If I made you a special forces soldier, would you become a terrestrial god?

The night at Kunlun Base was not entirely silent. Even with soundproofing installed in the dormitory walls, it couldn't block out the life rhythms generated by the Grandmasters' excessive energy. It was a series of deep rumbles, extremely high in frequency, the resonance of their bodies as their tissues were constantly fine-tuned under the nourishment of internal energy.

Zhuang Yan was leaning against his locker. He had changed out of his signature woodland camouflage outfit and into an inconspicuous black hoodie. In the dimly lit room, his aura as a late-stage Grandmaster had completely subsided; if one didn't look closely, he would appear like a stubborn rock sunk to the bottom of the sea.

"Alright, stop dawdling." Zheng Sanpao leaned against the headboard opposite him, a whetstone in his hand. At their level, combat daggers no longer needed such primitive sharpening, but the old man seemed more accustomed to the rough, grinding sound to calm his nerves. He didn't look up, but precisely caught Zhuang Yan's movements. "If you want to see Doctor Xiaoying, then get lost. The division commander has granted us three hours of free time this time; if you waste it choosing clothes, I'll look down on you."

Qiang Xiaowei sat on the upper bunk, flipping through a yellowed photograph in the dim light—his family tree. He chuckled, a hint of mischief in his voice: "Xiao Zhuang, remember to say hello to Xiao Ying for the brothers. And tell her to stock up on any secret, high-efficiency bandages she has in the medical area. Even though we're tough now, if you get scratched by some evil spirit from the Japanese, she'll be worried sick when you get back."

Zhuang Yan didn't respond, simply pulling his hoodie up over his head. He knew his old buddies were trying to relieve his stress. Tomorrow, crossing the strait and setting foot on that land wouldn't just be a mission, but a reckoning. He patted Lao Pao on the shoulder, then, with a swift movement, like a wisp of smoke blown away by the wind, he vaulted out the window.

The family quarters in the base's medical area are located in a slightly remote area. There's always a faint smell of disinfectant in the air here.

Zhuang Yan stood in the shade of the old locust tree. With his senses heightened to the extreme, he could clearly distinguish the characteristics of every breath in the corridor. On the third floor to the left, the light yet firm breathing belonged to Lin Xiaoying.

He didn't make a phone call or send a signal; he just stood there.

Less than two minutes later, a slightly slender figure pushed open the building entrance door. Lin Xiaoying was wearing a large white coat, her long hair loose over her shoulders. She ran quickly, her military boots clattering sharply on the concrete.

"Xiao Zhuang!" Lin Xiaoying immediately spotted the location in the shadows.

Zhuang Yan took two steps forward, stretched out his arms, and embraced the warm, medicinal-scented body. The moment Lin Xiaoying bumped into his chest, he felt a sense of completeness, as if a missing piece of a puzzle had been filled in.

"How did you know I was here?" Zhuang Yan asked in a low voice, his voice hoarse from being exposed to the desert winds and sand.

Lin Xiaoying buried her face in his chest and replied in a muffled voice, "I could smell the gunpowder on you even from three floors away. Besides, my heart was pounding just now, and I had a feeling that you were coming to see me one last time."

"Don't say that word, it's unlucky," Zhuang Yan corrected.

The two walked slowly along the path behind the medical area. The ground was covered in dry pine needles, which crunched underfoot.

"You're leaving tomorrow, right?" Lin Xiaoying held Zhuang Yan's hand. His hands were large and covered in calluses, but with the blessing of the Grandmaster realm, his skin had a warm and smooth texture, a manifestation of overflowing true energy. "The whole base is talking about it. Especially this afternoon, the frequency of transport plane takeoffs and landings was frighteningly high."

Zhuang Yan had no intention of hiding it, nor could he. A gathering of this scale could not be concealed from those who were interested.

"This trip might mean we'll be out of contact for a while." Zhuang Yan looked at the distant mountain range outline. "I'm going to a place to demolish what needs to be demolished and collect the debts that need to be paid."

Lin Xiaoying stopped and turned around, scrutinizing the man before her in the dim moonlight. She reached out and straightened the collar of his hoodie, her fingers tracing a light-colored scar on Zhuang Yan's neck. It was a mark he had left during a raid in the border jungle.

"You used to be a special forces soldier, and every time you left, I worried about whether you would come back unharmed." Lin Xiaoying's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the calmness unique to a doctor. "But it's different now. Seeing how hard you guys have been training these past few days, I know that the ones who should be worried are the people on the other side."

At this point, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Xiaoying's eyes, a manifestation of the deep-seated hatred for her country and family in the face of righteousness.

"Kill a few more. For our ancestors, and for this uniform we wear. I guard the pharmacy and operating room in Kunlun, but this time, I don't want to see any of you on that table."

After saying that, Lin Xiaoying stood on tiptoe and took the initiative to wrap her arms around Zhuang Yan's neck. The kiss carried the coolness of the mountain breeze, but it exploded with an almost molten heat the moment they made contact.

Meanwhile, in another dormitory...

As everyone was undergoing their final breath-regulating exercises, the oxygen in the room was being consumed at a much higher rate than usual. Air currents flowed in and out of each soldier's lungs, creating a faint rumble of thunder.

He Chenguang sat alone on the corner balcony. The wind was strongest here, and it was also the best way to keep one awake.

He clutched the encrypted phone in his hand, its firewall personally reinforced by Division Commander Su Chen. The screen's light illuminated his face, which had lost its youthful innocence.

The call was connected very quickly.

"Xiaoxiao, are you asleep?"

Lin Xiaoxiao on the other end of the phone seemed to be waiting as well, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Chenguang! Not yet, I just finished my graduation thesis. And... your voice sounds a little strange?"

He Chenguang sat on the edge of the bed, watching his roommates enter a deep state of breathing adjustment, and lowered his voice.

"The training intensity has probably been too high these past few days. Xiaoxiao, I need to tell you something. I'm about to go on a mission with the team, so I might not be able to message you for a while."

Lin Xiaoxiao was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone.

She was a smart girl who knew what level a so-called "mission" represented in a place like Kunlun.

"I know. Your unit has discipline, I won't ask."

"But I have one request."

Lin Xiaoxiao's voice became serious and earnest.

"No matter where you go, no matter who you're dealing with, you must take good care of yourself. Even if... even if it's for my sake, you can't let anything happen to you."

He Chenguang felt a slight sting in his nose. He closed his eyes, and the image of Lin Xiaoxiao waving to him under the sycamore tree at the school gate floated into his mind.

"Xiaoxiao, don't worry. With my current strength, no one can hurt me. I just want... I want to hear your voice."

"Now that the mission is accomplished, I'll report back and take you back to your grandparents' house for braised pork."

Lin Xiaoxiao burst into laughter through her tears on the other end of the phone.

"You said it yourself, you can't go back on your word. If you dare to lie to me, I'll stage a sit-in at the gate of your base."

The two chatted for a long time, from interesting things at school to their dreams for the future.

He Chenguang did not mention the three goals that made his blood boil.

He wanted to give her these honors as the best gift, to tell her in person on the day of his triumphant return.

By the time the call ended, it was already very late at night.

He Chenguang lay on his back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He could feel the pure internal energy within his body circulating wildly.

For this peace, for the girl who is waiting for him.

Let alone raiding the hideouts of those families.

Even if it means going to heaven or earth, he will fight his way to a bright and clear world.

The sound of even breathing gradually filled the dormitory. These soldiers were greeting the dawn that was destined to be recorded in history with their best spirits.