Chapter 101: Certificate of Existence Forms

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Sanders grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He had already exerted his full strength, yet this kid seemed utterly unfazed by his blows. Though he was surely wearing a bulletproof vest, Sanders was nearly an eighth-level expert himself and was fully aware of the sheer power behind his punches.

Even if it were an ordinary fighter barely reaching sixth level like Zhao Li, or a freshly minted eighth-level novice, it would be difficult to absorb so many punches so effortlessly.

Still, the gap in strength was clear. The damage Zhao Li’s "Splitting Tendons and Misaligning Bones" technique could inflict on Sanders was not as significant as he had imagined. At best, it caused Sanders some mild trouble, hampering the strength and frequency of his attacks. But for Zhao Li to defeat Sanders using this alone seemed far from straightforward.

Sanders’ punches grew heavier. Without the refined energy cultivated through the basic Body Conditioning Technique over seventy-nine cycles, Zhao Li would never have endured them. Fortunately, Sanders targeted the chest, abdomen, and back — areas reachable by the basic technique. Had he struck elsewhere, Zhao Li would have surely been defeated.

With a heavy blow, Sanders aimed to end the fight by knocking Zhao Li down. Yet Zhao Li responded as before: while absorbing the punch, he leapt and caught Sanders’ arms midair. Exploiting the momentary release of force, Zhao Li executed a swift rotation — a precise grappling move that leveraged Sanders’ extended arm against his back.

Immediately, Zhao Li applied the "Splitting Tendons and Misaligning Bones" technique, exerting force with both hands. A familiar cracking sound rang out. Sanders’ arm went limp, and he collapsed, unable to rise.

A stone seemed to press against Zhao Li’s chest. Despite having cultivated true energy as a foundation, the barrage of punches left him in considerable discomfort. He tried to cough but nothing came out, only dry heaving, a blend of pain and unease that made him feel as if he were being torn apart limb by limb.

“You stubborn brat, you really can take a beating!” Sanders muttered, dragging his useless arm and cursing under his breath. Placing his dislocated arm on the ground, he awkwardly pressed down with his fingers, exerting sudden force. A click sounded as the dislocated joint snapped back into place with a swift, practiced motion.

Zhao Li lay still, unable to dispel the lingering pain. After a few dry heaves with nothing expelled, he spoke, “Hey, Sanders, was it really necessary to be this ruthless?”

“When you tormented me in prison, it was far worse,” Sanders replied, rubbing his shoulder. Despite having reset his joint, pain still lingered.

“Why did you come here?” Zhao Li sat up, focusing his basic Body Conditioning Technique to circulate energy and ease the pain, stopping the dry heaving.

“No particular reason. Just felt like it,” Sanders answered evasively, massaging his shoulder as he approached Zhao Li and sat against a tree.

It was clear Sanders did not want to dwell on the topic. Zhao Li changed the subject: “Why show up in front of me? Don’t tell me you just wanted to beat me up to vent?”

“What, can’t I?” Sanders, still bitter from earlier, spoke with a hint of reluctance. Though he had the upper hand, Zhao Li’s clever technique had broken his arm.

“Come on, you’re making it hard for me,” Zhao Li said, no longer the boy who took everything at face value.

“Why can’t I appear if Old Kang can just lounge around?” Sanders snapped, displeased by Zhao Li’s partiality. “If I’d known, I’d have let those gunmen finish you off!”

Both men seemed drained from their earlier meal and exertion, resting silently against the tree.

Suddenly, Zhao Li’s emergency communicator vibrated loudly. By agreement, Christine would not open communications unless necessary.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Li sprang to his feet.

“A soldier has been killed. Return immediately!” Christine’s voice was urgent and terse. Upon hearing this, Zhao Li’s mind raced. “Alert everyone, stay on guard. I’m on my way!”

“Something happened?” Sanders asked, noticing Zhao Li’s reaction. Without time to explain, Zhao Li nodded and called Li Mengdie.

“I’ll come too. Haven’t had a good scrimmage in years,” Sanders said, quickly running toward the dining area where his backpack and gun were stored.

Contacting Li Mengdie, Zhao Li’s headache deepened over Sanders’ presence. Though this special firearms expert’s involvement would bolster their combat strength, his identity posed complications.

“Who besides you and Old Kang knows my background?” Sanders shrugged, unconcerned. “They’ve wiped all our records clean. Doing anything here won’t raise suspicion.”

