"Your Excellency, the President..." The Minister of Military Affairs' booming voice echoed in the presidential office, "Although there is no precedent, a civilian can be treated as a soldier with no rank whatsoever."

His inclination was obvious. After all, Zhong Yun bore the strong mark of the Yang family. Even without Liu Yunqi's involvement, the relationship was undeniably close due to the commercial cooperation between the two families.

He had obtained this file even before the President. When he first saw the name Zhong Yun, he assumed it was just a common name. It was only upon reading the report stating that Zhong Yun claimed to be Liu Yunqi’s fiancé that he confirmed this Zhong Yun was that Zhong Yun.

He was instantly shocked, his first thought being that this young man was hiding his true depths too profoundly.

In reality, he harbored deep reservations about how to treat Zhong Yun. After consulting the Yang family, he received confirmation of their full support.

The Minister of Military Affairs' statement surprised no one present, given Liu Yunqi’s exceptional status. Nearly every major power was secretly observing her and naturally knew she had a boyfriend.

Fortunately, out of reverence for the Yang family, they had not deeply investigated Zhong Yun’s background, only knowing his name and origins. Furthermore, as just her boyfriend, he hadn’t warranted much serious attention.

It was only upon seeing this file today that he truly realized how much he had underestimated this young man named Zhong Yun. Annihilating an entire enemy fleet with a single, ordinary spaceship without taking a scratch was unheard of in Davo's interstellar history.

Moreover, the First Fleet, ranked among Davo’s top five in combat power, had been utterly helpless against that fleet. Although the engagement was seven against three (one warship had already been destroyed before Zhong Yun arrived), the combat capability of this never-before-seen fleet from the Hongxian Federation was undeniable.

Regardless of how Zhong Yun accomplished it, his achievement alone was enough to secure a place in history.

The Yang family's strength truly seemed bottomless. Everyone present felt a profound sense of powerlessness—the helplessness one feels when facing an opponent that seems insurmountable.

In their eyes, Zhong Yun naturally belonged to the Yang family's faction.

What exactly was the background of this Zhong Yun? This question erupted uncontrollably in everyone's minds.

If the report was accurate, that spaceship was clearly no ordinary vessel; it might be a "Satellite" class, or perhaps even a "Super Satellite" class.

The terms "Satellite" and "Super Satellite" were used to classify spacecraft and fleet tiers. Given Davo’s technological prowess, they couldn't even construct a "Quasi-Satellite" class vessel—at best, they could manage an "Artificial Satellite" class.

Generally, an Intermediate Civilization was divided into five stages. A nation like Davo, newly promoted for less than a century, was in the first stage. However, the division wasn't based on years, as national development varied in speed; using years wouldn't accurately reflect a nation's strength.

The commonly accepted method relied on the level of a nation's warships. A country's most advanced warship best represented its technological standing.

A nation capable of building "Quasi-Satellite" class warships was an Intermediate Civilization of the second stage; one that could build "Satellite" class ships was the third stage. Next was "Satellite II," the fourth stage, capable of building "Satellite III" ships, which constituted the fifth stage.

As for the "Super Satellite" class, only quasi-Advanced Civilization nations that had ascended past the Intermediate stage for over ten millennia could construct them.

Each level increase in warship class conferred an overwhelming advantage.

Under the laws of the Great Cosmic Federation, higher-level civilizations were prohibited from initiating war against lower-level ones, specifically to prevent higher powers from rapidly expanding their strength through conquest.

Of course, loopholes existed.

The Hongxian Federation, having just fabricated "Quasi-Satellite" class warships, immediately launched an assault on the long-coveted Davo Republic during the window before the Omni Star System Bureau of National Affairs could conduct its inspection. As long as the facts were established before the inspection concluded, there would be no issue.

However, their luck was abysmal. The seven "Quasi-Satellite" class warships, freshly built and named the Alexander series, encountered Zhong Yun aboard the Mars in their very first engagement. Half of the Alexander series ships were lost. Of course, those present were unaware of these details; they were still engrossed in discussing Zhong Yun.

"I object," a sharp voice broke the silence. It was the Minister of Energy. "He is just a high school student. Although he spent a few days at the training base, he is not a soldier. Therefore, he cannot receive the privileges afforded to military personnel."

The Minister of Energy clearly positioned himself against the Yang family; none of those present found this surprising. The two families were historic rivals; it would be strange if they didn't undermine each other.

Moreover, the Energy Minister’s reasoning was solid, focusing squarely on Zhong Yun’s civilian status, leaving no room for rebuttal.

The Minister of Military Affairs ignored the provocation and looked toward the President seated behind the desk. He had dealt with this man countless times and knew arguing only fueled him, so he chose to disregard him entirely.

