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

The city night has never been so dazzling.

Countless enormous fireworks exploded in the sky above the grand square, symbolizing the heart of Kyushu, illuminating the entire ancient city's outline as if it were daytime. This was no ordinary victory celebration; it was the jubilation of a nation and an era. The naval battle in the East China Sea was like a great fire, burning away the gloom that had shrouded Kyushu for a century and ushering in a golden age where all nations paid tribute.

The streets were packed with cheering crowds, waving red flags and shouting until their voices were hoarse.

On the internet, all social media platforms, live streaming rooms, and forums have been completely flooded with one name.

—"Guardian God of War".

Although the official photos of the young commander were not released, the blurry images of him in a black trench coat circulating through unofficial channels have become a spiritual totem for millions of netizens. On this night, Liu Ming's reputation surpassed that of those highly respected leaders and directly reached the top of the Nine Provinces.

He is an idol for all young people and the sharpest backbone of this era.

……

Inside the city, at the Hall of Diligent Governance.

A very small but highly prestigious internal award ceremony is being held here.

Liu Ming stood in the center of the hall. He had changed out of his blood-stained tactical uniform and into a crisp, wrinkle-free black Zhongshan suit. His posture was as upright as a javelin, and his eyes were as calm as a deep pool.

"Tanks, advance!"

Liu Ming's voice echoed in the empty hall.

The towering man strode forward, each step landing heavily on the marble floor with a resounding "thump, thump."

It was solemnly fastened to the tank's shoulder.

"Comrade Tank, in view of your selfless act as a shield during the East China Sea Campaign..."

"Lone Wolf, step forward!"

"Vultures, step forward!"

"Poison Doctor, step forward!"

"Keyboard warriors, step forward!"

With each roll call and each awarding of medals, the five members of the Dragon Fang Squad—five ghosts who once lived only in the shadows and whose names were even codes—were all awarded the rank of General!

They stood there, their eyes red-rimmed, remembering the days they spent wallowing in the mud on the border, and the comrades who sacrificed their lives in foreign lands to protect national secrets.

Today, they finally returned home in glory, carrying with them the promise Liu Mingxu had made to them.

"Boss... thanks."

After the medal ceremony, Tank approached Liu Ming, his voice still booming like thunder, but the sob in his voice was impossible to hide.

Liu Ming smiled and patted his shoulder heavily.

"Why thank me? You risked your lives for this."

……

Late at night, the lively and noisy celebration banquet finally came to an end.

Liu Ming declined all invitations to drinks and refused the advances of powerful figures who wanted to curry favor with him. He returned alone to the courtyard house deep in the alley.

The courtyard was quiet. The jujube tree had already lost all its leaves. Only Xi Wanqing, Nangong Yao, and Lin Xiaoxiao were busy inside. They didn't disturb him, but left a lamp and a pot of chicken soup warming on the stove for him.

Liu Ming walked into the side room. This was his mother's study from back then.

He sat in an old wicker chair and took out a red lacquered wooden box with some peeling paint from the bottom shelf.

This was the only item his mother left him before she passed away. For so many years, he had never dared to touch it easily.

He gently stroked the patterns on the box, slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and unlocked the clasp.

There was no gold or silver treasure inside, only a few yellowed books, a stack of old envelopes, and a set of the 100-year-old clothes he wore when he was born.

Liu Ming looked through them. Each old item carried the faint sandalwood scent that her mother used to carry.

Until, at the bottom of the box, he found a very well hidden little compartment.

"Click".

With a slight exertion of her fingertips, Liu Ming caused the interlayer to pop open, revealing a photograph and an unsigned letter.

Liu Ming picked up the photo. In the photo was a pretty young woman whose features bore a striking resemblance to his own. That was his mother. Standing next to his mother was a man in a crisp military uniform. The man's face...

"boom--!"

Liu Ming felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and she froze on the spot.

That man's face was almost identical to that of the current leader of the council!

With trembling hands, he opened the letter. The contents were short, but every word was like blood.

[Ming'er, if you've seen this letter, it means you're strong enough to protect yourself.]

Remember, never trust every "loyal subject" you see in the city.

The true instigator of the "Sun Change Plan" that your father discovered back then wasn't Luo Binwang, but rather the "guide" who had always sat behind your father, leading him on his investigation.

That person's codename was "Shadow."

His true identity... is revealed in this photograph.

……

Liu Ming stared intently at the photo, at the medals on the man's shoulder.

His breathing became extremely rapid, and his joints cracked and popped from extreme anger and shock.

So that's how it is. So that's the truth!

Luo Binwang was just a scapegoat, the Zhao family was just a shield, and the real mole was actually the person who had always cared for him and even protected him on many occasions during his promotion!

He wanted to use Liu Ming to eliminate all his rivals, and then pin all the blame on the dead.

"Such a deep and calculating mind..."

"What a vicious plan!"

Liu Ming gripped the letter tightly. In that instant, his eyes changed completely. The murderous aura of "Shura" that had finally subsided was reawakened in an even more terrifying way.

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the city center in the distance, which was still brightly lit and seemed to be in a state of peace and prosperity.

There stands a towering red wall that reaches into the clouds; there lies the country's greatest secret.

"It's not over yet."

Liu Ming murmured softly, her voice sounding particularly cold in the quiet night.

"I thought I could retire and return to my hometown."

"It seems I'll have to cut this last cancer out myself."

Liu Ming turned around, his gaze falling on the black "Dragon Fang" military dagger in the corner.