Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

At the end of the year, the Great Cold arrives.

Inside the provincial party committee auditorium, however, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, even exuding a restless heat that stirred the blood. The province-wide year-end summary and commendation conference was being held here.

This was more than just a routine meeting. For the officials of Jiangnan Province, it was more like a changing of the guard. In the center of the stage, Provincial Party Secretary Chu Tiankuo pushed aside his prepared speech. He looked down at the audience, his gaze lingering for a long time on the youngest and most striking face.

"Finally, we will present the most prestigious award of the year—the 'Outstanding Contribution Award for the Province.'" Chu Tiankuo's voice was deep and powerful, carrying through the microphone to every corner.

The entire audience was solemn.

Everyone knows that, apart from that man, no one else can secure this award.

"Comrade Liu Ming, please come up to the stage."

Amidst thunderous applause, Liu Ming stood up. He was still wearing that dark jacket, his steps steady, his expression calm. He walked through the gazes on either side, some filled with awe, others with fervor, and ascended the podium that symbolized the highest honor in Jiangnan Province.

Chu Tiankuo personally accepted the medal from the hostess. It was made of pure gold, with ears of wheat inlaid along the edges, and it radiated a sacred luster under the light.

He didn't rush to pin the medal on Liu Ming's chest, but looked at Liu Ming, his eyes even glistening with a rare tear.

"Comrades, I'd like to say something unrelated to the main topic today."

Chu Tiankuo turned around and faced the hundreds of officials at the bureau level and above below the stage, his tone becoming unusually emotional.

"Six months ago, what was Jiangnan Province like? Everyone knows. The economy was stagnant, the officialdom was corrupt, and the people were cursing us behind our backs. Back then, I, as the Party Secretary, couldn't sleep every night. I kept thinking, who can break this deadlock in Jiangnan Province?"

He pointed to Liu Ming beside him.

"It was this young man. He single-handedly stormed into Ningzhou and ripped out the cancer that had festered for years. Despite a deluge of complaints and assassination orders, he pulled our Jiangnan Province's GDP from last place to among the top three in the country. He almost died in the forests of Phoenix Mountain while trying to seek justice for those 118 innocent souls."

Chu Tiankuo took a deep breath, his voice a little hoarse.

"I often hear people say that there are no heroes in today's society, only interests. But when I look at Liu Ming, I see what a true backbone is."

He straightened his back and said, word by word, "In this arena of power, there are many clever people, but few clever people with integrity. What is a national hero? One who works for the benefit of the country, speaks out for the people, disregards life and death, and does not pursue empty fame."

"I, Chu Tiankuo, would like to give an evaluation of Comrade Liu Ming."

Chu Tiankuo suddenly turned around and solemnly pinned the heavy medal to Liu Ming's chest.

"A peerless hero!"

boom!

These four words, like a thunderclap spanning a thousand years, resounded loudly in the auditorium!

At that moment, all the hundreds of people in the audience stood up in unison.

It was shocking, and even more so, it was awe-inspiring.

"A peerless hero..." Zhang Dapao, sitting in the back row, had red eyes and his palms were bruised from clapping. He muttered to himself, "To be able to work with someone like him in this life is worth it, absolutely worth it!"

Liu Ming looked at Chu Tiankuo, at the old Party Secretary who had shielded him from countless open and hidden attacks. He didn't utter any grand words, but simply straightened his back and gave a perfectly standard military salute to the audience, to the Jiangnan Province where he had shed blood and tears.

The golden medal gleamed on his chest.

The applause from the audience was like a tsunami, wave after wave, almost lifting the roof off the auditorium.

however.

Amidst the clamor of voices, behind this scene of peace and glory.

In the shadows of the side door on the second floor, a man wearing a black baseball cap and a cleaner's uniform was coldly watching the radiant figure on the stage.

He did not applaud.

There wasn't even a facial expression.

He had an extremely tiny, invisible earpiece inserted in his right ear.

"Target locked," the man muttered to himself, his voice like a venomous snake crawling in a cold, dark cave.

"He's a hero in the city now, when security is at its lowest." A hoarse, synthesized voice came through the earpiece. "Old K said that's his final 'birthday gift.' Since he ruined everything we had in Ningzhou, let him die at his most glorious moment."

The man pulled down the brim of his hat, turned around, and silently disappeared into the darkness.

Behind him.

The cheers inside the auditorium continued.

Chu Tiankuo was holding Liu Ming's hand as they greeted the crowd.

Xi Wanqing sat in the corner, her beautiful eyes filled with proud tears.

Nangong Yao sat in the audience, a victor's smile on her lips.

No one noticed.

Beneath that golden glory, a black net, soaked in blood and despair, is silently opening once more.

Liu Ming's smile faltered slightly.

He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up without warning in that instant.

That was the "Asura's" most instinctive warning of death.

He glanced at the dark corner on the second floor of the auditorium, a cold, murderous glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

"It's not over yet."

He said it to himself.

Thunderous applause, crisis.

Like a shadow following you.