He grew angrier as he spoke, the rolled-up paper waving in the air in an arc: "You keep putting yourself on the line all day, living a life of uncertainty and danger, who would want to follow you? Xu Zhuohua is a good girl, but she's not made of iron, she also wants a home where she can die in peace!"
Cheng Muyun frowned, unable to understand why Cheng Yuguang was telling him all this.
What do you mean?
Cheng Yuguang's gaze softened, and he sighed, "Mu Yun, I know that sometimes bringing this up might annoy you, but your mother and I only have you left as our child, and we still hope that you will be safe and sound."
"You want me to lead the Dongzhou army to answer the call?"
Cheng Muyun found it hard to believe, but wasn't this the only path to "peace"?
Cheng Yuguang said, "I won't force you. These are chaotic times. Whether you're a poor commoner or a powerful official, no one is having an easy time. In this situation, it's harder than climbing to heaven to live a peaceful life."
"Then you..."
Cheng Yuguang turned around and his gaze fell on the silver-rimmed photograph on the corner of the table.
The photograph paper was slightly yellowed, but it clearly showed the appearance of a family of five—at that time, Cheng Muyun was still a teenager, wearing a loose military uniform and standing on the far side with an arrogant smile on his lips.
Beside him stood the imposing Cheng Muchuan and the still young Cheng Wenyun.
He was dressed in a crisp general's uniform, with one hand on his wife's shoulder, his eyes revealing an undisguised gentleness.
He stared at the photo for a long time, and then the jawline that had been tense with anger gradually softened, and his eyes slowly reddened, with tears welling up in them, like a layer of fallen stars.
His fingers gently brushed the edge of the photographic paper, his voice low and hoarse as if it were being ground from the depths of his throat: "I know your temperament; once you've made up your mind, not even eight oxen could pull you back."
He paused, then turned his head to look at Cheng Muyun, who was still kneeling on the ground. His eyes were filled with an indescribable complexity—reluctance, worry, and even more so, the helplessness of a father: "Although I won't force you to give up those dangerous things, I still hope that you... will think more about your mother. All she has ever wanted in her life is for her family to be safe and sound. She can't take any more of this."
Cheng Muyun's fingers slowly curled up at his side, his nails digging deep into his palms, bringing a sharp pain.
He knew Cheng Yuguang's predicament—his father had guarded Dongzhou for decades, seemingly glamorous, but in reality, he was walking on thin ice.
But he knew even better that the world was no longer a peaceful place where "one could live a stable life whenever one wanted".
Surrounded by powerful nations and in turmoil, the situation was like a giant net from which no one could escape.
Suddenly, Xu Zhuohua's image appeared in my mind.
When she talked about the future, her eyes shone like stars that had been tempered by fire. But whenever she mentioned the present, she would unconsciously frown. Those days and nights of being hunted, those times of hunger and thirst, were like a thorn stuck in her heart, making even the memories bitter.
If he truly chooses to remain a bystander, content with his own peaceful life, then Xu Zhuohua will face even greater hardships, and the millions of people in this chaotic world will only sink deeper into the mire.
Cheng Muyun slowly raised his head, his eyes no longer showing the timidity he had just displayed, but only an almost stubborn determination.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and though his voice was soft, each word was clear: "I'm sorry, Dad."
Upon hearing these three words, Cheng Yuguang took a deep breath, his chest heaving as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant.
He knew his son too well; this apology was not a compromise, but a declaration.
He slowly walked back to his desk and sat down, his back seemingly more hunched than before.
The warlord, well past fifty and accustomed to life and death, having survived countless battles, now seemed like a deflated balloon, his voice hoarse with weariness: "Since you've made up your mind..."
He paused, looked up at Cheng Muyun, and his gaze sharpened again, revealing the resolve of a soldier: "No matter how difficult this path is, whether it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, or an abyss, you must walk it. Remember, don't be a deserter."
Tears welled up in Cheng Muyun's eyes. "I'm sorry, Dad, I might..."
They might die in the encirclement and annihilation. At that time, Madam Cheng would truly be unable to save even one of her children.
A single, cloudy tear rolled down Cheng Yuguang's cheek. "I know."
Cheng Muyun suddenly raised his head, "You..."
"Lan Qingyi is indeed difficult to deal with, but you are not bound to lose. The Dongzhou army is brave and loyal. There is nothing more to say. Go all in."
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yuguang agreed to let Cheng Muyun do such a risky thing. At the same time, Cheng Muyun felt incredulous and a little sad.
His journey was fraught with peril, and he truly felt he had let his parents down.
"Son...I will do my best, but you and Mother..."
The elderly bury their children.
Cheng Muyun was worried that Madam Cheng wouldn't be able to accept it.
“Your mother isn’t that fragile. When she was young, she was outgoing, bright, and resilient. She wasn’t someone who could be easily defeated. It was only after you guys came into her life that she developed weaknesses.”
Cheng Muyun breathed a sigh of relief, but another newspaper flew over and hit him. He looked up in confusion.
Cheng Yuguang's face was serious. "Although we won't hold you back, we certainly won't let you go to your death without any worries. You must find a way to win. I support you, but you can't let me and your mother wait for another corpse."
Cheng Muyun silently gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."
Cheng Yuguang sighed and said, "You've always liked to be in control of the whole situation, so tell me your plan."
Cheng Muyun tried to stand up, but Cheng Yuguang stopped him, saying, "Kneel properly. I made you kneel because you hurt your mother's feelings."
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