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

early morning.

The hangover headache arrived as expected, feeling like a dull saw repeatedly pulling at my skull.

Sunlight streamed through the narrow, blast-proof windows high up in the base, casting a slanted glow on the scratched long table. Last night's revelry had long since turned into a scene of utter devastation; empty bottles lay askew on the floor, and the air still held the lingering smells of cheap cigarettes and strong alcohol.

Liu Ming was the first to wake up.

He pressed his temples with a self-deprecating smile. After all these years, he actually felt a little nostalgic for this feeling of losing control.

He stood up and walked to the wall of honor. There hung a faded military flag, its dark red surface bearing a particularly ferocious fang pierced by lightning. It was the emblem of "Dragon Fang," the only totem for these veterans.

"Old buddy, you're still as tough as ever."

Liu Ming reached out and gently stroked the rough surface of the flag with her fingertips, a tender gesture as if she were caressing a lover's face.

There was a rustling sound behind me.

Tank sat up, rubbing his messy hair, followed by Lone Wolf, Ghost Hand, Poison Doctor, and Vulture. These men, each capable of dominating their respective fields, sat sleepily on the bench, watching the figure standing under the flag, their eyes gradually clearing from confusion.

No one spoke.

The silence lasted for a long time, with only the hum of the ventilation fans deep inside the base.

"Tank, do you still remember the day ten years ago when we took off this skin on the border?" Liu Ming didn't turn around, but her voice was extremely clear in the empty basement.

Tank paused for a moment, then responded in a low voice, "I remember, it was raining really hard that day. Boss, you burned all our files and said that from now on, we'd be a bunch of rootless wandering ghosts."

Liu Ming turned around, leaning against the military flag, his hands in his pockets, his deep gaze sweeping over every face.

"In these ten years, I led you back to Qingyun County, into Haishi, and finally all the way to the Red Walls of Yancheng."

He paused, his tone suddenly becoming unusually calm, even carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Some of you have lost fingers, some have holes in their bodies, and some even hid in dark corners for three whole years to help me collect evidence, not daring to go home."

Liu Ming's voice rose slightly, creating an oppressive atmosphere in the quiet base.

"Look at this flag and tell me honestly."

Do you regret it?

"If you hadn't retired with me back then, if you hadn't followed me back to civilian life and gotten involved in this mess, you might be high-ranking instructors in some military region now, or you might have already transferred back to your hometowns to live a peaceful life."

Liu Ming had kept these words to herself for ten whole years.

Now that he has reached the pinnacle and wields immense power, he still can't get over the hurdle in his heart when he sees the gray hair at his brothers' temples.

"Boss, what you're saying is fucking disrespectful."

Tank was the first to stand up. His towering frame straightened abruptly, the scar on his chest turning slightly red from the bulging muscles. He stared, his voice still booming like a bell.

"I, Tank, haven't had much formal education, but I only believe in one thing: when we were in the army, you took a bullet for me; after we were discharged, you led us to take down all those bastards who killed our brothers. To have followed a man like you to pull off something big in this life, I'd die happy!"

"I would die without regret!" Lone Wolf's voice was still as cold as ice, yet it carried an absolute fervor.

"If I hadn't followed you, my computer skills would probably only be used to patch vulnerabilities for some company." Ghost Hand adjusted his glasses, a proud smile playing on his lips. "It was you, boss, who gave me the authority to weave a vast network of codes across this land. This feeling is better than any fame or fortune."

"Doctors don't kill people, but without your special funds, my folk remedies for saving lives would have rotted in the ground long ago." The Poison Doctor leaned back lazily, but his eyes were unusually firm.

Five men, five pairs of eyes.

All the emotions, all the exhaustion, condensed into those four words at this moment.

Liu Ming looked at them, her chest heaving violently. The passion she hadn't felt for many years suddenly exploded in her heart, which had become accustomed to scheming and power struggles!

"Alright, you said it yourself." Liu Ming laughed loudly, his laughter revealing a lawless and unrestrained pride.

Tank strode forward, ripped open the buttons of his shirt to reveal his muscular physique, which looked like it was cast in steel, and patted his chest heavily.

"Boss! I know you're a leader now, a high-ranking official, and there are some things you can't do openly."

He moved closer to Liu Ming, his eyes gleaming with a wolf-like glint.

"But as long as the motherland needs us, as long as you say the word! Whether it's an open lawsuit or a hidden bullet, the Dragon Fang sword will always be in your hands!"

"Just give the order, and we old bones will be ready to draw our swords at any time!"

Liu Ming looked at the tank, and at these brothers who had long since shed their youthful naiveté but whose passion had not yet cooled.

He extended his right hand, fingers spread, palm down.

"Come."

Without the slightest hesitation, Tank slammed its large, heavy hand down on Liu Ming's hand.

Next came Lone Wolf, whose calloused hand landed steadily.

Ghost Hand, Poison Doctor, Vulture, Wild Boar.

Six hands were tightly clasped together, pressed against the very center of the long table.

At this moment, they were no longer high-ranking officials, no longer incredibly wealthy businessmen, and no longer renowned doctors and hackers.

They were simply the "Dragon Fangs," who had sworn an oath under the red flag to protect the country in the darkness.

The sunlight outside the window completely dispelled the chill of the base.

Looking at his brothers, Liu Ming spoke each word as if he were addressing the military flag and the land they deeply loved, making his final vow for the rest of his life.

"If war breaks out, I will return when summoned!"