Tempest of the Stellar War

Chapter 511: Old Merchant Sends his Greetings

”This Ares College Principal is still unclear of his situation, although it should be quite good. But you, punk, after wreaking so much havoc, have you thought about your next step?”

Regardless of how the Titatitan situation had played out, Wang Zheng was inevitably looking at having to play a huge role in the military. Broadly, carting him off to military court for a hearing was possible, but the reformist faction led by Meng Ao gave no ground, and they could act even in the absence of their leader. Furthermore, the Titatitan Star situation was so volatile, and could change drastically in the blink of an eye. No matter how you looked at it, Wang Zheng had successfully accomplished his mission and brought glory to the Solar System. From the report, it was apparent that Wang Zheng had done good work.

As for the agreement that Wang Zheng had with the people of Tita, only a few people knew it. Once exposed, it would bring an uncontainable risk to Wang Zheng.

Meng Ao and the rest could only act to restore balance. Wang Zheng’s fate would be left in his own hands.

Speaking of the next step, besides entering the Elite Academy X to study, Wang Zheng had not seriously considered other matters yet.

”Do you know what the biggest difference between you, Lear, Achilles, and the rest is?”

Gu Te did not wait for Wang Zheng’s reply. ”They have prestigious backgrounds. They can control the tongue of the media, and using that ability, they can magnify their own good points, as well as the opponents’ shortcomings. This is like a nuclear weapon, in that you must have similar powers. Otherwise, the presence of the slightest imperfection will render you incapable of retaliation.”

Wang Zheng blinked, then laughed. ”The Principal means… I should buy a newspaper?”

Crack! Gu Te heard the sound of his own jaw cramping, as his fuse blew. ”You sure have a sense of humor! Not bad, that attitude is laudable, but biding your own time is necessary. Do you know which opponent is the most terrifying? It is the opponent that you cannot see. What you must do now is maintain a profile so low that you become unremarkable. The more invisible you are, the nearer you will be to success.”

Wang Zheng nodded. He was already wondering how he could even become less inconspicuous. Trouble was the one who came looking for him, and he often did not mind the bother. But he did know that Gu Te meant well.

Gu Te lifted his tea cup and took a huge gulp. He saw through him now. He should just speak plainly with Wang Zheng about what he needed to do, and save himself the trouble.

After speaking with Gu Te, Wang Zheng finally could enjoy a moment of peaceful school life. He was a little regretful that he had not met Zhang Shan, Meng Tian, and Zhang Runan. They were training with the military, Wang Zheng knew. They were being utilized well, and Wang Zheng was happy for them, especially Zhang Shan. To have left home halfway was a bold move.

The dorm where Chen Xiu and Yao Ailun stayed had two huge cases of beer. They excitedly dragged Wang Zheng to the balcony.

With a fast hand, Yao Ailun popped open three bottles of beer. ”Nobody leaves until we’ve cleaned them out. To our noble brother!”

”Brother Zheng, formidable!” Little Chen Xiu seldom got so excited, but they were really happy today. Both of them had been Wang Zheng’s most staunch supporters. Although neither had said much, in their hearts, Wang Zheng was the strongest mech fighter in the Milky Way, and also their dorm mate!

Wang Zheng, with the tilt of his head, finished the entire bottle in one go.

”Xiu, minors shouldn’t drink.”

”Excuse me, but I’m already 16!”

Little Chen Xiu puffed up his chest and gulped his beer, almost choking. ”Keke, too bad Big Shan isn’t around.”

Yao Ailun had downed the bottle as well. ”Big Shan is swimming in glory now. The last time he came back to the college, tsk tsk, he drove back in an alpha tactical transport craft. Come, let’s down another one on his behalf.”

The three drank in high spirits, chatting of recent events. Zhang Shan’s impressive deeds, Zhang Runan’s stability, and the one with the brightest future, Meng Tian. As the daughter of Meng Ao, she definitely had an advantage, and she had sufficient ability as well. With both ability and background, she would go far.

Yao Ailun and Chen Xiu were not bad either. Because of Wang Zheng’s extended absence due to work, Xiao Fei had finally laid eyes on the ”normal people”, and Chen Xiu had been chosen as Xiao Fei’s assistant and disciple, where he had performed well. Gradually, he had begun to carve his own name in the realm of physics.

As for Yao Ailun, he was equally brilliant in physics, but he was valued for his ability in commentary. Companies had already begun to invite him to be their product promoter. His blogspace had over 100,000 fans and was heading for 1 million.

No matter how drunk they got that night, everything would return to normal the next day, at their usual pace, ceaselessly advancing.

The few days of peaceful life had actually left Wang Zheng a little out of sorts. Initially, he had been worried that Xiao Fei would come looking for him, but that woman had been obsessed with her work, and no news had come in these few days. He surmised that she was so busy that she had probably forgotten of his homecoming.