“Who orchestrated the prison break?” Zhao Li pressed, curiosity getting the better of him.

“Can’t say. Certainly military,” Sanders replied, piecing together fragments. “The breakout wasn’t by one group; they split people up and whisked us away. Their identities and motives remain unclear. But, in a way, they did us a favor.”

Zhao Li restrained himself from contradicting. From Sanders’ perspective, they were saviors. Despite everything, Sanders had shown mercy by not ending his life outright.

Waiting for Li Mengdie’s ship, Zhao Li wrestled with whether to accept Sanders’ help. While beneficial, Sanders’ presence was a liability.

“You can’t act on your own!” Zhao Li decided. Although uncertain about the situation, Christine’s emergency communication signaled serious trouble. With Sanders’ aid, they might manage.

“Yes, sir!” Sanders responded with military precision, far more formal than Old Kang’s casual assent.

“Also, don’t discuss your past with anyone, not even Old Kang!” Zhao Li emphasized, especially forbidding them from chatting about former events.

“I know what can and can’t be said better than you,” Sanders retorted. “I was an elite soldier while you were still in diapers.”

As soon as Zhao Li boarded the ship, he asked Li Mengdie, “Can you locate the other team members?”

“Their tracking systems are operational. We can find them immediately,” Li Mengdie replied, evidently already aware of Christine’s alert.

“Rally everyone and return to base!” Time was critical, but they couldn’t abandon their comrades. From Christine’s tone, this was serious, and Zhao Li needed all the troops.

“What happened?” Zhao Li felt the tense atmosphere upon returning to base. Armed soldiers stood watch, automated defenses fully active. Were they expecting a brazen attack? Every soldier’s face burned with fury.

Christine pointed to a soldier in full casts, his limbs broken, bruised and beaten. “Let him tell you.”

Seeing the soldier’s battered state, Zhao Li’s anger surged. “Who did this?”

No one but Christine could have inflicted such damage, and the soldiers wouldn’t dare provoke her, especially with a death involved.

“Sir!” The soldier nearly broke down. Zhao Li’s face darkened. “Who did this? Speak slowly.”

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“They’re damned bastards!” the soldier began, voice trembling as he recounted events.

Recently, routines had normalized. Two soldiers requested leave from Christine to visit a nearby city. After strict checks confirming they hadn’t rested, she granted them a day off.

But shortly after leaving camp, before reaching the city, they encountered a roving guerrilla group. Seeing the uniform, the guerrillas surrounded them.

In the past, soldiers would comply peacefully. But morale had improved, and their tone was no longer deferential.

This angered the guerrillas. Someone used it as an excuse to shove and push, intent on teaching them a lesson. The soldiers fought back fiercely despite being unarmed on leave, knocking down at least three attackers.

Enraged, the guerrillas showed their true colors—forcing the soldiers into humiliating acts at gunpoint.

Previously, soldiers might have endured to avoid trouble, but these two resisted despite severe injuries.

The guerrillas, losing face, brutally beat another soldier to death in front of them. The survivor was left with broken limbs on a road outside the camp, arrogantly firing shots to signal their departure.

“Do you know who they were?” Zhao Li struggled to suppress his fury as he asked the survivor.

“No. They never identified themselves,” the soldier replied, equally in the dark.

“Rest up. I’ll see your debt repaid,” Zhao Li promised, patting him before leaving.

Li Mengdie and Christine followed, while Sanders and Old Kang listened outside. Seeing Zhao Li’s burning anger, Christine bit her lip. “Don’t act impulsively,” she warned, noting his clenched fists.

“Impulsive?” Zhao Li calmed, “Why not? Rest assured, rashness won’t solve this. I know.”

“How can we notify all guerrilla groups?” Zhao Li turned to Old Kang. “I want to issue an ultimatum. Whoever did this must hand over the culprits!”

“Simple. Have the city’s TV broadcast the news,” Old Kang replied. “Though I doubt they’ll come forward voluntarily.”

“Then add some brazen provocation!” Zhao Li declared. “I want those bastards to step forward! Whoever killed my people won’t have an easy time. If no one admits it, I’ll hunt them down one by one!”

“No problem. They’ll see it tonight,” Old Kang agreed, sensing Zhao Li’s rage and not opposing.

“Elite squad, return to rest!” Zhao Li commanded as he walked. “Others continue training. Double shifts on guard; everyone prepare for combat!”

