122: Chapter 122 Arrival

When the train pulled into The Capital Station, the sky was already pitch black.

Lin Feng looked out through the train window; the platform was brightly lit and bustling with people. Large electronic screens scrolled with train information, and station reminders played on a loop over the broadcast. He picked up his backpack, stood up, and walked toward the train door.

As he walked through the rear carriages, the passengers saw him and stood up one after another. Some nodded to him, some smiled, and some wanted to come forward to shake hands but were stopped by the crew. A three- or four-year-old girl leaned out from her mother's arms and waved at him. "Goodbye, Uncle! When I grow up, I want to become a Giant of Light too!"

Lin Feng turned back and smiled at her. "Alright, I'll wait for you to become a giant."

The little girl waved her small fists excitedly, her cheeks flushed red.

Lin Feng turned and stepped off the train. The wind on the platform was strong, making his clothes flutter loudly. He took a deep breath; the air in The Capital was much drier and colder than in Donghai. He looked around; people were coming and going on the platform, some dragging suitcases, some leading children, and some carrying briefcases. No one noticed him.

He walked out of the exit and stood in the plaza. The plaza was huge, with a massive sculpture in the center—an Explorer holding a longsword, looking up at the starry sky. A line of words was carved into the base of the sculpture—[Explore the Unknown, Guard the Home]. It was exactly the same as the line in the Explorer Association's promotional video.

Lin Feng watched for a moment before withdrawing his gaze. Just as he was about to take out his phone to contact the liaison from Shadow, a voice came from behind him.

"Comrade Lin Feng?"

He turned around. A young soldier was standing behind him. He looked to be in his early twenties, with a buzz cut, a square face, and was wearing a crisp military uniform with the Rank of Second Lieutenant on his shoulders. His posture was as upright as a pine tree.

"I am Lin Feng."

The young soldier saluted. "Hello, I am Lieutenant Liu Yang from the Guard Company of The Capital Military District. I have been ordered to pick you up. Please follow me."

He turned and walked toward the parking lot. His pace was fast, every step hitting the same rhythm. Lin Feng followed behind.

In the parking lot, a black military off-road vehicle was parked. The body was heavy, the wheels were taller than a person, and an antenna and searchlight were mounted on the roof. Lieutenant Liu Yang opened the rear door. "Please, get in."

Lin Feng sat inside. The seats were leather and very soft, and there was a faint scent of leather in the car. Lieutenant Liu Yang sat in the driver's seat and started the vehicle. The engine roared lowly, and the car body vibrated slightly.

The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic. The night in The Capital was much more prosperous than in Donghai. High-rise buildings lined both sides of the streets, and colorful neon lights illuminated the night sky. The flow of traffic was like a glowing river, moving slowly. On the sidewalks, pedestrians were in a hurry. Some were on the phone, some were waiting for the bus, and some stood in front of shop windows looking at the goods inside. Everything was as usual.

Lin Feng leaned against the backrest and looked at the street scene outside the window. "Comrade Lieutenant Liu Yang, where are we going?"

"Military District Headquarters," Lieutenant Liu Yang replied, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Is it far?"

"Not far, twenty minutes."

Lin Feng nodded and stopped talking. The car drove through street after street and over overpass after overpass. The high-rises gradually thinned out, and trees gradually increased. The streetlights also became sparse, and the light dimmed. Finally, the car entered a tree-lined avenue. Large plane trees stood on both sides, their branches and leaves interlacing overhead to form an archway. Moonlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

At the end of the road was an iron gate. The gate was high, at least five meters, with barbed wire stretched across the top. There was a sentry box on each side of the gate, with soldiers standing guard with live ammunition. Lieutenant Liu Yang slowed down, rolled down the window, and took out an ID to hand to the soldier in the sentry box. The soldier took it, glanced at it, then glanced at Lin Feng in the back seat, nodded, and returned the ID.

The iron gate slowly opened.

The car drove inside. It was a huge courtyard with lush trees and neatly trimmed lawns. Grey buildings were hidden among the trees; they weren't tall but were very sturdy, like crouching behemoths. Occasionally, patrolling soldiers passed by on the road with steady steps and serious expressions.

The car stopped in front of a small three-story building. The building wasn't tall but was quite wide. Two stone pillars stood at the entrance, with the August 1st Military Emblem carved on them. Red carpet was laid out on the steps, and two streetlights at the door emitted a dim yellow light.

Lieutenant Liu Yang turned off the engine, got out, and opened the rear door. "We've arrived. Please follow me."

Lin Feng got out of the car and followed him up the steps. Two soldiers stood at the door; seeing Lieutenant Liu Yang, they saluted. Lieutenant Liu Yang returned the salute and pushed the door open.

