Chapter 62: Establishing a New Life Goal
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
Everyone felt that Yun Yingzhi’s stance made perfect sense. Yun Yingzhi continued, “Madame Huai, I hope you understand that I am an independent individual. You are not anyone to me, and you have no right to boss me around.” He paused for a moment, then added, “Also, I hope you understand my current status!”
He lifted his chin slightly, pride etched on his face. “Right now, I am recognized as the Empire’s most talented source weapon engineer. I want to make it clear: any source weapons I create, and all the imprints under my name, will never be given to General Huai or the five legions under General Yun’s command.” He paused again before continuing, “I don’t know what makes you proud or smug right now, but I hope you will have some awareness. In the near future, I will definitely become the Empire’s strongest general. At that time, I will far surpass General Yun and General Huai!”
This had become his new life goal. Yun Yingzhi added, “I thank you for your pride in front of me—it gave me a new life goal.”
The powerhouse finished his infuriating statement and strode into the Source Weapon Association. At that moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Someone in the crowd muttered, “Wait, just now, I lightly—really lightly—tapped Yun Yingzhi, and he collapsed?”
“No way. He wouldn’t actually believe he’s general material just because he smashed a shoddy workbench, would he?”
“Compared to joining the combat department, shouldn’t he be in the source weapon manufacturing department?”
“Damn! General Yun and Madam Yun really caused a lot of trouble!”
As people spoke, they cast subtle glances at Madame Huai. One person lowered their voice, “If Madame Huai hadn’t revealed that Yun Yingzhi was pregnant, the Yun family probably wouldn’t be in such a mess, right?”
“More than that, I’m curious why Yun Yingzhi came to the Source Weapon Association.”
“I heard a rumor that the source weapons Yun Yingzhi mass-produced in the Starshine Competition preliminaries were very special. The Source Weapon Association planned to use them as a base to optimize a powerful series of source weapons. If they could succeed, it would change our lives significantly.”
“Wow! Without Yun Yingzhi’s involvement, I would have assumed they were support-type weapons, but with him, all I can think of are attack-type weapons.”
“Yeah, he looks harmless, but his mind is full of combat, just like Jiaojiao and Taotao.”
“Still, from this, maybe Yun Yingzhi really can create a powerful legion.”
The crowd began imagining scenarios. For example…a legion equipped with a full set of large-scale spatial cutting series source weapons, each squad having a water-element “defense-type” source weapon, each esper soldier wielding multiple pure-attack source weapons from the preliminaries…
Recalling Yun Yingzhi’s weapon production speed, everyone felt a chill. This legion could be terrifying—an invincible divine army.
Someone in the crowd said, “So fierce.”
“But so lovable.”
“Can’t wait…?”
“So impressive?”
“A human rogue surpassing General Yun and General Huai—it’s only a matter of time?”
Madame Huai… looked a little angry. Very angry. Her body trembled with rage.
Surrounded by staff, Yun Yingzhi entered the Source Weapon Association. By this time, someone had removed his hat and mask, and he was still wearing his self-deceptive red peony three-piece suit, which looked completely out of place. Before entering the conference room, Yun Yingzhi went to the restroom to calm himself.
Finding it empty, he looked in the mirror. If he had known people would remove his hat and mask in public, he wouldn’t have worn the red peony suit… after all, anyone paying attention could probably guess why he insisted on wearing it.
Embarrassing. Never mind, he decided not to think about it. Blushing, he dialed Yun Yinghui. On the other end, the video connected quickly. Yun Yinghui sat in the high-tier V rest lounge of the Yaoming Battle Arena with two Little Buns, waiting for their match.
Yun Yinghui’s hat and mask covered most of his face, while Little Kit clutched Little egg inside Yun Yinghui’s coat, trembling. When the Little Buns saw Yun Yingzhi, they immediately greeted him, hopping and squeaking as if complaining.
Yun Yinghui explained simply: these two Little Buns loved the arena. They could fight each other to the brink, but when faced with enemy attacks, they would cower in fear. Still too young. Yet, even so, nothing could stop the Little Buns from wanting to enter the battlefield.
Yun Yinghui asked, “Zhizhi, how are you doing today?”
Yun Yingzhi pouted, sounding aggrieved. “Brother, I saw Madame Huai. I’ve completely lost face.”
