Anping has a history of 350 years.

Dàxià Mansion, Nányuán City.

The Su family.

Su Yu walked into the house and smelled the aroma of cooking. He dropped his school bag and walked to the dining table, picking up a piece of red-braised meat and throwing it into his mouth.

Chewing thoughtfully, Su Yu looked towards the kitchen and mumbled, "Dad, let's have a different soup tomorrow. Eating the same one every day gets boring."

"Some people are lucky to have something good to eat, but they still pick and choose!"

From the kitchen came Su Long's complaints, "I'm telling you, you're 18 this year, when will you learn to take care of yourself? Your old man has been both your father and mother, taking care of you for so many years. It's finally time to let go."

Su Yu chewed on the red-braised meat, smiling and saying, "Dad, your cooking is so good, you're almost a master chef! I want to cook myself, but the key is that what I cook is inedible!"

"Ha!"

Su Long chuckled and said, "You who don't practice, why don't you go into the kitchen?"

Soon, Su Long, wearing an apron, walked out carrying the dishes.

Standing nearly six feet tall, with a sturdy build and wearing an oddly mismatched vest, he looked particularly imposing.

Su Yu muttered as always, shaking his head and saying, "Dad, can't we get a bigger one? Our family has enough money for a new set!"

"What do you understand!"

Su Long was too lazy to pay attention. He brought the dishes to the table without taking off his robe and sat down, saying, "Eat! We can save some money this way, besides, this robe is new..."

"This has been said for three years!"

Su Yu rolled his eyes. Three years ago you said the new one was fine, three years later you're still saying that. My own father is really daring to say that.

Su Long didn't mind, sat down and ate, wolfing it down at an incredibly fast pace.

Su Yu was used to it and didn't mind. He sat down by himself, eating and sighing, "Dad, is there another war on the front lines? I just came back and saw a recruitment truck downstairs, recruiting from our neighborhood. I don't know which family..."

Su Long's eating paused for a moment, then he quickly put down his chopsticks and said earnestly, "Defending one's home and country is everyone's responsibility! From your tone, do you think serving in the army isn't good?"

"Nope!"

Su Yu quickly distanced himself, saying his father was a veteran. He couldn't reveal that or else his father's bear claws wouldn't be a joke.

Su Long let out a soft snort and then picked up his bowl and chopsticks to continue eating.

<<>>>

Su Yu's chopsticks paused mid-air as he looked up at his father. Gone was the previous nonchalance, replaced by a frown directed at his father. "Dad, this has nothing to do with us, right? You've been out of the army for 18 years, and I'm just about to graduate high school and apply to university. They wouldn't even enlist someone like me..."

"It's been 18 years..."

Su Long let out a soft breath. Yes, 18 years had passed.

"Eighteen years after retiring, the Demon Suppression Army issued a recall order for veterans and this time it was sent five times! After the age of 50, you will no longer be within the recall range."

“The first four times, because you were still young, Dad was worried about you, worried that you wouldn't be able to take care of yourself, so Dad didn't answer the call.”

Su Yu's face changed, "Dad, we don't have to go home. This is allowed by policy!"

"Yes, it's permitted by policy!"

Su Long grinned and looked up at his son, "So I didn't go. For 18 years, they called me four times, but I never went! But today, my son is 18!"

"Dad!"

Su Yu's face completely changed, "What do you mean?"

You know what Dad's going to say.

Su Long looked at his son, a mixture of pride and joy on his face. He smiled and said, "Eighteen years ago, although your father was not very capable, he was at least a small captain in the Demon Suppression Army, leading 30 men."

"Back then, when your mother was about to give birth to you, I took leave to come back. Who knew… your mother just left, and you were born. There wasn't an elder at home to take care of you, I really couldn't leave..."

"I'm out of the military now!"

Su Long grinned, a wry smile on his face. "When I left the Demonic Suppression Army, not one of my brothers came to see me off! It wasn't that they couldn't spare me; it was that they were afraid I wouldn't be able to resist running back!"

"For 18 years, no one has contacted me. I'm afraid they want me to go back. I dream of them shouting at me to go home, little doll..."

"The 30th man, this is my first year fighting, and I've killed 9…"

Not a single one went back after their service, the remaining 21... you know how many are left?

"Still on the battlefield!"

Su Long's eyes reddened, "I was selfish, so I didn't dare to ask or inquire! In the previous four mobilizations, I didn't respond at all. But this time... Ah Yu, Dad thought that even if he died, he had to die on the battlefield, dying with his horse wrapped in his cloak, your father... doesn't want to die behind enemy lines!"

Su Yu fell silent.

He had known all along that his father had always been thinking about the front lines, about those old comrades. If it hadn't been for his mother dying in childbirth, his father wouldn't have retired from the Demon Suppression Army and come back to their town.

But he felt that, after 18 years, his father should have forgotten and let go.

Today, father told him, no!

He can't let go!

"Dad…"

Su Yu's face was grim and pale. "The front line is chaotic, and the number of fallen soldiers keeps increasing. We had five mobilizations of veteran soldiers in 18 years alone, once every three or four years. You've served, so you know what that means..."

"I... I haven't gotten married, haven't gone to college, haven't given you any grandchildren..."