Behind the door was a hall. It was huge, capable of holding at least two hundred people. The floor was marble, polished to a mirror-like shine. Overhead was a massive crystal chandelier casting a soft glow. On the front wall hung a large oil painting—a group of Explorers standing on a mountain peak with ten thousand rays of light behind them. Below the painting was a row of red flags, as red as fire.

Lieutenant Liu Yang led him through the hall and into a corridor. The corridor was long, with wooden doors on both sides, each with a brass plate hanging on it. They were labeled "War Room," "Meeting Room," "Command Room," and so on. Lieutenant Liu Yang stopped in front of the innermost door. The brass plate on the door read—[Commander's Office].

He knocked on the door. "Reporting!"

"Come in," a deep voice came from inside.

Lieutenant Liu Yang pushed the door open and stepped aside. "Please enter."

Lin Feng walked in. The office was large but simply furnished. There was a large mahogany desk with several documents, a computer, and a teacup on it. Behind the desk was a row of bookshelves filled with various books and files. A map hung on the wall, marked with dense red dots. The windows were large, offering a view of the courtyard outside.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man. He was in his early fifties, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, his hair combed meticulously. He wore the Rank of Lieutenant General on his shoulders and a row of medals on his chest. He sat there with his back straight, like a mountain.

Lin Feng walked over and stood at attention. "Reporting, Lin Feng reporting for duty as ordered."

The general looked up at him. Those eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He sized Lin Feng up from head to toe, then from toe to head. Then, he smiled.

"Sit."

Lin Feng sat opposite him. The general took a document out of a drawer and pushed it in front of Lin Feng. "Take a look at this first."

Lin Feng opened the file. The first page was a map. A place was marked on the map—Yanjiao. Yanjiao, a small town in the eastern suburbs of The Capital. Ten years ago, it was still a bustling urban area. Now, the color marked on the map was different. It was the color of ceded territory.

Lin Feng looked up. "General, this is..."

The general leaned back and spoke slowly. "Ten years ago, a Void Realm race called the 'Iron Bone Clan' launched an arena match against Earth. The location was Yanjiao."

Lin Feng's heart sank.

The general continued, "We lost that arena match. We lost miserably. All five warriors were wiped out. The Iron Bone Clan only sent two people."

He paused, his voice sounding a bit raspy. "Since then, Yanjiao has become the territory of the Iron Bone Clan. For ten years, we have wanted to take it back countless times. But according to the Universal Treaty, lost territory can only be won back through an arena match. And the Iron Bone Clan has never given us the chance."

Lin Feng gripped the document. "Is there a chance now?"

The general nodded. "Three days from now, the Iron Bone Clan agreed to restart the arena match. The location is still Yanjiao. The rules this time: 10 rounds, an arena-style match, fighting until all ten people on one side are defeated. The Rank limit is below 50."

He looked at Lin Feng. "We need you to represent Earth in this arena match."

Lin Feng fell silent. He remembered what his Master had said—Earth is at the very bottom among the myriad races in the Universe. America lost Alaska, Japan lost Hokkaido, South Korea lost Jeju Island, and Europe lost Gibraltar. Now, it was China's turn. No, it had been their turn ten years ago. Yanjiao had already been lost for ten years.

"Why choose me?" he asked.

The general looked at him. "Because you defeated the Gazi Race. Three Rank 50 alien warriors, and you won against all of them alone. We've seen your strength and your battle recordings."

He paused. "Moreover, you are currently the strongest Explorer under Rank 50 in the entire country. Bar none."

Lin Feng opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

The general stood up and walked to the window. Outside, moonlight spilled into the courtyard, illuminating the lawn and those old trees. With his back to Lin Feng, he spoke slowly.

"I was there at the scene of that arena match ten years ago. I watched our warriors fall one by one with my own eyes. The last warrior was only nineteen years old. Not much older than you." His voice was very low and heavy, as if squeezed out of his chest. "Before he died, he looked back at me. That look in his eyes... I'll never forget it as long as I live."

He turned around and looked at Lin Feng. "Ten years. Yanjiao has been lost for ten years. The people who lived in Yanjiao were driven out and became displaced. Some went to other places, and some stayed in The Capital, living in resettlement housing. Every Spring Festival, they gather together and kowtow in the direction of Yanjiao. They say it's home and they want to go back."

Lin Feng clenched his fists. "I understand."

The general looked at him. "Are you willing to fight this arena match?"

Lin Feng nodded. "I am."

The general was silent for a few seconds. Then, he smiled. In that smile, there was relief, emotion, and a hint of... heartache. "You're only sixteen. Three years younger than that warrior."

Lin Feng stood up. "Sixteen is enough."

The general looked at him and nodded. "Good. Rest tonight. There's a meeting in the conference room at 8:00 PM. At that time, you'll meet the other participants."

Lin Feng: "Understood."