DPM Chapter 30-Missing Part 2
Translated by Snowfall77
Wen Nuo quickly gave Wu Xingyun the general picture.
Since the end of the war, Shi Fei’s situation hadn’t been good. With his temper always erupting here and there, he’d offended a lot of people who shouldn’t be offended. During wartime, he’d been useful, thus people had managed to be forbearing. Now that it was peacetime, what an opportune moment to settle old scores…
While President Hobbs basically wasn’t in charge, merely an indifferent figurehead of the Federation.
It was Vice President Ouyang Feng who monopolized the council, and he’d been the primary advocate for the peace talks. Shi Fei, on the other hand, had argued for fighting to the bitter end. The two men had a long history of conflict with each other.
And Ouyang Liu’s death was the fuse that lit it all up.
Ouyang Liu died, died on Mozun’s planet Yuanxing, cause of death unknown. Ouyang Feng, reeling from the tragic demise of his son, had been sad for a while, hateful for a while, culminating in strong anger. He’d framed Shi Fei, successfully having Shi Fei put on trial.
Ouyang Feng’s accusation was that Shi Fei and Mozun had colluded with each other, leading the Federation to defeat in the war. After peace, the Federation had had to pay out a lot of manpower and material resources. Including Ouyang Liu, who as part of the dowry team had discovered Shi Fei’s collusion with the enemy. Upon which, in order to preserve his secret, Shi Fei had ordered lackey Wu Xingyun to murder Ouyang Liu. The heroic soldier Ouyang Liu had sacrificed his life for the Federation, without receiving the honor he deserved. An injustice for the ages!
What the hell? Mozun had personally chosen his bride. Shi Fei hadn’t had the option of putting a crony in that position. Honey, have you forgotten the two were in cahoots?
Why did Wu Xingyun murder saintly Ouyang Liu instead of Mozun? Isn’t it more advantageous for the Federation for Mozun to dead instead? Dear, have you forgotten that Mozun and Shi Fei were working together?
Hadn’t the dowry team brought back a ton of evidence of Ouyang Liu’s treason, as well as witnesses……Darling, you’re so forgetful. Ouyang Liu was wronged! That evidence and so-called witnesses are nothing but perjury. Perjury!
As for the strong proof of Shi Fei’s conspiracy with Mozun?
Wen Nuo sorted some files, fishing one out. “There are ten pieces of evidence, with twenty-three inferences. The strongest evidence is that Mozun wrote a personal letter to Shi Fei, inciting Shi Fei to desert over the Alliance side. The letter was found at Shi Fei’s home, along with large sums of money in his accounts, of unknown origin. Those are the biggest smoking gun.”
Feeling depressed after listening to the whole thing, Wu Xingyun asked: “Why are they arbitrarily wronging people? Isn’t there anyone in the Federation who’ll speak up for the Marshal?”
Wen Nuo crossed his hands on the table, giving Wu Xingyun a helpless look. “Marshal Shi Fei has a very bad temper, curses people often. He’s provoked many people. That some people aren’t kicking him when he’s down is already good. Not many would be willing to speak up for him though.”
Wu Xingyun’s expression turned anxious, and he opened his mouth to speak, however Wen Nuo interrupted him with a smile: “There may not be many people willing to help him, still he’s not completely without. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have returned. Neither President Hobbs or myself sanction Shi Fei’s trial in military court, so I asked you to come testify.”
Hearing Wen Nuo’s words, Wu Xingyun stared blankly for a second, then laughed.
Wen Nuo collected all the files in front of him, threw them into a shredder, and contentedly watched them be turned into confetti. “Those who hate Shi Fei and those who love him are the minority. Most people are neutral. It’s just that Shi Fei’s character is highly crabby and stubborn. Even when he’s got a gun held to his head, he’d rather die than submit. And he doesn’t know how to deal with judges and juries, only making his situation worse. All I need you to do is try to win some sympathy for Shi Fei with the jury. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”
Wu Xingyun heaved a sigh, raising his eyes to Wen Nuo. “But……I’m not very talkative. I’m afraid I’ll be counterproductive, say the wrong thing.”
