Chapter 122: The Legend of the Missionaries

Chapter 122: The Legend of the Missionaries

Wang Weifu’s answer stunned Liu Shaoyu. Not him? What did that mean? Liu Shaoyu was confused.

"What do you mean?" Liu Shaoyu asked.

Wang Weifu’s expression turned peculiar. "That is another story," he said with a helpless sigh.

Liu Shaoyu had heard many stories today; one more wouldn't hurt. "Tell me. Some things need to be said. We can’t just... we can’t always live in lies, right?" Liu Shaoyu said.

Wang Weifu sensed that Liu Shaoyu’s capacity for acceptance had expanded, though in reality, it was far greater than Wang Weifu had imagined. A prime minister’s belly can hold a boat—perhaps that was the case here.

"As I said before, some of my ancestors possessed special abilities. And in order to fight against the machines, there were also many ordinary humans known as 'Seeds' on the journey," Wang Weifu began.

Special abilities? Liu Shaoyu recalled what Wang Weifu had just mentioned. He had already interpreted those "special abilities" as being related to the S-Gene.

"I think you can understand—that is, the S-Gene. That is what we call it." Wang Weifu’s words confirmed his hypothesis.

Wang Weifu had previously stated that when his ancestors arrived on Earth, they found it already inhabited by intelligent life—the ancestors of humanity. Could the ancestors mentioned by the Dragon family be related to them? "Yes, I understand," Liu Shaoyu nodded, then followed up on his earlier thought: "Then your ancestors, those who possessed these superpowers, are they related to the Dragon family’s ancestors?"

Wang Weifu pondered for a moment before replying, "To be precise, the Dragon family’s ancestors are our ancestors."

This was undoubtedly another earth-shattering secret. If the Dragon family’s ancestors and Wang Weifu’s ancestors were the same group, then the ancestors of humanity and these people had become inextricably linked. This meant that everyone possessing the S-Gene shared a common lineage.

"Then, what does this have to do with the Missionaries?" Liu Shaoyu asked.

"You know that your mother was a member of the Dragon family, I assume," Wang Weifu said.

Liu Shaoyu remembered; it was the first time he had learned the truth about his heritage. Yet, it seemed that everyone who knew about it was hiding something from him. He only knew bits and pieces, which made him deeply uncomfortable.

"I know. Is this also related to that?" Liu Shaoyu retorted.

Wang Weifu fell into a brief silence before speaking again. "Actually, the Missionary of this generation should have been... your father."

The words pierced Liu Shaoyu’s nerves. Father! The word felt both alien and familiar. Liu Shaoyu truly loathed the feeling of people withholding information they clearly possessed, usually under the guise of "it’s for your own good." How could they know what was good for him if they wouldn't even tell him the truth? He also hated being used as a pawn in their schemes.

Sensing the shift in Liu Shaoyu’s demeanor and his brewing anger, Wang Weifu quickly explained, "I only just found out myself. Many things... I am not in control of my own fate either."

Liu Shaoyu could sense the genuine helplessness in Wang Weifu’s voice—a feeling he shared. It was the crushing sense of powerlessness one felt when faced with circumstances they could not change.

"Is there more?" Liu Shaoyu asked.

"I can tell you the rest, but..." Wang Weifu sensed Liu Shaoyu’s impatience. Yet, as he had said, he was not entirely his own master.

"But what?"

"But you must make a choice," Wang Weifu said.

"What choice?"

"Join us, or return to Earth," Wang Weifu replied briefly.

Liu Shaoyu didn't immediately grasp the meaning, but a possibility dawned on him. "Is the Federation in such a state now?" Or was it something else? If his suspicions were correct, many of his previous doubts would be resolved.

Wang Weifu allowed him to sit in silence, knowing he needed time to process.

