Chapter 8: Some Things, Someone Has to Do
"You saw the news too?" Uncle said.
"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.
The seven major planets are far apart from each other, and many astral realms have appeared on each planet.
The number of astral realms on Blue Star is relatively small compared to the other seven major planets.
Astral realms, which can lead to alien civilizations in the depths of the star sea, are the frontlines of the war between human civilization and these alien realms.
Conflicts frequently occur.
The highest-level astral realm within the borders of the Xia Kingdom is the 'Luo Bu Sea Astral Realm' in the northern border province. It is a second-level astral realm, with a large military presence stationed there year-round.
In the past few days at school, Li Yuan heard that another conflict had erupted in the Luo Bu Hai Astral Realm, but he was not clear about the severity.
Now it seems to be very critical.
"The outbreak of the Luo Bu Sea war was very sudden, and the headquarters has ordered us to go support the construction efforts," Uncle said with a smile, appearing quite relaxed.
"He is leaving tonight, the high-speed train departs at 3 a.m.," said Aunt beside him, her eyes filled with worry.
Li Yuan looked at his uncle, feeling equally worried.
In Li Yuan's memory, the impression of his parents was already very vague, as they had passed away when he was only two or three years old.
Li Yuan was raised by his uncle and aunt, who treated him as their own child.
In Li Yuan's eyes, his uncle and aunt were equivalent to his parents.
His uncle, named Li Changzhou, had a decent martial arts talent. He graduated from Jiangbei Martial Arts University and double-majored in 'Civil, Hydraulic, and Ocean Engineering.' After graduation, he steadily climbed the ranks to become a mid-level manager in a state-owned enterprise, earning a good salary.
His aunt, named Chen Hui, is a high school math teacher.
Over the decades, the couple should have saved enough to accumulate a considerable estate, so why do they still live in an old neighborhood?
Li Yuan knew it was because of him!
When he was a child, the cost of his medical treatments and surgeries accumulated to over a million Blue Star coins. Later, the expenses for nurturing his body, various supplements, recuperation fees, and biological agents were also a significant burden.
Since middle school, practicing martial arts has also been a money pit.
His cousin, Li Muhua, showed martial arts talent that surpassed Li Yuan's during his middle school years. In fact, Li Muhua had already awakened his martial arts spirituality by the first year of middle school.
However, the various training resources that his cousin now receives are still not as good as what Li Yuan had back then.
Uncle and Aunt never say anything about it.
His younger cousins also never felt that Li Yuan had taken up their resources.
But Li Yuan himself felt somewhat guilty towards his uncle, aunt, and even his younger cousins.
This was also one of the important reasons why Li Yuan had consciously started to train intensely since middle school.
He didn't want his uncle and aunt's hopes and efforts to be in vain, so he was determined to achieve something significant.
Especially after entering high school, he further clarified his goals, hoping that through his own efforts, he could repay his uncle and aunt in the future and also make it up to his younger cousins.
At the beginning of his second year of high school, Li Yuan's physical fitness reached level 5.0, and he subsequently awakened the mystical Mind Palace, which caused his martial arts cultivation to advance rapidly.
"The Divine Palace is indeed mystical, but if one does not work hard, it is all in vain." Li Yuan realized this after awakening the Divine Palace.
Therefore, he became even more diligent and did not dare to slack off.
"Get into a martial arts university."
"Or even get into one of the top five prestigious schools and ultimately become a high-level martial artist." This has always been Li Yuan's aspiration.
Not just for himself, but also for his family.
Earlier, when Li Yuan learned that his uncle was about to go to Luo Bu Sea, his heart trembled.
Uncle Li Changzhou spoke as if it were no big deal.
But Li Yuan, who had been following the news for years, knew that soldiers and martial artists were the most at risk when it came to defending against the invasion of alien civilizations from the other side of the astral realms.
Next in danger were the workers involved in constructing various military defense facilities.
This time, Uncle Li Changzhou was essentially going as a combat engineer.
It should be noted that powerful astral creatures cannot be stopped by ordinary heavy firearms; only some advanced technological weapons or high-level martial artists can handle them.
Extremely dangerous.
"If I hadn't been sick back then, or if my martial arts training hadn't cost so much, Uncle could have stayed in the city, doing some municipal maintenance work. He wouldn't have had to choose to be sent out just to earn that extra allowance," Li Yuan thought, feeling even more uneasy.
....
"Little Yuan, come to the bedroom first. Let's talk slowly." Uncle Li Changzhou called Li Yuan into the master bedroom.
In the master bedroom, there were two small stools. Li Yuan sat down.
Uncle sat on the edge of the bed.
"Click~" Chen Hui gently closed the door.
