Strongest Soldier King

The camaraderie born from shared life and death experiences cannot be described by any pen nor expressed with any words. A single glance, a decision, carries the weight of their lives. The intense bond of comradeship diffuses amid laughter, and personal futures are decided in these moments. In everyone's hearts, the camaraderie formed from life-and-death kinship surpasses all else.

After some small talk, Lan Xue announced the meeting's end and gestured for Luo Zheng to walk with her toward the squad captain's office. The squad's decision needed to be reported quickly for unified organization. The captain was reviewing files in the office. Seeing the two approach, he indicated for them to sit, put down the document, and came over with a satisfied smile, saying, "Your squad's initial review for Elite Soldier King status has passed. You'll soon enter the final review, and there's a high chance of passing. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Captain," Luo Zheng and Lan Xue said in unison. Although they had been aware of this result earlier, hearing the official notice still filled them with excitement. After all, it was everyone's dream goal, and as passionate soldiers, who wouldn't want to advance?

"No need to thank me; you earned it yourselves. It's just that a restructuring came at this time, but it doesn't matter. It's all for the country and the people. Right, what does your squad choose?" Captain Wu Jin asked, observing the two with keen interest.

"We're staying at headquarters to form a Special Service Team," Lan Xue replied without hesitation.

"Huh?" Captain Wu Jin looked at Lan Xue in surprise, then at Luo Zheng, understanding somewhat, but didn't reveal it. After some thought, he said, "With your ability and battle merits, you'd become a military officer in a sub-squad, making colonel in two or three years would be no issue. Staying at headquarters might not offer anything and is also dangerous. Is that decided?"

"This is a collective decision by the squad. Everyone is willing to stay," Lan Xue explained seriously.

"Since it's a collective absolute, then okay. The Special Service Team will be split into three sub-teams at battalion level. Each sub-team does not have a number but does have a code name, which you'll decide yourselves; just file it with me. Also, unlike before, each sub-team will have mixed troops including combat troops, information troops, medical troops, intelligence troops, etc. You can recruit personnel yourselves, report, and arrange according to circumstances," Captain Wu Jin instructed.

"Understood, is there a limit on the number of each troop type?" Lan Xue asked.

"Except for the combat troop, others should not exceed three members in principle," Wu Jin answered.

"Got it." Lan Xue immediately thought of a few candidates, agreed, and gave Luo Zheng a glance.

Luo Zheng smiled understandingly and asked, "Captain, can Tiger King be in our group?"

"This?" Captain Wu Jin pondered for a moment before continuing, "Organizations have specific arrangements for Tiger King. His age is indeed advanced and can't handle too much work. The organization has spoken to him about taking up the role of sword skill instructor responsible for all National Blade members' blade skills. I'll convey your idea to him; let him decide for himself."

"Understood." Luo Zheng agreed; with things said to this point, it wasn't good to insist further. He contemplated and felt relieved; although Tiger King's combat power and practical experience were formidable, these were things of decades past, and he may not be adept in modern special combat. Adjusting to modern weapons also requires time, and given his age, it's unnecessary to make changes.

"Have you considered some candidates?" Captain Wu Jin asked curiously.

The two shook their heads, with Lan Xue explaining, "Not yet, but we're about to talk to people, and also, can our sub-team's code name be Dragon Tooth?"

"Hmm, I'll think about it. This requires organizational discussion before responding to you." Captain Wu Jin answered, savored the name "Dragon Tooth" for a bit, found it fitting, and continued, "Alright, if there's nothing else, that'll be it. Your squad will rest for a month, conduct recovery training at the base during this period."

"Understood." The two stood up, saluted, and left.

After leaving the captain's office, the two found Ghost Hand and the other three, briefly explained the situation, and Lan Xue continued, "We have Hong Meihua for intelligence troops, my sister Lan Xue for information troops; we're still short of hands. Everyone spread out and start looking for people; find suitable ones and quickly inform me. I'm thinking of leveraging my grandfather's connections, seeing if priority arrangements can be made."

"Ye Laixiang is great, but I reckon she'd join Shadow's team. Not sure about Shadow's choice, as well as Drunkard and Snow Fox," Ghost Hand said quietly.

"No rush, this matter requires time. Right now, it's just testing the waters, and I estimate it might take one or two months to finalize. Everyone use this time to train thoroughly, as we're an elite squad now; let's maintain our prestige," Lan Xue reminded.

"Don't worry, we know what to do," Ghost Hand and others agreed.

They chatted for a while before heading to the training ground for recovery training. In the following days, everyone was busy crawling, rolling on the training ground; Luo Zheng felt his body recovering again, with hints of improvement in physical strength and speed, even his shooting was notably in excellent form, an outcome that delighted him.

Two weeks later in the morning, Luo Zheng was practicing Invisible Blade Skill in his room; Lan Xue had gone to the captain's office for something. While practicing, he sensed someone arriving and, assuming it was Lan Xue, called out, "Xue Er, you've arrived. I just had some insights; let's exchange thoughts."

"All you think about is Xue Er," a melodious voice replied with a hint of reproach.

Luo Zheng was startled and looked back to see Wu Miao standing there, causing him to smile awkwardly. He put away the blade, grabbed a towel to wipe sweat, and asked, "Anything you need?"

"Can't I come without a reason?" Wu Miao retorted irritably, saw Luo Zheng's sheepish smile, and felt her temper slipping. After a moment's reflection, she said, "The restructuring has affected us on the medical side as well. The organization assigned me as a head instructor and chief physician at headquarters; I heard your squad needs people, so I volunteered? You don't mind, do you?" She gazed at Luo Zheng closely, concealing her anxiety and a surge of nameless emotion.

"How could I? Having you, such a miraculous doctor, ensures our lives are 70% more secure; you're more than welcome," Luo Zheng quickly responded, surprised Wu Miao would give up the organization's favorable arrangement to join the sub-team, his smile appreciative.

"As long as you don't object, that's all. You carry on with your training." Wu Miao left abruptly after saying this.

Luo Zheng was baffled; just as Lan Xue arrived, about to share the good news with her, Lan Xue asked in surprise, "Military Doctor Wu, why did she come looking for you? Never mind, don't mention it now. The organization has assigned us a task; something major happened recently. The Intelligence Team analyzed the case and feels that the opponent's style resembles Charlie, alarming my grandfather. Grandfather's thought is that since we have experience dealing with Charlie, we should take it on."