Still gently smiling at Wu Xingyun, Wen Nuo got up and walked to Wu Xingyun, pressing a hand down on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought about what you should say. You just do as I say. It’ll take ten days to arrive at Deta-Nuo, and I’ll practice with you during that time.”
Wen Nuo had one hand on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder and the other on the tabletop, his head bent to gaze at Wu Xingyun, waiting for Wu Xingyun to say where he stood.
Wu Xingyun didn’t think Wen Nuo’s actions were inappropriate, Wen Nuo used to often touch Wu Xingyun in such a way. Yet, now that hand on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder felt a little awkward, and Wen Nuo’s eyes had a trace of burning.
When Wu Xingyun softly shifted away, Wen Nuo quickly drew his hand off, patting Wu Xingyun’s back instead. “Come on, show me the information you brought back first. We’ll see what we can use.”
Half an hour later, Wu Xingyun sat in the simulation training room. Words appeared on the screen before him and he began to recite them.
At first he stuttered a bit, but gradually his speech became smoother. Wen Nuo was seated next to him, watching him, prompting Wu Xingyun when to accentuate and when to slow down.
Time passed quickly. When Wu Xingyun wasn’t sleeping or eating, he practiced the words Wen Nuo taught him.
He rehearsed repeatedly, Wen Nuo at his side all the time, smiling. From the timid beginning to the impassioned end, Wen Nuo directed Wu Xingyun, finding Wu Xingyun’s serious expressions, dim-witted forgetfulness, and occasional slip into his local accent, all exceedingly adorable.
Wen Nuo got out of his seat and walked over to Wu Xingyun, pulling the soldier up with both hands. “This time you need to wave your hand, from top to bottom. You’ve got to express your determination when you say these words.”
As he spoke, Wen Nuo held Wu Xingyun’s wrist, making motions with it in mid-air.
“Don’t hide your thumb, it’ll make people think you’re not sincere. Body language is important……”
The two men were very close. Wen Nuo stood behind Wu Xingyun, almost half-holding him, correcting his movements.
Wu Xingyun honed his performance. He’d never known before that speeches required such tastefully chosen words and painstaking attention to every nuance. The sincerity wasn’t in the heart, but in the performance.
Recognizing this made Wu Xingyun feel conflicted, nonetheless he practiced with great effort.
Wen Nuo bowed his head. He could see the fine hairs on Wu Xingyun’s neck, noticed the beads of sweat from Wu Xingyun’s striving, along with clearly hearing the soldier’s heartbeat.
Wu Xingyun, still working on the hand-wave movement, repeated it over and over, until turning his head and asking: “General, is this alright?”
Surprised by their gazes suddenly meeting, Wen Nuo was lost for a moment in Wu Xingyun’s eyes, shining bright and pure. Wen Nuo’s breath hitched, his tone becoming incomparably soft: “When this is over, don’t go back. I can see the Night Shard isn’t good for you. You were unhappy there. Stay home, I promise you no one will dare bully you here.”
When he heard Mozun’s name, Wu Xingyun’s serious face turned perplexed. His clear eyes fogged over, becoming dreamy and drifting away.
Eventually, his sight darkened, filled with grievances and sadness. Finally, Wu Xingyun lowered his head.
He feared he couldn’t go back.
He remembered Mozun’s words, the night Wu Xingyun had left: ““Get lost. Go back to your Federation, I don’t want you anymore.”
Those sentences should have made Wu Xingyun extremely happy. At last he could go home, no longer have to deal with people like Mozun.
Except Wu Xingyun had arrived back in the Federation. Why, when he thought of Mozun’s words, did he feel an unspeakable suffocation? A part of his heart enduring an indistinct hurt.
