Chapter 8 Some things, someone always has to do
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"You saw the news too?" Uncle said.
"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.
The Seven Great Planets are far apart from each other, with numerous Star Realms appearing on each planet.
The number of Star Realms on Blue Star is considered low compared to the other Seven Great Planets.
A Star Realm can lead to the deep reaches of the starry sea and foreign civilizations; it is the frontline of the war between human civilization and foreign domains.
Wars are common there.
The highest level Star Realm within the borders of Xia Country is the 'Rob Sea Star Realm' in the Northern Border Province, a Second Level Star Realm that is garrisoned by a large military force all year round.
In the past few days at school, Li Yuan heard that war had broken out in the Rob Sea Star Realm, but he was not clear about the severity.
Now it seems it's quite dire.
"The Rob Sea war broke out quite suddenly, and headquarters has ordered us to go and support the construction," Uncle said with a smile, appearing very relaxed.
"We are leaving tonight, on the high-speed train at three in the morning," Auntie said from the side, her eyes filled with worry.
Li Yuan looked at his uncle with similar concern.
In Li Yuan's memory, the impression of his parents is now very vague, since they 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 are equivalent to his parents.
Uncle, named Li Changzhou, had a decent talent for the Martial Path. He graduated from Jiangbei Martial Arts University and also earned a degree in 'Civil Engineering in Hydraulics & Ocean Engineering.' After graduation, he worked his way up to middle management in a state-owned enterprise, with quite an impressive salary.
Auntie, named Chen Hui, is a high school math teacher.
The couple should have accumulated a considerable estate over the decades. Why then do they still live in an old neighborhood?
Li Yuan knew it was because of him!
The expenses of his illness and surgery as a child accumulated to over a million Blue Star Coins; later on, the cost of recuperation, various tonics, health care expenses, and biological medicines were substantial.
Since middle school, cultivating the Martial Path has also been like a gold-eating cave.
Take his cousin 'Li Muhua,' for example; he revealed a Martial Spirit talent surpassing that of Li Yuan in middle school, even awakening it in the first year of junior high.
But even now, the variety of cultivation resources Li Muhua receives isn't as much as Li Yuan had back then.
His uncle and aunt never said anything about it.
His younger brother and sister also never felt that Li Yuan was taking their resources.
But Li Yuan himself felt some guilt towards his uncle and aunt and even his siblings.
This was also an important reason why Li Yuan began to consciously practice the Martial Path fervently starting in middle school.
He did not want his uncle and aunt's hopes to turn into nothing; he was determined to achieve something significant.
Especially after entering high school, he became even more clear about his goals, hoping to repay his uncle and aunt with his own efforts in the future, and to make up for his brother and sister.
Just after entering his second year of high school, Li Yuan's physical quality reached the 5.0 level, and he then awakened the miraculous Mind Spirit Divine Palace, which accelerated his Martial Arts Cultivation tremendously.
"The Mind Spirit Divine Palace is indeed miraculous, but without personal effort, it's all in vain," Li Yuan realized this after awakening the Mind Spirit Divine Palace.
Therefore, he dared not slack off even more.
"Getting into a Martial Arts University."
"And even to be admitted into one of the top five prestigious schools, ultimately becoming a High Rank Martial Artist." This has always been Li Yuan's aspiration.
Not just for himself, but for his family as well.
When he just learned that his uncle was going to the Rob Sea, Li Yuan's heart trembled.
Uncle Li Changzhou spoke lightly of it.
But Li Yuan, who frequently followed the news, knew that soldiers and Martial Artists defending against the invasion from foreign civilizations across the Star Realms, were the most dangerous.
Next were the workers engaged in various military defense constructions.
This trip for Uncle Li Changzhou was essentially as an engineer.
You should know, powerful Star Realm Creatures are not stopped by ordinary heavy weapons; only some cutting-edge technological weapons or High Rank Martial Artists can handle them.
It's very dangerous.
"If I hadn't fallen ill back then, or if the expenses for Martial Arts Cultivation weren't so high, Uncle could have stayed comfortably in the city, maintaining municipal works, instead of opting for an external assignment just for that extra subsidy to his salary," Li Yuan thought, his heart feeling even more unpleasant.
...
"Xiaoyuan, come into the bedroom, I'll talk with you slowly," Uncle Li Changzhou called Li Yuan into the master bedroom.
There were two small stools in the master bedroom, and Li Yuan sat down.
Uncle sat on the edge of the bed.
"Clang~" Auntie gently closed the door.