That had Wang Zheng heaving a sigh of relief. He gave explicit instructions to Chen Xiu not to mention his name in his time as assistant to Teacher Xiao Fei. Xiao Fei’s present research had entered the final phase, and honestly, Wang Zheng’s current level could not render her much practical aid.

Wang Zheng still had a place he wanted to go.

Boarding the city train alone, Wang Zheng really wanted to see the house that Old Merchant had sold off, and if it could be bought back. But then he thought better of the decision. Money was no issue.

”Senior Gail, you’re coming to Earth?”

Gazing out at the scenery through the window, Wang Zheng suddenly received a message out of the blue. It was from Genesis Coffee’s Gail.

Speaking of it, Wang Zheng had gotten to know Genesis Coffee because Gail had come to Wang Zheng looking for a bone to pick. They would not have known otherwise. Besides Old Merchant, Gail had been Wang Zheng’s biggest supporter in Genesis Coffee.

”I’m asking if you will welcome us.”

Gail’s personality was as intense and impetuous as always.

”Of course, you will be welcomed with both arms raised. But you always come to Earth, and there are so many more worthy people who welcome you.”

Wang Zheng laughed.

”Haha, at least you know. Alright, enough teasing. I’m not calling about anything in particular. There’s a banquet soon. If you’re free, come on over.”

”Even if I’m not free, I will make time,” Wang Zheng acquiesced smilingly.

”Alright, that’s settled then.”

Wang Zheng switched off the Skylink. The city train had stopped as well. He had arrived.

Wang Zheng walked out from the platform. The familiar streets had not changed. The Burger Queen on the corner, the teahouse opposite. Wang Zheng had spent many a day between these two places, eating hamburger today, chicken chop rice the next.

At the corner, Wang Zheng bought both a hamburger and a chicken chop rice. Today he was lucky. There was a set meal that came with a free watermelon juice.

The food tasted the same, although the service staff were all unfamiliar faces.

Time always turned the familiar into the strange.

After dinner, it was evening. The setting sun cast long shadows everywhere. On the sidewalk, children were running, and their exuberant laughter lent life to the streets.

Wang Zheng smiled, walking the familiar path home. As he walked, he suddenly stopped, staring at a roadside bookshop with lights on.

Old Merchant’s book store!

With quick steps, he pushed open the door and entered. Ding dong!

The crisp bell made Wang Zheng’s heart sink. Old Merchant never used these things. Entry had always been soundless, in order to prevent disturbing the readers in the bookstore.

Walking in, the books displayed were all popular books and magazines with brilliant, eye-catching covers that were instant favourites.

A little deeper in were tool books, but they were basic.

”Welcome, Sir. Besides the magazines and the unopened novels, the books here are free for browsing. If you don’t like physical books, the store offers an electronic version.” The bookstore’s staff came up to greet him. He was a young man of about 20, and seemed to be a student doing part-time work.

”When did this store open?” Wang Zheng asked curiously. Could Old Merchant have sold the shop too?

”Half a year ago. Sir, you are…?”

”Oh, I used to stay nearby, then I moved away.”

”Ah, I see. I heard that this used to be a bookstore as well, but it sold those antique books. Completely different from the practical book collection that we now stock. Although our books are physical copies, with the new archiving technology, we have achieved similar electronic results…”

The staff enthusiastically introduced the new technologies of modern books. With a light touch on the book’s surface, and a hand gesture, the cover illustration leaped into life, performing a scene from the book.

Under such a passionate attack, Wang Zheng actually bought two books. They were not novels either, but chicken soup for the soul…

Walking out of the bookstore, he heard the staff brightly call out to him to return anytime. Wang Zheng looked down at the two modern books in his hand and smiled wordlessly.

He wandered aimlessly around in front of his old house for a while. Wang Zheng, books in hand, boarded the city train back to Ares College. He had just met rush hour as well. In the packed carriage, he recalled Tita with longing.

Returning to the lobby of the dorm, he met Yao Ailun, who was going out. ”I’m off to do some product explanation. Right, I accepted your delivery for you. It’s on your bed.”

”Right…” Wang Zheng nodded, but he was not given a chance to finish, interrupted by Yao Ailun’s startled expression. ”This, Wang Zheng, are you alright?”

”Me? I’m fine. What could be wrong?”

”Keke, nothing, nothing’s wrong.” Yao Ailun scrutinized Wang Zheng’s books from the corner of his eye. ”Medicine for the Soul” and ”The Heart of Success”.

What had Wang Zheng bought these two books for? To rejuvenate his soul? Or to chase success? In truth, Wang Zheng’s spectacular performance in the IG had not been rewarded with any tangible success after, not even a celebration banquet. It seemed like society had simply forgotten him. If it was him, he would long have gone crazy.

Yao Ailun was a little worried about Wang Zheng’s state of mind. Sometimes society could be too cruel, but he was in no position to bring it up. No matter, they would convene on the balcony at night and drink it all off.

Back in the dorm, Wang Zheng saw the crudely wrapped box on his bed. He frowned. Why did this… look so familiar?