“You and I come!” he said to Li Mengdie, leading her to the underground fortifications, leaving Christine, Old Kang, and Sanders behind.

“If he really does this, it’ll be dangerous,” Christine frowned. “Shouldn’t you talk him down? It’s just two soldiers.”

Though unfamiliar with Old Kang’s identity, she knew Zhao Li often heeded his counsel.

“Talk him down? How? This is a military camp. If we let ourselves be bullied, what kind of example is that?” Old Kang said generously. “If our own people suffer such losses without retribution, it breaks the morale of all our troops. Some things can’t be endured.”

“Who are you?” Christine finally asked Sanders directly.

“I’m Zhao Li’s friend!” Sanders replied loudly. “And I agree with this old guy. You’re not just a fighter. There are many things you don’t understand.”

Reason for Existence

Zhao Li brought Li Mengdie down because he couldn’t open the hidden armory door himself. Embarrassingly, despite having the password and key, he lacked the strength.

Halfway there, Zhao Li paused, pondering the risks of acting rashly. Instinctively, he diverted to a nearby conference room.

This room once stored two tons of amethyst crystals—the breakthrough that had helped Christine. Now tidy, Zhao Li sat down.

“Mengdie, I want revenge. Do you think I should?” he asked. “Or is there something you want to tell me?”

At some point, Zhao Li had started calling Li Mengdie "Mengdie." At such moments, she seemed to soften like melting ice. She shook her head. “Nothing to say. If they dared kill, they must face consequences.”

“But Christine seems to disagree,” Zhao Li was surprised. Both came from the same elite academy, yet held different views.

“She’s not a combatant,” Li Mengdie explained. “Her role focuses on your safety and broader effects.” Despite often resenting Christine’s ambiguous relationship with Zhao Li, she refrained from slandering her.

“Sorry for dragging you into this,” Zhao Li felt guilty. As the commanding officer, all this stemmed from his orders. Li Mengdie and Christine were caught up in it now.

“No apologies, Zhao Li,” Li Mengdie waved it off, indifferent. “My mission since graduation is to engage in combat as much as possible to hone myself. Fighting anywhere is fighting. No conflict there.”

The elite school’s training method was more than rigorous drills—it cultivated practical combat experience.

“Maybe I should hear others’ opinions,” Zhao Li nodded, closing his eyes to rest. Returning with such grim news was unsettling. Despite some rest on the ship, days of survival training had drained him.

After giving everyone time to absorb the news, Zhao Li convened a meeting to discuss possible outcomes of upcoming military actions. Attendees included Zhao Li, the two women, Old Lai, Gunman, Old Kang, and Sanders.

“Old Kang, if I launch an attack, what negative effects might arise?” Zhao Li asked first. Though perhaps not a military expert, Old Kang had unparalleled political insight.

“Trouble!” Old Kang summed up. “The local laws are independent of the Federation’s. Reckless military action would cause great difficulties. We have a valid reason, but the populace may not accept it.”

Old Kang’s answer surprised Christine. Not long ago, he’d vowed revenge, now he called it troublesome. Where did his true loyalties lie?

“I agree with Old Kang. I advise caution,” Christine said, glancing at Sanders, Old Lai, and Gunman. “It’s unsafe otherwise. If action is necessary, request backup and report first.” They had fewer than two hundred troops; the unknown enemy was formidable.

“Old Lai, Gunman, you know this area well. Thoughts?” Zhao Li turned to them.

“Troublesome, sir!” Old Lai spoke for both. “But if we do nothing, what’s the difference from before?”

“We’re only discussing how, not whether,” Zhao Li assured, giving them a reassuring look. They fell silent.

“When will the declaration air?” Zhao Li asked.

“Tonight, or at latest tomorrow,” Old Kang replied. “Also, Christine’s right—you can’t act within a day or two. Reporting up is necessary.”

“Old Lai, Gunman, gather all intel on possible involved groups. Prepare everything you find,” Zhao Li ordered.

“Yes, sir!” They stood promptly.

“Old Kang, manage our messaging carefully. Make sure locals see us as victims deserving sympathy,” Zhao Li commanded, no hesitation.

“All?” Old Kang shook his head. “Impossible. But I’ll try my best.”

“Sanders, train everyone on team shooting tactics over the next few days,” Zhao Li turned to him. “Since you’re here, use your skills.”

“Yes, sir!” Sanders answered with military formality. “If time allows, find James. He’s here too and will be a great help.”

