Chapter 80: Master She’s Prestige

"Lu, what do you think?" Sitting in the car, Old She half closed his eyes and looked at the driver, speaking in a casual tone.

"Sir, I’m just a driver. Isn’t it pointless to ask me?" Old Lu, who had been driving for him for over ten years, gave a hearty smile. He knew this man’s temperament well.

He disliked idle gossip, and because Old Lu understood this deeply, his days had remained stable.

"No matter, go ahead and say it." Old She waved his hand indifferently, his gaze fixed on the rushing scenery outside the window, though his heart wavered.

The Celestial Spirit Fruit was too precious—even he had to consider it thoroughly.

Moreover, as far as he knew, before the fruit even matured, it had already been divided among various parties.

To save one person, and not even someone in mortal danger, using the Celestial Spirit Fruit was indeed excessive.

Besides, Wuling City was not the only one to withstand the beast tide this time. If he managed to secure a fruit for the young hero here, how would the other cities think of it?

Of course, all this deliberation was due to the fruit’s rarity. If it were something ordinary, he would have handed it over without a second thought.

"Should I really speak?" Old Lu, hearing the genuine inquiry in Old She’s tone, carefully ventured.

"Speak." Old She withdrew his gaze from the window, truly wanting to hear this man’s opinion. In some ways, Old Lu, who had been by his side for ten years, resembled a son more than his own.

"From what I’ve gathered, I hope the young hero recovers quickly."

"Why?" Old She's expression remained unchanged, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

"Is it because you’re from Wuling City, Old Lu? Are you biased in his favor?"

"Oh, Sir, don’t put a hat like that on me. It sounds as though I’m about to get fired!" Old Lu groaned in protest.

"I just think, for a student who didn’t understand the harshness of the Digital World, to face danger head-on during the beast tide instead of retreating—that’s a rare quality."

"Honestly, Sir, if it were me, I might not have had such courage, especially since he managed to defeat a fully evolved Digimon. Without him, I can’t imagine what would have happened next."

Old She nodded gently.

Yes, he too valued Zhao Jie’s remarkable character. Some Digital Users wouldn’t even enter safe secret realms for fear of danger.

Yet this young man stepped forward at the first sign of trouble—a virtue worth promoting.

"Change route, head to Chaoyang Avenue."

"Alright!"

...

Chaoyang Avenue was also known as Digital Street.

The entire street sold products related to Digimon, and at its center was the Wuling City Digital Association.

Old She’s destination was the Association.

Upon learning of Old She’s arrival, the president of the Association, Gong Yingjie, emerged from his seclusion to greet the elder.

"Sir, what brings you here? If you needed something, you could have contacted me and I’d have come to you!" Gong Yingjie spoke respectfully, his tone humble.

Though he himself was a powerful Digital User with a fully evolved Digimon, compared to Old She, his contributions and experience paled.

In the early years of the Digital Secret Realms, Old She had commanded countless battles and earned the nickname 'the Invincible General.' Only with the rise of Digital Users and advancing age did he retire from his post.

"Gong, you seem to have little on your plate," Old She smiled, eyes narrowed, as he regarded Gong Yingjie.

Uh...

At those words, Gong Yingjie’s smile froze. Though Old She meant no mockery, recalling his own performance in the secret realm made him ashamed.

Wuling City had nearly faced disaster—especially after learning other cities had suffered severely from Digimon attacks.

His shame deepened.

Fortunately, they ultimately triumphed over the fully evolved Wukongmon.

"Sir, I bear undeniable responsibility for the beast tide this time..."

Gong Yingjie’s words were cut short by Old She.

"Enough. I didn’t come here to hear this—you can report those things to the higher-ups."

Old She paced about, saying nothing more. Gong Yingjie dutifully followed.

After more than ten minutes, Old She finally spoke again: "Gong, originally I ought not to interfere, but my conscience won’t let me stay silent."

"What arrangements have been made for the fifteen Digital Users who died in the secret realm?"

Fifteen vibrant lives, who stood their ground for the city and ultimately perished in the secret realm. As a former soldier, he felt compelled to ensure their deeds were honored.

As he had said before, warriors should not shed blood and tears alike.

He still remembered the scene when he visited their families.

Torrential rain fell, a frail family huddled in a dilapidated house. A seventy-year-old grandmother protected a four-year-old child.

Around them, puddles formed everywhere.

"Grandma, grandma, why isn’t Daddy home yet?"

"Be good, Xiao Hua. Your father went on an honorable mission. When you grow up, you’ll see him again."

"And Mommy?"

"Mommy went to the city to earn money. She’ll come visit you in a few days, and then we won’t have to fear the rain anymore."

The sight made his blood boil in shame. Upon inquiry, he learned the original compensation of four hundred thousand had been stripped away, leaving only thirty thousand—money meant for a family’s peace had been whittled down to almost nothing.

How could they dare? How could they do such a thing?

When local thugs bullied the family, his anger erupted.

He led troops across provinces to investigate, unstoppable. Those who had stolen the money were sent to military courts; the thugs were executed on the spot.

Finally, the authorities and military together established stricter regulations.

He, however, was punished for the severity of his actions.