My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

1934 years.

Heading north.

More than two years.

These words exploded in his mind, piecing together a historical event he knew all too well.

I learned about it in elementary school textbooks, memorized it in middle school history books, and commemorated that great journey every year... the Long March.

He stared intently at Zhou Yue, at that withered face, at those tired yet still bright eyes.

This is a veteran from the Long March.

An old soldier who had traveled more than 20,000 miles and had just arrived at his destination, before he could even celebrate, was dragged to this strange world.

An old soldier who had been imprisoned for 80 years and suffered endless torture was still asking us if we had defeated the Japanese.

Lin Mo opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"Did we defeat the Japanese?"

Zhou Yue asked again, his voice even softer than before, but his anticipation was even stronger.

Lin Mo nodded vigorously.

"We won."

His voice was a little hoarse, but he spoke every word clearly.

"Not only did we win, we are now one of the strongest countries in the world."

Zhou Yue's eyes lit up.

The light was so bright, it didn't seem like the light one would expect from someone who had been imprisoned for thirty years and suffered so much torture.

"That's good……"

He murmured, the smile on his lips growing deeper.

"That's good……"

He asked a few more questions.

Ask about the teachers, about the new China, and about how ordinary people are doing.

Lin Mo answered them one by one.

Zhou Yue listened and kept smiling.

That smile looked particularly jarring on his withered face.

But it was a genuine, heartfelt laugh.

Finally, he looked at Lin Mo.

"I have something I'd like to ask for your help with."

His voice was very soft.

Lin Mo nodded.

"you say."

Zhou Yue's hand twitched.

The movements were slow and difficult; the tendons in his limbs had been severed, and every tiny movement required tremendous effort.

But he still slowly, little by little, turned that withered hand over.

In the palm of my hand lies a red five-pointed star.

The five-pointed star was very small, only about the size of a fingernail.

But the color was still bright red, and it was particularly glaring in the dark.

It has been rubbed countless times, and the edges are somewhat worn, but the outline of the five corners is still clear.

Zhou Yue looked at it, tears welling in his eyes.

"This thing was brought here with me; it's been with me for ninety years."

Zhou Yue's voice trembled slightly, but it was filled with deep respect.

He looked up at Lin Mo.

"If you can go back someday... please take this back with you."

As he spoke, he handed the five-pointed star forward.

"Let it... let me rejoin the team too."

Lin Mo looked at the five-pointed star.

He was silent for a long time.

Then he reached out and took the five-pointed star from Zhou Yue's palm.

Very small.

It's very light.

But it feels heavy when you hold it in your hand.

He gripped it tightly, raised his head, and looked into Zhou Yue's eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely get it done for you."

Zhou Yue looked at him and smiled.

That smile held relief, trust, and a sense of ease that came with a heavy burden.

"well……"

He leaned back into the center of the cage, the chains on his body rattling.

Zhou Yue looked at Lin Mo again: "It's a pity I can't help you much now. The Twilight Stone... has melted into my sword, otherwise I could have lent you a hand."

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

"Twilight Stone?"

Hearing this, Hunter Axe leaned closer and explained to Lin Mo with a serious expression:

"That thing is also called the proof of demigodship. We went to great lengths to get a piece for Zhou Yue back then."

Yin Xue flew up from Lin Mo's shoulder and landed on one of the bars of the cage, explaining to Lin Mo.

"In this world, ordinary people who want to become demigods must level up to over 100. However, as the level increases, the experience gained from killing low-level enemies will decrease. That's why Hunter Axe has only reached level 98 after all these years."

As she spoke, she pointed to the hunting axe.

"But it's different for heroes who have fused with the Twilight Stone. That thing can increase the experience points gained. Although it can be reused, it only works for heroes. It can be said to be a shortcut for heroes to level up."

Lin Mo nodded.

He looked at the red five-pointed star in his palm, remained silent for a while, and then carefully put it into his pocket.

It was placed together with my mother's medical report.

Zhou Yue did not speak again.

He simply leaned against the center of the cage, his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.

But a slight smile remained on his lips.

Hunter Axe stood beside him, looking at him, his eyes reddening again.

"Zhou Yue..." He opened his mouth.

"Let's go."

Zhou Yue said with his eyes closed, his voice very soft.

"Don't linger here, there's still work to be done outside."

Hunter Axe clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

He stood there, motionless for a long time.

Then he took a deep breath, turned around, and strode back the way he came.

Lin Mo then summoned a clone.

At the same time, he issued a command in his mind.

[Hide away and do not allow anyone to disturb Zhou Yue, or they will be killed on the spot.]

The reason for leaving behind this clone was simply to spare this senior from further torture.

After doing all this, Lin Mo took one last look at Zhou Yue.

Inside the cage, the withered figure remained leaning against the center, motionless.

Eight black energy chains extended from eight directions, binding him tightly to the spot.

But the smile on his lips never disappeared.

Lin Mo bowed deeply to Zhou Yue in the cage one last time.

……

When we came out of the bunker, it was already dark outside.

The distant forest was faintly visible in the morning mist.

The ruins of the military camp were still smoking, and the ground was littered with corpses.

The night wind blew by, carrying a heavy smell of blood and burnt food.

Lin Mo stood in the center of the ruins and took a deep breath.

Hunter Axe followed behind him, head down, and remained silent for a long time.

Then he looked up at Lin Mo.

"What are your plans after this?"

Lin Mo did not answer immediately.

He looked down at his hands.

The touch of that five-pointed star still lingered in that hand.

Hunter Axe slung the axe over his shoulder again, his voice low but firm.

"I'm going to find Zhou Yue's knife. No matter where it's been lost, I'm going to get it back."

Lin Mo paused for a moment before asking, "How do I find it? What do you need me to do?"

Hunter Axe replied, "I'm going to ask a few old buddies; you can't help with this."

As he spoke, he took out a match, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

At the same time, he handed one to Lin Mo.

As Lin Mo looked at the crudely rolled cigarette, many images involuntarily flashed through his mind.

Seeing Lin Mo in a daze, Hunter Axe turned around and prepared to leave.

"Be careful, I'll let you know as soon as I have any news."

After saying that, he lifted his leg and walked into the woods.

Lin Mo then glanced back at the entrance to the Iron Prison.

He muttered to himself, "Senior, I will definitely rescue you."