At this moment, the President’s importance shone through. He coughed lightly, drawing everyone’s attention, before speaking slowly, "Minister Zhang [Minister of Energy] is correct. Given Zhong Yun's non-military status, it is indeed unsuitable to credit military achievements to him."

The Minister of Energy shot a smug glance at the Minister of Military Affairs, as if claiming victory.

The President stood up and walked to the window.

"However..." His tone shifted, "This is a time of war, and what we need most are talents who can fight. Never mind violating convention; if it means burying all invaders within Davo’s borders and winning this war, I will not hesitate to violate the Constitution."

His words were impassioned and resounding, silencing everyone present.

The President turned his back, gazing out at the lush green forest and the clear, deep indigo sky. He absolutely would not allow this nation to be destroyed by war; he would not permit it. His fingers clenched tightly, turning white.

After a long pause, he turned back to his seat. "Furthermore, Davo needs a hero right now."

Zhong Yun arrived at the Yang residence for the first time. Looking at the expanse of antique architecture, he couldn't help but marvel. This centuries-old lineage was indeed different; years of cultural accumulation were incomparable for an ordinary family.

Before arriving, Zhong Yun had already contacted Yang Yunrong. Coincidentally, Yang Yunrong was in Davo City and had asked Zhong Yun to come to his residence first, promising to join him shortly after.

Entry was smooth. While the exterior was classical, the interior revealed equally modern equipment, though the designers had infused it with great ingenuity and cultural depth, making the high technology blend seamlessly with the classical aesthetic.

Zhong Yun was led into the reception room by a servant dressed woman. He had just sipped his tea when Yang Yunrong rushed back.

"Weren't you supposed to have left Davo with that woman? When did you get back?" Yang Yunrong asked immediately, skipping any pleasantries.

Accustomed to his manner, Zhong Yun wasn't bothered, only slightly puzzled. "How did you know about that? You didn't send someone to follow me, did you?"

"Me?" Yang Yunrong snorted. He summoned the female attendant standing nearby to retrieve tea from his room. Once she left, he said, "It seems you still don't understand that woman's identity." Then, frowning, "I haven't even asked you yet—how did you get involved with her?"

"What do you mean, 'get involved'!" Zhong Yun protested. "Don't speak so coarsely."

"I’m warning you, absolutely do nothing to betray Yunqi. Otherwise..."

"Oh, please," Zhong Yun scoffed. "You've said that twenty-five times. If you aren't tired of it, I am."

"I'm just worried you have a poor memory and might do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life," Yang Yunrong threatened clearly.

"I am truly beaten by you," Zhong Yun patted his forehead, wishing for rescue. "I haven't even married into the Yang family yet and my freedom to associate is already restricted. What will it be like later? No, I need to reconsider things."

"What do you mean, 'marry into the Yang family'?" Yang Yunrong glared at him. "Have you no ambition?"

Zhong Yun was utterly speechless. This man was truly strange.

"Right, that woman is back too? Why didn't I receive any notice?" Yang Yunrong changed the subject.

The mention of Yu Daoqing sent a sharp spasm through Zhong Yun's heart.

"Surely you didn't really..." Yang Yunrong keenly detected his distress, his eyes sharpening like blades reflecting cold light.

It wasn't that he was overly possessive, but that woman’s reputation was too immense. He had seen her full-body holographs and had to admit: she was a perfect woman that every man dreamed of.

Moreover, intelligence suggested that woman rarely had scandals with any man; even her two most outstanding and devoted suitors showed no signs of intimacy. She was so detached that people suspected she might be sterile.

That such a woman would single out Zhong Yun seemed incredible to Yang Yunrong, something he found even harder to accept than his own sister falling for Zhong Yun.

In the deepest, most hidden part of his heart, he felt a pang of jealousy toward Zhong Yun—yes, jealousy. As an accomplished man, he felt it toward another man.

Objectively speaking, even setting aside the disparity in their status, judging by their individual merits, the handsome and exceptionally capable Yang Yunrong was far superior to Zhong Yun.

In terms of popularity with women, Zhong Yun couldn't hold a candle to him; he had likely slept with more women than Zhong Yun had ever met.

None of the women he had possessed could compare to that woman.

For his sister to fall for Zhong Yun was already a miracle born of ancestral virtue. Yet, this woman, who was in no way inferior to his sister, also held Zhong Yun in high regard. This left him completely unable to comprehend.

Had their eyes gone blind? P: Minimum monthly votes; throw a few if you have them. Also, this book will be featured on the fourth, and there will be an explosion of chapters then, so look forward to it.