King of the Wilderness

"The aircraft you’ll be piloting won’t be a toy like a Cessna, but an F-22 Raptor!"

"With your exceptional skills, as long as you pass the background check, you may even have the chance to get involved with the testing of the sixth-generation fighter jet (NGAD) prototype!"

"It’s the most powerful fighter on Earth, a dream for every pilot!"

"I’ve read your profile. You’re not even 25 yet, which is the golden age for a fighter pilot. In a few years, you’ll become a true ace pilot!"

"Soaring at ten thousand meters, defending the glory of this nation. After retiring, you’ll have a golden resume to enter any airline, NASA, or even top military-industrial complexes!"

"Your family will enjoy lifelong, top-tier healthcare and benefits! Once you join the Air Force, this life will no longer be an unattainable dream for you!"

"Lin, this is the sky and life that a genius like you should have!"

This enticing proposal was even more direct, more alluring, and more lethal than John’s invitation.

It’s no longer a simple career invitation, but a complete life package contract, including nationality, career, family, and future.

No young person with dreams in a foreign land could resist such temptation.

However, Lin Yu’an’s reaction remained as calm as water. Inside, he even felt a touch of absurd humor.

Not to mention he’s a billionaire now; he knows too well what the US military is like internally, especially the Navy and Air Force. Without a background, thinking of making a name? Haha.

And this Veteran’s grand plan, a sixth-generation fighter? He probably wouldn’t believe his own words.

The NGAD program is indeed advancing, but its astronomical cost and technical bottlenecks were once at risk of facing budget cuts from Congress.

Before Lin Yu’an was reborn, this aircraft hadn’t shown up, whereas China’s sixth-generation jets were taking flight one after another.

More importantly, the real contest between great powers has long shifted from simple air combat to silent wars involving drone swarms, hypersonic missiles, and the space domain.

What this veteran described belongs to a bygone era, filled with a romantic imagination of personal heroism.

This speech sounds no different from a passionate 1949 promise to impending victorious members, vowing to promote three ranks upon joining the National Army and rewarding a hundred gold bars.

He looked at this respectable veteran, whose vision remains in past glories, and smiled while shaking his head.

His voice was gentle yet firm: "Thank you, Mr. Hansen. I’m honored by your recognition. But I’m sorry, my answer is the same as when in Fairbanks."

"My sky lies outside any nation’s military map. I just want to fly freely with my family."

After saying this, he politely took the business card, placed it with his license, then nodded to Daniel and Hank, who was waiting outside the door, and turned to leave.

Daniel Hansen stood in place, watching his departing figure for a long time without moving.

He couldn’t understand how someone could refuse such a wide boulevard leading to glory.

He murmured to himself, "What a pity... Such a pity... If only this kid would put on the uniform, his name could be listed alongside the greatest legends."

As Lin Yu’an exited the office, Hank was leaning against the aircraft, puffing on a cigar, with unmistakable pride on his face.

Lin Yu’an walked up to him and handed him the small card to take a look.

"Done, instructor."

Hank carefully took it, as if it was not a card but a precious medal.

It was a thick plastic sky-blue card. On the front was Lin Yu’an’s recently taken ID photo, exuding an air of spirit. Below was clearly printed his name "LIN, YUAN" alongside a unique pilot certificate number.

The most striking feature was the bold capital letters in the middle: "PRIVATE PILOT."

The back listed his endorsements in detail: AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE LAND, and just signed by Daniel Hansen, certifying him to fly tailwheel endorsement.

This small card was a passport to the sky, an ID for freedom.

"Well done, pilot!" Hank grinned broadly, couldn’t hold back his excitement, and gave Lin Yu’an a hearty punch in the chest, "I knew you’d do it!"

Lin Yu’an smiled: "On the way back, it’s my turn to fly, right?"

"Of course!" Hank offered up the pilot’s seat, "Now, you’re the rightful captain. Take your first passenger to the skies!"

This news, like wildfire, quickly spread throughout Alaska’s flying community.

Fifteen minutes to pass the written exam perfectly, nine days to earn a license, continuously rejecting recruitment by two Air Force bigshots, a mysterious flying genius.

A legend of a monster was quietly being born.

When Lin Yu’an carried the ink-scented temporary license and flew the Cessna 185 back to Wiseman with Hank by his side during the dusk hours.

In nine days, he transformed from someone who had never touched a plane into a licensed pilot.

Again, like wildfire, this incredible news spread quickly in Wiseman, further deepening Lin Yu’an’s reputation among the townspeople.