DPM Chapter 30-Missing Part 2
Translated by Snowfall77
Wen Nuo quickly gave Wu Xingyun the general picture.
Since the end of the war, Shi Fei’s situation hadn’t been good. With his temper always erupting here and there, he’d offended a lot of people who shouldn’t be offended. During wartime, he’d been useful, thus people had managed to be forbearing. Now that it was peacetime, what an opportune moment to settle old scores…
While President Hobbs basically wasn’t in charge, merely an indifferent figurehead of the Federation.
It was Vice President Ouyang Feng who monopolized the council, and he’d been the primary advocate for the peace talks. Shi Fei, on the other hand, had argued for fighting to the bitter end. The two men had a long history of conflict with each other.
And Ouyang Liu’s death was the fuse that lit it all up.
Ouyang Liu died, died on Mozun’s planet Yuanxing, cause of death unknown. Ouyang Feng, reeling from the tragic demise of his son, had been sad for a while, hateful for a while, culminating in strong anger. He’d framed Shi Fei, successfully having Shi Fei put on trial.
Ouyang Feng’s accusation was that Shi Fei and Mozun had colluded with each other, leading the Federation to defeat in the war. After peace, the Federation had had to pay out a lot of manpower and material resources. Including Ouyang Liu, who as part of the dowry team had discovered Shi Fei’s collusion with the enemy. Upon which, in order to preserve his secret, Shi Fei had ordered lackey Wu Xingyun to murder Ouyang Liu. The heroic soldier Ouyang Liu had sacrificed his life for the Federation, without receiving the honor he deserved. An injustice for the ages!
What the hell? Mozun had personally chosen his bride. Shi Fei hadn’t had the option of putting a crony in that position. Honey, have you forgotten the two were in cahoots?
Why did Wu Xingyun murder saintly Ouyang Liu instead of Mozun? Isn’t it more advantageous for the Federation for Mozun to dead instead? Dear, have you forgotten that Mozun and Shi Fei were working together?
Hadn’t the dowry team brought back a ton of evidence of Ouyang Liu’s treason, as well as witnesses……Darling, you’re so forgetful. Ouyang Liu was wronged! That evidence and so-called witnesses are nothing but perjury. Perjury!
As for the strong proof of Shi Fei’s conspiracy with Mozun?
Wen Nuo sorted some files, fishing one out. “There are ten pieces of evidence, with twenty-three inferences. The strongest evidence is that Mozun wrote a personal letter to Shi Fei, inciting Shi Fei to desert over the Alliance side. The letter was found at Shi Fei’s home, along with large sums of money in his accounts, of unknown origin. Those are the biggest smoking gun.”
Feeling depressed after listening to the whole thing, Wu Xingyun asked: “Why are they arbitrarily wronging people? Isn’t there anyone in the Federation who’ll speak up for the Marshal?”
Wen Nuo crossed his hands on the table, giving Wu Xingyun a helpless look. “Marshal Shi Fei has a very bad temper, curses people often. He’s provoked many people. That some people aren’t kicking him when he’s down is already good. Not many would be willing to speak up for him though.”
Wu Xingyun’s expression turned anxious, and he opened his mouth to speak, however Wen Nuo interrupted him with a smile: “There may not be many people willing to help him, still he’s not completely without. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have returned. Neither President Hobbs or myself sanction Shi Fei’s trial in military court, so I asked you to come testify.”
Hearing Wen Nuo’s words, Wu Xingyun stared blankly for a second, then laughed.
Wen Nuo collected all the files in front of him, threw them into a shredder, and contentedly watched them be turned into confetti. “Those who hate Shi Fei and those who love him are the minority. Most people are neutral. It’s just that Shi Fei’s character is highly crabby and stubborn. Even when he’s got a gun held to his head, he’d rather die than submit. And he doesn’t know how to deal with judges and juries, only making his situation worse. All I need you to do is try to win some sympathy for Shi Fei with the jury. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”
Wu Xingyun heaved a sigh, raising his eyes to Wen Nuo. “But……I’m not very talkative. I’m afraid I’ll be counterproductive, say the wrong thing.”
