Chapter 158: I'm Sorry, I Want to Resign

Lu Ye was a bit baffled. What kind of trouble could possibly happen to the martial arts Lu family?
Could there actually be some reckless fool bold enough to go looking for a death wish at the Lu household?
Wan Quan said, "Because the Qing family has produced a Tier 10 expert named Qing Zong. He demands that all martial arts families bow down and submit to the Qing family, and revere him as the Martial Arts Overlord!"
The Qing family was originally a top-tier martial arts family.
Among the younger generation of this era, an exceptionally talented young master had emerged, breaking through to Tier 10 in one fell swoop, firmly and overwhelmingly suppressing all other aristocratic families!
The distinction between top-tier and second-tier families lay at the watershed of Tiers 7 and 8.
In the past, the Mo family only had the head of the family, Mo Cheng, at Tier 7, so they could only be considered a low-ranking existence.
Other second-tier families had two to three, or even more, Tier 7 masters, which allowed them to be considered prominent among the second-tier families.
Having someone in the family reach Tier 8 meant that they had already crossed the threshold into the top-tier martial arts families.
The greater the number of Tier 8 experts, the higher the family's status.
Those who could reach Tier 9 were the absolute elites among the top-tier families!
Take, for example, the previous head of the Lu family, Lu Ye's grandfather Lu Yangxiu, along with Lu Yuqing.
The Lu family had two Tier 9 masters holding down the fort, along with a number of Tier 8 disciples under their banner. This was the backbone of their martial arts strength, and the fundamental reason why the Lu family had stood at the pinnacle of the martial arts world all these years.
Yet now, the Qing family had suddenly spawned a Tier 10 expert, completely tipping the scales of power.
Lu Ye was stunned. "The Qing family is being this arrogant, and you guys can just swallow that?"
Wan Quan shook his head and said, "We can't swallow it, but second-tier families like our Wan family or the Mo family have no say in the matter at all."
"We can only choose our sides accordingly, but once you pick the wrong side right now, the consequences are truly unimaginable. Most second-tier families have already defected to the Qing family. After all, there is a living, breathing Tier 10 master sitting right there."
"However, Brother Lu, you can rest assured. I've already coordinated with the Mo brothers, and no matter what, our Wan and Mo families will always follow you."
Lu Ye chuckled. "You kid aren't stupid."
Nonsense!
Wan Quan had witnessed with his own eyes last time how Lu Ye fought above his level and personally executed Tier 10 masters—and two of them at that.
After consulting and discussing it with the Mo brothers, he figured that latching firmly onto Lu Ye's coattails was definitely the right move!
Lu Ye asked, "So what's the current situation? Has the Qing family gone to challenge our Lu family?"
Wan Quan shook his head and replied, "Not yet. That punk Qing Zong put out word that he wants to challenge the top-tier families house by house. According to his challenge sequence, I estimate the Lu family will be the last one on the list."
Lu Ye nodded and said, "Then there's no need for us to worry. Coincidentally, we're having a family gathering today, so why don't you go call the Mo brothers over to join in the lively atmosphere?"
"You got it!"
Wan Quan came and went in a flash, heading home to fetch Mo Chong and Mo Dong.
Cheng Qimeng asked in a low voice, "What tier is your dad currently at?"
Lu Ye answered truthfully, "Tier 9."
Cheng Qimeng immediately complained, "Huh? That old good-for-nothing, when I was at Tier 8 he was already at Tier 9, and after more a dozen years he hasn't made any progress at all!"
Lu Ye said with a dark expression, "I only found out the old man knew martial arts the last time I fought against Max. I've never seen him practice a single day in all the years I've grown up—he just smokes, drinks, and flirts with widows every single day..."
"Pay no attention to him. Let that punk from the Qing family go temper his arrogance."
Lu Ye's mouth twitched, and he stammered, "That wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
Cheng Qimeng glared and said, "I haven't even settled the score with him over that pretty widow yet!"
"Alright, alright, long live Mom!"
"As your son, I support every decision you make, hahaha!"
Su Shimeng wore casual clothes today, arriving at the mountainside villa accompanied by Li Shuqi. When Lu Ye introduced Cheng Qimeng, both of them were utterly shocked!
Especially Li Shuqi.
Before meeting Cheng Qimeng, she was undeniably the most dazzling golden flower in Mingzhu City's circle of middle-aged matrons.
Little did she know there was always someone better; this in-law made her feel genuinely somewhat inferior.
Fortunately, Cheng Qimeng possessed an abundance of charisma and stood on no ceremony, allowing Li Shuqi to cast aside her apprehensions within just a few words.
After the meal, Cheng Qimeng even proactively invited Li Shuqi to accompany her shopping. The moment she mentioned buying maternal and infant supplies, Li Shuqi immediately caught on, her mouth parting in a delighted smile!
