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

"Master, how did you do that 'Bone-Dislocating Chain Technique' just now? Teach me!"

In the spacious back seat of the Hongqi car, Lin Xiaoxiao clung to Liu Ming like a leech. Her large eyes gleamed with undisguised fervor, completely devoid of the dignity befitting a female major general in the military. She was nothing more than a devoted fangirl who had successfully met her idol.

After being knocked down by Liu Ming in one move in the courtyard, this girl not only didn't get angry or ashamed, but instead seemed to have had her meridians opened up, and she completely surrendered. In her worldview, might makes right.

Liu Ming was able to easily neutralize her proud killing technique without harming her in the slightest. This overwhelming strength shattered all her pride.

Thus, the "martial arts contest to find a husband" scene instantly turned into "shamelessly begging to become a disciple".

Liu Ming was so annoyed by her pestering that he could only turn his gaze to the window.

The street scenes of the capital city were rapidly receding. Although Lin Xiaoxiao's loud and boisterous personality was exasperating, Liu Ming had to admit that having this girl by his side in the complex power struggles of the capital city did indeed save him a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Although Old Master Lin was a formidable figure, he was getting on in years and couldn't be involved in everything. Lin Xiaoxiao, the rising star in the military known as the "Little Devil of the Lin Family," was his best "passport" in the elite circles of Beijing.

What's more, this girl has a skill that others can't match—gossip.

"Xiaoxiao, stop fooling around."

Liu Ming withdrew his gaze, his expression turning serious. He pointed to the black confidential briefcase on the passenger seat.

"I'm asking you, have you heard any rumors within the military lately about the southwestern border?"

When Liu Ming brought up serious matters, Lin Xiaoxiao stopped her playful smile. She sat up straight, straightened her military uniform which had been slightly disheveled from the fight, and frowned slightly.

"Master, why are you asking this? That's top secret."

"I know it's top secret. That's why I'm asking you." Liu Ming stared into her eyes. "That call just now was made directly from the central command to my red-line phone. The fact that this line could be used means that things have reached a point where they can't be resolved by conventional means."

Lin Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, lowered her voice, and said in a volume only the two of them could hear:

"Actually, the reason I came to see you today, besides wanting to spar with you, is also because I was entrusted with this task by my grandfather."

"Three days ago, a scientific expedition team composed of my country's top geologists suddenly lost contact while conducting secret exploration in the 'Valley of Death' on the southwestern border."

"Out of contact?" Liu Ming keenly caught the word. "Out of contact on their own country's borders?"

"That's the most crucial thing!" Lin Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, a flash of anger in her eyes. "According to satellite reconnaissance, they didn't lose contact accidentally. They were kidnapped by an unidentified armed force!"

"Moreover, the other side was extremely arrogant. They not only deployed a large number of booby traps and anti-aircraft firepower around the hijacking site, but also sent a provocative video to our military via the dark web."

"What do they want?" Liu Ming asked coldly.

"They want us to hand over the mining rights to that area! Because the research team discovered an extremely rare, room-temperature superconducting rare mineral vein there that could change the future landscape of the aerospace industry!"

"That's a strategic resource capable of changing the fate of a nation!"

Lin Xiaoxiao clenched her hands into fists.

"The military high command was furious and immediately prepared to send special forces for a rescue. But..."

She paused, her tone becoming incredibly aggrieved.

"The other side is very cunning. They hijacked the research team to the buffer zone on the border. That location is very sensitive. If our regular army were to cross the border on a large scale, it could be seized upon by those Western countries that have been watching us closely, making a big fuss about it in the international community, or even triggering a local war."

"Therefore, the higher-ups are hesitant to act for fear of causing serious consequences, and the current situation is at a stalemate."

"To throw a stone at a rat for fear of breaking the vase." These four words reveal the helplessness and forbearance that a great power must face in the process of rising to power.

Liu Ming closed his eyes. In an instant, countless topographical maps of "Death Valley" and the top-secret missions he had carried out in that jungle flashed through his mind.

"So, Old Lin sent you to find me."

When Liu Ming opened her eyes again, a fierce battle was burning in her deep gaze.

"Because my current position is a director of a department at the National Development and Reform Commission, which is a civilian official, and I have already retired from the 'Dragon Fang'."

"If I were to conduct a rescue in my personal capacity, leading a 'civilian security team,' even if things escalated, it would be considered an 'accidental conflict,' and those Western media outlets, even if they wanted to smear me, wouldn't be able to find a pretext at the national level."

"That's why the central command called me over."

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at Liu Ming and nodded vigorously.

"Master, this is too dangerous. The other side dared to kidnap a national scientific expedition team on the border; they are definitely not ordinary mercenaries. My grandfather said that if you don't want to go, no one can force you."

"You don't want to?"

Liu Ming smiled. That smile was like a knife that had just drunk blood, its sharpness fully revealed, sending chills down one's spine.

He touched the crisscrossing scars beneath his shirt. Some had faded, while others still ached faintly. They were medals he had earned with his life for this land.

"Xiaoxiao, do you know why I agreed to take on this mess that the High-Tech Division is in with your grandfather?"

Liu Ming looked out the window at the bustling streets of the capital, his voice deep and powerful.

"Because I want this country to no longer be technologically dependent on others. I want the peace that our forefathers sacrificed their blood for to truly transform into the confidence that allows our people to stand tall."

"Now, someone wants to steal our fortune and shake our foundation."

He turned his head and looked at Lin Xiaoxiao with the coldness that only a true "Shura" would have.

"Then I'll have no choice but to put this skin back on and tell them."

"There are some things on this land that cannot be touched. If you do, you will die."

"Master..." Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the man in front of her, whose aura was fully unleashed, and felt her heart pounding violently. She knew that the "Soul of the King of Soldiers" that had once struck fear into the hearts of countless foreign forces had awakened at this moment.

"parking."

Liu Ming suddenly spoke to the driver in front.

"Squeak—" The Hongqi car came to a steady stop on the side of the road.

"Get out of the car," Liu Ming said to Lin Xiaoxiao.

"No! I want to go with you!" Lin Xiaoxiao cried out, gripping the car door handle tightly. "I'm the commander of the special forces! How can I be left out of such a tough battle!"

"This is an order." Liu Ming's tone left no room for argument.

"This mission is a clandestine operation. You're wearing a military uniform, representing the country; you can't get involved."

He looked at Lin Xiaoxiao's aggrieved face, which was on the verge of tears, and his tone softened slightly.

"Moreover, I need someone to keep an eye on things in the capital. Although I've suppressed Zhao Ruihu, those comprador capitalists will definitely not let this go."

Although Nangong Yao and Xi Wanqing are intelligent, their backgrounds aren't strong enough here. Your staying here will be their strongest support.

"Since you call me master, then take good care of this home for me."

Lin Xiaoxiao bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. But she was, after all, a soldier, and knew her duty to obey orders.

"Okay." She let go of his hand, opened the car door, and got out.

Standing by the roadside, watching the black sedan that was about to drive towards the central hub, she suddenly put her feet together, stood up straight, and gave Liu Ming in the car window a perfect military salute.

"Master, you must come back safely! I'm still waiting for you to teach me the 'Bone-Dislocating Chain Technique'!"

Liu Ming nodded slightly through the car window.

"Old Chen, let's go."

The car started again and quickly merged into the heavy traffic.

Liu Ming leaned back in her chair, took out her encrypted phone with only a single-line connection, and dialed that familiar number.

The call was connected.

"Old buddies." Liu Ming's voice was as calm as a stagnant pool, yet it carried a murderous intent powerful enough to tear the heavens apart.

"My vacation is over."