Still gently smiling at Wu Xingyun, Wen Nuo got up and walked to Wu Xingyun, pressing a hand down on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought about what you should say. You just do as I say. It’ll take ten days to arrive at Deta-Nuo, and I’ll practice with you during that time.”
Wen Nuo had one hand on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder and the other on the tabletop, his head bent to gaze at Wu Xingyun, waiting for Wu Xingyun to say where he stood.
Wu Xingyun didn’t think Wen Nuo’s actions were inappropriate, Wen Nuo used to often touch Wu Xingyun in such a way. Yet, now that hand on Wu Xingyun’s shoulder felt a little awkward, and Wen Nuo’s eyes had a trace of burning.
When Wu Xingyun softly shifted away, Wen Nuo quickly drew his hand off, patting Wu Xingyun’s back instead. “Come on, show me the information you brought back first. We’ll see what we can use.”
Half an hour later, Wu Xingyun sat in the simulation training room. Words appeared on the screen before him and he began to recite them.
At first he stuttered a bit, but gradually his speech became smoother. Wen Nuo was seated next to him, watching him, prompting Wu Xingyun when to accentuate and when to slow down.
Time passed quickly. When Wu Xingyun wasn’t sleeping or eating, he practiced the words Wen Nuo taught him.
He rehearsed repeatedly, Wen Nuo at his side all the time, smiling. From the timid beginning to the impassioned end, Wen Nuo directed Wu Xingyun, finding Wu Xingyun’s serious expressions, dim-witted forgetfulness, and occasional slip into his local accent, all exceedingly adorable.
Wen Nuo got out of his seat and walked over to Wu Xingyun, pulling the soldier up with both hands. “This time you need to wave your hand, from top to bottom. You’ve got to express your determination when you say these words.”
As he spoke, Wen Nuo held Wu Xingyun’s wrist, making motions with it in mid-air.
“Don’t hide your thumb, it’ll make people think you’re not sincere. Body language is important……”
The two men were very close. Wen Nuo stood behind Wu Xingyun, almost half-holding him, correcting his movements.
Wu Xingyun honed his performance. He’d never known before that speeches required such tastefully chosen words and painstaking attention to every nuance. The sincerity wasn’t in the heart, but in the performance.
Recognizing this made Wu Xingyun feel conflicted, nonetheless he practiced with great effort.
Wen Nuo bowed his head. He could see the fine hairs on Wu Xingyun’s neck, noticed the beads of sweat from Wu Xingyun’s striving, along with clearly hearing the soldier’s heartbeat.
Wu Xingyun, still working on the hand-wave movement, repeated it over and over, until turning his head and asking: “General, is this alright?”
Surprised by their gazes suddenly meeting, Wen Nuo was lost for a moment in Wu Xingyun’s eyes, shining bright and pure. Wen Nuo’s breath hitched, his tone becoming incomparably soft: “When this is over, don’t go back. I can see the Night Shard isn’t good for you. You were unhappy there. Stay home, I promise you no one will dare bully you here.”
When he heard Mozun’s name, Wu Xingyun’s serious face turned perplexed. His clear eyes fogged over, becoming dreamy and drifting away.
Eventually, his sight darkened, filled with grievances and sadness. Finally, Wu Xingyun lowered his head.
He feared he couldn’t go back.
He remembered Mozun’s words, the night Wu Xingyun had left: ““Get lost. Go back to your Federation, I don’t want you anymore.”
Those sentences should have made Wu Xingyun extremely happy. At last he could go home, no longer have to deal with people like Mozun.
Except Wu Xingyun had arrived back in the Federation. Why, when he thought of Mozun’s words, did he feel an unspeakable suffocation? A part of his heart enduring an indistinct hurt.
