He was so persuasive that he actually practiced extraordinary

At this moment, Yang Rui was leading the rescued embassy personnel, carefully evacuating through the building's corridor. "Everyone, lie low! Watch out for stray bullets!" he shouted, vigilantly observing the surroundings as he reminded everyone.

But as soon as Yang Rui stepped out the door, he was stunned—the intense gunfire had subsided, the Ivia government forces were cleaning up the battlefield, and only sporadic gunshots could be heard from the alleys in the distance.

"What's going on?" Zhuang Yu of the Jiaolong Commando Team couldn't help but mutter, "They were fighting fiercely just now, how did it stop so suddenly?"

"These terrorists are too easy to take down!" another team member chimed in, his voice full of surprise.

"Stop bragging, Zhuang Yu!" someone immediately exposed him. "Looking at the corpse on the ground just now, who secretly turned their head to vomit? I saw it!"

"Hey! Don't expose someone's weaknesses when you're picking them up!" Zhuang Yu's face flushed red. "With so many corpses, wouldn't you be scared?"

Amidst the team members' teasing, Yang Rui looked towards the center of the war zone, completely bewildered. There, he saw an Ivia officer with high ranking insignia, smiling broadly as he shook Zhang Beixing's hand; the two seemed to be conversing.

Yang Rui strode forward, just in time to catch the Ivia officer as he took his leave. "Captain Zhang, what were you talking about just now?" he asked curiously.

Zhang Beixing smiled nonchalantly, his tone relaxed: "It's nothing serious. That man was the deputy commander of the Ivia government army. He asked me how much salary I could earn in a month while serving in the army in China."

"Huh?" Yang Rui was even more confused. "Why is he asking this?"

Zhang Beixing shrugged and said casually, "Don't you understand? He wants to hire me to stay and help them fight the war."

"What? They want to hire you to fight?" Yang Rui's face was full of surprise, his eyes wide. "What will you say then?"

“He said he would give me 200,000 euros a month if I stayed,” Zhang Beixing said indifferently, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. “I refused outright. This lousy place, if it weren’t for the evacuation of our citizens, I wouldn’t come even if you gave me a hundred million.”

He waved his hand dismissively, his tone full of disdain: "There are plenty of people who want to win me over, and this little bit of benefit isn't even worth my attention."

After hearing Zhang Beixing's words, Yang Rui was completely stunned, his mouth agape: "Two hundred thousand euros? That's more than two million yuan! You just refused like that?"

Zhang Beixing laughed and patted Yang Rui on the shoulder: "Of course it's true, would I lie to you? By the way, I just recommended you to him, and he said if you're willing to come, he'll pay you 50,000 euros a month."

Yang Rui immediately suppressed his surprise, his expression turning serious, and his tone becoming firm: "I am a member of the Chinese Navy, born a Chinese, and will die a Chinese. I will never become a mercenary!"

Zhang Beixing frowned helplessly at his serious expression: "Brother, I was just joking with you, can't you tell?"

As he spoke, Zhang Beixing glanced around, his gaze landing on the embassy personnel behind the Jiaolong Commando Team. Seeing that everyone was safe and sound, he finally felt relieved.

Consul He Qingliu strode forward, grasped Zhang Beixing's hand tightly, and said excitedly, "Captain Zhang, thank you so much! We really don't know what we would have done without you. You are our saviors!"

"Consul He, you're too kind. Protecting our compatriots is our duty," Zhang Beixing replied with a smile. After a few brief pleasantries, his expression immediately turned serious. "Team Leader Yang, it's not safe here. The terrorists could launch a counterattack at any time. Since everyone is safe, let's evacuate here immediately and head to the port."

Yang Rui nodded, then immediately turned to his team members and embassy staff and loudly ordered: "I'll go!" After a long pause, Zhang Nengliang suddenly raised his head, as if he had made up his mind, and said, word by word, "I'll go!"

"Everyone, get ready! Evacuate immediately!"

Inside the port of Aufama, the majestic warships were quietly docked. Under the close escort of the Jiaolong Commando Team and the Red Cell Group, Consul He Qingliu, all the overseas Chinese and staff arrived safely at the port after a series of close calls.

Political Commissar Zhao personally greeted He Qingliu by the gangway. After a brief conversation, the group boarded the Linyi warship in an orderly manner under the escort of naval soldiers.

After all the expatriates had boarded the ships, the port square suddenly became empty. Only patrol squads of the Ivia government forces remained, carrying out their guard duties within the naval-designated security zone. The entire square was silent, filled with a suffocating stillness.