Yun Yinghui didn’t know how to comfort him.
Yun Yingzhi said earnestly, “Madame Huai taught me a very important lesson. I thought about it, and suddenly, I awakened. I think she was right!”
“What?” Yun Yinghui’s eye twitched. He suspected Yun Yingzhi’s thinking might be off.
Yun Yingzhi continued, “As long as I become invincible, everyone will be brainwashed. They’ll forget the old me and only remember the future me!”
“The… future you?”
Yun Yingzhi nodded heavily. “Yes. The future me will become one of the Empire’s Five Great Generals!” Yun Yinghui… At present, the Empire only had four top generals. Yun Yingzhi corrected, “No, one of the six great generals.” He said earnestly, “Brother, let’s become the Empire’s two strongest generals together!”
Yun Yinghui thought to himself that he should thank his little angel brother. In his future dreams, he now had a place, and as one of the Empire’s six great generals.
Yun Yingzhi said, “Brother, I think this is a positive, meaningful outlook on life!”
Yun Yinghui thought, indeed, a life outlook entirely about combat. Compared to this, he felt Yun Yingzhi shouldn’t take this path. He didn’t want his brother to face such a thorny road, and he couldn’t bear to see it. He needed to think about how to persuade his brother to give up.
However, Yun Yingzhi didn’t give him the chance. After saying goodbye, he waved to the Little Buns and ended the call. Exiting the restroom, Yun Yingzhi was guided by the staff into the conference room.
The conference room was filled with source weapon engineers. Everyone gathered there had come to optimize weapon imprints. Among them, Yun Yingzhi personally knew three source weapon grandmasters, over ten source weapon masters, and several high-level source weapon engineers. Of all the engineers present, the grandmasters and masters mainly conducted the research, while the high-level engineers were there to assist.
Everyone’s eyes were curiously fixed on Yun Yingzhi. It had to be said that ever since January 20th, when A13167’s true identity as a competitor had been revealed, everyone had been shocked. Even now, many still found it hard to believe.
These high-ranking source weapon engineers had spent nights searching for any information on Yun Yingzhi, growing more astonished the more they learned. Yun Yingzhi politely nodded to everyone before taking a seat at an empty spot under the guidance of the staff. Most people in attendance looked at Yun Yingzhi with admiration, though a few older attendees regarded him with a hint of prejudice. The discussion began immediately.
A white-haired elder said, “So, the best optimization method is to expand the limited-space range in segments.”
“I think that’s feasible.”
“I agree.”
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.
In the center of the conference room, a slideshow appeared. Images of complex imprints filled the screen. An elder said, “Now, what we need to do is maximize the imprint range of limited-space source weapons. Afterwards, we can activate them using a single master control, or multiple master controls with subordinate units.”
At this, everyone instinctively glanced at Yun Yingzhi. Both methods of source weapon creation and imprinting came from him, theoretically making him the person most capable of realizing their ideas in the fastest way.
Feeling their gazes, Yun Yingzhi spoke, “Before entering the Source Weapon Association, I was just reprimanded by Madame Huai.”
Everyone froze, looking at him with puzzled expressions. One elder cleared his throat and said, “Young man, I know you’re spirited, but Madame Huai’s words aren’t entirely without reason. After all, General Yun and Madam Yun are your parents. Your behavior right now…”
Yun Yingzhi suddenly slammed the table. This time, he restrained himself; the table didn’t break, but the surface shook violently. The entire room went subtly quiet. Yun Yingzhi stood up. Everyone had to slightly tilt their heads to look at him.
Yun Yingzhi said, “I told Madame Huai that all source weapons I produce will be refused to General Yun and the five legions under General Huai’s command.”
The people present felt Yun Yingzhi was a little ruthless. But thinking further, his actions couldn’t yet seriously affect General Yun or General Huai. After all, the source weapons he was producing hadn’t been widely deployed.
Yun Yingzhi continued, “Before cooperating with the Source Weapon Association, I need you to agree to my terms.”
An elder asked, “What terms?”
Yun Yingzhi replied, “I refuse to authorize any source weapons I create for General Yun and General Huai. In the future, if we cooperate, I want the Source Weapon Association to provide my weapons externally only after ensuring that any needs I have are prioritized.”
Everyone was stunned. To them, Yun Yingzhi himself was already a source weapon engineer, so theoretically, he had no need to make such a request.