“James?” Zhao Li was surprised but quickly composed himself. He’d heard the name before from James himself, which influenced his choice of base. Having him there made sense.

Sanders’ advice was sound. With James, an aviation expert, the base’s warship combat capabilities would at least double. Military ship support would greatly improve their odds.

“Where is he? Take me to him tomorrow,” Zhao Li’s mood shifted from calm to excited. Seeing a fellow inmate again was good news.

“Christine, we need to talk!” After issuing orders, Zhao Li addressed her. She had helped him, and in moments like these, unity was essential. Christine nodded and followed him from the conference room.

On screen, General Lucas frowned deeply. Since hearing Zhao Li’s plans, he had remained silent, brows furrowed.

“General!” Zhao Li called out, curious about his thoughts. Did he not want to change the frontier planet’s status quo? Surely, with at least eighth-level skill, Lucas could deploy a special ops team to sweep the area.

“The frontier has special circumstances you know well,” Lucas finally relaxed his frown, seeming to have made a decision.

“Yes, General, I understand!” Zhao Li stood straight, showing respect even through a remote screen. “But…” He hesitated, uncertain, seeking permission.

“Go on,” Lucas urged, expecting uncomfortable truths. He wanted to hear from the field, and only Zhao Li had dared speak so frankly.

“I think the military’s strategy here is flawed,” Zhao Li began carefully. He knew Lucas was an ally, otherwise he wouldn’t be so candid. Having worked with Old Kang, Zhao Li understood which words were permissible.

“The military has been too lenient with underground forces on the frontier,” Zhao Li continued. “Too permissive. Anyone dares to challenge or even insult our garrison.”

“And,” Zhao Li stressed again that this was his opinion, “the military has lost all its authority here. The garrison’s deterrent effect is meaningless. Soldiers’ morale is low; they lack even a basic sense of belonging. It’s a dire situation.”

“Finished?” Lucas listened quietly, then responded.

“Yes, General!” Zhao Li answered sincerely, then immediately apologized. “Sorry if I went too far.”

“No problem!” Lucas dismissed it. What mattered was that Zhao Li had rekindled pride in these hopeless soldiers in just a few months.

“Do you think the military can fully restore order here?” Lucas asked, sipping coffee.

“Yes!” Zhao Li believed firmly. Even if they couldn’t eliminate all underground forces at once, taking down one or several was feasible. And that was using only the regional command, not the entire Federation forces.

“Then do you think we want our military to become like this?” Lucas leaned back comfortably. “Sit down, let’s talk.”

“Thank you, General!” Zhao Li obeyed. Regarding Lucas’s question, he had doubts. “Is there some special reason?”

Law? Zhao Li wouldn’t believe there were democratic laws strong enough to stop the military in a terrorist-plagued, drug-infested area. Finding an excuse was too easy. So there must be a deeper reason.

“Of course!” Lucas did not conceal the truth. “Everything exists for a reason, including this place.”

Lucas seemed ready to explain. Zhao Li sat upright, awaiting instruction.

“First, when the rest of the regions are stable, the military needs a chaotic area to maintain its fighting spirit and conduct training,” Lucas explained slowly. Though casual, Zhao Li knew this was high-level military secret, shared only because Lucas considered him an ally.

“A training ground?” Zhao Li hesitated briefly. Lucas laughed.

“Where else is more suitable? There’s military presence and power, drug lords, terrorists—all here. Every year, our special forces conduct live combat training here, with excellent results.”

Zhao Li’s mind flashed to the secret underground armory. Its weapons were not for ordinary soldiers, intended for select personnel. Lucas’s words explained the purpose. This place offered abundant mission targets.

“Secondly, having such a chaotic area boosts the military’s status within the government,” Lucas added briefly. Zhao Li didn’t fully grasp this political point, which could be both simple and complex.

“Don’t the politicians care?” Zhao Li wondered. Politicians’ achievements rely on prosperous, stable regions—contradicting the military’s desire to keep this chaos.

“What do they know?” Lucas sneered. “Politicians only talk about democracy, elections, and power. To lawfully change the frontier requires amending local laws. But the underground forces won’t allow that. Their representatives either don’t dare come or get eliminated. Change is impossible.”

“If the military keeps fighting spirit, why lose the war against rebels?” Zhao Li remained skeptical about the frontier’s purpose but was concerned about the ongoing conflict.

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