Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Tang Ao reminiscing

Tang Ao was in his office dealing with a ton of paperwork, seeing the mountain of paperwork made Tang Ao feel lethargic. When he first joined the military he never imagined being in such a situation. He then remembered the flier that brought him to the military.

“Do you wish for honor? Do you wish for glory? Then join the military and protect your country.”

When Tang Ao saw that flier, he felt some excitement as he thought about showing his strength to everyone. He wanted to use his strength to gain that so called honor and glory.

Back then he thought that the military was a martial artist’s wonderland, that it was a place filled with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. In that place, he would meet many companions who would fight together with him, a rival who would challenge him so that they could grow together but still remain friends, and a girl that he would eventually fall in love with and they would share the rest of their lives together.

The dream he had of having an exciting adventure in the military was like a light novel he once read when he was a teen. He thought by joining the military he would be able to fulfill that childhood dream of his, yet when he joined the military it was nothing like he imagined.

Companions that would fight together with him? That was somehow true but in the beginning, all they did was fight against each other. Once the hierarchy was established only then did they become companions that would fight together, but that was under the command of the strongest among them.

A rival who would challenge him so that they could grow stronger together but will remain friends? He did have one of those. Among the numerous new recruits at the time he joined there was one person that rivaled his talent. The first time they fought he had won, and after that, they did become friends.

.....

One might think that Tang Ao actually got something he wanted, but it was different from what he expected. Instead of a good rival and friend that wants to grow stronger together, he got a friend that wanted to kill him.

“Tang Ao remember that I’m the one destined to beat you. So you need to remain ahead of me, since the moment you lose, I would have no choice but to kill you.”

Of course, the moment Tang Ao heard him say that he asked why Kaizer needed to kill him which he answered.

“Hmm, once I’m able to defeat you, that means you would never surpass me ever again, which means you have served your purpose as fuel for me to grow stronger. As my friend since you have successfully finished your purpose in this world, of course, I need to send you off with respect towards Valhalla. Still, I don’t really want to kill you, so you better remain stronger than me.”

Hearing Kaizer’s crazy response, Tang Ao, couldn’t understand if he was being serious or not. Even now he wasn’t sure, so Tang Ao made sure to keep tabs on Kaizer’s progress and continue to train so that he would be able to remain ahead of his future killer.

Then there was the girl that he would eventually fall in love with... Well, there were indeed many beautiful females in the military, but Tang Ao doesn’t think he would be able to fall in love with most of them.

The reason for this was because like food, water, sleep, and shelter, in the military s*xual needs were also considered the same. Every now and then you would see random people doing it here and there. It doesn’t matter if you liked each other as they do it as a form of relief. Even now Tang Ao was already in his late twenties and he was still a single dog and his only normal female interaction was with Detective Matsuri.

Then finally about finding glory and honor while protecting the country. At first, Tang Ao thought that this was about outside forces like the Empire, but it turns out what they were protecting the citizens from was mostly themselves.

It was true that there was a division in the military that handles things regarding the Empire, but Tang Ao was placed in the Elite Dragon Brigade which dealt with martial artist criminals, and terrorist groups that threaten the country.

At first, it was a little bit exciting as he got to fight terrorists and criminals, but as his rank grew his chances of doing that became less and less. Nowadays his worst enemy was paperwork and there was a ton of them.

Remembering the good old days when he was on the field most of the time and had little to no paperwork made him sigh.

‘I guess the dreams of my life becoming like those novels I use to read ain’t happening. Was it wrong to join the military, should I have just joined a sect or something?... No use thinking about it now... Still, I need to at least find a girl to marry before I become one of those old grumpy military commanders with no wife or kids. Alright, on my next break I’ll find someone.’

Remotivating himself as he continued dealing with his paperwork, Tang Ao looked at his schedule and decided to go around town next Sunday. It was at that moment, that Tang Ao realized something.

‘Wait how do I pick up girls? How do I ask one out on a date?... Sh*t I have zero experience in this kind of thing! I need some help, do I know anyone my age that could help me with this?’

While thinking about it Kaizer’s face flashed in his mind but he quickly dismissed him. That guy was someone who focused on becoming stronger more than anything else, how can he know how to pick up girls. As Tang Ao was deep in thought, somebody knocked on the door.

“Sir, I have a report.”

Hearing his subordinate’s voice Tang Ao stopped thinking about those distracting thoughts of his and got his focus back.

“Enter.”

Tang Ao’s subordinate entered the room and saluted.

“At ease, Sergeant. What is it that you wanted to report?”

“Sir, Catherine Walker has been killed.” Hearing the news Tang Ao frowned.

“Was it Fade?”

“Catherine Walker’s subordinates claimed that she died from an attack by one of their rival gangs, but based on other sources it should be Fade.”

“Hmm, so he’s finally going after the big ones.”

“Sir, what should we do, should we intervene?”

“Hmm... Assign a few scouts to monitor the other big bosses, aside from that no need to intervene for now.”

“Affirmative.”

“Alright, so is that all you wanted to report?”

“Sir, there is one more thing. The criminal Johann was seen somewhere in Leim City.”

“Johann? Tsk, now that’s a bigger player, what to do...” Tang Ao tapped his finger on his desk as he was thinking. After a short pause, he sighed. “For now, let’s do nothing about that guy. I’ll report it to the higher-ups first. Okay, thank you for your report you may leave, Sergeant.”

The Sergeant saluted and was about to leave as he opened the door, Tang Ao called him back.

“Wait a minute Sergeant.”

“Sir, is there something else, Sir?

“Do you know how to pick up girls?”