Chapter 263: Monster, This Is Absolutely a Monster!

Here, I, on behalf of the division headquarters, confer upon you a personal Third-Class Merit Medal and a fourth‑phase Non‑commissioned Officer shoulder board!

Thank you, Chief!

Zhou Kaidong's voice was a roar.

He could do without the Third-Class Merit Medal, but the fourth‑phase Non‑commissioned Officer shoulder board means a lot to him.

Moreover, this fourth‑phase Non‑commissioned Officer shoulder board is presented on behalf of the division headquarters, personally by the Division Chief of Staff.

And the Division Chief of Staff's words—"the courage and responsibility of Longguo soldiers, the benchmark of the new‑era soldier"—carry great weight.

It will be enough to help him later pass the fifth‑phase Non‑commissioned Officer, the so‑called third‑grade Sergeant major, a major hurdle.

Although Zhou Kaidong's age already exceeds the unit's promotion‑to‑officer recommendation minimum age limit of 25.

The unit's outstanding Non‑commissioned Officer promotion recommendation requires candidates to be under 25, hold a rank below Sergeant (second phase), and have served at least one year but no more than eight.

But as long as he can stay in the unit and continue to contribute to the collective, he will have no regrets.

Seeing the fourth‑phase Non‑commissioned Officer rank pinned to his shoulder, Zhou Kaidong finally felt the weight in his heart settle.

Like Lu Yang, he also has his own ambition.

From now on, Zhou Kaidong's goal is to strive for second‑grade Sergeant major, even first‑grade Sergeant major; to become a true Soldier King, the living fossil of the unit.

One should know that a first‑grade Sergeant major enjoys very high treatment in the unit, with salary and benefits surpassing most officers; even the Division Commander and Army Commander must salute and shake hands upon seeing him.

In the audience, many envious eyes turned to Zhou Kaidong; they are veteran Non‑commissioned Officers about to face the third‑phase to fourth‑phase, or fourth‑phase to fifth‑phase, critical junctures.

He has already succeeded, but their future paths remain uncertain.

Lu Yang also sincerely feels happy for Squad Leader Gao Feng, because he has guarded Zhou Kaidong's inner home.

Suddenly, a gaze fell on himself, and Lu Yang immediately puffed his chest even higher...

"No wonder they're Motorized Infantry, no wonder they're soldiers of the Iron Foot Company?"

"Chasing four wheels from such a distance, not only caught up, but climbed into the vehicle to fight the spy."

"He almost killed two enemies taller and stronger than you, wielding weapons; Lu Yang, you truly gave me a huge lesson, making me see you in a new light!"

Lu Yang, full of vigor, said: "Report, my first lesson in enlistment was running; my first meal was cold frozen potatoes and fried noodles; the best marching song I sang was the hard‑standing regiment!"

"As a soldier of the Special Third Regiment, as a member of the Iron Foot Company, I constantly remember the spirit of our seniors; and under the careful guidance and care of the superiors, I have grown robustly!"

Xiong Yao nodded slightly, about to continue, when Lu Yang's head proactively moved to the microphone.

"Being able to stand on this stage, I want to thank my Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong, my Company Commander, my Instructor, the Battalion Commander, the Trainer, the Regiment Commander, the Political Commissar......"

"Finally, I also thank my New Recruit Company Commander Gao Feng, as well as Team Leader Guo who taught me how to fire, Deputy Team Leader Cheng; and during my injury days, Cook Squad Leader Hong who gave me daily nutrition, and a whole series of people who have helped and cared for me."

"It is you who taught me responsibility and accountability; it is also you who made me understand the meaning of this uniform, how to be a soldier, a good soldier."

"......"

"......"

The huge auditorium fell silent, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

Both onstage and in the audience, including the Division Commander and the Division Chief of Staff, everyone widened their eyes and stared fixedly at this shameless guy.

"They say it's just a symbolic thank‑you for seeking credit, but you keep rattling off like a menu—never ending, huh?"

"Even the Cook Squad Leader showed up; why don't you also thank the canteen auntie and the old man from the neighboring village who sells cold noodles?"

