Galaxy Domination Guide

Chapter 223 216 Old soldiers never die

"According to reports from our station, the terrorist militants that have entrenched in Iraq and Syria for years formally declared their dissolution yesterday. The Star Alliance Earth Defense Force has completely achieved zero armed conflict on Earth, and the long-yearned world peace of thousands of years has finally been realized today,"

The television was broadcasting very official news, which should have pleased Cui Zhihao, but at the moment, he couldn't feel happy. It should have been a joyful event for him to have successfully become a resident of the Spratly Island. The potential invasion by Teizene compelled the small but ambitious Cui Zhihao to devote himself entirely to the Universe Army in order to contribute to the defense of Earth.

His intentions were noble, and his resolve was right, but regrettably, his family opposed him. Now he was confined to his parents' house, effectively grounded. His mother had even stopped going to work and stayed at home to watch her son, determined to prevent him from joining the military.

Cui Zhihao looked helplessly at his mother, who was playing with her phone at the other end of the sofa. He had once lost his temper and forcefully decided to leave, but his mother responded by taking out a bunch of sleeping pills, claiming she would commit suicide by swallowing them if Cui Zhihao enlisted.

Being coerced by his mother in such a way, Cui Zhihao knew it would be unfilial to proceed recklessly, caring nothing for others. Should anything actually befall his mother, it would reflect poorly on him. The notion of filial piety exerted a tremendous pressure on people in his country. No matter the conflict, the mother who raised and loved him was extremely important; Cui Zhihao could never just stand by and watch his mother die, even if he sensed that she was more likely trying to scare him. As a good son, he didn't dare to test his mother's resolve.

It was now time for the end of the workday, and Cui Zhihao's father had also come home from work. Seeing his son still sitting at home with a gloomy face, he showed a relieved expression.

Cui's father sat down beside his son, speaking earnestly, "Xiao Hao, I know you're grown up now, you've got your own ideas, but joining the military and fighting a war is no small matter. Those fights against the Nihong devils, the Lighthouse devils were so brutal. If you really went to the universe to fight those aliens, and something happened, sigh, what would your mom and dad do, having to send off their child prematurely? If something happens to you in the universe, we won't even be able to bring back your body!"

As he spoke, Cui's father's eyes began to redden. Cui Zhihao was the only child in the family, and had always been the apple of their eye. The Cui family was also relatively affluent, always providing the best for Cui Zhihao, even spending a million a year on him without blinking an eye.

But at some point, the son no longer liked playing with anime figures or those supercars, and became somewhat "frightening." He talked about lofty ideals of serving the country and the people, especially after his senior from school became the Iridium Star Chancellor. He idolized this senior immensely and bought into Bai Zhongqi's philosophy of interstellar civilization and a communal society. He even went to the Spratly Island and became a citizen there.

When the Earth was potentially at risk of alien invasion, the son even called to say he would join the Universe Army, board the warships to confront the aliens, and protect Earth.

Cui's father, with a pained expression, grabbed his son, saying, "Son, fighting a war isn't a trivial matter, it can result in death. In our family, it's just you. If something happened to you, what would your mom and I do? Your grandfather is already so old, he adores you. If he finds out you're doing something so dangerous, it wouldn't be fair to him! Our family has money. If you want to contribute, great, we can donate money. It takes money to wage a war, right? We can donate a million, and if that's not enough, we'll give three million, five million. As long as you don't go to war, we can talk about anything!"

Cui Zhihao said irritably, "If you don't go, I don't go, and nobody goes, then who's going to protect everyone? If everyone is that 'smart,' letting others sacrifice themselves while they survive, then everyone will be doomed."

Cui's father exclaimed, "That won't happen, there are so many people on this Earth, there will always be someone who goes, it doesn't have to be you."

With a loud cry of frustration, Cui Zhihao knew he could never explain it clearly to his parents.

Just then, their house's doorbell rang. The Cui family's maid went to answer the door, and shortly after, a spirited old gentleman walked in.

With reddened eyes, Cui's father was astonished, exclaiming, "Dad... What brings you here?"

Cui's father was frantic by now and spoke quickly, disregarding his usual fear and respect for his father, "Dad, you can't compare things from your time to now. Things like dedication and sacrifice aren't in vogue anymore. Xiaohao is so young, how can you let him go to war?"

The Cui family elder, holding his grandson's hand, glared coldly at his son and said, "What do you mean, 'out of fashion'? You little rascal, who do you think fought for the life you have today? It was your father, who risked his life and shed blood for it! Whenever our country, our people, face others knocking at our doorstep, treating us like slaves, making us live on bended knees, we must fight back! It's the same principle for every generation. I fought before, and my grandson will go to fight too!"

Cui's mother was on the verge of collapse, crying out loud, "Dad, you can't be so irresponsible. Xiaohao is our only child. If anything happens to him, how am I supposed to live?"

The Cui family elder didn't want to bother with his son and daughter-in-law and didn't deign to answer their questions.

Cui Zhihao, clutching his grandfather's medals, lowered his head, feeling as if something was being infused into his body.

"Xiaohao, you want to join the military, and your grandpa supports you. What the people of my generation fought for, it's now your generation's turn to protect. We used to shout about defeating the imperialism of the Nihong Empire, defending our country, and that the people of C nation would never be slaves of a conquered state, and it's the same now. But the responsibility on your shoulders is even heavier now. You're not just guarding the country that raised you, but the entire planet. Grandpa is old and doesn't understand those things about the universe and the stars, but one principle is still clear to me, our nation, our Chinese people, will never be conquered!"

Cui Zhihao said firmly, "I understand, Grandfather."

The Cui family elder laughed, "These medals, your grandpa earned them with my own blood and battles. Hold onto them for now; when you triumphantly return, you'll have your own medals. Then give your grandpa's back."

Cui Zhihao's eyes also became moist. He nodded firmly and half-knelt forward before his grandfather, saying, "Okay, Grandpa, I will definitely bring back my own medals."

'Hahahaha, good, very good! I used to tell you war stories when you were little, and soon you will be the one telling them to me."

Seeing Cui's father and mother about to speak again, he waved his hand to silence them and said, "That's that, then. Xiaohao is an adult, and he's doing something important. You, as parents, shouldn't embarrass yourselves."

Cui Zhihao also knew how much agony this decision caused his parents, and he felt some guilt for choosing this path, but he was also unwavering, knowing this was what he had to do now. He approached his parents and said, "Dad, Mom, don't worry about me, I will definitely come back."

At this point, Cui's father and mother were unable to say anything else and just sobbed softly.

The Cui family elder stood up with the support of his cane while Cui Zhihao attempted to help him, but the elder pushed him away. The old man laughed cheerfully and said, "Today I am happy, very happy. Alright, I'll be going back now."

He turned and left without saying goodbye to his son and daughter-in-law. Even with his cane, he moved with a spry and efficient gait, singing happily to himself.

"A long river, with waves so wide..."