Chapter 31

The man who arrived was the Blue Force commander, who, upon seeing Nie Huaishang, patted his shoulder and praised him:

"Good kid, I heard from that guy who sniped me that you were the mastermind behind this operation—you used the eavesdroppers to expose my position. You're impressive."

After praising Nie Huaishang, he turned to those behind him and added:

“Of course, all of you did well—you’re all outstanding.”

He Zhijun beside him said, "Commander, you haven't even seen the full extent of this kid's abilities yet?"

“What other impressive feats has he pulled off? Let’s hear them—open our eyes.”

The Blue Force commander asked curiously.

So the battalion commander recounted how four years ago, Nie Huaishang had orchestrated the arrest of Black Cat and extracted intelligence that led to the destruction of the entire organization.

The listeners were stirred to fever pitch; no matter how well they performed in today’s military exercise, it was still just an exercise—but what Nie Huaishang and his team did four years ago saved millions in Donghai City.

At that time, they were still students who hadn’t even entered military academy.

The Blue Force commander nodded in satisfaction: “After this exercise ends, I must meet the other two.”

Nie Huaishang and Zhang Xiaofan were delighted to receive commendations from the commander in the camp, but Fan Tianlei and his four comrades in the Iron Fist Regiment headquarters were enduring agony.

Every minute felt like torture; ever since seeing Nie Huaishang and the others wearing their uniforms, he had been terrified—unless he was mistaken, they planned to use their own vehicle to carry out a decapitation strike.

Commander Kang and the other headquarters members watched Fan Tianlei with keen interest, and even Iron Fist Regiment soldiers occasionally cast curious glances his way.

After all, the commander had publicly introduced Fan Tianlei and his team as coming from the Special Operations Brigade, and claimed Fan Tianlei was even the Chief of Staff.

Being locked up and watched by Iron Fist Regiment troops was unbearable for Fan Tianlei and his men—their stares were identical to those of zoo visitors watching monkeys.

But he had no recourse; he was now Commander Kang’s prisoner.

Most crucially, Nie Huaishang and the others were wearing their uniforms and driving their vehicle to carry out the decapitation.

Never mind whether they’d succeed—if they failed, he’d still be to blame for losing the battle and letting those kids launch the decapitation in the first place.

He’d inevitably face punishment from the battalion commander; but if they succeeded?

Fan Tianlei dared not imagine it, yet he believed those kids were still green—impossible to pull off such a difficult decapitation mission.

Fan Tianlei could only comfort himself this way, but even if Nie Huaishang’s team failed to execute the decapitation, they’d still cause casualties among headquarters personnel.

He’d still bear responsibility—and thinking of this, Fan Tianlei felt his future was utterly dark.

At this moment, Fan Tianlei’s old friend Commander Kang came to visit him; Kang looked at the captured Fan Tianlei with a beaming smile and teased:

“How’s it going, old friend? Satisfied with the place I arranged for you? This big open cell can hold dozens—more impressive than my own tent.”

Seeing his old comrade’s smug expression, Fan Tianlei snorted: “Kang, don’t get cocky—those kids are nowhere near capable of a decapitation. Nie Huaishang’s just got some petty cleverness.”

Watching Fan Tianlei stubbornly cling to his words, Kang didn’t refute him—instead, he nodded in agreement:

“I think you’re absolutely right—Nie Huaishang’s just got some petty cleverness, still green as grass, absolutely no real ability.”

Fan Tianlei was stunned—this was the first time Kang had ever agreed with him.

Kang continued:

“All he did was capture you, Fan Tianlei—so what? What’s impressive about capturing Fan Tianlei? Isn’t that right, Lao Fan?”

Fan Tianlei’s face turned as black as a soot pot.

“Commander Kang is right—capturing Fan Tianlei doesn’t prove any real ability on my part,” Nie Huaishang called out from afar.

Hearing Nie Huaishang’s voice, Fan Tianlei’s heart sank—he knew something was wrong.

Seeing Nie Huaishang return, Commander Kang beamed and laughed openly: “This kid has no other talent, but his ears are sharp.”

“Old Kang, if you say he has no talent now, the regional commanders won’t be happy,” Doghead Lao Gao said from the vehicle.

“I didn’t say that—it was your Wolf’s Tooth Brigade’s Chief of Staff who said it. I was just agreeing,” Kang quickly explained.

Seeing Doghead Lao Gao step down, Fan Tianlei asked in surprise: “Lao Gao, you got captured too?”

Doghead Lao Gao snorted: “Hmph, do you think everyone’s like you? I didn’t get captured—I went out with honor.”

Hearing Lao Gao’s explanation, Fan Tianlei waved his hand impatiently:

“Same thing—same thing. I’m still alive, still have a chance to get out and fight again. You? You’re done for.”

Seeing Fan Tianlei mock him, Doghead Lao Gao said nothing, only gave him a look that said “good luck”—after all, he’d just mocked not only his own death, but also the deaths of the battalion commander and the Blue Force commander.

Moreover, Fan Tianlei bore primary responsibility for the deaths of the battalion commander and the commander—he’d soon face their furious wrath.

“Oh? Chief of Staff Fan has complaints about our fallen comrades?”

A man stepped down from the vehicle; seeing him, Fan Tianlei stared in shock and stammered:

“Commander… you got eliminated?”

“Not only the commander—he’s eliminated too,” another man stepped down, face dark with anger, and snorted at Fan Tianlei.

Seeing both men step down, Fan Tianlei’s mind went blank—he never imagined Nie Huaishang’s decapitation strike had succeeded, and with such devastating results.

He’d only wanted to decapitate a battalion commander—he’d ended up decapitating the battalion commander and the commander himself.

Watching Fan Tianlei in his cage, the Blue Force commander sighed to Battalion Commander He Zhijun:

“Zhijun, your Chief of Staff’s impressive—even after a defeat like this, he still struts around like he’s about to make a comeback.”

With that, the Blue Force commander turned and walked straight to the regimental command post—he couldn’t bear to look at Fan Tianlei anymore.

Battalion Commander He Zhijun stared at Fan Tianlei with a dark face—was he really this old and couldn’t tell sarcasm from sincerity?

Did someone have to spell it out: “Your Chief of Staff’s a disaster, and he still dares to brag”?

Looking at Fan Tianlei in his cage, He Zhijun sneered:

“Go on—why stop talking? Chief of Staff Fan, weren’t you just strutting around like you ruled the world? Now why so quiet?”

Seeing He Zhijun’s furious face, Fan Tianlei knew better than to provoke him—he’d committed such a grave error.

As the saying goes: when you’re beaten, stand at attention.

Looking at Fan Tianlei in the cage, He Zhijun sneered and asked:

“Speak up, why won’t you talk? Just a moment ago you were full of pride, pointing out the course of the empire—why are you silent now?”

Fan Tianlei, seeing He Zhijun’s ashen face, decided not to provoke the battalion commander, given how grave his mistake had been.

After all, the old saying goes: when you’re beaten, stand at attention.