You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

With drinks flowing freely and the apprenticeship ceremony completed, even the deal for the "sky-high" priced tank was finalized, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.

However, at this moment when the host and guests were enjoying themselves, Shen Wang stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Brigade Commander, Regiment Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao, and comrades, all good things must come to an end. I... must take my leave now."

Upon hearing this, the lively regimental headquarters instantly fell silent.

"What? Mr. Shen, you're leaving already?" Li Yunlong was the first to jump up.

"This is nothing! Old Li hasn't even properly toasted you a few times yet! Besides, although our base is poor, it's safe! Please stay a few more days so that Old Li can fully express his hospitality!"

The brigade commander quickly stood up and sincerely urged him to stay, saying, "Mr. Shen, why the rush? Is there something we've done wrong in our hospitality?"

"You are our honored guest and our benefactor! Please stay a few more days so we can properly thank you."

Shen Wang felt warm inside as he looked into the sincere eyes of the crowd, but his mind was made up to leave.

He has been here for four days and three nights!

Four days and three nights in a row!

Do you know how he's been spending these past few days?

Suddenly returning to this semi-primitive lifestyle is really hard to get used to and very inconvenient.

It's especially inconvenient when it's convenient.

More importantly, this is the base of the Eighth Route Army. Shen Wang can't just summon a bunch of tools in the blink of an eye, can he?

Transactions and such will naturally be postponed for a while.

"Brigade Commander, Regiment Commander Li, I appreciate your kindness! It's not that we haven't been hospitable, but I simply have some matters to attend to back home. Please rest assured, we'll see each other again soon."

He looked at the brigade commander and added with a hint of apology, "Brigade commander, I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you with the machine gun battalion I promised you next time we meet."

Although the brigade commander was reluctant, seeing Shen Wang's resolute attitude, he did not insist.

"Mr. Shen, you flatter us! Your business is important! We look forward to seeing you again!"

"I will have all the gold and antiques you requested ready and await your arrival!"

The two parties agreed that at their next meeting, they would exchange money for goods.

Seeing that Shen Wang was determined to leave, Sha Zhenjiang's eyes immediately reddened.

"Master! You...you're leaving already? Let me see you off!"

Li Yunlong patted his chest and said, "Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Shen, let Zhenjiang escort you, and I'll send a guard platoon to protect you along the way! I guarantee you'll be safely delivered to your destination!"

Shen Wang was moved, but declined all offers.

He looked at Sha Zhenjiang and said with a smile, "Little Sha, you have an even more important task. You need to teach everyone how to drive tanks during this time."

Shen Wang decided to stay in that 99A.

Anyway, it's no use for him to take it away.

Then he said to Li Yunlong, "Commander Li, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm used to traveling alone. Having too many people around would only attract attention, so there's no need for an escort."

After saying that, he was about to leave.

Just then, Li Yunlong's eyes lit up, and he suddenly slapped his thigh: "Wait! Mr. Shen, please wait a moment!"

After saying that, he turned around and rushed back to his regimental headquarters in a flurry of activity.

A moment later, he ran back carrying a long, old-looking wooden box and solemnly handed it to Shen Wang.

"Mr. Shen! You gave Old Li such a generous gift, saved our comrades, and helped us win so many battles. Old Li will remember it all!"

"Our Eighth Route Army is poor, and I, Old Li, am penniless. I really don't have anything decent to give as a return gift..."

"This is all I have! It's a little something I captured before, please don't mind, please accept it! It's a small token of my appreciation from Li Yunlong and all the soldiers of our Independent Regiment!"

Shen Wang took the wooden box with some curiosity; it felt quite heavy in his hand.

He carefully opened the box and saw a beautifully crafted Japanese commander's sword lying quietly on a red velvet lining.

"This is..." Shen Wang asked, puzzled.

He had barely finished speaking when the brigade commander beside him suddenly exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the knife and looking at Li Yunlong in disbelief:

"You bastard, Li Yunlong! You...you actually pulled out that officer's sword? Last time I begged you until your lips were hoarse and you still wouldn't give it to me, but this time you're really generous!"

After the brigade commander mentioned it, everyone suddenly realized!

This knife is the very one that Li Yunlong seized from the Japanese major general when he led his troops to ambush the Japanese observation group!

In the Eighth Route Army, Japanese commanders' swords were not uncommon, but general officers' swords were a rare sight!

Li Yunlong had always treasured it, refusing to give it to Shen Wang even when the brigade commander asked for it. Unexpectedly, he gave it to Shen Wang without hesitation today!

Old Li chuckled and scratched his head: "Brigadier, please don't belittle me. Compared to all the treasures Mr. Shen gave us, what's this broken knife?"

He then looked at Shen Wang: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Mr. Shen!"

Shen Wang smiled slightly: "Alright! I'll take this knife!"

Not pretentious at all.

Despite his generosity in gifting guns and cannons, he's still a poor guy who can't even afford a down payment on a house.

This officer's sword should improve our lives a bit, right?

In any case, at least these past few days haven't been a waste of time.

Seeing that Shen Wang accepted the gift, Li Yunlong beamed with joy, even happier than if he had won a battle himself.

Finally, surrounded by the brigade commander, Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Ding Zhijian, Sha Zhenjiang and others, Shen Wang was escorted to the village entrance in a lively manner.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed him in a golden glow.

He held the wooden box, alone, and slowly disappeared into the distance.

Watching Shen Wang's departing figure, the brigade commander exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Truly a peerless national hero! Heaven blesses China, sending down such an extraordinary person!"

Li Yunlong nodded vigorously: "Yes! Mr. Shen is incredibly capable, yet he has absolutely no airs, and he's incredibly kind to us Eighth Route Army soldiers! He's a true friend!"

The others nodded silently as well.

This person is such a good person, an incredibly good person!

. . .

2025, Handong Province, Jingzhou City.

Inside a rather simple rented room.

"Ha... I'm finally back!"

Shen Wang yawned, stretched, and loosened his muscles.

He looked up at the time; the screen showed that only about ten hours had passed since he traveled through time last night.

"It took four days and three nights over there, but only half a day here... It's quite a strange feeling."

Shen Wang rubbed his throbbing temples and muttered to himself, "It's probably like jet lag when you travel abroad?"

Of course, Shen Wang had never been abroad; he was just guessing.

But this huge difference in the flow of time still gave him a sense of unreality and disorientation.

One moment they were in the anti-Japanese base area amidst the flames of war, drinking and laughing with Li Yunlong and others, and the next they were back in this quiet modern city where only the occasional sound of traffic could be heard outside the window.

After calming his agitated emotions, Shen Wang took out the officer's knife that Li Yunlong had given him.

However, the moment the wooden box was fully opened, Shen Wang's pupils suddenly contracted, and the expression on his face froze instantly!

What...what's going on?

(Thanks to the amazing verification from the user "The Pervert Who Loves Corn Dumplings"!!!)