Qin Xiaozhi quickly caught up with Qin Yuanzheng, like a shadow, following him towards the office.
Throughout the entire process, neither of them spoke. Qin Yuanzheng didn't initiate any conversation, and Qin Xiaozhi knew what was appropriate to say.
A few minutes later, Qin Xiaozhi arrived at the office with Qin Yuanzheng.
This was the first time Qin Yuanzheng had summoned Qin Xiaozhi to his office for a talk.
Qin Xiaozhi had only seen Qin Yuanzheng once since his return.
That day, Qin Linhai had taken Qin Xiaozhi to Qin Yuanzheng's residence, and the three of them had a meal together.
During the meal, Qin Yuanzheng had shown no interest in Qin Xiaozhi's experiences over the years, nor had he mentioned Qin Xiaozhi's exoneration. He had only said one thing to Qin Xiaozhi: "You are lucky to have met Jiang Wuming and become his friend. In the future, you must maintain this relationship, as it concerns your future."
Qin Xiaozhi had never mentioned this statement to anyone, not even Jiang Wuming. Instead, he had kept it hidden in his heart, feeling troubled for a long time.
At this moment, as Qin Xiaozhi entered Qin Yuanzheng's office, he inexplicably recalled that sentence, falling into a brief daze.
After the daze, Qin Xiaozhi proactively stepped forward to fetch water and make tea for Qin Yuanzheng.
However—
The moment he picked up the kettle, Qin Yuanzheng stopped him, saying, "No need to trouble yourself. Sit there, and I'll have a few words with you."
"Alright, Grandpa."
Qin Xiaozhi's movements froze. He nodded, put down the kettle, turned, and sat on the sofa beside the desk.
"Regarding your joining the Battle Dragon team, I was very much against it—your strength isn't up to the standard for joining. Not only would outsiders gossip, but it would also affect the team's overall strength."
Qin Yuanzheng got straight to the point, his face expressionless.
*Thump!*
Qin Xiaozhi's heart skipped a beat, and his expression changed.
On the way, he had been wondering what his grandfather wanted to talk about privately.
He had considered the possibility that his grandfather might bring up the Battle Dragon team. But hearing his grandfather's opening remarks, it felt as if a sharp dagger had pierced his heart, causing him immense pain. The excitement he had shown in front of Jiang Wuming vanished without a trace, replaced by a look of utter disappointment.
Such was his disappointment that he instinctively clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"Zhu Shengxian had doubted I was abusing my power for personal gain when he saw your name on the Battle Dragon team roster. I told him that the roster was decided by Wuming. Although I was inwardly resistant to you joining the Battle Dragon team, I had promised Wuming that I would let him personally select the team members, so I did not interfere with his decision."
Seeing Qin Xiaozhi's reaction, Qin Yuanzheng continued to maintain his stern expression and said seriously:
"I asked Wuming if he chose you for the Battle Dragon team because of me, or because of your personal friendship. He said it was neither, claiming I didn't understand you. He even said that you were qualified to join the Battle Dragon team! He even went so far as to say that you would become the pride of the Qin family and even the Dragon Kingdom's military department in the future!"
Hearing Qin Yuanzheng's words again, Qin Xiaozhi's heart trembled once more, and the disappointment in his heart was instantly replaced by emotion.
"Tell me, why does Wuming praise you so highly?" Seeing that Qin Xiaozhi remained silent throughout, Qin Yuanzheng asked proactively.
"Commander, I also don't know why Captain Jiang Wuming would say that!"
Qin Xiaozhi loosened his clenched fists, no longer feeling lost or nervous. He looked calmly at the elder opposite him.
This time, he no longer addressed the elder as "Grandpa" but directly used his title.
"It seems my judgment was correct. Although Wuming claims he didn't choose you for the Battle Dragon team due to your personal friendship, it is indeed the reason."
Qin Yuanzheng frowned, voicing his own judgment.
Qin Xiaozhi remained silent, smiling at the elder he longed to gain approval from.
That smile was tinged with bitterness and a hint of self-deprecation.
"Did Wuming not tell you that the military department's other objective in establishing the Guardian teams is to select elite talent?" Qin Yuanzheng frowned upon seeing the smile on Qin Xiaozhi's face, then thought of the reactions of Qin Xiaozhi and the other three in the training ground earlier, and asked.
"Yes, Commander." Qin Xiaozhi nodded.
