Master of Nine Stars

Chapter 566: Chapter 344: Crispy Little Fish

Gao Lingwei: “Now, I’m just like you. I have a Star Disc Snowflake Medal, too.”

“Heh.” Gao Qingchen chuckled and shook his head. “Protect yourselves. You’ll surpass me—all of you will—but don’t become like me.”

Rong Taotao’s curiosity was piqued. “Qingchen, you must have a lot of Merit Medals, right?”

Gao Qingchen looked at Rong Taotao and nodded.

Rong Taotao asked tentatively, “Are they here? Could I see them?”

“Haha, of course.” Gao Qingchen seemed intrigued. He grabbed his crutch, which was leaning against the sofa, and stood up. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

Rong Taotao had never imagined Gao Qingchen would lead him to the master bedroom. He was even more stunned when Gao Qingchen opened the large wardrobe, pulled out a drawer that divided the cabinet in the middle, and a neatly folded snow-camouflage uniform came into view.

It wasn’t a service uniform or a dress uniform, just a standard-issue snow-camouflage uniform, no different from what every soldier in the Snow Burning Army wore.

What wasn’t ordinary, however, was the left breast of the uniform. It was densely, completely covered with medals…

Rong Taotao’s jaw dropped, his mind reeling in shock. ‘How many deeds of valor did this represent? How many near-death battles had he fought to earn these honors?’

Rong Taotao finally saw the Third-class Fern Grass Snowflake Medal. Its six spreading ice crystals resembled leaves, each one exquisitely detailed.

He also saw the Pine Needle Snowflake Medal, which was constructed from tiny, pillar-like ice crystals, woven together like a bird’s nest to form a hexagonal snowflake.

And the First Class Star Disc Snowflake Medals… one, two, three…

“Can I, uh…” Rong Taotao reached out his hand, hesitating as if he wanted to touch them but didn’t dare.

“Of course.” Leaning on his crutch, Gao Qingchen took a step to the side, watching as Rong Taotao’s fingers brushed over one medal after another.

For Rong Taotao, it was a moment of novelty, admiration, and awe.

But for Gao Qingchen, every medal Rong Taotao’s fingers brushed against was a memory.

Few were sweet, most were bitter.

Gao Qingchen suddenly spoke. “Pick it up. I’ll tell you a few stories.”

Rong Taotao carefully picked up the snow-camouflage uniform. As the folded garment unfolded, he saw another feature that set it apart.

The word printed on the armband wasn’t “Snow,” but “Cyan.”

The “Cyan” of Cyan Mountain.

…

In the living room, Gao Lingwei asked, “Are you going, Yang?”

Rong Yang smiled and shook his head. “I’d better not. The Old Chief didn’t ask for me.”

Gao Lingwei said helplessly, “Yang, you’re being too distant.”

“Just ignore him. He’s a stickler for the rules,” Yang Chunxi commented quietly from the side, taking a sip of her tea.

Embarrassed, Rong Yang tried to change the subject. “I hear your father enjoys a drink or two.”

Gao Lingwei paused for a moment. “You’re just recovering from a major injury. Can you even drink—wait, are you fully healed?”

“I…” Rong Yang stopped mid-sentence. “Hm?” He felt powerful waves of Soul Power pulsing from the direction of the master bedroom.

Gao Lingwei’s face lit up, and she quickly stood up. “Is Taotao having a breakthrough?”

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Rong Taotao gave an awkward smile. “Please, continue, Qingchen.”

Gao Qingchen suggested, “Don’t suppress it. Since the time has come, you should just have your breakthrough. We have plenty of time for stories.”

Rong Taotao struggled to suppress the volatile Soul Power in his body. “No, please, you continue. We have our family reunion dinner soon, and we still need to go see the fireworks celebration. A day like this only comes once a year. Family comes first.”

The faint waves of Soul Power subsided as Rong Taotao suppressed them, and the room fell silent.

Gao Qingchen watched Rong Taotao in silence for a long moment before he suddenly chuckled. “Young man, you seem to understand life better than I do.”

A goofy grin spread across Rong Taotao’s face. “Honestly, I’m just looking forward to Aunt Cheng’s plate of small crispy fish…”