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

Inside the August 1st Building, in that secluded room completely shrouded by heavy curtains, the afterglow of the setting sun had completely dissipated, leaving only a few warm yellow spotlights that made the atmosphere here particularly solemn.

Liu Ming lowered his head, his fingers slowly tracing the newly pinned gold medal on his chest, still warm from his body. It was his fourth First-Class Merit Medal. In the military history of the Dragon Kingdom, this was not just a record, but a legend akin to a miracle.

"Grandpa, please keep this for me. It's not appropriate for me to leave it here." Liu Ming said in a low voice, his slender fingers skillfully unhooking the hook. His movements were quick and without any hesitation.

Sitting in his wheelchair, Old Lin stared intently at the medal with eyes that had seen so much of life, his gaze filled with heartache.

"You rascal, this is an honor that others would spend their whole lives trying to obtain, and you're treating it like a hot potato. What's wrong? Afraid that this gold is too shiny and will dazzle those civil officials?"

"It's not that I'm afraid of the light, it's that I find it heavy." Liu Ming twitched the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating smile. "I'm now the Director of the High-Tech Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, an administrative staff member in charge of the economy and science and technology. Wearing a suit and carrying this, do you think I'm not a big enough target?"

He stood up and strode towards the dressing room behind the screen. His steps were steady, and each step carried the unique strength of a soldier.

……

"Crash—" That was the sound of the tactical vest hitting the ground, followed by heavy combat boots, and then the tattered, black tactical armor that was soaked in gunpowder and blood.

Liu Ming stood shirtless in front of the dressing mirror. The man in the mirror looked as if his body was cast from refined steel. The bandage on his left shoulder was still stained with a trace of crimson, a souvenir left by shrapnel from the explosion of the Stinger missile.

He tore off the old gauze that was stuck to his skin with a blank expression, his movements rough, as if he were dealing with a lifeless object.

He rummaged through his first-aid kit and pulled out iodine and spray, making two "sizzling" sounds.

The stinging sensation instantly spread throughout his body, but he didn't even flinch. This level of pain was nothing compared to lying in the mud for three days and three nights in Death Valley back then; it was like being bitten by a mosquito.

"Boss, the clothes are ready." Tank's voice rang out from outside the locker room, muffled and stern, with a hint of honesty. A large hand pushed open the door a crack and handed in a dark gray suit, ironed as smooth as a knife, and a snow-white leather shirt.

Liu Ming took the clothes and put them on. The shirt collar was buttoned up tightly, perfectly concealing the hideous scar on her collarbone. Once the suit jacket was on, the bulge on her shoulders disappeared instantly.

The "Shura" who reaped lives in the jungle has disappeared.

In its place came the gentle, refined, and scholarly Director of the High Technology Department.

He took one last look at himself in the mirror, his gaze gradually becoming calm, restrained, like a bottomless ancient well. "Shura" returned to its sheath, and "Director Liu" returned to his position.

……

As he stepped out of the locker room, Old Lin was stroking the medal, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Have you thought it through? Once you go back, there's no turning back. Although Luo Binwang is in death row, the net behind him isn't going to fall apart so easily. The 'shadow' hasn't even shown its face yet, and you're going back to the wolf's den."

"Grandpa, I never thought about turning back," Liu Ming said, taking the tactical briefcase from Old Chen. Inside was the blood-stained list, and also the chip architecture drafts that would keep some people up at night.

"These compradors have been sucking our blood for so many years, it's time for them to spit it out. Did they think that by killing my father and covering up the mining accident they could sit on that gilded chair and make a fortune for the rest of their lives? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Liu Ming's voice was soft, but the ruthless decisiveness in his tone made Tank next to him shiver. He knew his boss's personality all too well. If Liu Ming didn't kill anyone, all was well. But once he started sharpening his knife, it was a recipe for annihilation.

"Alright. Since you're determined, this old man won't stop you." Old Lin carefully put the medal into a sandalwood box, looked up at Liu Ming, and his eyes revealed a sternness he had never shown before.

"But in the capital, you must remember one thing: you are a vital asset to the nation, the backbone of the Dragon Kingdom. You can act recklessly, but you cannot act recklessly. I will have Xiaoxiao and the special operations team secretly follow you. Anyone who dares to play dirty tricks will be shot on sight!"

"Thanks, Grandpa." Liu Ming smiled, a smile that came from the bottom of her heart.

He turned and strode towards the door of the secret room. Tank and Lone Wolf followed closely behind.

……

On the way back to the department, the black Hongqi car drove smoothly along Chang'an Avenue, the neon lights outside the window rushing past. Liu Ming leaned back in the back seat, closing his eyes to rest.

"Ghost Hand, what's the situation over there?" Liu Ming asked softly into the Bluetooth headset.

"Boss, it's blown up! It's completely blown up!" Ghost Hand's barely suppressed excitement came through the earpiece.

"In the few days since you left the National Development and Reform Commission, those moles thought you died at the border and are now busy dividing up your belongings. That remnant of Zhao Ruihu, what's his name, Sun Dahai, is leading people to search your office. He even tried to forcibly take over the core server of our 'Longyuan' project."

"Distributing luggage?" Liu Ming's lips curled into a cruel smile. "It seems these people really can't wait to go down below and join Luo Binwang."

"And one more thing, boss." Ghost Hand's voice became more serious.

"I monitored frequent communications between several ministries. They are jointly drafting a report accusing you of 'absconding', 'overstepping your authority,' and even trying to pin the blame on you for 'causing a major scientific research accident.' The ringleaders are a few old hands from the Ministry of Commerce and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission."

Liu Ming slowly opened his eyes, his gaze passing through the car window to the National Development and Reform Commission building in the distance, which looked particularly gloomy in the night.

For these people, profit is their only belief. In their eyes, the future of the country and the dignity of the nation are not as important as the shady shares in their pockets.

"Let them make a scene," Liu Ming said calmly. "The bigger the commotion, the better. How can I wipe them all out if I don't whet their appetites?"

The car quickly drove into the compound, and the guards at the gate snapped to attention and saluted when they saw the special pass.

Liu Ming got out of the car. The early winter wind in the capital was strong, whipping his expensive suit in the wind.

He looked at the rows of offices still lit up, at the shadowy figures peering out from behind the windows, and he knew. These people were waiting for him to die, waiting for an opportunity to divide his inheritance at will.

Unfortunately, what they encountered was a demon.

Liu Ming picked up her briefcase and stepped into the building with a calm and composed gait, each step echoing the heart-pounding rhythm of those around her.

"Boss, should we go straight to the office to arrest him, or..." Tank asked in a low voice from behind.

Liu Ming stopped in his tracks. He glanced at the elevator that led directly to the top floor, a hint of almost mocking madness flashing in his eyes.

"No rush." ​​"It's more fun to play cat and mouse slowly."

He straightened his cuffs, and the coldness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle yet chilling smile.

"Notify the security department to lock every exit of the building. Tonight, without my signature, not even a mosquito will be able to fly out of this building."

Liu Ming stared at the numbers on the elevator, her tone chilling.

"A game of closing the door and beating the dog."

"It's time to begin."