One source weapon grandmaster said, “Your request is meaningless. Even if you apply for a large batch of source weapons from the Association, without a valid reason, your request wouldn’t be approved.”
Yun Yingzhi said, “No, it’s meaningful! Not long ago, Madame Huai gave me a new life goal.”
Everyone looked puzzled. A life goal?
Yun Yingzhi said, “I used to not understand why Madame Huai was always so high above, able to boss people around and dictate my life. Now I understand—because General Huai is powerful.”
The crowd subtly felt Yun Yingzhi might still not fully understand. Yun Yingzhi continued, “I’ve been a military academy student, studying in the combat division since I was a child.”
Hearing this, everyone immediately imagined the scene based on texts and videos they had seen online. At that time, Yun Yingzhi had been small and frail, unable to carry or lift much, yet forced to attend classes with combat division students. If it weren’t for the combat students holding back for him, it would have been very difficult for him to advance in school. Some had even watched Yun Yingzhi’s final exam videos from Fansa Academy through their channels.
It had not been easy for him to successfully advance to this point. Reflecting on Yun Yingzhi’s growth, everyone quietly thought that General Yun and Madam Yun, as parents, had indeed been a little harsh.
Then they heard Yun Yingzhi say seriously, “I cannot waste the knowledge I’ve gained all these years!”
Waste the knowledge? Combat division knowledge? Everyone’s minds slowly formed a huge question mark. They felt something was off about Yun Yingzhi.
Yun Yingzhi continued, “I will follow the path of General Yun and General Huai, surpass them, and become the Empire’s strongest general!”
The people present thought that it was not possible. Achieving top exam results just by the leniency of classmates, and now aiming to become the Empire’s strongest general?
Yun Yingzhi said, “I will grow!”
Yun Yingzhi said, “I will build my own ultimate legion!”
Yun Yingzhi said, “I know my strength alone is limited. When the time comes, I hope the Source Weapon Association will prioritize providing my legion’s soldiers with inexhaustible source weapons!”
Everyone’s expressions instantly became complex. The phrase “inexhaustible source weapons” was audacious. They thought, this young man is ambitious. Like a dreamer lost in his own world. But now, it was nearly impossible to shake him, to tell him, “Wake up, all that’s in your dream won’t exist when you wake.”
Yun Yingzhi lifted his chin proudly and said, “I must achieve it!”
They watched Yun Yingzhi with genuine, earnest eyes as he pursued power, and suddenly their hearts blamed General Yun and Madam Yun. He had been a perfectly good source weapon engineer, yet because General Yun and Madam Yun had forcefully sent him into the combat division, he no longer aimed to be the Empire’s top source weapon engineer. Instead, he was already daydreaming about becoming the Empire’s top general.
Sure, one needed dreams, but dreams had to be realistic. They thought Yun Yingzhi’s ambitions were too fanciful. What they did not know was that, after adopting this new life goal, Yun Yingzhi’s dreams grew even bigger. He planned to become the Empire’s Marshal—to stand above the four great generals. Up to now, the Empire had had no Marshal, but in the near future it could.
Yun Yingzhi’s beautiful eyes seemed to glow, bright and intent, full of expectation and longing for the future. He was serious. “If anyone wants to use my ideas, they must sign an agreement with me in advance,” he said, pointing to his head.
The people present were stunned. He was still just a student, and already he was paving the way to become a future general. On his first day in the Source Weapon Association, Yun Yingzhi made everyone there aware of a fact: even if he looked fragile, he had real ideas.
After a moment, Yun Yingzhi suddenly said, “Stellar.”
Everyone froze, unsure why he had brought the person up.
Stellar belonged to Alvin’s Studio. When it became known that competitor A13167 was Yun Yingzhi, some had speculated that Stellar might be Yun Yingzhi as well. That notion was soon dismissed. It was impossible. By the time Stellar rose to fame, Yun Yingzhi had been far too young.
From the preliminaries to the semis of the Starshine Competition, Yun Yingzhi had astonished them all; the Source Weapon Association’s leadership had already discussed him at length. If there was anyone among the younger generation who could be compared to Yun Yingzhi, it would only be Stellar. To many in the Source Weapon Association, Stellar was exactly as his name implied—the most brilliant star in their sky.