"Old Su, we are really going to have a grandchild!"
...
The following day, receiving notification from Chen Xiaoting.
Lu Ye and Cheng Qimeng, who had only rested for a single night, were forced to rush to Beijing, along with all the members of the Apostles, including the newly joined team members Wu Qing and Zhou Tao.
Arriving at the headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D. located within the Forbidden City.
They learned that Chen Xiaoting had specially hosted an internal award ceremony for the Apostles.
The ceremony was low-key, attended only by high-ranking officials within S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cheng Qimeng was awarded the Five-Star Medal.
Lu Ye and Chen Xi received the Four-Star Medal.
The rest of the members obtained the Three-Star Medal.
What kind of supreme honor was this?
Looking across the history of S.H.I.E.L.D. since its founding, the total number of Three-Star Medals ever distributed amounted to no more than a few dozen, while Four-Star and Five-Star medals were entirely unprecedented.
The Apostles had abruptly become S.H.I.E.L.D.'s premier meritorious squad...
Chen Xiaoting, renowned for his cold-blooded ruthlessness, shed two streams of hot tears on this day: "Qimeng, you've been wronged all these years."
Cheng Qimeng smiled faintly and said, "Master, aren't I back now? Please don't make it so overly emotional."
Chen Xiaoting wiped away his aged tears, twisting the corners of his mouth into a smile: "This kid Lu Ye still has some grit; I've trained him well. This son of yours didn't disappoint you, did he?"
Cheng Qimeng replied, "No, Master, you educated him very well, and I can finally retire in peace."
Chen Xiaoting nodded in satisfaction and said, "This kid will surely surpass his teacher in the future, and has the potential to sit in my chair one day..."
"Ahem!"
Lu Ye coughed softly beside them and said cautiously, "Grandmaster, actually there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Speak."
"I want to resign..."
Chen Xiaoting was stunned, feigning deafness as he said, "What did you say? I didn't hear you."
Lu Ye hardened his resolve and shouted, "I want to resign!"
Swish!
Chen Xiaoting's face darkened instantly, and he snorted coldly, "I'll just pretend you never said those words."
Lu Ye bit his lip, hesitating for a few seconds before persisting, "I am resigning!"
What should have been a pleasant award ceremony suddenly saw its atmosphere turn heavy.
Cheng Qimeng didn't interject, taking two steps back.
Chen Xiaoting said with displeasure, "Give me a reason."
Lu Ye stated, "My wife is pregnant, and I don't want to drag her down and make her worry in fear for me every single day."
Chen Xiaoting was dumbfounded instantly: "Holy crap, congratulations, congratulations!"
"I approve a year of paid leave for you. During this year, you can stay home in peace to accompany her through the pregnancy. After the child is born and Qianqian finishes her postpartum recovery, you can return to the team, how about that?"
Lu Ye showed no intention of backing down, saying, "Grandmaster, my mother was separated from me for over a dozen years because of S.H.I.E.L.D., and my wife risked her life multiple times to help us complete our missions, ultimately securing this hard-won victory."
"I could spend the rest of my life and still not make up for past absences, let alone just one year?"
Chen Xiaoting was silent for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.
Indeed, this mother and son pair, Lu Ye and Cheng Qimeng, had already sacrificed far too much for the missions on their shoulders. Pressuring them to continue risking their lives would truly be going too far...
He turned his back and said in a deep voice, "Starting today, Chen Xi will succeed as the captain of the Apostles, and Meng Meiren will be promoted to deputy captain."
"All personnel, attention! Send off the God of War!"
Inside the award hall, hundreds of S.H.I.E.L.D. elites looked towards Lu Ye with blazing, respectful gazes.
"Clap!"
With a uniform, synchronized salute, they cried out: "Send off the God of War!"
Lu Ye gazed at Chen Xiaoting's retreating back and whispered, "Thank you, Grandmaster."
Mother and son walked out of the massive Forbidden City hand in hand. Lu Ye looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, letting out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy stone that had been pressing on his heart for a long time had finally been lifted...
"Mom, why didn't you try to persuade me?"
Cheng Qimeng countered, "If it were me telling you to stay, would you have listened to me?"
Lu Ye nodded and said, "Yes."
Cheng Qimeng smiled gently: "That's precisely why I didn't try to persuade you. I hope every decision you make follows the true desires of your own heart."
"Long live Mom!"
Chen Xi was still inside S.H.I.E.L.D. restoring their previously canceled records and helping register new member files for Wu Qing and Zhou Tao, so he wouldn't be coming out for a little while.
Lu Ye said, "Mom, while we still have time, do you want to go see an old friend?"
Cheng Qimeng was startled: "My old friend? Who?"
"Uncle Ye!"