The guard, urged by the stern commands of Commander Chu, hesitated before smashing a wine bottle onto Chu Minghui's leg.
A piercing scream echoed through the private room.
Chu Minghui fainted from the pain.
The guard splashed a bottle of water on Chu Minghui's face, waking him up.
"Minghui, this is a lesson for you. Before you set your sights on something, you'd best inquire about the situation there," Commander Chu said with evident heartache.
"Abandoned land and graves, do you know what kind of people are buried there? They are men who shed blood and fought for this country."
"Don't you know that the uniform I wear, the military attire, signifies the same status as theirs?"
Chu Minghui could only manage a pained groan.
"You are confined for a year. You can't go anywhere. Your confinement will be at the abandoned burial ground you spoke of, the Martyrs' Cemetery. Repair the cemetery well, and it shall be your atonement. If there's a next time, no one can save you."
With a hint of pity and heartache in his eyes, Commander Chu turned to Chen Fan and asked respectfully, "Commander Chen, what do you think of this disposition? Are you satisfied?"
Chen Fan smiled, "Commander Chu truly has a heart of stone."
Commander Chu immediately replied, "There's no other way. Wrongdoings must be accounted for, no matter who commits them. If Commander Chen wishes to send him to prison, I will have no complaints."
"Forget it."
Chen Fan waved his hand, "Commander Chu has gone this far, how can I not give face? However, I hope that guarding the cemetery is not just a formality!"
"That is natural," Commander Chu stated, "If there are any lapses in its upkeep, I will not forgive him!"
"Then it's settled. I'll be taking my leave!" Chen Fan stood up to go.
Commander Chu smiled, "Commander Chen, please visit me when you have time. I've been researching the battles of that year for years. But it's not as clear or vivid as hearing it from you directly."
"We'll see when I have time."
Chen Fan offered no commitment. He gestured to a stunned Chen Xiaozhu and walked towards the exit.
Director Lin, who had been trembling in a corner, breathed a sigh of relief when Chen Fan ignored him.
After all, they were not from the same department. That young Commander Chen seemed unlikely to deal with him!
With Chen Fan and his party gone, Commander Chu glanced at Director Lin, said nothing more, and signaled his subordinates to escort Chu Minghui away.
"Commander... Commander Chu?"
Director Lin quickly greeted him respectfully and followed him out, attempting to establish a connection.
However, Commander Chu completely ignored him and turned away.
As Director Lin was about to follow, he suddenly saw four or five people approaching, blocking his path.
One of them showed him his credentials and said, "Lin Jian, we are from the Disciplinary Inspection Department. These are our credentials. We are now ordered to investigate you. Please come with us to the Disciplinary Inspection Department and explain your issues clearly within the stipulated time and place!"
Director Lin's face turned pale at the words.
He had just felt that Chen Fan couldn't touch him, but in a blink of an eye, he was under investigation.
How could he withstand an investigation?
For that batch of documents, Chu Minghui had given him plenty of gifts and treated him to lavish meals and entertainment.
His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground.
The people who had seen this scene many times before, coldly lifted him up and took him away.
Director Lin, now limp, had only one thought: he was finished. His remaining years would likely be spent in prison.
He had a backer, but his backer had given him no information, indicating that these people had bypassed his immediate superior to apprehend him.
...
Leaving the clubhouse, Chen Fan got into the car.
"Boss, the Dragon Head has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Outside, the night had already become hazy and deep.
"Let's take Miss Chen home first," Chen Fan said, looking at Chen Xiaozhu beside him. "If you have any difficulties in the future, call me and tell me."
With that, he asked Chen Xiaozhu to take out her phone and save his number.
Chen Xiaozhu was somewhat dazed. Everything that had happened since meeting Chen Fan felt like a dream.
However, the issue of the cemetery demolition had finally been resolved.
As the car stopped near her residence, Chen Xiaozhu opened the car door.
Before getting out, she paused and said, "Chen Tianjiao, thank you."
Chen Fan shook his head.
"Zhi Gang never regretted following you," Chen Xiaozhu said after a moment's hesitation. "In his heart, serving you and being loyal to the country was the honor of his life. I believe that even at the moment of his death, he had no regrets."
Chen Fan smiled bitterly at this, "I know. That's why I still have much to do. I will give them a complete accounting."
Three years ago, due to immense obstacles, some people had not paid for their actions.
His return to the capital, besides finding the Feng family, was also for this reason.
"I believe you!"
Chen Xiaozhu said, then got out of the car and disappeared into a residential complex.
Watching Chen Xiaozhu's figure vanish, Chen Fan signaled Qi Wu to drive to the Iron Blood Camp.
He himself sent a message to Han Shuying, asking her to arrange for someone to investigate Chen Xiaozhu's situation and provide appropriate assistance.
The car entered a camp in the outskirts of the capital a little past nine in the evening.
Stopping outside the office building, Chen Fan pushed the door open and alighted.
Then, he paused slightly.
Outside the building, figures in military green stood ramrod straight.
Like poplars rooted to the earth, or like javelins standing tall.
"Salute!"
Someone shouted hoarsely, filled with emotion.
*Swish!!*
Over a thousand figures saluted in unison.
The atmosphere became solemn and respectful.
Many had tears in their eyes.
They had waited for a long time, but their passion had not cooled.
"Welcome back, Heavenly King!"
The hoarse voice rang out again.
"Welcome back, Heavenly King!"
The thunderous cheers shattered the night and echoed throughout the entire camp.
Young figures, young faces, all filled with fervor and passion.
This invincible Iron Blood army had finally welcomed back their peerless commander, their military soul, their supreme glory.
The horses had been stabled, and the armor put away for over three years. Their fervor had not diminished; instead, it had grown more intense!
Under the gaze of countless fervent and excited eyes, Chen Fan slowly raised his hand and returned the salute.
His heart was also stirred.
It was because of them, because of these people who feared no death, shed blood, guarded the borders, and sacrificed everything, that he shouldered all burdens.
Countless sacrifices had brought about today's peace and tranquility, yet they had no regrets!
No matter what happened, in their hearts, he was the goal they followed, their soul.
With tears in his eyes, he turned his gaze to each soldier.
Finally, he strode into the building.
Arriving outside an office on the third floor, he pushed the door open.
An old man stood by the window, looking at the soldiers still assembled outside, unwilling to disperse.
"I'm back," Chen Fan said.
"You see, they've been waiting for you, for over three years!" the old man said.
"I see," Chen Fan replied, his eyes moist.
The Dragon Head sighed and said, "You are their soul. I've managed for you for three years. They respect me, they fear me, but they don't see me as the commander they would die for, their military soul."
Chen Fan remained silent.
He owed many people, and this group was who he owed the most.
The soldiers standing below had all served the country with their lives, walked through hail of bullets, fought with him in the southern borders, broke through the northern territories, and traversed Helan Mountain Pass!
Even more, their bones lay scattered on the frontiers, their blood staining the battlefield.
The battle in the desolate desert, defeating a million enemies, deterred them from coveting the borders, capturing cities, and overthrowing nations, a single battle ensuring peace and stability.
However, fewer than half of the Iron Blood Camp had returned!
"Since you're back, stop this torment."
The old man sighed deeply, turned around, revealing a resolute yet serene face.
"As for what happened back then, you don't need to worry anymore. Let it go."
"Not for the dead, but for the living, for your soldiers, for the country and its people, for the countless who need you!"
Chen Fan's body straightened, and he slowly said, "I cannot let it go, nor can I."