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

Training hall of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Ningzhou Public Security Bureau.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of sweat, rubber, and worn leather. It was the smell of hormones, and the smell of violence.

The banner reading "The Communist Youth League and the Criminal Investigation Detachment 'Hand in Hand' Joint Construction Activity" hung crookedly above the basketball hoop, looking somewhat comical.

A group of Youth League cadres, some dressed in white shirts and even exuding a scholarly air, huddled in a corner like lambs that had strayed into a pack of wolves. They looked at the shirtless, muscular criminal police officers conducting combat training on the field, their eyes filled with awe and barely concealed tension.

Chen Jianguo held a thermos in his hands, but fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

As he wiped his sweat, he leaned close to Liu Ming's ear and whispered, "Little Liu, isn't this... this process a bit too hardcore? Didn't we agree to just have a seminar, offer some refreshments, and leave? How... how did we end up here?"

Liu Ming stood at the very front of the line.

He wasn't wearing a suit today, just a simple white collared T-shirt and dark casual trousers. Seemingly casual, his upright posture made him stand out from the group of somewhat slouching government officials.

He looked at the men sweating profusely on the field, and a long-lost sense of familiarity flashed in his deep eyes.

He was all too familiar with this atmosphere.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it." Liu Ming smiled, her tone relaxed. "Secretary Chen, since this is a joint effort, we should at least get to know our comrades' working environment better. I think it's great; they have guts."

"Good? Good what?" Chen Jianguo said with a bitter face, "These criminal police officers are all roughnecks, what if..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

"Bang!"

A dull thud, like a heavy hammer striking a cowhide drum.

In the center of the training field, a man who was hitting a sandbag suddenly delivered a powerful whip kick, slamming it hard into the thick sandbag that weighed at least 100 kilograms.

The sandbags shook violently, and the chains connecting them made a teeth-grinding "creaking" sound.

The entire room fell silent instantly.

The man slowly turned around.

He was 1.85 meters tall, with a buzz cut and skin that had been exposed to the elements for years. A menacing scar ran from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone, making his already angular face look even more fierce, even a bit thuggish.

He was shirtless, his muscles like hard rocks, covered with scars of all sizes.

Those are medals.

It is also proof of his identity.

"Captain Xing!"

When the surrounding criminal police officers saw him, they all stopped what they were doing, stood at attention, and saluted.

Xing Lie.

The head of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Ningzhou Public Security Bureau, a "competition champion" in the provincial public security system, a legendary figure.

It's said he retired from a top-tier special forces unit, and in the years since, he's killed countless fugitives—more than you can count on two hands. In Ningzhou's underworld, his name is known to stop children from crying at night.

Xing Lie ignored his subordinates' salutes.

He took the towel handed to him by the person next to him and casually wiped the sweat from his face. His sharp eyes, like those of a hawk, looked through the crowd and locked onto Liu Ming.

That look wasn't the look you give a customer.

It's the look in the hunter's eyes when he looks at his prey.

It was filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and... provocation.

He draped the towel over his shoulder, strode towards Liu Ming, and with each step he took, the invisible pressure grew stronger, causing the girls behind Chen Jianguo to instinctively shrink back.

"You're Liu Ming?"

Xing Lie stopped three steps away from Liu Ming, his voice rough and hoarse, as if he had a mouthful of sand in his throat.

Liu Ming did not back down.

He calmly looked at the towering man before him, extended his hand, and wore his signature harmless smile.

"I am Liu Ming. Captain Xing, I've heard so much about you."

Xing Lie glanced down at the long, slender, fair hand, a disdainful sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

He stretched out his calloused, large hand, as big as a palm-leaf fan, and grasped Liu Ming firmly.

"I've heard so much about you?"

Xing Lie exerted his strength suddenly!

That huge hand tightened instantly, like an iron clamp!

If it were an ordinary person, their hand bones would probably be crushed by this blow.

However, Liu Ming's smile remained unchanged.

"I heard you're quite the big shot in Qingyun County?" Xing Lie pressed harder, staring intently into Liu Ming's eyes, his tone aggressive. "You single-handedly took down dozens of armed thugs? And you even dealt with a group of foreign mercenaries?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding detectives gathered around, their eyes filled with curiosity and disbelief.

Legends about Liu Ming had already spread within the public security system.

Lei Tie, in particular, with his big mouth, blew Liu Ming into all sorts of fantastical tales, calling him a "King of Individual Soldiers" and a "Human Weapon," making him seem like a complete idiot.

But these detectives are all proud and arrogant. Without seeing it with their own eyes, who would be convinced?

A deputy secretary of the Youth League Committee working in an office?

