A week later, in the Fourth Squadron's ward.
That morning, the winter sun shone through the clean glass window, casting its light on the white sheets, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace, a warmth that was intoxicating, especially for Luo Zheng and the others who had returned from the battlefield. After surviving near-death experiences, what they longed for most was this kind of peaceful life, free of desire and conflict. Luo Zheng watched the birch leaves dancing in the wind outside the window, like elves fluttering and celebrating peace, feeling calm and at ease inside.
Voices ca from the corridor outside, and soon, a young man around fifteen years old walked in excitedly, holding a basket of flowers, and shouted in surprise, "Big brother, I'm here to see you." The visitor was about 1.7 ters tall, slim, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. His whole body exuded a faint sharpness, like a blade that had been honed.
"Little Lang?" Ghost Hand, who had just co out of the bathroom at the door, saw the visitor and said in surprise, then smiled happily and continued, "How did you get here? Did you sneak out? You've got so sense, I see."
"Hello, Brother Ghost Hand," Little Lang called out cheerfully.
"Call him Uncle," Luo Zheng said with mock annoyance, looking at Little Lang with a sense of satisfaction. Ever since taking Little Lang out of the forest, he'd been busy with missions, never having taken care of him, and only knew about him from others' accounts, feeling quite guilty inside.
"Yes, call him Uncle, don't be so informal; we're the sa age as your dad," Snow Leopard teased warmly, also filled with affection for this kid who reminded him a bit of Luo Zheng.
"Bah, only those who are married can be called Uncle," Little Lang said nonchalantly, walking quickly to Lan Xue and respectfully saying, "Hello, sister-in-law. This is a small token for you."
"Sneaky wolf, you didn't ntion my na; I'm the one who bought it, alright?" a female voice grumbled from outside. Soon, a black woman in casual clothes ca in—it was Tiger Girl, with long hair flowing, looking elegant and full of spirit, much better than when everyone first t her.
"Did Tiger Girl co?" Ghost Hand exclaid happily, his eyes showing a hint of puzzlent. He looked outside the door, uncertainly continuing, "Did you two co together? Don't tell you snuck out together? I heard you two are a handful at the Youth Camp, and no one can handle you."
"Hello, Brother Ghost Hand, hello everyone, Sister Lan Xue," Tiger Girl said cheerfully as she ca in, greeting everyone, her eyes falling on Little Lang as she continued, "Sneaky wolf, who told you not to wait for ? Luckily, I had money with , or we couldn't have paid the bill. Are you itching for a beating? Just wait, I'll deal with you when we get back."
Luo Zheng happily watched the two of them. It had been a while since he'd seen them, and he hadn't expected them to have grown so much, almost unrecognizable. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw soone coming from outside and looked closely—it was the familiar figure of Tiger King, dressed in a smart colonel's uniform. He quickly got up and called out, "Tiger King's here, everyone welco."
"Alright, you bunch of rascals, don't get up, just stay put, or I'll turn around and leave," Tiger King said with a hearty laugh, his voice full of authority but also warm, his eyes full of appreciation as he continued, "Well done. The entire headquarters is in an uproar, everyone's talking about your exploits. It's said that Yin Country is in chaos, their economy is suffering huge losses, set back by five years, and our country has seized many benefits, though unfortunately we couldn't take back all the disputed land."
Because of historical reasons, there is a large piece of land to the west of Huaxia Country that has beco part of Yin Country. This land is fertile and within our national borders, an enclave for Yin Country, representing a humiliation for Huaxia Country, remaining in dispute to this day, difficult to reclaim. It's a disgrace for every passionate soldier, and an obsession for the older generation of soldiers like Tiger King.
Luo Zheng naturally knew about this matter and smiled bitterly, "Tiger King, I'm afraid this issue can't be solved overnight. How co you're here? You should have inford us earlier so we could welco you properly."
"No need to trouble you heroes; let's not talk about past grievances, lest it spoil the mood. These two kids insisted on coming. I thought it would be good to bring them so they'd understand what it ans to be humble before the greats and know what real heroes are, instead of being overconfident in the training camp," Tiger King replied with a smile.
"Godfather, I'm very diligent, okay? It's all Sneaky Wolf's fault; he refuses to train properly every day, always shouting about going to the battlefield, which affects my training," Tiger Girl protested discontentedly.
"Unjust accusation," Little Lang cried out, feigning agony, before looking at Luo Zheng and saying, "Brother, real skills aren't cultivated in training; they're honed on the battlefield. You said that, didn't you? Look, I'm already sixteen, as tall as you, and back ho I could even get married, I'm considered an adult. I want to go to the battlefield with you."
Luo Zheng looked at Little Lang with satisfaction, noticing his hands were full of calluses, like tree bark, indicating his rigorous and heartfelt training. Without blaming him, Luo Zheng smiled and said, "Want to go to the battlefield? I'll give you two years. Beco an adult after two years. That's the rule here; your hotown's rules don't apply. In two years, I'll personally test your abilities. If you don't et our standards, you'll go back where you ca from. Also, call Uncle."
"Bah, two years it is," Little Lang said discontentedly, understanding the rule, and no longer insisted, but still using the sa title as before, "Brother, so we've agreed. Two years later, you'll take to the battlefield. Otherwise, I'll go on my own, and don't bla for causing trouble."
"You've got guts, threatening Uncle Ghost's little brother, you're the first," Ghost Hand said with a laugh.
"What's the problem? In two years, I'm going to the battlefield too. Otherwise, Sneaky Wolf and I will run off together, and you won't find us," Tiger Girl chid in from the side.
Everyone looked at Little Lang, then at Tiger Girl, exchanging a knowing glance and smiling. Luo Zheng also sensed the deep connection between the two but didn't point it out or stop it; such things are best left to unfold naturally. He looked at Tiger King, who nodded in understanding, clearly aware of the two's relationship and not opposed to it. Luo Zheng smiled and said, "Alright, I promise you, that's the deal. If you're not up to the Ordinary Soldier King level in two years, forget about everything else."
"Great, it's a deal," Little Lang and Tiger Girl said, their eyes shining with excitent.
"It's a deal," Luo Zheng also smiled, earnestly.
The room erupted in good-natured laughter, as there indeed would be successors. Tiger King looked at Little Lang and Tiger Girl with affectionate eyes and said, "Are you two satisfied now? If so, move aside, I have so serious matters to discuss with your Uncle Ghost."
"Alright, brother," Little Lang said grudgingly but still moved away from Luo Zheng's bedside to find Ghost Hand.
Tiger King ca over to Luo Zheng's bed, pulled up a chair to sit down, his eyes brimming with concern as he looked at Luo Zheng, his brow slightly furrowed, and said softly, "The higher-ups are currently contemplating supporting Shadow; the situation has beco sowhat complex. I've co here on behalf of headquarters to hear your thoughts."
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