"How about a Second-Class Merit, then?" Gao Neng asked, seeing that Chen Yichuan looked troubled.

"Haha. Student Gao Neng, your intelligence is indeed very important to the Military Department. However, our evaluation of military merits requires a multi-faceted assessment. Let’s wait for Vice Director Gui to submit the application, and then we’ll get back to you with the results. How does that sound?" Chen Yichuan felt a headache coming on.

"Uncle Chen, I was part of it too!" Fang Tangtang, who hadn’t found a chance to speak, immediately stood up as soon as she heard there would be an official evaluation.

"Yes, yes, of course. The Military Department doesn’t let its Warriors shed their blood for nothing," Chen Yichuan said with a smiling nod.

"Thank you, Uncle Chen!" Fang Tangtang immediately said.

"Thank you, Vice Commander Chen!" Gao Neng knew to quit while he was ahead.

He wasn’t stupid.

He knew that the Military Department’s criteria for military merits were extremely strict. Thinking a single piece of intelligence was worth a Special-Class Merit was just wishful thinking.

As for why he’d said it in front of Chen Yichuan, part of it was to angle for the reward, but the main reason was Gui Zian. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

After all, he had learned a few things about Gui Zian recently.

Bald Shark was very strong.

He was arguably the strongest person at the Eastern Capital Military Academy, aside from the directors themselves. Many even said that Gui Zian’s power might surpass that of several vice directors.

Most importantly, Gui Zian was young.

Wang Qixing was over fifty, and Song Tianyun was over sixty. Only Gui Zian was just in his early forties.

’A man that young and promising hadn’t been assigned to the front lines as a Division Commander or Deputy Division Commander, but was instead placed in the Eastern Capital Military Academy as a mere "instructor"?’

It would be impossible for Gao Neng not to be a little curious about it.

So, he’d looked into it.

The results were shocking.

Gui Zian had participated in countless battles, large and small, and the number of enemies he’d killed was staggering. But his military merits... were pitifully few. He only had a single, minor Third-Class Merit.

Without military merits, his rank could only inch upward with seniority. A major promotion was nearly impossible. As for positions like Deputy Division Commander or Division Commander, they were essentially out of his reach...

In short: Gui Zian was an utterly selfless person.

And Gao Neng was not.

So, he had to make a move himself and, while he was at it, get Chen Yichuan to remind Gui Zian to submit the application. Otherwise, there was a ninety-nine percent chance this whole affair would be all thunder and no rain.

And things turned out just as Gao Neng had expected.

Hearing this, Gui Zian spoke up, just as predicted. "Vice Commander Chen, Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang are still young and don’t understand the Military Department’s merit evaluations. They are both soldiers; collecting intelligence is simply their duty. I think we should... just forget about applying for merits, shouldn’t we? The academy will naturally give them some reward when they get back!"

"Teacher Gui... we risked being surrounded and killed by eight aliens to retrieve this critical intelligence from a raging fire! Plus, three of them were mid-tier, and I’m only at the Tier Two Mid Stage..." Gao Neng immediately put on a pained expression.

"Yeah, we went through a lot," Fang Tangtang chimed in, playing the victim. Then, she pointed to her own arm. "Look, Teacher Gui, my arm is broken!"

"Quiet! This is the Military Department!" Gui Zian’s expression darkened.

"Hahaha, it’s quite all right. Vice Director Gui, don’t be so harsh. Since they’ve rendered a service, the Military Department must give them what they’re due. Otherwise, how could we call it fair?" Chen Yichuan said with another laugh.

"But..." Gui Zian looked conflicted.

"Teacher Gui, I’m the one who earned the merit, not you!" Gao Neng felt compelled to remind him again.

"Nonsense, of course I know that!"

"Alright, that settles it. Gao Neng, you and Fang Tangtang can go rest outside for a bit. Vice Director Gui, please stay for the meeting." Chen Yichuan swiftly put an end to the discussion.

"Yes, sir!" Gui Zian immediately responded.

...

Once they were out of the conference room, a smile finally spread across Gao Neng’s face. ’Just as I thought, Gui Zian is hopeless. You have to handle some things yourself, otherwise I’ll end up just like him.’

Just then, Chen Bai reappeared before them and led Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang to a lounge on the third floor.

There was tea inside...

but no snacks.

"Lao Bai, I’m hungry..." Gao Neng said, clutching his stomach.

"Me too," Fang Tangtang added, blinking.

"..." Chen Bai’s expression darkened once more. "There are only crackers. Take them or leave them."

"They’re too dry. And there’s no oil or salt. We just went through a life-or-death battle! If we don’t replenish our nutrients, it could have a negative impact on our bodies!"

"That’s right! We’re completely exhausted!" Fang Tangtang immediately nodded.

"What do you two want? Don’t tell me you expect me to cook noodles for you?" Chen Bai looked at them, utterly exasperated.

’After you two completely demoralized me, you want me to cook noodles for you?’

’In your dreams!’

"Noodles? Alright, but I’m not eating plain broth. I want at least two eggs in mine!" Gao Neng held up two fingers, waggling them in front of Chen Bai.

"I’m still growing, so I need three!" Fang Tangtang held up three fingers.

"..." Chen Bai.

...

「Military Department, Third Floor Conference Room」

After Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang left, the discussion officially shifted to the topic of resurrection.

"Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts on this matter," Chen Yichuan said once he was seated, his gaze sweeping across the room.

A lieutenant colonel quickly stood up.

"Based on the information Gao Neng provided, I believe the key point is the change in strength post-resurrection. Could it be that because the resurrection was premature, their strength couldn’t be fully restored?"