Chapter 39: Promotion Again

Thinking of this, He Zhijun said to Fan Tianlei: “Old Fan, Nie Huaishang’s point is valid—you’re a veteran in the military, and having Nie Huaishang as your superior might cause friction between commander and subordinate. We’ve made other arrangements for you; don’t insist anymore.”

Seeing both Nie Huaishang and the battalion commander so firm, Fan Tianlei sighed helplessly: “Alright, Battalion Commander, I’ll head back to Red Blood Cells and wrap up the handover.”

After Fan Tianlei finished speaking and turned to leave—since he needed to settle his final affairs—He Zhijun watched him go, then turned to look at Nie Huaishang and the other four, unable to suppress a quiet sigh within.

Though young, they had successively destroyed K2 and the Polar Bear Corporation—tasks even seasoned veterans struggled to accomplish. Calling their achievements heroic is no exaggeration; precisely because they are young, their future is limitless.

Thinking of this, He Zhijun said to the four: “When I return, I’ll submit your accomplishments to the military district. Given these two feats, when the district’s orders come through, all four of you will be majors.”

“Nie Huaishang, Zhang Xiaofan—you will become the commander and deputy commander of the Red Blood Cells Special Operations Team.”

“Guo Jing, Zhang Chu’an—Gao Qiang is forming a new special unit, Lone Wolf B. You two will serve as its commander and deputy commander.”

Hearing the battalion commander’s arrangements for them, the four wore broad smiles—higher rank meant greater authority and better chances to complete missions.

At the Lone Wolf B camp, everyone had arrived and completed training. Unlike the original plot, Xiwa and Sergeant Chen and others were now present.

Sergeant Chen’s straight spinal inflammation had been secretly cured by Zhang Chu’an and Guo Jing, so he did not become paralyzed as in the original storyline.

Instead, he successfully reached the endpoint, fulfilling his dream of becoming a special forces soldier. Now, Sergeant Chen sat listlessly on his bed when Old Cannon, beside him, couldn’t help asking curiously:

“Sergeant Chen, where do you think Sergeant Guo has gone? Since he left a month ago, we’ve heard nothing. When we asked Doghead Gao, he just said, ‘You have no right to know.’”

Xiwa looked equally anxious. During basic training, Guo Jing often tutored him—he was a top student who passed the National Defense Science and Technology University entrance exam; those questions meant nothing to him.

So Xiwa passed the written test. Sergeant Chen, seeing the crowd gathering around him, sighed helplessly: I don’t know either—so he comforted them:

“Don’t worry about them. You know how capable they are—Doghead Gao isn’t even a match for them. They’ll be fine.”

Hearing someone had beaten Doghead Gao, the paratroopers gathered curiously, especially Deng Zhenhua, whose eyes lit up instantly at the news Doghead Gao had ever lost.

“Tell us how someone beat Doghead Gao.”

Deng Zhenhua’s voice was loud; people from nearby barracks heard about Doghead Gao’s defeat and rushed over to join the crowd.

Everyone surrounded the Night Tiger Recon Company men and egged them on.

After enduring Doghead Gao’s month-long hellish training, everyone harbored some resentment toward his brutality. Missing the chance to hear the devilish instructor’s humiliation would haunt them for life.

So, under eager eyes, the Night Tiger men recounted how Guo Jing and Zhang Chu’an utterly humiliated Doghead Gao. The storyteller gesticulated wildly; listeners leaned in, afraid to miss a single word.

The part about Doghead Gao losing a shooting contest to Guo Jing was still plausible, but when it came to Zhang Chu’an’s hand-to-hand combat with Doghead Gao, it turned absurd.

Like Doghead Gao being kicked flying by Zhang Chu’an.

Or Doghead Gao rolling on the ground.

Even Doghead Gao spitting blood after one blow from Zhang Chu’an.

Most of the story was fabricated and slanderous, invented by Xiao Zhuang and others to smear Doghead Gao—but listeners found it wildly satisfying.

Deng Zhenhua and the paratroopers cheered, “Brilliant!”

When the tale reached Guo Jing and Zhang Chu’an leading the Night Tiger Recon Company to annihilate Doghead Gao’s Wolf Fang Unit, it became utterly unrecognizable.

In the story, Doghead Gao was arrogant, boasting wildly before the match—only to be effortlessly crushed by the wise and decisive Guo Jing and Zhang Chu’an, publicly humiliated.

“This Doghead Gao always acts so high and mighty in front of us—never thought he’d get beaten like this.”

Paratrooper Geng Jihui exclaimed excitedly to the group.

“That’s what they call heaven above heaven.”

Everyone chattered away, thoroughly delighted—after all, this was the story of their devilish instructor being utterly humiliated. Such tales were too thrilling.

Unbeknownst to them, Doghead Gao stood outside, face darkening. What the hell are they talking about? I never rolled on the ground!

Zhang Chu’an and Guo Jing also looked embarrassed—had it not been for them, Doghead Gao wouldn’t have been so publicly shamed.

Doghead Gao shouted loudly through the door: “You boys seem full of energy after just a little while apart.”

His voice instantly silenced the room. But Doghead Gao didn’t press further—only dropped, “Assemble at the training ground,” and walked off.

Inside, everyone froze, unsure what to do—but still instinctively began packing up.

Yet when the Night Tiger Recon Company members saw Guo Jing and Zhang Chu’an standing beside Doghead Gao, they immediately relaxed.

Seeing the two unharmed eased their worries considerably.

Soon everyone assembled at the training ground, facing the group.

Doghead Gao said solemnly: “Here, I congratulate you—you are now special forces. Your superiors have formed you into Lone Wolf B.”

“These two beside me are your commander and deputy commander. You already know their abilities—they did defeat me. But not as you’ve heard. I hope no more slander against your superiors will occur.”

“Of course, they’re your commanders not just because of their skills, but because they’ve achieved extraordinary feats. While you trained, they captured the infamous mercenary Scorpion, extracted intelligence from him, and helped police dismantle his entire mercenary organization.”

Hearing Doghead Gao’s words, Lone Wolf B members were stunned—especially Xiao Zhuang and the others. In just over a month, they’d destroyed a mercenary organization?

Meanwhile, at Red Blood Cells, everyone froze upon hearing Fan Tianlei was leaving.

Though Fan Tianlei had been a pain lately, his sudden departure left them hollow. So they rushed to his office to ask what was happening.

Seeing them all come, Fan Tianlei felt a pang of emotion—he hadn’t expected them to want to keep him. Wiping his eyes, he urged them:

“Enough. Rain falls, mothers remarry—it’s a higher command decision. Red Blood Cells needs new leadership. Don’t try to stop me.”

Li Erniu quickly explained, fearing Fan Tianlei misunderstood:

“No, sir, you’ve got it wrong. We didn’t come to stop you—we want to know if the new commander is Nie Huaishang and Zhang Xiaofan.”

“If so, I’ll prepare extra dishes tonight to celebrate.”

Others nodded along. Fan Tianlei nearly choked—so I’m so hated you’re throwing a party the moment I leave?

Fan Tianlei nodded and said: “The new commander is indeed Nie Huaishang.”

Instantly, cheers erupted.

Fan Tianlei said to the group: “Alright, leave for now. I need to speak with He Chenguang alone.”

As everyone filed out and he was left alone, He Chenguang scratched his head and asked curiously: “Uncle Fan, what do you want to tell me?”

Looking at He Chenguang before him, Fan Tianlei felt deep shame—after all, He Chenguang’s father died saving him. With regret etched on his face, Fan Tianlei said: “Chenguang, Uncle Fan is sorry to you.”