"Since that's the case, let me explain it to you in detail. This time, the military department has established five Guardian teams, bringing together the most outstanding geniuses in the Dragon Kingdom's martial arts community. The military department will score and rank the five Guardian teams based on their mission performance. Those who perform exceptionally will be heavily relied upon. Among them, the captain of the highest-ranked Guardian team will become a candidate for the future Marshal of the Dragon Kingdom's military department!" Qin Yuanzheng stated, word by word.
*Swish!*
Qin Xiaozhi's expression changed slightly.
He hadn't expected the military department to place such importance on the five Guardian teams.
Amidst his surprise, Qin Xiaozhi also felt happy for Jiang Wuming—in the younger generation of the Dragon Kingdom and even the global martial arts world, who could rival Jiang Wuming?
"Do you believe that the Battle Dragon team is destined to be the highest-ranked Guardian team, and that Jiang Wuming will become a candidate for the future Marshal of the Dragon Kingdom's military department?"
Qin Yuanzheng saw through Qin Xiaozhi's thoughts at a glance. Without waiting for Qin Xiaozhi to answer, he continued, "That's what I initially thought as well, but later, I changed my mind because of a decision Wuming made."
"Commander, what decision did Captain Jiang Wuming make?" Qin Xiaozhi asked.
"According to military department regulations, each Guardian team can be equipped with a Three-Star War God to act as a protector, assisting the team in completing missions and ensuring the safety of its members. However, Wuming refused—the Battle Dragon team will not be equipped with a protector!"
Qin Yuanzheng's expression was somewhat displeased. If Jiang Wuming were not so exceptional, and if he hadn't initially given Jiang Wuming the decision-making power for the Battle Dragon team, he would have surely persuaded Jiang Wuming to change his mind.
Hmm?
Qin Xiaozhi's heart stirred, and he looked thoughtful, contemplating why Jiang Wuming would do this.
"Originally, the Battle Dragon team was the strongest among the five Guardian teams. Now, it should be the weakest!"
Qin Yuanzheng stared sharply at Qin Xiaozhi and spoke again, "In this situation, your presence will further weaken the team's overall strength and could even become a burden to the team!"
"Please clarify, Commander!"
Qin Xiaozhi felt a tightness in his chest, but he still managed to appear calm.
"I demand that you assist Jiang Wuming in his work with all your might, at any cost, including your life. Do not become a burden to the Battle Dragon team or a disgrace to the Qin family!" Qin Yuanzheng stated, word by word.
*Hoo!*
Hearing the heart-wrenching words again, Qin Xiaozhi took a deep breath, then stood up, gazing at the elder before him, and said, word by word, "Commander, there was a time when two people were very important to me, and I was willing to do anything for them, even die.
Now, there is only one person left in my heart.
His name is Jiang Wuming.
If, one day, he needs me to sacrifice myself, I will not hesitate for a moment!"
Hmm?
Hearing Qin Xiaozhi's words in astonishment, Qin Yuanzheng was first taken aback, then his heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed who the other person was.
"Commander, do you have any other instructions? If not, I will go to meet my comrades!" Qin Xiaozhi requested.
"No more. You may go," Qin Yuanzheng said.
"Yes, Commander!"
Qin Xiaozhi received the order, saluted, and turned to leave Qin Yuanzheng's office. His steps were firm, his expression calm, but his heart was like an abyss.
Gazing at Qin Xiaozhi's receding back, Qin Yuanzheng appeared lost in thought.
Suddenly, he realized that he was beginning to not understand this descendant whom he had never recognized or valued.
...
A few minutes later, Qin Xiaozhi found Jiang Wuming and the others.
"What did Grandpa Qin talk to you about?" Jiang Wuming asked curiously.
"Just a few casual words."
Qin Xiaozhi replied with a smile, then asked, "By the way, Boss, I heard from my grandfather that the ranking of the Guardian teams affects the future development of every team member, especially the team captain, determining who will be the future Marshal of the Dragon Kingdom's military department?"
"Mmm."
Jiang Wuming nodded.
"You have no interest in the position of Marshal of the Dragon Kingdom's military department, nor do you care about the Battle Dragon team's ranking, hence no protector joining the team?" Qin Xiaozhi asked again.
"I believe that without a protector, we can better temper ourselves, unleash our potential, and grow in the shortest possible time. As for the team's ranking, I didn't care much before, but after last night, I changed my mind," Jiang Wuming replied.
"Why?"
"Because, my brother said his dream is to become the Chief of Staff of the Dragon Kingdom's military department!"
The young man smiled slightly.
The young man's eyes reddened.
...