Li Changzhou's hair was already somewhat sparse, and though he was a bit overweight, he still exuded an air of scholarly grace.
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"Originally, your aunt advised me not to tell you, worrying that it might affect your senior year studies," Li Changzhou smiled as he looked at Li Yuan, "but I believe that the sons of the Li family should be able to withstand any pressure."
Aunt Chen Hui remained silent, sitting beside them.
"Uncle, go on," Li Yuan said softly.
"According to the information I received, several entry and exit points of the Rob Sea defense system have been severely damaged. The casualties of the military and the Starry Sky Martial Hall are significant," Li Changzhou said indifferently, "This attack was held back, but if attacked again, there's a risk of a complete breach."
Li Yuan held his breath—A complete breach?
The entrances and exits to the Star Realm are critical gates for human civilization to resist invasions.
If breached, it would be an absolute disaster.
Years ago, his parents died in a Star Realm disaster.
"There's a risk of death for me this time," Li Changzhou looked calmly at Li Yuan, "In war, where is there no death?"
"Uncle, is there no way for you to avoid going?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Headquarters has requested our presence, but if one truly wishes not to go, there are ways, after all, the country has only issued a level three alert," Li Changzhou laughed.
Li Yuan listened closely.
Xia Country had divided its wartime danger response into three alert levels, with level three being the lowest and level one the highest.
Once a level one alert is activated, it means the entire country will enter a state of war, with a comprehensive mobilization: all citizens and all resources must be ready to obey conscription orders.
In the past hundred years, Xia Country has only activated level one alert once, in the year 2028.
Above level one alert is the "Civilization Alert," which can only be issued by the joint decision of the highest council of the Seven Star Alliance and the three major Martial Halls.
Once issued, it signifies that at least one human planet has fallen into a life or death situation, needing full support from other planets.
In the centuries since the Alliance was formed, a Civilization Alert has been activated only once.
However, even the lowest "level three alert," once issued, signifies a significant consumption of resources and a high number of casualties.
"Little Yuan, I can choose not to go," Uncle Li Changzhou said with a smile, "But if I don't, someone else will have to take my place."
"Someone has to be a part of this war, don't they?"
Li Yuan fell silent.
"Am I the only one capable? Such a large company, and it can't do without me?" Aunt Chen Hui suddenly shouted, her eyes faintly red with emotion.
Li Changzhou had already discussed this with her earlier.
And in the living room, fearing that Li Qianqian and Li Muhua would notice something amiss, she had held back, showing nothing.
But now, hearing Li Changzhou's words, she finally couldn't hold back and vented out.
Li Changzhou was taken aback for a moment, then silently reached out to gently hold his wife Chen Hui's waist, comforting her.
Chen Hui bowed her head, her eyes red-rimmed, and said no more.
After a moment.
"Little Yuan, don't worry too much," Li Changzhou said after comforting his wife, then turned to Li Yuan, "After all, I'm not going to be fighting hand-to-hand like other martial artists; it's not that dangerous."
"Besides, I am at least an Entry Rank martial artist and have some self-protective strength," Li Changzhou said with a smile.
Li Yuan remained silent.
His uncle had graduated from Martial Arts University, and at his peak, his physical quality surpassed level 12, but after years of working, he was probably at level 10 or 11 now, and many of his combat skills were likely rusty.
Martial Path is not about immortality; it requires daily diligent practice.
Suddenly.
"Beep!" Li Yuan instantly felt a vibration at his wrist and subconsciously looked at it.
"Your account ending in 1486 has received 56,000.00 Blue Star Coins... Transferred to the account ending with... Balance of 58,324.12 Blue Star Coins," The display clearly showed a line of text.
"Uncle?" Li Yuan was startled.
He recognized at a glance that the transferring account ended with his uncle Li Changzhou's number.
"That's your living expenses for September and October."
"With me gone to the Northern Border Province, the network may not be smooth. I've sent it all to you today, manage it well," Li Changzhou laughed, "Before, I took you to buy basic Blood Qi Medicinal Liquid from Uncle Zhong; you should have some experience."
"I've made arrangements with your Uncle Zhong."
"When you have time over the weekend, go to the Martial Hall and see him," Li Changzhou said, "Your aunt will transfer the living expenses to you in the future."
"Aunt," Li Yuan looked towards his aunt.
"Listen to your uncle," Chen Hui's mood had somewhat stabilized, her voice cooling down again, "Take the money, and don't worry about the family."
Li Yuan was silent, asking no further.
Right now, his cultivation indeed required money.
"By the way."
"Have you thought about the direction of your college entrance exam?" Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.