Master of Nine Stars

Although it wasn’t the holiday season, as the largest town—even a hub town—in the northern Snow Realm, Songbai Town was home to a great many people.

Led by Gao Lingwei, the group arrived at a neighborhood on the north side of town, near Soul Martial High School.

Returning to this old residential complex, Rong Taotao was filled with a sense of nostalgia.

The memories of last year’s New Year celebration were still fresh in his mind. Now, returning after the National Competition, it was almost that time of year again...

Rong Taotao bought a few bottles of Beidahuang from the shop downstairs. He didn’t think much of it at first, but when he asked for the price, he was dumbfounded. ’It’s this cheap!?’

Even if Songbai Town received state subsidies for all sorts of things, three yuan for a bottle of liquor was a bit much, wasn’t it?

"Da Wei."

"Hm?"

Rong Taotao felt a bit awkward. Standing at the checkout counter, he turned the bottle of liquor over in his hands. "It’s a little, uh, a little..."

A small smile played on Gao Lingwei’s lips. "Too cheap?"

Rong Taotao said, "No, it’s... can we even be sure of the quality?"

That’s what he said, but in his head, Rong Taotao was grumbling, ’This woman is trying to sabotage me! She’s trying to ruin our relationship!’

’It’s my first time visiting. Even if your dad loves this stuff, I should at least bring something decent, right?’

Yang Chunxi said, "I’ll go pick out some fruit. Taotao, why don’t you grab two cases of milk?"

"Right, right, right." Rong Taotao nodded eagerly, dropping the liquor and going to get the milk.

A few minutes later, carrying bags of all sizes, the group walked through the old building entrance and climbed the stairs to the top floor.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK." Gao Lingwei knocked on the door. Although she had a key in her pocket, she insisted on knocking.

"Coming, coming," came the slightly excited voice of a middle-aged woman from behind the door. Having received news of her daughter’s return early on, Gao Lingwei’s mother hadn’t even slept well the previous night.

She hadn’t seen her precious daughter in over a year. As an ordinary person who had experienced several "incidents" in Liaolian, she was even more worried about Gao Lingwei. After all, she knew in her heart that those people had been targeting her daughter.

’If I went through so much in Liaolian, how much more must my precious daughter have gone through?’

CLICK!

The door opened, and a wave of warm air washed over them.

In Rong Taotao’s line of sight appeared a middle-aged woman with a slightly emotional expression. "Xiaowei’s home, you’re home."

Her long hair was tied in a bun, and she was tall and slender. Although her face was flushed with excitement, one could faintly make out a trace of weariness in her features.

This was Gao Lingwei’s mother, Cheng Yuan.

It was said that she used to run a seafood business from their home in Liaolian. Later, she came to Songbai Town to support Gao Lingwei’s studies and had since closed the business.

As she spoke, her mother, Cheng Yuan, stepped forward, grabbing Gao Lingwei’s arms with both hands and examining her face intently, as if she were a priceless treasure.

"Mom." Gao Lingwei smiled and nodded, jiggling the bags she held in her hands.

"Quick, put them down, put them down."

Rong Taotao curiously studied the slightly flustered woman and also saw the man behind her, leaning on a crutch with a gentle smile.

He was a tall man with a crew cut and salt-and-pepper hair. Leaning on the crutch made his posture a bit stooped, but he was in high spirits, his face wreathed in a kind and amiable smile.

Gao Lingwei’s father, Gao Qingchen.

Gao Lingwei’s mother, Cheng Yuan.

Rong Taotao thought to himself, ’If all goes according to plan, these are my future in-laws...’

"Coach Xia, Coach Yang, hello." Cheng Yuan said, taking two steps back to clear the doorway, but her gaze landed squarely on Rong Taotao.

Umm...

Rong Taotao felt his scalp tingle, but he could only brace himself and walk inside.

’So this is the scrutinizing gaze of a future mother-in-law, huh?’

’Mm... it’s definitely a bit intense.’

’Then again, isn’t there a saying that the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him?’

Gao Qingchen shifted on his crutch and said with a chuckle, "Coach Xia, Coach Yang, thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"It’s no trouble at all. Ling Wei is an outstanding and hardworking student. We’re lucky to have her," Yang Chunxi replied politely.

"Mom." Gao Lingwei squeezed her mother’s hand and shot her a look of slight disapproval.

"Oh." Cheng Yuan finally retracted her gaze, a smile returning to her face as she ushered them in. "Quick, come in and sit down, come in and sit..."

Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei took the groceries into the kitchen. He was quite familiar with the apartment’s layout.