From the moment he rose in Alvin’s Studio, each source weapon he created had amazed them. They had never known Stellar’s true identity. Yun Yingzhi said, “I am Stellar.”
The room erupted into shock; many people looked at him in disbelief. In their minds, Stellar had to be at least twenty-five, yet Yun Yingzhi was not even twenty. They remembered how determined he had sounded earlier when he declared his intention to become the Empire’s strongest general.
If he had spoken as A13167 alone, saying he wanted to be a general, they would have felt regret but little else. This was different. Now they felt immense sorrow. They watched Stellar’s rise. They had seen Stellar’s early, immature work evolve into wildly inventive later creations. They did not want a Stellar like that to be led down the wrong path! It would be a waste of time.
“Child,” an elderly man said, “I think I understand your anger now. But listen: no matter how angry you are, do not act on impulse. You are not suited for the military. Compared to the military, you are better off joining us.” He patted his own chest. “With your talent, perhaps before long you’ll be sitting where I am.”
Yun Yingzhi looked at the Association’s old chairman, their eyes meeting. His voice was steady. “No. I will build a legion. I will become the foremost general of the Empire!”
The crowd’s expressions twisted into something complex—the feeling of watching a brilliant child they had watched grow suddenly heading astray.
The elder who had earlier mocked Yun Yingzhi for disrespecting his elders looked at him and suddenly asked, “May I ask you a question?”
Yun Yingzhi nodded slightly. “Ask.”
“Given your talent for source weapon manufacturing, why didn’t you join the source weapon department?”
Another person asked, “Yun Yingzhi, did you hide this from General Yun and Madam Yun on purpose?”
Yun Yingzhi scanned the room; the corners of his eyes were red. After a pause, he said, “I think I was six.”
At that moment, everyone felt his emotions were unstable. His eyes seemed misted, as if he might cry.
Yun Yingzhi said, “It was strange. When I awakened into my second form, tests showed I had Grade C psychic power.”
A number of people immediately refuted that—Yun Yingzhi could not possibly have only Grade C psychic power. Grade C was the minimum threshold to become a source weapon engineer.
Yun Yingzhi continued, “Later, I thought I had—thought I had SSS-grade psychic power.”
From that sentence, people sensed something was wrong. If he wasn’t an SSS-grade psychic, then what level did he possess? Theoretically, based on that line, his psychic grade couldn’t be lower than SSS. The answer was obvious, but still hard to believe.
Yun Yingzhi went on, “SSSS-grade psychic power.” He said, “I have SSSS-grade psychic power.”
Immediately, some of the source weapon engineers there inhaled sharply. Though the answer left no room for doubt, hearing it was still shocking. Out of the empire’s billions, SSS-grade psychics were rare, let alone SSSS-grade ones. Without question, Yun Yingzhi was the Loos Empire’s only SSSS-grade psychic. He was a genius. Such a super-talent should long ago have been fostered and raised in the Association.
Yun Yingzhi said, “Despite having SSSS-grade psychic power, I was put into the combat division. You must be wondering why Stellar never appeared publicly under his real identity. Why did Master Alvin not reveal Stellar’s true identity?” Yun Yingzhi’s mouth curved in a mocking smile. “Because General Yun and Madam Yun wouldn’t allow me to go into source weapon manufacturing. I had no choice. They believed that, as the son of the General’s household, I could not—and should not—take that path. Even though many in the Empire needed source weapons.
“Do you understand? It wasn’t about caring for me, so they forbade my path. It was because the General’s household could not have a useless son who failed to graduate from the military academy’s combat division. Under General Yun and Madam Yun’s orders, I had to enter the combat division.” Yun Yingzhi pressed his lips together and exhaled softly. “Even if… my constitution was only Grade C.”
At that moment, he looked extremely fragile, like a beautiful flower that could shatter at the slightest touch. Everyone immediately felt a surge of sympathy for him. They thought: now Yun Yingzhi has grown up, but what about the little Yun Yingzhi from before? He had attended combat division classes with a young, Grade C constitution?
This wasn’t a human rogue; this was a poor, pitiful child. General Yun and Madam Yun had gone far too far! They had to confront General Yun and Madam Yun. Here was a perfectly good source weapon prodigy, and now his life goals had completely shifted—all because of them. It was utterly unreasonable!
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