Zhang Nengliang followed Song Kaifei listlessly with his head drooping, heading towards the bottom of the warship to meet up with Zhang Beixing and the others.

"Hmph, Captain Zhang is underestimating people too much!" Zhang Nengliang muttered incessantly, even the good-tempered Song Kaifei was annoyed by his noise.

"He can go to the battlefield, so why do you think I can't? He's just a special forces soldier, isn't he? I also received special operations training in the Ninth Brigade, so I'm definitely no worse than him!"

Song Kaifei finally lost his temper, abruptly stopped, turned around and glared at him: "You brat! Have you ever been on a real battlefield? Have you ever seen blood and flesh flying everywhere? Have you ever killed an enemy with your own hands?"

What? You killed someone with your own hands?
The question struck Zhang Nengliang like a heavy hammer. He stood there, speechless for a long time, his throat dry.

"You...did you really kill the enemy?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"Nonsense! We've taken out more than just one or two!" Song Kaifei said irritably. "Training and actual combat are two completely different things! Besides, apart from Yang Junyu, who's somewhat promising, the rest of your Ninth Brigade's special operations company are all defeated by our Red Cell team!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke: "The captain is not letting you go because it's for your own good! Once you're on the battlefield and see those severed limbs and intestines spilling out, you'll be terrified!"

Hearing Song Kaifei's unusually serious reprimand, Zhang Nengliang felt a little embarrassed, but still forced a rebuttal: "Impossible! I have a very strong mental fortitude..."

"Heh!" Song Kaifei rolled his eyes at him without any politeness, too lazy to waste any more words with him.

Zhang Nengliang touched his nose dejectedly, wondering to himself: Am I really that disliked?

The two walked forward in silence, finally spotting the Red Cell Team in the distance. Zhang Beixing was standing by the dock, talking to Yang Rui, the captain of the Jiaolong team. Zhang Nengliang subconsciously quickened his pace.

When he finally set foot on the harbor grounds, he felt the tense atmosphere that permeated the place. An invisible pressure seemed to be condensed in the air, and even the sea breeze carried a faint smell of blood.

"Is this... what war feels like?" Zhang Nengliang couldn't help but feel a chill.

Song Kaifei scoffed, "You're far from it, rookie! You're still a long way from being able to compare to our captain! Become the king of soldiers in your Ninth Brigade first!" Sensing the heavy atmosphere around him and recalling Song Kaifei's words, Zhang Nengliang involuntarily put away his usual nonchalant attitude, and all his muscles tensed up.

Zhang Beixing caught a glimpse of the two approaching out of the corner of his eye, and also noticed the change in Zhang Nengliang's expression, but he had no time to pay attention to these things at the moment. Yang Rui was informing him of the latest intelligence.

"We have just received news that the missing head of state of Ivia has been found, but he was seriously injured in an attack."

Zhang Beixing asked calmly, "Is he dead?"

Yang Rui shook his head: "Not yet, but the power of state has been completely transferred to Secretary-General Mohadi."

"So, Mohadi asked us to protect and relocate his family?" Zhang Beixing raised an eyebrow.

Yang Rui was taken aback: "I haven't even said anything yet, how did you know?"

Zhang Beixing gave a wry smile: "Just guessing." With China as a protective umbrella right in front of him, Mohadi couldn't possibly not seek help.

He let out a long sigh of relief and added, "But this makes our next task really tricky."

Seeing Zhang Beixing's solemn expression, Yang Rui asked hesitantly, "What do you mean?"

“If we are to continue to penetrate deeper into Ivia, those armed forces that are creating unrest, especially the Zaka group, will definitely try to kill us in order to put pressure on China and force us to give up our support for Mohadi.”

After listening, Yang Rui nodded in deep agreement: "However, our evacuation mission has been completed, and the warships are about to return to port, so we should..."

As fate would have it, before Yang Rui could finish speaking, Captain Gao Yun called out to both of them simultaneously through their earpieces.

"I'm here! Please give instructions, Captain!" Yang Rui immediately interrupted, responding in a deep voice.

Gao Yun's steady and powerful voice came through the earpiece: "Yang Rui, Zhang Beixing, listen up. A female reporter named Xia Nan just contacted us through the 12308 hotline, saying that a Chinese citizen named Deng Mei has been kidnapped by the terrorist organization Zaka."

