Strongest Soldier King

On the tumultuous sea, the speedboat shot up into the air, turning into a massive fireball, rolling several times and landed on the sea surface with a fierce wind, splashing countless waves. The flames gradually extinguished upon meeting the water, and the speedboat slowly sank. The yacht fared no better, shattered by the impact, debris everywhere, slowly sinking.

Luo Zheng stared red-eyed at the sinking yacht, as if his heart sank to the seabed with it. The towering anger solidified in his eyes, as though it would burn the tiger eyes to ashes. His whole body tensed up, hands gripping the railing as if carved from stone, unmoving, letting the sea breeze blow over him like a sculpture.

The sea patrol boat quickly surged ahead, while the other two moved to encircle the freighter from the rear. Luo Zheng's face was frost-rigid, eyes glaring with splitting intensity, body emanating endless resentment and regret. If not for him, Niu Gang and the ten brave men would not be in trouble.

"Look over there, what is that?" Tong Haisheng returned, eyes wide open, pointing at the sea.

Luo Zheng was taken aback, looking in the direction Tong Haisheng pointed to, he saw some people bobbing in the sea, only their heads above water, swimming towards the explosion with the waves. Startled, Luo Zheng focused his gaze and saw it was Niu Gang and his group; they weren't dead, they had jumped into the sea in advance to escape. Yet they hadn't forgotten their mission, continuing to swim forward, paddling with their hands to apprehend the target.

What admirable warriors, Luo Zheng's tiger eyes became moist, his nose sour, choked with emotion. His expression softened a bit, and carefully counting, none were missing. He finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, murmuring, "Well done, well done."

"Indeed, they anticipated danger early and took measures, all commendable." Tong Haisheng also spoke emotionally, moved by Niu Gang and the others' actions. Suddenly he raised his voice and shouted, "Brothers, rush forward, quickly rescue them, and see if any of the enemies are still alive."

The enemies initiated a frenzied attack, certainly considering escape by sea. Precautions were necessary. The sea patrol officers, holding back a furious fire, loudly followed orders, steering the boat forward. Luo Zheng calmed down gradually, relieved that Niu Gang and others were safe, watching them spread around the explosion area searching for something, with no signs of others.

"People ahead, stop moving immediately, stay in place, or we'll shoot." Suddenly, a voice shouted over the loudspeaker.

Luo Zheng was startled, looking towards the farther distance, saw no one, naturally glancing at Tong Haisheng, who contemplated, "Must be the observer noticing something unusual."

Soon, the sea patrol boat reached them, throwing down a rope. Niu Gang and the others grabbed it and skillfully climbed onto the patrol boat. Niu Gang ran towards Luo Zheng, drenched, saluted and said, "I'm sorry, couldn't catch the target, also lost the yacht, please punish."

"No more words, you being alive is enough." Luo Zheng stepped forward, giving Niu Gang a bear hug in comfort.

As a Zhongnanhai bodyguard, any mistake is unacceptable, let alone failure. It means those protected could die. Niu Gang and his team had developed a no-mistake habit. For Luo Zheng, losing is just a soldier's routine, regain it next time, same military men, two different philosophies, irrespective of right or wrong, but each mindset is entirely different.

Niu Gang smiled gratefully but didn't forgive himself, stepping aside. Luo Zheng understood Niu Gang's professionalism, saying, "The sea patrol has located the target ahead. How about you capture them?"

"Yes." Ecstatic at the opportunity to redeem himself, Niu Gang stood tall, loudly accepting, and hurriedly rushed with his team, afraid Luo Zheng might change his mind.

The sea patrol boat quickly caught up with the swimmers. Niu Gang and his team dove into the sea, ten people surrounding two men and a woman. Both sides fought without guns, relying solely on punches and kicks. Niu Gang and his team, harboring deep anger, hit heavily. They dove and resurfaced, continuing the fight, eventually knocking the three unconscious. They carried them onto the ship using ropes.

Luo Zheng looked at the three unconscious on the deck, recognizing the woman from monitoring. Joyful, he said to Tong Haisheng, "Arrange rooms for separate interrogations. Leave that to you. I don't care what method you use, get the desired intelligence in the shortest time possible," glancing at Niu Gang.

"Yes," Niu Gang joyfully saluted, accepting immediately.

Tong Haisheng agreed, immediately coordinating for room space. Suddenly, intensive gunfire erupted. Everyone was shocked, rushing to the deck to see two other patrol boats engaging the freighter people. Tong Haisheng, not waiting for Luo Zheng's command, shouted, "Quick, go help, these arrogant beasts."

The patrol boat rushed towards the freighter, everyone ready, bullets loaded. Niu Gang led a few carrying the unconscious captives, following Tong Haisheng into the cabin. Those remaining guarded Luo Zheng closely, fearing he might get hurt. Luo Zheng smiled wryly, not objecting. Indeed injured, he couldn't join the fight. From afar, he observed the freighter, puzzled why they fired—weren't they declaring war against all of Huaxia Country? What desperate reason drove them?

Before long, the patrol boat surrounded the freighter with the other two in formation, the sea patrols firing. The freighter, unable to withstand the crossfire, had to hide in containers to resist, making it difficult for anyone to hit targets.

"I'm not at the point of needing protection, go help, find a way to infiltrate the ship." Luo Zheng instructed a few Zhongnanhai bodyguards beside him, his demeanor turning cold. The enemy's arrogance and firepower infuriated Luo Zheng immensely. This was Huaxia Country's waters—how could any Japan's pirates rampage?

"But?" The other bodyguards hesitated, concerned.

"No buts, they're Japan's pirates. As soldiers, it's every one's dream to vanquish them. Isn't it yours? Today you're not just bodyguards or security, but iron-blooded warriors defending the country. Go, show me your skills, don't let the sea police look down on us." Luo Zheng commanded unequivocally.

No passionate soldier wouldn't have wished to be born during the resistance era, to fight against Japan. Zhongnanhai guards are soldiers, tasked primarily with protecting central leaders, yet their patriotism and dreams remain unwithered. Seeing a chance to confront Japan across the ocean, they were excited, yet protecting Luo Zheng was paramount, leaving them hesitant.

"Are you cowards? I'm staying right here, perfectly safe," Luo Zheng bellowed.