Su Long grinned, showing his teeth, "Don't worry, Dad, just wait! You don't think I went back to die, do you? I'm going to win the war!"

"Dad!"

"Kid, cut the crap, eat!"

Sulong interrupted his son, muttering between bites, "After this meal, you cook your own! If there's nothing to eat, go out and get some. There's money on your card, you know the code.

"

Someone is waiting for me downstairs, I can't delay too long.

If you get into a good university, remember to write me a letter. I'll be happy to receive it whenever I have time.

"Getting into Daxia Civilization Academy, you little rascal, you've made your old man proud! Ten out of ten times, this is a sure thing. Even your teachers have shared my confidence. As long as nothing goes wrong, you're guaranteed to pass. The Su family will finally have someone accomplished!"

"You say your brain is so smart, I'm starting to doubt you're even my biological child... but at least you look just like me when I was younger..."

Su Yu's face was a little pale, but he still couldn't help but retort: "Dad, are you sure you looked the same as me when you were young?"

Nonsense, there's no way that could be fake!

Susong raised his head, revealing a rugged face, and grinned: "Ask the neighbor next door, does it look like him?"

Su Yu was powerless. He knew his father was changing the subject, so he brought the topic back again: "Dad, are you really going? I'm not saying this to belittle you, but sir, you've been off the battlefield for 18 years and haven't cultivated anymore. You're only at the peak of a thousand jun now. What use would you be there?"

"Who do you look down on?"

Su Long angrily said, "What's wrong with Qian Jun Jiu Chong? On the battlefield, it's not just about martial arts. If you only look at martial arts, then don't fight! Anything is possible on the battlefield. Back then, when I was Qian Jun Qi Chong, I even killed powerful fighters of Wan Shi Jing!"

Su Yu was troubled. He didn't know if this statement was true or false, but his father had been saying it for many years, so there was a possibility that it might be true.

The key is, he didn't want his father to go to the front lines.

The front lines are constantly in turmoil, with countless soldiers dying every year. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, and his own father, who is almost 50, is now returning to the battlefield... Su Yu dared not even think about it.

"Dad..."

"Shut up!"

Su Long interrupted him, got up and started clearing the dishes, saying seriously, "I've already registered. Not going is desertion! It's fine if you haven't registered yet, but once you register and don't go, you know the consequences! Becoming a deserter is also death!"

"Dad, couldn't you wait for me to come back and discuss it?"

Su Yu was furious!

At this moment, he knows that there is nothing he can change. As his father said, it doesn't matter if they weren't registered. For these old soldiers, the draft wasn't a compulsory order either. These veterans were able to live and retire, they all made great contributions on the battlefield back then.

Once you register, it means you are enlisted, a soldier. If you don't go now, you are a deserter.

"What are you discussing?"

Su Long said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, you won't die. Even if you really do die in battle, the death benefit is generous—remember to go collect it yourself! It'll be enough for you to marry and have children. I've already thought everything through for you!"

Having said that, Su Long picked up his already packed luggage, removed his cloak, grabbed his backpack, and as if he were just going on a short trip, casually instructed, "Study hard for your exams, and support the human race from the rear. Once you reach the academy of civilization, make our Su family proud!"

"Civilization Academy... I'm going back to brag, my son got into Civilization Academy. He's way better than those guys!"

"It's a pity, I can't see the notice. Take a photo of it and send it to me with the letter later. Otherwise, those guys will still think I'm bragging..."

"Dad!"

Su Yu hurriedly got up and caught up with his father, somewhat flustered.

Dad is really leaving!

Over the past 18 years, he had grown accustomed to relying on his father. Today, his father suddenly decided to leave, leaving him completely unprepared.

"I'm an adult, not a child, stop acting childish!"

Su Long chuckled, "If you weren't born yet, your dad wouldn't have left! But now, I have to go back. Eighteen years ago, my squad... there were a few kids your age, Ah Yu, do you know? I dreamt about them... they were crying and shouting in pain, saying how much it hurt, saying they wanted to kill those animals... Your dad, I'm a little regretful now, back then... I should have sent you to the military dependents' village, anyway someone would have taken care of you."

Su Long's eyes were red-rimmed. "I was summoned five times, and for the first four times, I had my bags packed. But every time I saw you, I became selfish and didn't want to leave! This is the fifth time. Will there be a sixth? If there is another one, by the time I reach 50, the Demon Suppression Army won't take me anymore!"

"Let's go, battlefield of the heavens... This old man is going back!"

This time, your father will kill a few tens of thousands of Wan Shi Realm for you to see. I'll make sure to leave evidence so that you have nothing to say!

Su Long waved his hand and strode forward.

For the first time in 18 years, Su Yu saw his father so unrestrained, so powerful.

This… is not what he wanted to see.

"Dad…"

"...Let's get to the point..."

Su Yu stood at the door, gritting his teeth, and suddenly shouted: "If you don't come back, I'll go as a son-in-law! I'll change my surname and cut off the incense of your Su family. If you don't care, then I can do it!"

"I…"

Su Long stumbled, almost turning around to curse.

He suddenly didn't want to leave, he wanted to go home and kill this kid!

This kid is really capable!

Our own Lao Su family has finally produced a talented person, and if this talent were wasted, I wouldn't die in peace!

(Editor in charge：fate stay night visual novel)