When he came back to the living room, he saw Cheng Yuan pouring tea for everyone. Rong Taotao’s gaze, however, fell on Mr. Gao’s empty sleeve.

Not only was Gao Lingwei’s father missing his lower left leg, but his right forearm was gone as well. It was hard to imagine what he must have gone through.

Gao Qingchen had only retired due to his injuries, but he was still a Soul Martial Artist with very sharp senses. In the middle of his chat with Xia Fangran, he felt Rong Taotao’s gaze and looked up at him.

Rong Taotao nodded awkwardly. "Hello, Mr. Gao."

Gao Qingchen smiled and said, "Come, sit, Rong Taotao."

Ever since he had walked through the door, Rong Taotao had been surprised.

Gao Qingchen was a veteran, and moreover, an officer from the Snow Burning Army’s special forces.

Rong Taotao had expected him to be a very serious, even imposing, man. But his kind and amiable demeanor put Rong Taotao’s mind at ease.

A lifetime of military service, only to lose an arm and a leg—for anyone else, such a fate would have been a devastating blow. But from the looks of it, Mr. Gao’s spirits were high. He didn’t seem the least bit gloomy or depressed. In fact, he was quite talkative and kind. ’He seems to have a good personality?’

"It’s a small place, so we’ll have to squeeze in a bit." Cheng Yuan also smiled at Rong Taotao, pointing to the spot beside Xia Fangran.

"No need, we can just sit on the floor," Gao Lingwei said. She walked over to the coffee table, took the teapot from her mother, poured tea for everyone, and sat on the floor with Rong Taotao.

The moment she sat down, Gao Lingwei shot her mother another reproachful look. "Mom!"

’How can you keep staring at him like that? It’s Rong Taotao’s first visit. Even if you want to size him up, couldn’t you at least be a little more subtle about it?’

"Hehe." Cheng Yuan got up and headed for the kitchen. "You all chat. I have fish stewing in the kitchen, I’ll go check on it. By the way, I hear Xiaorong has a big appetite?"

"Ah," Rong Taotao scratched his head, being completely honest. "It’s definitely not small."

"It’s good to have a healthy appetite, especially when you’re still growing. You can try Aunt Cheng’s cooking in a bit," Cheng Yuan said with a cheerful laugh as she pushed open the kitchen door.

Rong Taotao blinked. ’Oh? Not bad, eh?’

’The people are nice, the atmosphere is good... This might not be so bad after all?’

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" Xia Fangran asked curiously, studying Gao Qingchen’s face.

Gao Qingchen smiled. "We probably have. Before I retired, I was always carrying out missions inside and outside the Third Wall. Coach Xia, you’ve been coaching for over twenty years. It’s very possible we’ve met."

"Hmm..." Xia Fangran’s brow furrowed in concentration, and he fell silent, lost in thought.

Gao Qingchen turned his gaze to Rong Taotao. "I watched your matches in the Outer League. I’ve rewatched every single one many times. Very impressive."

"Uh," Rong Taotao scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"I’ve also heard many stories about you, both from inside the school and out." A hint of admiration shone in Gao Qingchen’s sincere gaze. "To hold on to your beliefs and push forward steadfastly in the face of doubt is something many people can’t do."

"Some are crushed by that kind of pressure, and some may go their whole lives without ever being able to prove themselves. You’ve done very well. You are exceptional."

Rong Taotao was about to offer a polite reply when he noticed a complex expression on Gao Lingwei’s face beside him. She looked as if she wanted to say something but was holding back.

’What’s wrong?’

’What’s happen—’

A thought suddenly struck Rong Taotao. Gao Qingchen was an officer of the Cyan Mountain Squad. He had spent his entire life trying to explore the Snow Realm Vortex, yet even after losing an arm and a leg, he had been forced to retire without ever completing his mission.

Perhaps, for all those years, every soldier in the Cyan Mountain Army had endured immense pressure and constant doubt.

Not everyone could be so lucky.

Rong Taotao’s perseverance had brought him glory and success. It had caused a complete 180-degree shift in public opinion, transforming condemnation and doubt into admiration, encouragement, and support.

But the Cyan Mountain Army...

They had nothing left.

Their entire unit had even been disbanded, and their so-called mission was shelved indefinitely.

Rong Yang had once said that the Cyan Mountain Army’s unit designation had not been revoked.

Because among the active-duty soldiers, there were still living members of the Cyan Mountain Army. And in their hearts, there was still an unfinished mission.

But would that mission ever be resumed?

Or would it be sealed away forever when the last active-duty soldier of the Cyan Mountain Army was gone?