Chapter 512: Chapter 511 Rejection
In Yang Fei’s view, it was an absolute honor for a martial artist to serve the country, and no one would refuse such an opportunity.
However, to everyone’s surprise, after Xu Mao’s expression changed several times, he said, "Thank you, Mr. Yang, for your support. It’s just that I am already old and my talent is limited, leaving me with little room for improvement. Joining the Military Department would likely tarnish your reputation, so I would rather leave this precious opportunity to the younger generation."
Yang Fei was taken aback and looked at Xu Mao.
Xu Mao looked embarrassed, his complexion a bit unnatural, as if he felt awkward yet mustered up the courage to refuse.
Seeing that Xu Mao had spoken, Zhang Long said, "Mr. Yang, if you need manpower, I will certainly not shirk away from joining the Military Department with you."
Xu Xingzhou also nodded, "That’s right, my thoughts are the same as Zhang Long."
Yang Fei chuckled and said to the two, "So you’re saying that if I didn’t need manpower, you wouldn’t want to come with me?"
Xu Xingzhou hurriedly said, "Mr. Yang, please don’t misunderstand, if it were for something else, even going overseas to venture, I, Xu Xingzhou, would follow you without hesitation, but... but this matter of being conscripted..."
He found it embarrassing to continue.
Zhang Long also nodded on the side, the implication clear without saying.
Yang Fei was astonished, looking at the expressions of the two, he suddenly thought of the scenes from his childhood when he read "Water Margin."
Back then, Brother Gongsun was the one he disliked the most.
Hearing offers of amnesty chilled the hearts of the brothers.
But that was during the time of Song Huizong, wasn’t it? Can it even be compared to now?
Yang Fei was somewhat speechless and also a bit displeased, saying, "Haha, it seems that I was the only one passionate about this. Since none of you wish to, I won’t insist."
Seeing him say this, Xu Mao completely relaxed.
Zhang Long and Xu Xingzhou, on the other hand, were red in the face with embarrassment.
Zhang Long gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I am willing to follow Mr. Yang for the amnesty."
Yang Fei waved his hand and said, "When I talked about amnesty, I was joking. Why do you keep mentioning amnesty? There’s an old saying, ’Learn the cultural and martial arts, and sell them to the emperor’s family.’ Now that we have acquired all these skills, if we do not use them to protect our country and carry the weight forward, how can we ensure peace and tranquility for the millions of people? Are we to merely use our abilities to vie for victory and fight to the death within the Martial Arts World?"
The living room suddenly became eerily quiet.
Qi Tai, Xu Mao, Xu Xingzhou, and Zhang Long looked at Yang Fei as if they were seeing him for the first time, with strange expressions in their eyes.
Seeing the peculiar looks from the four, Yang Fei said in surprise, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Cough cough, Mr. Yang, you are, your realm is too high for us to keep up with," Xu Xingzhou said, giving a thumbs up.
"Stop kidding, I’m not joking here," Yang Fei said firmly.
Zhang Long coughed dryly and spoke truthfully, "Mr. Yang, not to hide it from you, it’s not that we don’t want to protect our country, but in this peaceful and prosperous age, there’s no need for us. Most importantly, in today’s world, we enjoy the freedom of the Martial Arts World. Joining the Military Department would mean losing that freedom."
Xu Mao nodded and said, "Yeah, in fact, many in the Divine Continent Martial World have received invitations from special national departments before, but very few are actually willing to go. For the Xu Family, returning to the Divine Continent Martial World has been the family’s aspiration for decades. But when Zhang Wenfeng gave us a quota to join the Military Department and the special military units, even our family’s elder respectfully refused. The reason is nothing more than the fact that in this good world, the majority of those who study martial arts prefer the carefree life outside the martial circle."
Yang Fei was stunned.
In his subconscious, serving the country and the court had always been a coveted affair, yet he hadn’t expected these three to have such low aspirations.
I, who didn’t even get my middle school diploma, have higher aspirations than you three.
Yang Fei kept his thoughts to himself and snorted, "Alright, I get your point. But you’d better not have any regrets in the future."
Xu Mao’s expression remained calm, obviously feeling no regret about the decision.
However, Xu Xingzhou and Zhang Long felt a chill in their hearts.
They thought of the benefits they had received from Yang Fei since meeting him.
Aside from other benefits, their realms and strength had indeed improved at an astonishing rate; without Yang Fei’s aid, it would have taken them more than a decade of hard and dedicated cultivation to reach their current level.
"Zhang Long, have you not thanked Mr. Yang for his great kindness?"
Suddenly, Qi Tai, with a profound look in his eyes, spoke to Zhang Long.
Zhang Long was startled and looked at his master with confusion.
Qi Tai chided, "What kind of person do you think Mr. Yang is? Could he possibly deceive you? If you continue to linger in the Martial Arts World, at best, you could rule the Underworld of Binhai. But if you follow Mr. Yang into the military, your future will be boundless, and even your descendants will be able to turn their lives around."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Long’s expression changed several times. He turned his gaze towards Yang Fei, and looking at that young face, he suddenly knelt to the ground and said with a bow, "Zhang Long prostrates before Mr. Yang in gratitude for his immense kindness. Thank you, Mr. Yang, for your support. From this day forward, I, Zhang Long, vow to follow you unto death."
Seeing Zhang Long react this way, Xu Xingzhou was moved and immediately knelt down as well: "Xu Xingzhou also wishes to follow Mr. Yang, pledging loyalty unto death."
I’m following Mr. Yang, whether it’s to continue in the Martial Arts World or to develop in the Military Department; it’s all the same.
I just need to stick with Mr. Yang.
Look how clever I am!
Xu Xingzhou thought smugly to himself.
But Yang Fei’s face showed not the slightest hint of joy.
If these two had been so loyal from the start, he certainly would have been pleased; but their loyalty coming at this time was far too late.
He always felt that these two were reluctantly submitting to his recruitment.
"Ha, I am here today merely to give you advance notice of this matter. Whether I can bring you along with me will only be clear after I take office. Take this time to think it over, so you don’t end up with regrets," Yang Fei said faintly.
Acting as if I have no temper, refusing to go when told not to, and agreeing to go when told to?
"No, Mr. Yang, my mistake. I shouldn’t have hesitated just now," Xu Xingzhou immediately pleaded.
"Hmph, was that hesitation just now? You outright refused," Yang Fei said coldly.
Xu Xingzhou quickly got up and said, "Wasn’t that like being kicked in the head by a donkey? I just didn’t think it through at the moment. Now I’ve come to my senses. This lifetime, I, Xu Xingzhou, only want to mix with you. Wherever you go, I will follow."
Zhang Long, in desperation, glared at Xu Xingzhou and said, "That’s my line; don’t you dare snatch it from me."
Then, turning to Yang Fei, he said, "Mr. Yang, I am truly loyal to you, and I was the first to follow you. If there’s only one spot available, you must choose me."
Yang Fei was once again amused by these two.
Although they hadn’t known each other long, their time together had been pleasant. Yang Fei had come to recognize Xu Xingzhou and Zhang Long, and he wasn’t actually angry with them.
"Old Qi, tell me, why are they all so reluctant to join the Military Department?" Yang Fei asked Qi Tai for advice.
Qi Tai sighed and shook his head, "It’s not that they’re unwilling to join the Military Department; they’re just reluctant to join any governmental department."
Yang Fei was taken aback and asked curiously, "Why is that? Everyone wants to work for the government; why do you guys resist it?"