The Legend of the Dragon King (Web Novel)
chapter-1429

Chapter 1429: Short Message

The IDs of field officers were blue in color with their rank’s insignia on the cover. When opened, their details would be listed inside, as well as an electronic chip to facilitate identity verification.

Since the Shrek Seven Monsters had enlisted in the army before, all of them had their own military positions. Relatively speaking, Xie Xie’s advancement was slower, but he had still managed to get himself promoted to lieutenant colonel.

The captain’s expression froze immediately. He quickly opened the booklet and looked at Xie Xie. The serial number of the unit which Xie Xie belonged to was written on it, which also included his department and role. There was no doubt that he was a genuine lieutenant colonel.

Following orders was the most important thing in the military. The junior officers had to listen to the orders from their superiors. The greatest difference between the military and politics was that if a junior officer fought against a senior officer, the senior officer had the power to punish the junior officer. During a war, even shooting the disobedient junior officer to death could be justified.

A lieutenant colonel and a captain differed by two ranks. A rank higher would be enough to lord it over another junior officer, leave alone a gap this wide.

“Good day, senior officer!” Although the captain came here under orders, he stood still and saluted a senior officer without hesitation.

Xie Xie retrieved his ID and remained calm while he handled the pressing matter. He said, “Firstly, we have the right to utilize this piece of land here. Federal law states that civilian private property is protected and none may rob that from them. Second, all our workers have taken strict protective measures, so there won’t be any safety issues. You can go back now. If you want to talk to me, send an officer with a higher rank over. Otherwise, don’t even bother coming.” As he said this, he waved his hand as if chasing a fly away. He turned around and walked back toward the construction site.

The captain stood there for a moment, stunned. He wore a bewildered expression as he had not expected to face such a situation. However, the man that confronted him had a genuine military rank, and that was something he could not do anything about. If he carried out his orders forcibly, what would stop this man from shooting him to death on the grounds that he went against a senior officer?

Also, this captain knew full well the kind of people carrying out Shrek’s rebuilding. Even if he wanted to subdue them with military strength, he would first have to be sure that they were strong enough! He came there to incite a conflict, but logic had stopped him in his tracks. The presence of a senior officer changed everything. He did not dare to provoke him on purpose.

“Let’s go!”

As she watched the soldiers leave with heavy footsteps, Xu Xiaoyan could not help but give a big thumbs-up to Xie Xie. “Not bad! I didn’t expect you to have it in you, seeing how foolishly you usually act. You talked with facts and reason.”

Xie Xie’s facial muscles twitched. “Are you complimenting me?”

“You can say that,” Yue Zhengyu said casually.

The others were busy. As the Shrek Seven Monsters, all of them had to be personally involved in the process of rebuilding Shrek. Everyone had to do their bit to help the academy.

Tang Wulin was also there, wearing a simple disguise. He smiled drily and said, “This is only the beginning. Let them come as many times as they like. We’ll see what rank of officer they’re going to send next. We’ll think about how to deal with that when the time comes.”

Xie Xie said with a smile, “We’ve marked our land exactly according to the academy’s title deed. We’ll first fence up our part of the land to declare our ownership. The few people from the Spirit Pagoda who were scared off before are quite tolerant, I see. They haven’t shown themselves until now.”

Yuanen Yehui snorted and said, “It’s not that they don’t want to show their faces, but that they have no reason to show their faces.”

An hour later.

“Ula! Ula! Ula!” An hour later, the deafening sirens came again. Like the last time, it signalled the arrival of a dozen cars.

This time, an impressive-looking lieutenant colonel came down from the car. He looked to be in his thirties and had a stern look. The captain who was there before trailed behind him, following every step his senior officer took.

“Where’s the person in charge?” asked the lieutenant colonel in a loud voice.

“I’m here.” With his golden mane flowing, Yue Zhengyu strode up to him in his Shrek Academy uniform.

“Huh? It wasn’t you before this!” the captain was slightly stunned.

Yue Zhengyu glared at him and said, “It’s enough for you to know that it’s me now. Why are you here again? Didn’t you get the message the last time?”

The lieutenant colonel said with a deep voice, “Firstly, this area is off limits. Due to unique circumstances, the Federation has the right to assume temporary jurisdiction over this land for the people’s safety. You have developed this land without permission, and that’s against the law. Second, what proof do you have that this piece of land is yours?”

Yue Zhengyu replied drily, “We have the title deed.” As he said this, he produced the document from his pocket and handed it to the lieutenant colonel.