Li Changzhou's hair was already somewhat sparse, and although he was slightly plump, he still had a scholarly elegance.
"Actually, your aunt advised me not to tell you, fearing it might affect your studies in your third year of high school," Li Changzhou said, smiling at Li Yuan. "But I believe that a man of the Li family should be able to handle any pressure."
Chen Hui remained silent and sat down beside them.
Uncle, please speak," Li Yuan said softly.
"According to the information I received, several of Luo Bu Sea's entry and exit defense systems have been severely damaged, and there have been significant casualties among the military and the Starry Sky Martial Palace," Li Changzhou said calmly. "This attack was repelled, but if there is another assault, there is a risk of it being completely breached."
Li Yuan held his breath. Completely breached?
The entry and exit points of the astral realms are crucial gateways for human civilization to fend off invasions.
If they were to be breached, it would undoubtedly be a catastrophe.
Back then, his parents had died in an astral realm disaster.
"This time, there is a risk of death," Li Changzhou said calmly, looking at Li Yuan. "It's war, after all. When has there ever been a war without casualties?"
"Uncle, is there any way you don't have to go?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Headquarters is requiring us to go, but if I really don't want to, there are ways around it. After all, the state has only issued a level three alert," Li Changzhou said with a smile.
Li Yuan listened intently.
China has classified the war danger response into three alert levels: Level Three being the lowest and Level One being the highest.
Once a Level One alert is activated, it means the entire country will enter a state of war, with comprehensive mobilization. All citizens and all resources must be ready to respond to conscription orders at any time.
In the past century, China has only activated a Level One alert once, in 2028.
Above the Level One alert, there is the 'Civilization Alert,' which can only be issued through joint confirmation by the highest council of the Seven Star Alliance and the three major martial palaces.
Once issued, it signifies that at least one human-inhabited planet has entered a situation of life and death, requiring full support from other planets.
Since the formation of the alliance hundreds of years ago, the Civilization Alert has been activated only once.
However, even the lowest level, Level Three alert, once issued, signifies significant consumption of resources and casualties.
"Little Yuan, I can choose not to go," Uncle Li Changzhou smiled. "But if I don't go, someone else will have to take my place."
"In this war, someone has to go, isn't that right?"
Li Yuan fell silent.
"Are you the only capable one? Is such a big company relying solely on you?" Aunt Chen Hui suddenly shouted, her eyes tinged with redness.
Li Changzhou had already discussed it with her just now.
In addition, fearing that Li Qianqian and Li Muhua might notice something in the living room, she suppressed her emotions and didn't reveal anything.
But now, upon hearing Li Changzhou's words, she couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out.
Li Changzhou paused for a moment, then reached out and gently embraced his wife Chen Hui around the waist, comforting her silently.
Chen Hui kept her head low, her eyes reddened, and she didn't say anything more.
After a while.
"Little Yuan, don't worry too much," Li Changzhou comforted his wife and then looked at Li Yuan. "After all, I'm not like other martial artists who engage in close combat and assassinations. It's not that dangerous for me."
"Besides, I am at least an advanced-level martial artist with some self-defense ability," Li Changzhou chuckled.
Li Yuan remained silent.
Uncle Li Changzhou graduated from the Martial Arts University, reaching a peak physical level of over level 12. However, after many years of work, he might now be around level 10 or 11, and many combat skills may have become rusty.
Martial arts is not cultivation like in immortal cultivation novels; it requires diligent daily practice.
Suddenly.
"Ding!" Li Yuan suddenly felt a vibration on his wrist and instinctively raised his hand to look at it.
"Your account ending in 1486 has received 56,000.00 blue stars... transferred from account ending in... balance 58,324.12 blue stars," appeared clearly on the display screen.
I'm sorry, it seems like the message got cut off. Could you please clarify your question?
He immediately recognized that the account number receiving the transfer belonged to his uncle, Li Changzhou.
"This is your living expenses for September and October."
"Since the network in North Xinjiang Province might not be reliable, I'm transferring it all to you today. Manage it yourself," Li Changzhou smiled and said. "Remember when I took you to buy the qi and blood medicine from Uncle Zhong before? You should be familiar with it now."
"I've talked to Uncle Zhong about it."
"When you have time next weekend, go to the martial hall and buy it from him," Li Changzhou said. "Your aunt will transfer your living expenses for the rest of the month later."
Li Yuan looks at his aunt.
"Listen to your uncle," Chen Hui's mood slightly calmed, her voice becoming calm again. "Take the money and don't worry about home."
Li Yuan fell silent and did not ask any more questions.
He needs money for his own cultivation right now.
"By the way."
"Have you thought about your college entrance exam preferences?" Li Changzhou asked Li Yuan.