Wang Zhongxi, Tan Yuanzhou, Ma Qing'an, He Zhen Tao and others, unlike the others, had eyes full of deep satisfaction.

"A peerless good soldier, a peerless good soldier!"

"Truly, not a single bit of affection was wasted; from now on you'll be entrusted with heavy responsibilities and key cultivation!"

The soldiers of the Sixth Company were all stunned; no one expected Lu Yang's special thanks to be so extensive.

"I've learned another lesson about human affairs!"

"My brother Lu Yang is indeed different; his special thanks are longer than anyone else's!"

"Platoon Leader Lu exudes overwhelming aura, shaking the entire venue with his single authority; none of the senior leaders dares to speak—this is the bearing of a great general!"

"Ahem!"

The Division Commander gave two tactical coughs, finally breaking the awkward situation.

"Lu Yang, right? I can see that on this journey you've been helped by many people?"

"Yes, Chief."

Lu Yang faced the Division Commander, his tone sincere.

These are his heartfelt words, because everyone he met along the way has added a bright stroke to his reborn military path.

The Division Commander stood up voluntarily, came before Lu Yang, and smiled, saying: "All of you are soldiers; your understanding and insights about the unit seem far beyond those of your peers. That's good, and I hope you can continue to maintain it."

"Your friendship, your goodwill, and the people you've met along the way; they will become the depth of your life and help you go further."

He raised his hand, and Xiong Yao handed him a pre‑prepared wooden box.

After opening it, inside lay a Second-Class Merit Medal.

"This Second-Class Merit Medal, along with the honor certificate, is a reward for you."

"If you want another special thanks, the whole audience can stop and wait for you."

The Division Commander's humor made Lu Yang feel very close, but the joy in his heart overflowed.

"This time, I want to thank myself!"

"Go ahead, say it."

"Thank this uniform for giving me courage; thank the unit's belief for giving me the resolve to fight to the death against criminals!"

"Well said!"

The Division Commander clapped vigorously.

People below rolled their eyes and quickly joined in clapping.

Damn, what's with this kid, spouting little phrases one after another—could he be a graduate student?

"Graduate student? I even suspect he's a doctoral student, maybe in Chinese linguistics—his speech is so damn polished!"

"If I had even half his way with words, half his knack for handling matters, why after all these years am I still just a lowly deputy Company Commander!"

Division personally pinned this second‑class merit on Lu Yang, then immediately started to tease: "Comrade Lu Yang, I'll ask you a few questions next; if you can answer them all, there's an extra reward?"

Lu Yang was a bit stunned, turned his head to glance at the Company Commander and others on the stage.

Ma Qing'an and a few others frantically nodded, urging him to agree at once.

Even though he didn't know what the reward was, anything given by the Division can't be bad, right?

Lu Yang glanced again at Zhou Kaidong beside him; the two of them also gave frantic double‑blink looks, urging him to agree quickly.

After this village, there's no such shop!

Lu Yang hesitated a moment: "Chief, may I ask first what the reward is?"

Division smiled without speaking, while Xiong Yao behind him coughed.

Under Lu Yang's gaze, he pulled a pair of medium‑sized rectangular cloth pieces from his pocket and fanned them in front of him.

It was a set of military insignia, unmistakably a single bar with one star—a Second Lieutenant rank.

It also marked his promotion to officer, the true first step on the military career path.

Lu Yang's eyes flashed with brilliance, his breathing a bit rapid: "Division, go ahead! Whether it's a few questions or dozens, we can answer them!"

Division snorted coldly: "Just you, without your comrades, playing a word game with me in front of so many people?"

"Hehe, the collective consciousness hangs in the heart…"

"Stop the cheeky grin, stand still!"

"Yes!"

Even though the Division's tone was displeased, the Division leaders on stage all wore smiles.

It felt less like a dialogue between a general and a regular soldier, more like a casual joke with elders at home.

At that moment, Lu Yang gave the people below a vivid lesson in human affairs.

"This is damn literally a monster, a monster!"

"How could he, how is this soldier so capable?!"

"Quick, quick use the demon‑revealing mirror on him, let him show his true form. Otherwise I'll lose my composure, I really will lose my composure!"