A grand era was dawning. Most people were merely passive, forced to adapt to the changing times, while a select few had the opportunity to shape them. Now, a path was laid out before Liu Shaoyu. He sensed that Huaxia was on the brink of a cataclysmic shift. The appearance of the Missionaries meant that the mission they were meant to fulfill was also emerging. He had already encountered that mission: the Glory of the Republic.

Huaxia was inextricably linked to the Glory of the Republic, yet according to Yun Shichu, they didn't seem to fully trust it either. Furthermore, Wang Weifu had mentioned that the war in the Vatican was also instigated by the Glory of the Republic.

Although Liu Shaoyu hated being threatened, he knew he had no choice. History showed that those who stood in the middle without sufficient power often faced dire consequences. The "Monkey" incident was a consequence he had to face, and he was forced to compromise because he wasn't strong enough. He didn't truly believe he was any different from ordinary people.

"I need to know one thing," Liu Shaoyu said after his contemplation.

Sensing the shift in Liu Shaoyu's attitude, Wang Weifu replied, "If I can tell you, I will."

"In Huaxia, who is actually in charge now?"

"Huaxia..." Wang Weifu’s eyes dimmed. "Now... only the name remains."

"Then the Chairman..."

"Which Chairman are you referring to? Chairman Hua of the Academic Faction, or the Chairman of the Military Commission of the Glory of the Republic?"

Wang Weifu had made it clear enough. The result was something Liu Shaoyu—and indeed, anyone—could never have imagined. This was the true state of Huaxia.

"Yun Shichu invited me to return to Earth," Liu Shaoyu said, not rushing to a decision.

"And what are your thoughts?" Wang Weifu asked.

"I need some time to think."

Wang Weifu nodded. "I will contact you in two hours."

After the communication ended, Liu Shaoyu sat in the command chair, his mind a tempest. The conversation with Wang Weifu played over and over. It was an impossible choice. He had never imagined his understanding of reality could be so completely overturned. Perhaps the history he knew was merely a facade, and the truth was kept hidden. It was a terrifying thought. He lit a cigarette, watching the smoke rise, trying to calm himself.

But the inevitable would come. He had to choose—not for a faction, but for himself. The decision was difficult; one wrong step could lead to ruin. Though calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.

He lost track of time until the communication alert sounded again.

"Have you decided?" Wang Weifu asked softly.

"Two hours passed before I knew it," Liu Shaoyu complained, not answering directly.

Knowing Liu Shaoyu, Wang Weifu understood that he had already made his choice. He didn't rush him, knowing that Liu Shaoyu trusted his own judgment above all else.

"Yes, it passes quickly," Wang Weifu agreed.

"Thinking about the days in the Underground City feels like yesterday. It was so simple then. Just study, carefree," Liu Shaoyu sighed.

"That was you. I was always worried about finishing my homework," Wang Weifu joked.

"You didn't want to do it. I never knew what you spent your time on," Liu Shaoyu shook his head.

Wang Weifu didn't know how to answer. It was true; he was a different person now compared to then. If not for that incident, he would likely be an ordinary person—perhaps barely passing the military academy, eventually dying in some obscure battle or just drifting through life in some fleet. But now? He wasn't sure if it was better. It certainly wasn't the life he had envisioned. Growth was a process of constant dialectics. He didn't know if what he was doing was for the best. But who could know the future?

"You know, I graduated from the Commander Academy," Liu Shaoyu said after a silence.

Wang Weifu understood the underlying concern and the decision implied in the statement.

"And you know, I also came from the Underground City. If not for what happened later, I might have been a member of the Seventh Army," Wang Weifu replied. Before Liu Shaoyu could speak, he added, "Don't worry. We share the same enemy; we just use different methods."

"Come get me. I will..." Liu Shaoyu finally chose Wang Weifu.

He didn't know if it was the right decision, but instinctively, he wanted to leave that murky water—to get away from the mysteries, the death of Monkey, and the complex entanglements. He only hoped he wasn't jumping into another quagmire.