The night before Li Ze and He Xingjue were to leave, He Xingjue received a message from someone he never expected.

They were having dinner when the personal terminal beeped. He Xingjue looked at the name of the sender and fell silent.

Li Ze raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Commander-in-Chief of the Military Headquarters," He Xingjue said, then clicked to connect.

The next second, an elderly man with a full head of white hair, but full of energy, appeared at the dining table.

He Xingjue stood up, saluted the old man, and then sat down again. "Did you need something from me?"

"Can't I come to you if there's nothing wrong?" the old man asked, and sat down on his own.

Although he was just a phantom, the two people in front of him were sitting while he was standing, making him seem like a butler serving them a meal.

After the old man sat down, he didn't look at He Xingjue, but instead sized up Li Ze, nodding as he did so. "Not bad, a handsome and talented man, a dragon among men. Young friend Li Ze, would you be interested in working for this old man?"

"No." Li Ze blurted out without thinking.

"Come work under me for ten years, and I'll give you the position of Commander-in-Chief," the old man tempted.

"Not interested," Li Ze said indifferently.

The old man scrutinized Li Ze with his shrewd eyes. After a long while, he smiled and said, "What a pity. I really thought highly of you."

"Just tell me what you want," He Xingjue said helplessly.

"I'm getting down to business now. The military is without you, and I need to find someone to replace you," the old man said earnestly. "You were my chosen successor, and now that you're no longer capable, you won't let me find someone else?"