Chapter 771: Chapter 180: Honoring Loyal Souls Today [Ten Thousand Words!]
Fang Che stopped, turned around.
He saluted those names, those heroic souls.
Striding away in large steps.
In the early evening, all the families of the heroic souls were present.
The summer wind began to blow fiercely, and patches of white clouds drifted in, forming a unique and magnificent pattern of fish-scale clouds in the sky.
Layer upon layer, stack upon stack; pure white and flawless.
The slanted sunlight gave each cloud a golden edge.
Glowing with golden light.
Like orderly soldiers, majestic and sacred.
Inside the hall, over ten thousand people were densely packed, yet orderly.
The walls of the entire hall were covered with the stories of the sacrificed heroes; one name after another, paired with their stories, neatly posted on the walls.
Everyone lingered in front of their loved ones’ names and stories, gazing for a long time.
Occasionally, the sound of sobs echoed, carrying an undertone of proud remembrance.
On the high platform in front, there were eight large characters.
Eternal honor!
Loyal spirit enduring forever!
Tea and snacks were laid out on the tables; some people chatted nearby, getting to know each other, feeling a bit novel, a bit excited to participate in this gathering...
The solemn hall, surrounded by the stories of heroic relatives, gave everyone an incomparable sense of safety, an infinite sense of peace.
An unfathomable warmth.
And a feeling that made them want to cry.
This was the first time such an event had been held in the Baiyun State Guardian Hall over the years. Perhaps it was also the first time for the Southeast Guardian Headquarters.
It could be said to set a historical precedent.
Everyone who arrived here felt an unparalleled peace of mind.
The Continent had not forgotten the contributions of our heroes.
That is enough!
To be able to participate in such an event in this life is enough!
In the crowd, a young woman with delicate and gentle features was holding the hand of a seven or eight-year-old boy, standing in front of a story with a name written on it, appearing somewhat uneasy.
Her face showed shame.
She even seemed afraid to look at the name above.
The name was: "Huang Dayou."
This woman was Qin Fang.
She clutched the child’s hand tightly, seemingly to give herself courage, her voice trembling: "Youzhi, this is your father. Your father is a hero."
The child was looking, she herself was looking too.
Quietly closing her eyes, her heart was full of bitterness, guilt, and helplessness.
"I let you down... but I had no choice, the family still had to live, the child still had to grow, I... I am incapable of earning money for the family’s survival and the child’s cultivation... Dayou, do you blame me?"
"I disgraced you... I disgraced the Guardian Hall..."
...
Finally, after emotions were nearly spent.
The current serving personnel of the Guardian Hall, each in neatly pressed uniforms, began to walk into the hall, entering the crowd, standing straight in various corners.
The golden and silver stars on their collars were gleaming brightly.
All the families present suddenly fell silent.
In the sea of black uniforms with golden and silver stars, it was as if their own family members had come back to life and stood beside them once again.
They greedily stared at those familiar uniforms.
Tears welled up in their eyes once more.
"Families!"
A voice came from the stage; Jing Xiuyun stood there in a deacon’s uniform, tall and straight, with a warm look: "Everyone at the Baiyun State Guardian Hall warmly welcomes your arrival, is very glad to see you, and thanks you all; all our active duty brothers represent all the everlasting heroic souls and welcome you!"
Everyone involuntarily stood up straight, looking at Jing Xiuyun on the stage.
"First, please be seated."
"This event is for..."
Jing Xiuyun spoke gracefully, giving an opening speech. Warm but not overly sentimental, solemn, and dignified, making everyone feel warm in their hearts.
"...This event is resolutely supported and hosted by Mr. Fang, who firmly believes that heroes should not be forgotten, and even more so, their families should not be forgotten!"
Jing Xiuyun said: "...Next, please welcome Mr. Fang to speak."
Jing Xiuyun stepped aside.
Soon, a spear-like figure appeared at the entrance.
In a neatly pressed uniform, golden stars shimmering, handsome and upright, with a determined gaze and resolute face, striding firmly.
Fang Che walked up to the stage in large steps, his gaze sweeping across all faces, a smile blooming like the melting of ice and snow, warming even his eyes.
Thus, everyone’s hearts immediately warmed up too.
Many elderly people couldn’t help but think: "This child is truly handsome."
"I have one thing to say that everyone must believe. I am usually a very withdrawn and cold person, but today, seeing you all, I cannot remain cold, because... you make me feel that we are family."
Fang Che gently waved his hand, pointing to the names of the predecessors on the wall, slowly: "We and the heroes are family."
His expression gradually returned to calm, serious.
"First of all, I apologize to everyone because... for so many years, we haven’t had enough funds to hold such an event."
"We think about doing this every moment, even in our dreams. But... we have been powerless to make it happen. We are ashamed that we, as Guardians, comrades of the sacrificed heroes, brothers and sisters; have failed to take good care of their families, and we are guilty of this!"
He bowed deeply: "You have suffered these years."
No one spoke below, but the sound of gentle sobbing could be heard, with light teardrops falling to the ground.
"I apologize again to everyone... such events cannot happen every year, and after today, life will still be difficult to take care of each family, we are sorry to the heroic souls!"
