Year 350 of the Anping Calendar.
Great Xia Prefecture, Nanyuan City.
The Su Family Residence.
As soon as Su Yu stepped through the door, the rich aroma of food greeted him. Dropping his schoolbag, he strolled to the dining table, picked up a piece of braised pork, and popped it into his mouth.
Chewing contentedly, he called toward the kitchen, mouth half-full, "Dad, can we switch up the soup tomorrow? Meat every day's getting a little much, you know."
A gruff voice came from the kitchen, filled with mock annoyance."You're lucky there's food on the table, and you're still picky?"
Su Long's voice rang out—firm, worn, but warm."You're eighteen now, and still don't know how to take care of yourself? I've been playing both dad and mom all these years. Finally, I get to retire from parenting."
Su Yu grinned while chewing. "That's 'cause your cooking's too good, Dad. I'd make my own, but honestly, anything I cook tastes like charcoal."
"Hmph!"
Su Long snorted."Talk's cheap. Let's see you actually step into the kitchen."
Soon enough, Su Long emerged, still wearing his apron, dishes in hand.
He stood nearly 1.9 meters tall, broad-shouldered and built like a fortress. The frilly, ill-fitting apron on him looked almost comical.
As always, Su Yu shook his head, unable to help himself."Dad, can't you get a bigger apron? We're not that poor."
"What do you know?" Su Long grumbled, setting the dishes on the table without bothering to take off the apron. "It's still new. No need to waste money."
"You've been saying that for three years!" Su Yu rolled his eyes. Three years ago, sure. But now? Same line, same apron. Classic Dad.
Unbothered, Su Long sat down and started eating at lightning speed, wolfing down his food. Su Yu didn't even blink—he was used to it.
He joined him, eating while casually sighing."Dad… there's another draft, right? I saw a recruitment vehicle downstairs—looked like they were pulling from our neighborhood. Wonder whose kid it is this time…"
Su Long's chopsticks paused mid-air. He slowly put down his bowl, his expression hardening."Defending the homeland is everyone's duty. What's with that tone? You against joining the army?"
"No, no!" Su Yu quickly waved it off. His dad was ex-military—say the wrong thing and you'd get a lesson you wouldn't forget, probably involving a bear-like slap.
Su Long gave a faint snort, then resumed eating.
After a few bites, his tone shifted—lower, heavier."Yu, the front lines are in chaos again. The major war legions are issuing draft orders—calling up new blood and recalling veterans."
Su Yu froze mid-bite. He looked up, more serious now."Dad, that has nothing to do with us, right? You've been retired for 18 years, and I just turned 18. I'm about to take my university entrance exams. They're not drafting from our family…"
"Eighteen years…" Su Long exhaled slowly. "Yeah. Eighteen years."
"Five times they've called up the old soldiers. Once again, the Demon-Suppressing Legion is summoning veterans back to the front."
"The first four times… I stayed. I didn't go because you were still young. I worried you couldn't take care of yourself. I had to be here for you."
Su Yu's face shifted. "But Dad, we're exempt. The policy allows it."
"Yes, it does," Su Long replied with a wry smile, eyes locking onto his son's."That's why I didn't go. Four times in 18 years. I stayed. But now—my son's a grown man. You're 18 now."
"Dad…" Su Yu's heart sank. His expression paled. "What are you saying?"
"You know exactly what I'm saying."
There was pride in Su Long's gaze—and sorrow."Your old man wasn't much, but back then, I was a squad leader in the Demon-Suppressing Legion. Thirty men under my command."
"Your mom was about to give birth when I got leave. I came home… and she passed away giving birth to you. There were no grandparents, no one to help raise you. I couldn't leave."
"So I retired."
He gritted his teeth, voice bitter."When I left the legion, not one of my brothers came to see me off. Not because they hated me… but because they knew I'd come back if I saw them."
"For 18 years, no one called. They were afraid I'd go running back."
"That first year, nine of my thirty men died in battle…"
"Not one of them made it back. Of the remaining twenty-one… you know how many are still alive?"
"They're still fighting."
Su Long's eyes grew red."I was selfish. I didn't dare ask. Didn't dare check. The first four draft calls—I stayed. But this time…"
He looked at Su Yu, voice firm with resolve."Yu, even if I die, I want to die on the battlefield—wrapped in my banner, not rotting in some quiet corner. Your father… doesn't want to die behind a desk."
Su Yu sat in silence.
He had always known his father missed the front, missed his comrades. If his mother hadn't died giving birth, his father would never have retired. He'd always assumed, after all these years, that his father had moved on.
