in saving Zhao Ting had been commendable. For this Ministry of State Security director to resort to murder without discerning right from wrong—he lowered his head and sank his teeth into the man's thigh.

"Ah!" The thin man let out a shriek. This style of fighting was completely beyond his expectation. A brick smashed onto his head, splitting it open.

Zhang Tianqiao, another prominent figure from the Campus Heartthrob List, charged forward, also gripping a brick. "You old bastard! Chen Ge's father is the Mayor of SH city, and my dad is the Governor of GD province! If I don't see you dead this time, I'll change my surname!"

Everyone went berserk. The other police officers who tried to intervene were dragged into the fray. For a moment, the rooftop was filled with roars and swirling dust. Suddenly, Mu Fei was kicked out of the cluster of fighting figures. He stared, startled, at a face illuminated by starlight: "Ah! Qu Han, you're alive! Are—are you a person or a ghost?"

Qu Han held an iron rod, which he must have procured from somewhere. "You son of a bitch, even if I turned into a vengeful spirit, I wouldn't let you go. If I don't shove this iron rod up his anus today, I’ll jump off the building again!"

Another person suddenly jumped out beside him. Mu Fei was even more shocked. "Chen Ge? Are you—are you a person or a ghost too? You two—you changed back too fast! You just fell to your deaths a second ago."

Chen Ge snatched the iron rod from Qu Han’s hand. "Shoving it up his anus is too vulgar. I say we ram it down his throat and then poke it out through his dick to roast over a fire."

Mu Fei exclaimed, "So you guys aren't dead!"

Chen Ge wiped his trousers. "It was close to being dead; I almost wet myself. Fortunately, this great hero caught us, or we'd be filling dumplings without even needing to chop the filling."

Only then did Mu Fei notice the third person standing behind the two. He stepped forward and looked closely. "Zhao Qian! It was you!"

I said, "It's not me. What kind of show are you putting on? New Year's Day was ages ago; is there still some kind of theatrical performance happening?"

The thin man exploded in rage. This type of messy fight was something he had never encountered since he began his career. Being relentlessly entangled by these people prevented him from even fully utilizing his powerful psychic force. "Shoot! Give the order to shoot!"

Whoosh! A flash of white light cut through the air. The thin man felt a strange coolness spreading over his body. He looked down at his clothes—nothing seemed wrong—but why did everything feel so utterly unnatural?

Gao Sheng and Shen Mao each grabbed one of the thin man's arms and pulled outwards simultaneously. Splat! Each man held half a body, which collapsed onto the ground. "Waaah!" The two were so terrified they simultaneously cried and vomited; the scene was simply too gruesome.

I re-holstered the laser sword on my waist and told the stunned police officers, "You all can leave now. Don't trouble them anymore."

Zha Bengang crawled up from behind the broken wall. "Minister, thank goodness you arrived in time; otherwise, they would have been ruined. I apologize for not being able to assist you."

I patted Zha Bengang’s shoulder. "Heh, Old Cha, when did you learn to blame yourself? Send my regards to everyone."

Zha Bengang shook his head. "Minister, I don't want to go back. Let me stay with you."

At this point, everyone crowded around. Zhao Ting said, "Godfather, I'm sorry. Everyone got into this mess trying to save me. I was wrong; I shouldn't have written those articles. I caused you trouble."

Zhao Hui calling me that in front of everyone made me extremely uncomfortable. "Stop, classmate Zhao Ting, please just call me Zhao Qian. If you call me that again, I’m leaving."

Qu Han turned to me. "Don't be like that, classmate Zhao Qian. Young lady Zhao Ting means well. Besides, this 'Godfather' title isn't hers to decide; it was established by her father. I think we should treat it more formally; we shouldn't mess up the hierarchy."

Mu Fei cut in, "Stop debating that issue. Zhao Qian, we decided to save you as soon as we knew Zhao Ting was detained by Minister Huang. Take us to Taihao! We've had enough of the crap in this country. Let's go fight the Japanese happily!"

I hesitated. "This..."

Mu Fei continued, "Stop with the 'this and that.' Our minds are made up. Besides, after what just happened, Da Longguo can no longer tolerate us. Let us go with you."

