At midnight, the thick black night shrouded the Fourth Squadron base. It was already past lights-out ti, and the base was pitch black, with only the corridor lights still on. It was quiet, and no one was in sight. Luo Zheng lay silently on the bed, resting, recalling his experiences with the Type 10 anti-material sniper rifle. Half an hour ago, Luo Zheng had a good session at the shooting range with the new sniper rifle, feeling quite satisfied and gaining more confidence for the upcoming mission.
With his current rank, Luo Zheng could have a room of his own, where he lay quietly in bed, feeling wide awake. He simply practiced the Breathing Skill, quickly entering a ditative state. The snores of his comrades within a twenty to thirty ter radius ca through clearly—a rather peculiar feeling—as anything farther was hard to discern.
Thinking that they would set out on a mission tomorrow, and unsure of how his comrades were faring, Luo Zheng got up, dressed, and walked outside. The corridor outside was silent, devoid of people, and dim corridor lights illuminated the surroundings. Luo Zheng walked along the corridor and ca to a room door.
Standing by the window, Luo Zheng looked inside through the glass and saw soone writing. An inexplicable heaviness settled in his heart. Such a young warrior, about to head to the battlefield with him. Their promising lives were just beginning, and perhaps would be extinguished on the battlefield. For the country, for the people, so many sacrifices had been made by these brothers. Luo Zheng felt the heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
Luo Zheng looked in quietly for a few monts, then walked on with a heavy heart, seeing in other rooms so of his brothers also writing, while others talked softly. Luo Zheng felt oppressed and extrely uncomfortable, unable to bear watching anymore, so he rushed out into the pitch-black training field. The cold wind cleared his mind a little.
The brothers of the Fourth Squadron are all vigorous on the battlefield, fine and steely soldiers, fearless of death. But who knows could understand the emotions behind them? After all, they are young n in their twenties, so without having experienced love, or the colorful life, not able to fulfill filial duties before their parents, yet they might have to sacrifice blood and life on the battlefield. They are all good n, n of blood and courage.
The oppressive emotions made Luo Zheng feel blocked and uncomfortable. He longed to shout a few tis. Just then, a slight, barely noticeable footstep sound ca to his ear. Luo Zheng was startled, and whispered, "It's , don't misunderstand."
"Squad leader?" A black shadow flashed from the distant corner, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, holding a sniper rifle in his hand.
"Fu Di? Is it your turn to stand guard tonight?" Luo Zheng recognized the person under the dim light and asked involuntarily.
"Yes, good evening, squad leader!" Fu Di quickly responded, jogging over to salute, looking at Luo Zheng with admiration, but noticing Luo Zheng's solemn expression, he couldn't help but ask quietly, "What's the matter with you?"
"Fu Di, I've heard that you play the flute well, can you play a piece for ?" Luo Zheng asked in a deep voice.
"Of course." Fu Di noticed Luo Zheng's troubled state of mind, agreed, and took out a flute, placed it horizontally to his lips, took a deep breath, and began to play. A deep and llow sound rose up, cutting through the darkness of night, drifting far into the distance.
Vaguely, Luo Zheng seed to hear soone yearning for achievents, craving for the hot-blooded battlefield, carrying boundless vigor. It was as if he saw through the essence of life, fighting only for ideals, without complaints or regrets. This startled Luo Zheng, who listened carefully. The flute's tone carried an unyielding spirit, seeing through the vicissitudes of life and the determination to serve the country.
The powerful flute lody lingered in the night, persisting for a long ti. Luo Zheng was completely absorbed in the tune, a storm of passion rising in his heart, making his blood boil. It seed that he understood many things in an instant and let go of many things, with the oppressive emotions in his heart dispelled.
Then the flute lody vanished, and Luo Zheng slowly awoke from it, looking at Fu Di in amazent and asking, "What piece did you just play? I haven't heard it before."
"The Journey of n, a tune I composed myself." Fu Di replied with a light smile.
"A very good piece, it made realize a lot of things. Thank you. The Journey of n? It's a nice na. What do the lyrics say?" Luo Zheng asked curiously.
"A man should kill, show no rcy in killing. Eternal achievents, all lie in killing." Fu Di recited the lyrics with solemnity: "Don't you see, as teachers rise and warriors die, the divine land boasts of virtue. Once when barbarians tangled the Central Plains, scholars mourn and flee. Three steps to kill, heart stops, hands continue. Blood wave a thousand miles, bodies pile like mountains. Warriors battle till weary, rest upon enemy corpses. Even in dreams, still killing, laughter shines on a spring day. Daughters, don't ask, why are n so cruel? In ancient tis, virtue only hard, and righteousness never held truth."
"In ancient tis, virtue only hard, and righteousness never held truth?! Well said, what's next?" Luo Zheng eagerly pursued, the hot blood in his heart rising once more, filling his whole body with strength.
"Don't you see, when lions and tigers hunt they earn fa, but who pities the poor deer? The strong always devour the weak; reason is in vain. Don't ask further, n have their own journeys. A man's journey, is to be fierce. Deeds and virtue, stand not together," Fu Di continued, "That last line expresses the voice of us soldiers."
"Deeds and virtue, stand not together? Indeed." Luo Zheng also sighed, saying, "This is a wonderful tune. I'll look up the rest myself. Keep watch then."
"Yes." Fu Di glanced curiously at Luo Zheng, then quickly dashed into the darkness to lie in wait.
Gazing at the deep black night sky, Luo Zheng fell into contemplation, feeling much better. As a soldier, to be wrapped in armor as a corpse is both a mission and an honor. For this country which has endured so much hardship to develop to where it is today, soone has to defend it, to make sacrifices. As soldiers, they should not be weighed down by these lancholy emotions. Lust for power and dominance, fighting for the country, unsheathing for the people, only standing dead and never kneeling alive, without complaints or regrets!
"Hoo—" Luo Zheng let out a long breath, as if expelling all the negative emotions from his heart, feeling much lighter. Although his brothers are young, foremost they are soldiers. Soldiers must fulfill their mission and defend their duties, even in sacrifice it is worthy.
A nation perishes if soldiers remain alive, a nation survives if soldiers die. If soldiers fear death and clamor to live, this country will fall. It must be that soldiers die on the battlefield for the country to exist. So soone has to make sacrifices for this country, starting from oneself, starting from all brothers in the Fourth Squadron, Luo Zheng thought. An endless spirit of valor surged forth.
Luo Zheng cast a deep gaze at the base, the familiar barracks, the familiar training ground, and the high-flying military flag. His emotions stirred, his gaze grew resolute. Taking a deep breath, he turned and walked towards his room, each step steady and powerful, exuding a strong confidence.
Note: The Journey of n, in the heart, a true man must strive! Wish everyone to rise up in the new year! Like Luo Zheng, fight decisively in all directions, prosperity and good fortune, and bring those monthly tickets! Thank you.
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