But now, he knew—he hadn't.
"Dad…" Su Yu's voice was hoarse, his face pale. "The front's worse than ever. Casualties are rising. Five veteran recalls in 18 years—that's one every three or four years. You've served. You know what that means…"
"I... I haven't even gotten married yet, haven't made it into a top academy, haven't given you a grandson..."
Su Long grinned, his teeth flashing. "No worries. I'll wait! You think your old man is going to die out there? I'm going to win battles!"
"Dad!"
"Cut the nonsense and eat your food!"
Su Long interrupted, shoving a bite into his mouth. "After this meal, you're on your own for food. If there's nothing at home, go out and eat. There's money in the card — you know the password."
"They're waiting for me downstairs. I can't be late."
"If you get into the academy, write me a letter. I'll read it if I get the chance."
"You're aiming for the Great Xia Civilization Academy, right? Damn kid, you make your old man proud! Your teachers already told me — as long as you don't screw it up, you're a sure bet. The Su family's finally got a real scholar!"
"You're so smart I sometimes wonder if you're really my son... but then again, you look just like I did when I was younger."
Su Yu's face went pale, but he still couldn't help himself. "Dad, are you sure you looked like me when you were younger?"
"What, you think I'm lying? Go ask Auntie Zhang next door!"
Su Yu knew his father was changing the subject. He frowned and got serious again. "Dad, are you really going? I'm not saying you're weak or anything, but you've been off the battlefield for nearly twenty years. You're still only at Tier Nine Thousand-Pound Realm. What can you do now?"
"Who are you calling useless?"
Su Long scowled. "What's wrong with Tier Nine? On the battlefield, it's not just about power. It's about guts, experience — and luck! I was Tier Seven when I killed a Ten-Thousand-Stone Realm fighter!"
Su Yu sighed. That story again. He wasn't sure if it was true, but his father had said it too many times.
He didn't want his father to go.
The frontlines were chaotic, full of death. His dad was almost 50. If he went back now… Su Yu couldn't even imagine it.
"Dad…"
"Shut it!"
Su Long stood up and began cleaning the dishes, his voice firm and unwavering. "I've already registered. If I don't go, I'm a deserter. You know what that means."
"Couldn't you wait until I got home? We could at least talk about it…"
Su Yu clenched his fists, angry and frustrated.
But he knew — it was too late.
As his father said, if he hadn't signed up, there was room to decline. But once registered, he was officially a soldier again. Backing out now was desertion — even for a veteran.
"Talk about what?"
Su Long snorted, grabbed his packed bag, took off his apron, and slung the pack over his shoulder. "Focus on your exams. You're all I've got left. Make us proud at that academy!"
"When I'm back, I'll brag to the boys — tell them my son got into the Civilization Academy. Better than any of their kids!"
"It's just a shame I probably won't see the admission letter. Take a photo of it and send it with your letter, or they'll say I'm full of crap."
"Dad!"
Su Yu jumped up and chased after him, panicked.
He was really leaving.
For eighteen years, it had been just the two of them. He wasn't ready for this.
"You're not a kid anymore. Don't start crying like one."
Su Long chuckled, his eyes a bit red. "If you hadn't come of age, I wouldn't be going. But you've grown up now. It's time. Eighteen years ago, some of the kids in my squad were your age. I dream about them… they're crying, screaming in pain… begging for revenge. I regret not putting you in a military orphanage back then. At least someone would've raised you."
Tears welled in his eyes. "Five summons. I packed every time, but each time, I saw your face — and I couldn't leave. I was selfish. But this fifth one… there may not be a sixth. Next time, I'll be fifty — too old. They won't take me."
"I'm going now… back to the battlefield. Back to the war of the heavens!"
"This time, I'll kill a few Ten-Thousand-Stone bastards! I'll leave proof too, so you can't say a word!"
He waved and walked away, his steps bold and unshakable.
For the first time in his life, Su Yu saw his father as truly gallant, truly heroic…
But that wasn't what he wanted to see.
"Dad…"
"I said no more nonsense—"
Su Yu stood frozen at the door, teeth clenched. Then he shouted: "If you don't come back, I'll marry into another family! I'll change my last name! I'll end the Su family line! See if I don't!"
"I—!"
Su Long stumbled, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Suddenly… he didn't want to leave anymore. Maybe he should come back and beat the crap out of this little brat.
This damn kid might actually do it!
The Su family finally raised a scholar — if he changed his name, Su Long wouldn't rest in peace!