With such delicate skin and tender flesh, how much skill could he possibly possess? It's probably just Director Lei exaggerating to boost this kid's image!

"Captain Xing, you flatter me."

Liu Ming's palm remained warm, neither deformed from being squeezed nor attempting to retaliate. It was like a piece of extremely resilient rubber, which Xing Lie could not budge an inch no matter how hard he exerted.

"That's all hearsay. I'm just a clerical worker doing youth work; I don't have that kind of ability."

"Civilian cadre?"

Xing Lie sneered and finally released his grip.

He glanced at his palm, where he noticed a slight tingling sensation.

interesting.

He's a trained fighter.

But precisely because of this, the fighting spirit in his eyes became even stronger.

"Can a civilian cadre really fool that old bastard Lei Tie so easily? Can a civilian cadre really make that scoundrel Jiu Zhi Qiang kneel down and call me 'Master'?"

Xing Lie took a step closer, his fierce face almost touching Liu Ming's nose.

"Deputy Secretary Liu, let's speak frankly."

"I, Xing Lie, am a rough man. I don't understand the intricacies of your officialdom. I only recognize strength and ability."

"Lei Tie praised you to the skies, saying you're unparalleled in the world. I don't believe it."

"My brothers and I don't believe it either."

He pointed to the group of police officers around him, who were all eager to get started and had a fervent look in their eyes.

"Since you're here today, it's fate. What's the point of just touring? What's the point of just listening to reports?"

"How about..."

Xing Lie stuck out his tongue and licked his slightly chapped lips, revealing a wild smile.

"Shall we... have a chat?"

He emphasized the word "communication," making it sound like it was full of gunpowder.

"This...this isn't appropriate, is it?"

Chen Jianguo, who was standing to the side, turned pale with fright and quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Captain Xing, this is a joint effort to build a civilized society. Secretary Liu is a guest, and their jobs are different..."

"Secretary Chen, you don't understand."

Xing Lie didn't even glance at Chen Jianguo, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Ming. "In our police force, the highest form of etiquette is friendly sparring. Since Secretary Liu also comes from the military, surely he understands this rule?"

This is practically a declaration of war.

If you don't accept, that's cowardice.

It's not a big deal if he chickens out, after all, he's now the deputy secretary of the Youth League Committee, there's no need for him to lower himself to the level of a criminal police captain.

But Liu Ming knew very well.

In Ningzhou, simply having the title of "Secretary" is far from enough to truly gain a foothold and get these powerful departments with guns and pride to cooperate with your future work.

In this circle that worships strength.

Dignity is earned through fighting.

"Captain Xing is right."

Liu Ming gently pushed away Chen Jianguo, who was blocking her way. The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a calm and composed expression.

"Since everyone is in such a good mood, then I'll... make a fool of myself."

As he spoke, he slowly and deliberately unbuttoned his collar and rolled up his sleeves.

The movements were graceful and unhurried.

It was as if he wasn't going to fight, but rather to attend a tea party with an old friend.

"Great! That felt good!"

Xing Lie roared, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Clear the area!"

At his command, the surrounding criminal police officers instantly erupted in excitement.

"roar!"

"This is going to be good!"

"Quickly! Lay the mats down!"

Dozens of people quickly cleared the center of the field and laid out a professional combat mat. The Youth League cadres who were originally visiting were so frightened by this scene that they all retreated and crowded against the wall, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement.

Chen Jianguo was so anxious that he stomped his feet. He wanted to call for help, but he found that his cell phone had no signal here—these criminal police officers had actually turned on a signal jammer in order to concentrate on their training!

"Secretary Liu, let's stop here! Don't ruin the harmony!" Chen Jianguo could only shout in vain from the sidelines.

In the center of the field.

The lights were a stark white.

Liu Ming and Xing Lie stood facing each other, no more than three meters apart.

The air seemed to freeze.

Even the sound of breathing became clearly audible.

Xing Lie cracked his neck, producing a series of crisp sounds. He didn't underestimate the other party just because he was young; on the contrary, the probing during their handshake earlier had made him wary of the young man before him.

He took a deep breath, spread his feet apart, and lowered his center of gravity.

Left hand in front, right hand protecting the jaw.

A most standard and practical... **military combat style**!

In that instant, his aura suddenly changed!

Just moments ago he was a somewhat thuggish criminal police captain, but now he's like a tiger descending from the mountain, fully in hunting mode!

Those explosive muscles were taut to the extreme, every nerve screaming for battle!

"Secretary Liu, be careful."

Xing Lie let out a low roar, his voice like muffled thunder.

"My fists have no eyes!"

Hundreds of eyes were fixed on the center of the field.

Everyone held their breath.

A great war is about to break out!