Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 135: Volume 3 Chapter 38 Gradually Going Farther

Tian Xingjian felt a chill in his limbs, Ann Lei, she actually went to Mezrich! Although she had received special training, with her kind of personality, and the nature of her work, how could she possibly go there! If it were himself who went to Mezrich, and she contacted him from behind enemy lines for work, that’d make sense, but he was still here, hesitating, how could she have gone before him?

The answer was obvious, this planet continued to turn with or without him, everyone was involuntarily caught in the maelstrom of this era, not just himself, but also his family, his friends, everyone he knew! Ann Lei was no exception. For her work, he might just be a minor part of a plan that barely got any coverage; she had much more to do.

Tian Xingjian calmed down. He chatted with Mother Ann for a long time, and in the evening, he personally cooked. He told the elderly woman that he was going on a mission, and it might be for a long time. Mother Ann, hearing his words, fell silent for a while, then finally sighed and went upstairs to sleep. For her, the future days would be filled with loneliness and anxiety. Fatty stared blankly at the TV, sitting dazedly on the sofa. He didn’t know how to comfort the elderly, nor did he know how many such pitiable parents were out there in these chaotic times. He only knew that he had no way back; at this moment, he could only throw himself into the turbulent era, just as Russell had said, no one can escape; perhaps, if he hadn’t seen through Russell’s plan, everything would have ended already, Miloke, the Special Reconnaissance Group, himself, the academy, the laboratory, Milan, Boswell, the research lab, Carl, and later, Ann Lei, who arrived in Miloke. All of this turned to ashes in the war fire.

Tian Xingjian turned off the TV, slowly stood up, walked out the door, carefully closed the front door, and looked at the time. It was already the early morning of August 1, 2061. He strode toward the academy, Russell, teacher, you won!

When Tian Xingjian arrived at Russell’s office, Russell was watching a recently recorded open class video with a Major General from the Intelligence Bureau. The video was playing to the end. As the light screen TV turned off, the office lights came on. Russell gestured for Tian Xingjian to wait a moment. He handed the card storing the video to the Major General, smiling as he said, ”Let the Gazalin Empire work a bit to get it, don’t make it too obvious.” The Major General nodded, saluted, and left, leaving only Fatty and Russell in the office.

Russell rubbed his temples, pressed a communicator, instructing Hamid to bring two cups of tea, then looked up at Tian Xingjian and asked, ”What’s the matter?” Fatty asked, ”You’re not planning to send me behind enemy lines?” Russell shook his head and said, ”I’ve done so much work, how could I just give up on it?” Fatty asked in confusion, ”Then why did you proactively give this piece of video to the Gazalin Empire?” Russell smiled, leaned back in his chair, and said, ”Do you think if I don’t release this video, the enemy wouldn’t know what you look like? You don’t need to worry about hiding your identity; what’s important is that you make up your mind, to go or not to go.”

”Go!” Tian Xingjian’s answer was firm. Russell looked at Fatty somewhat unexpectedly, stood up with his hands on the table, and leaned over to him seriously, ”I hope this decision is made in your full consciousness. You need to understand, once you agree, it will affect the entire war situation!”

Tian Xingjian also replied seriously, ”I agree, and I know the consequences. Just tell me how to go; I hope it can be as soon as possible.” Russell took out an electronic folder from the desk drawer and handed it to him, saying, ”Here are all your materials.” He then handed him an envelope, ”Here are all your documents. The preparatory work has been done, you can leave at any time.” Russell walked around from behind the desk, patted Fatty’s shoulder, and said, ”Before you go, visit Professor Boswell; he can solve your appearance issue. Remember, I’m sending you not to die, you are my only true student; I’d much rather you live, as only those who are alive have the right to enjoy victory.”

Tian Xingjian smiled and said, ”I’ve understood already, in this era, this is the fate of being a soldier; no one can escape. Perhaps, if I face all this more positively, the outcome might be a bit better.” With that, he turned and left Russell’s office.

Boswell was not in the laboratory, so Tian Xingjian entered Milan’s laboratory, opened the electronic folder in his hand, took out the data card, and inserted it into the computer. The virtual screen began to display his future identity information.

Zhang Yuan, male, 24 years old, date of birth: July 7, 2037, place of birth: Tanville City, Mezrich Planet, Gazalin Empire. Orphaned, raised in an orphanage since childhood, left the orphanage at ten and began living on the streets, begging for a living. The documentation detailed his personality, and how the intelligence department handled places like the orphanage where Zhang Yuan’s records could be accessed. Overall, his personality was quite similar to Tian Xingjian’s, not very brave, honest, with a keen interest in mechanical repair. The documentation was very thorough, making such a person unable to draw any attention. In reality, Zhang Yuan studied systematic mechanical repair at the Tatania Commercial Alliance, became a Junior Mechanic, and later worked in Miloke. During a fight, he suddenly had a mental breakdown, killed six people, injured over ten, and was sent to a mental hospital, where he was expected to spend all his future days.