Zhao Ting chimed in, "Yes, Godfather, take all of us with you."

Fearing Zhao Ting would call me that again, I finally relented. "Alright. I only heard from He Yuqing that the country recently imposed a Gag Order, and seeing Zhao Ting's article, I was afraid something would happen to her, so I came to check. I didn't expect to be one step too late."

Chen Ge said, "Not late, not late, just in time! Since you agreed, let's go now. By the way, how are we getting there?"

I said, "I’ll send a spacecraft to pick everyone up."

"Spacecraft!" everyone exclaimed. "Like a UFO?"

I replied, "Something like that. We have many types of aircraft; one of them looks just like what people commonly call a saucer-shaped UFO."

The crowd cheered, "That's wonderful! That's wonderful! We knew Taihao's technology was advanced. We’ll follow you! Let's go, let’s go, let’s go!"

Zha Bengang reminded me, "Minister, there are two students still in the car below. Let’s rescue them first."

Mu Fei said, "Ah, surely not those two who were standing guard?"

Those police officers, seeing the new Minister of State Security sliced in half, were too terrified to resist. They let us leave the building. Zha Bengang pulled two figures dressed in black from the trunk. When everyone saw them, they realized these weren't the two classmates who had been sentry duty, but my roommates, Xu Hu and Chen Chao.

I untied the ropes binding them. "Gentlemen, what’s the meaning of this, dressed head to toe in black?"

Xu Hu massaged his numb wrists. "Damn, Little White Dragon! We heard Minister Huang detained Zhao Ting, so Little Grasshopper and I decided to come rescue her. Heh, who knew we’d be discovered by the police as soon as we reached the base of the Political Department building, and ended up stuffed in the trunk?"

Chen Chao bowed to the surrounding classmates. "I am ashamed, I am ashamed. Brothers, I'm not worthy, please forgive my foolishness."

Gao Sheng interrupted, "Stop the small talk! We're going to Taihao to fight the Japanese—are you coming or not?"

Xu Hu cheered happily, "Yes, of course! What's our relationship with Zhao Qian? If we go to Taihao, won't we be appointed Great Generals? At the very least, Provincial Governors or Mayors!"

I cautioned, "If you want official positions, you have to rely on your own merit. You are all still students. It’s okay if you train with me for a couple of years first, but studying is still the most important thing."

Qu Han cut in, "Come on, don't give us that lecture. If we loved studying, would we need you, venerable sir, to remind us? A person's talent manifests in many ways; learning isn't necessarily the only path. Don't you all agree?"

Everyone expressed their approval. I conceded, "Fine, I will follow everyone's opinion. Our forces will be attacking the Japanese mainland in the next couple of days. If you aren't afraid of death, come fight the Japanese with me."

"Go fight the Japanese!" the crowd roared, startling a flock of night-roosting birds on the campus.

Mu Fei quietly pulled me aside. "Zhao Qian, with the influence you have now, you could completely bypass those government officials and lead the people of Da Longguo down a different path."

I replied, "The time isn't right yet. But are you willing to help me? I need a Political Minister like you. Heh, your influence isn't low either; you're very good at ideological mobilization."

Mu Fei nodded solemnly. "This period has allowed me to truly recognize you. As long as you think I can still be useful, I, Mu Fei, am willing to give you this life. We'll fight the Japanese and the Americans together to realize our dream of a Huaxia Empire."

I was delighted. I understood Mu Fei’s background well; having him handle the ideological work for Taihao would certainly not be a mistake. We slapped palms. Mu Fei added, "But I won't give up on Li Qi."

I sweatdropped slightly. "I won't force Li Qi to choose me on this matter, but you can't force her will either, right?"

Mu Fei nodded. "As long as you two aren't married and haven't had children, I won't give up. However, I will also respect Qi Qi's choice. If she truly loves you, and you can genuinely make her happy, then I have nothing more to say."

I smiled. "That’s good. When there’s a chance, I’ll let Qi Qi tell you herself."

Not long after, a spacecraft landed, and everyone boarded, leaving. The campus of Longteng University temporarily returned to peace, but the Gag Order couldn't silence everyone's mouths, which only fueled greater curiosity. Discussions about Japan and the mysterious King of Taihao grew even more intense.