Chapter 364 Secret Order
The stern elder sat behind his desk, his piercing gaze fixed on Jeffery.
Jeffery's hands trembled as he pulled out two brass shoulder epaulettes, each adorned with four silver stars and the Veridiania national emblem. These were the honors of a lifetime of battles, soaked in sweat and blood.
"Commander," Jeffery said, his voice heavy with guilt. He placed the epaulettes on the desk, his eyes glistening with tears.
The elder sighed deeply. "The ApexGuardians, our border defense unit, will be disbanded."
"What?" Jeffery's body shook with shock. His eyes widened in disbelief. The ApexGuardians were his life's work, recently reborn and full of potential. They had a bright future ahead, ready to serve their country and achieve great things. How could a minor mistake lead to this?
"Commander, you..." Jeffery's blood surged, his body trembling. But the elder raised a hand, signaling him to stop. He slowly opened a drawer and took out a black velvet box, pushing it towards Jeffery. "Take it," he said, closing his eyes to rest.
Jeffery was stunned. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and opening the box. Inside was another medal, made of a dark metal with a faint metallic sheen, bearing the emblem of an 'X'.
"X?" Jeffery asked, bewildered. "Commander, what does this mean?"
The elder opened his eyes slightly. "Today, the ApexGuardians crushed three BioGen Innovations cyborgs in front of the world. In less than two hours, this will cause an international uproar. How can we continue like this?"
He paused. "From now on, your 283 ApexGuardians will be rebranded as X-ApexGuardians. You will move from the light into the shadows, from the borders back to the world. You will handle all cyborg crises in secret. Investigate the Apocalypse Association tirelessly and eliminate threats to secure Veridiania. You and the former SilentSentinels of the ApexGuardians will cease to exist in Veridiania. Can you accept this?"
Jeffery was taken aback, his nose stinging with emotion. The commander had chosen to confront the unknown Apocalypse Association head-on, abandoning patience and secretly building strength for a direct confrontation. He wasn't blaming Jeffery but giving him another chance. What a remarkable X-ApexGuardians!
Tears welled up in Jeffery's eyes as he touched the 'X' medal with trembling hands. "I will give my all," he vowed.
The elder nodded slowly. "To conceal one's strength and wait for the right moment is an ancient principle. But as the ancients also said, 'A gentleman can endure, but there are limits. When those limits are reached, endurance is no longer necessary.' Jeffery, go forth. Veridiania's foundation is far stronger than outsiders can imagine. 'The Savior,' an old master, is a true Veridianian, currently enjoying tea and chess in the Vast Mountain."
Jeffery was stunned again. "He's still alive?"
The elder didn't answer, instead rolling up a freshly written calligraphy scroll. "Take this with you," he said.
Jeffery's heart surged with emotion. He took the scroll, saluted, and turned to leave.
"Wait," the elder's voice called out again.
Jeffery stopped and turned back. "Commander?"
"Put those branches back where you found them! They're not dead branches; they're winter sweet branches that Little Li just bought for me. I was planning to plant them in the yard."
The elder rubbed his temples. Jeffery blushed, "Yes, sir!" He carefully returned the branches to the flowerbed.
Winter sweet. In summer, it looks like dead branches, but in the cold of winter, it blooms amidst the snow, standing out with its resilience. It has always symbolized strength and latent power.
As Jeffery stood up, he suddenly understood. The winter sweet was a reflection of the commander's mindset and the spirit of Veridiania. The world was in turmoil, beyond ordinary comprehension. For a nation to remain unshaken, it needed strategy, wisdom, and strength.
He realized that Veridiania's dormant dragon was not asleep but waiting for the right moment to act.
Filled with fervor, Jeffery quickened his pace. As he walked, he unrolled the calligraphy scroll. The words praised the country's magnificent landscapes and rich history, expressing pride in its development and hope for the future.
Jeffery's steps grew faster. The poem's meaning was profound: the past is gone, and in this beautiful land, the heroes who will make their mark are those of the present!
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