"The kidnappers are currently located in the town of Basem, but the Ivia government will not allow us to send more troops. Therefore, Jiaolong and Red Cell need to work together. Your mission is to rescue the kidnapped Chinese citizens!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Yang Rui's eyes, and he gave Zhang Beixing a strange look. Zhang Beixing helplessly shrugged, indicating that it was none of his business.

Yang Rui withdrew his gaze and nodded emphatically as usual: "Yes, Captain, understood!"

Zhang Beixing also sighed almost imperceptibly, "What is meant to be will be."

"Understood!" the two replied in unison.

Gao Yun continued, "Later, a convoy of government troops will escort the people of Ivia to the evacuation point in armored vehicles. They will pass through Basem along the way. You can hitch a ride with them."

"Furthermore, you are operating alone this time, making it difficult for warships to provide timely support. While ensuring the rescue of the hostages, you must prioritize safety!"

"Yes, Captain, please rest assured!" Zhang Beixing took a deep breath, already prepared for a tough battle. "I will bring everyone back safely."

After the communication ended, Yang Rui immediately turned around and summoned the Jiaolong team members. Zhang Beixing also slowly turned around and looked at Zhang Nengliang, who had been waiting quietly to the side.

"Zhang Nengliang".

Upon hearing the call, Zhang Nengliang instinctively stood at attention.

Zhang Beixing said slowly, "You're smart; you should know what we're about to face. I'll give you another chance to choose."

“Being afraid is not shameful. You can stay on the warship. If you insist on coming with us, you will likely be killed. Although I promise to bring everyone back, the situation on the battlefield can change in an instant, and I cannot be your babysitter.”

After saying this, Zhang Beixing immediately transmitted the order via radio: "Red Cell Team, replenish your ammunition as soon as possible, and assemble in ten minutes!"

After listening to Zhang Beixing's words, Zhang Nengliang fell into deep thought. Time ticked by, and a fierce internal struggle raged within him.

After a long pause, Zhang Nengliang suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination, and said, word by word, "I'll go!"

He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning slightly white, and his eyes, fixed on Zhang Beixing, were filled with an indomitable spirit: "I know I've never been on a real battlefield, but I can drive a tank! The terrain in Basem is complex, and if we encounter the rebels' armored vehicles, I might come in handy. Besides, I don't want to be seen as a 'brat' who only causes trouble. I want to prove that I can be a soldier that everyone can trust!"

Zhang Beixing stared at him for a few seconds, seeing a glimpse of his younger self in that stubborn gaze. He slowly nodded: "Alright, I'll take you with me. But let me make this clear: once we get to Basem, you must obey my orders unconditionally. Even if I tell you to stay in the car and not move, you absolutely cannot act on your own. If you dare to disobey orders, I'll immediately send you back to the port with the rest of the convoy."

"I guarantee to obey orders!" Zhang Nengliang immediately straightened his back, gave a military salute that was not perfect but very serious, and finally showed a relieved smile on his face.

Ten minutes later, the Red Cell Special Operations Team and the Jiaolong Commando Team were fully assembled. The team members, carrying tactical backpacks filled with equipment, quickly headed towards the temporarily designated boarding point. In the distance, through the dust, a convoy of Ivia government troops—six armored vehicles and four off-road vehicles—slowly approached, their bodies bearing prominent government insignia; this was the convoy that had been arranged to provide escort.

After the convoy came to a stop, a figure carrying a black camera bag and clutching a notebook jumped out of the SUV—it was none other than Xia Nan, the female reporter who had previously provided intelligence on terrorists in Basem town via the hotline. As soon as she landed, she strode quickly towards Yang Rui, her face displaying an unwavering determination.

The convoy was currently undergoing refueling. Soldiers moved between vehicles with fuel hoses, the hissing sound of fuel being poured echoing in the air. The team members took the opportunity to rest by the vehicles. He Chenguang wiped the scope of his sniper rifle, Xu Tianlong checked the sharpness of his tactical knife, and Li Erniu took out compressed biscuits and ate small bites to replenish his energy. Only Xia Nan didn't rest. She directly blocked Yang Rui, who was about to check the refueling progress, in front of an armored vehicle. The two quickly started arguing, and their voices gradually attracted the attention of the surrounding team members.

"Captain Yang, I know your mission is to rescue Deng Mei, but I have to go to Basem with you!" Xia Nan's voice was urgent, her hands gripping her notebook tightly. "My assistant is still trapped there, and I have something even more important to do—I've been investigating the black market nuclear weapons raw material 'yellowcake' for six months now, and Basem is Zaka's material transit point. I have to go and get the evidence!" (End of Chapter)