The title deed looked ancient. It was apparent that it had been around for quite some time, and the parchment was made from goat’s hide.

The officer took a look at the title deed. There was a map drawn on it and there was also a specific stamp. Although it was old, the words were still readable.

“Since ancient times, this area has belonged to Shrek Academy, as it does now. We’re now rebuilding our home on our own land. Also, we’ll gradually take care of the radiation problem here. I think our identities can be verified with that title deed, right? As for your development procedures, Shrek is on independent ground and we have autonomy. This is also the way it has been since ancient times. There was never any need to obtain permission from the Federation. So, you may leave now.”

The lieutenant colonel suddenly smiled. His smiled was slightly peculiar. We waved the title deed in his hand, “You’re trying to prove that you have the right to this land with this thing? Well, it doesn’t exist now.” A ball of flame suddenly rose from his hand and the title deed was instantly reduced to ashes.

Yue Zhengyu’s expression changed drastically. Even the Shrek Academy students who were working in the distance stopped what they were doing.

In the police cars and further away, a dozen cameras were trained on this spot.

They were waiting for Shrek to retaliate. Public opinion had always been something that was created. Once Shrek attacked the soldiers, the media would have plenty of material to write about. The conflict would become even more hostile when given the right guidance. The military would also be involved. Shrek’s rebuilding might not only be postponed, but it might even be completely halted.

Throughout all this, there were still many ways in which the people from Shrek could be dealt with.

“Very well. Everything you did will be kept in the records. Now, please show me your officer ID,” Yue Zhengyu showed no sign of anger and he spoke calmly.

“What right do you have to demand that I show my ID?” This lieutenant colonel was obviously more experienced than the captain.

“As an officer of higher rank than you, I think I have that right.” As he said this, Yue Zhengyu produced a small booklet. It was also blue, but it had three stars on it.

A colonel’s rank!

“Here, take it. Burn this as well if you dare.” Yue Zhengyu pushed his officer ID into the lieutenant colonel’s hand and made an inviting gesture.

The lieutenant colonel’s expression changed slightly. He turned to look at the captain beside him. His gaze seemed to ask, ‘Didn’t you say that there was a lieutenant colonel here? Why is he a colonel?’

He opened the military ID. It clearly stated that he was the Federal Southern Army Corps’ colonel staff officer, Yue Zhengyu.

He had burned the title deed, but he dared not do the same to the officer ID in his hand. An officer ID was proof of a soldier’s identity, and this person was his superior.

“We’ve kept a visual recording of everything you did just now. You may leave. Send someone of higher rank to see me. Oh, that’s right. I’ll be distributing the recording of what happened to some media companies soon enough. I’m sure you’ll be able to see yourself on different channels very quickly.”

After Yue Zhengyu finished, he took back his officer ID, waved his hand, and returned to the construction ground.

This…

The lieutenant colonel was stunned.

He had expected Yue Zhengyu to hit him and had even prepared defenses. That was Shrek Academy’s title deed, after all! Clearly it was of paramount importance to Shrek Academy. In truth, when he made his move, his heart felt uneasy. However, he had been guaranteed that he would be protected before he made this trip. A hundred-mecha strong mecha battalion was already on standby not far from where they were. The mechas were ready to escalate the conflict.

However, he never expected that their response would be this mild. It was like a ball of cotton. It felt as if they had nothing to fight against.

A higher rank meant absolute superiority. What could he do? He could only return to where he came from before he made the next move.

The lieutenant colonel went into the car with his brows tightly knitted together. The police cars left in defeat again.

“What’s wrong with you!?” came a howl from the soul call.

The lieutenant colonel said with a bitter smile, “Senior officer, there’s nothing I can do! He’s a colonel. He outranks me. Also, he didn’t lash out at me and even said that he recorded my every action. I think that we’ll be in some trouble after this.”

“Nonsense, the media is under the Federation’s control. What trouble can there be? You’re really useless, you know that? Forget it. Just come back.”

The soul call ended, and the lieutenant colonel felt helpless. Truth be told, he was not entirely willing to handle this job. Shrek Academy’s name struck his ears like thunder!

“We have a short message. According to our latest reports, Shrek Academy’s rebuilding has started.” The soul screen in the police car was playing the news. When he heard Shrek Academy’s name, the lieutenant colonel shifted his gaze toward the screen.

As expected, the screen displayed the bustling construction ground.