The Rise of a Special Forces Soldier Abandoned by a Wealthy Family

Li Weiguo left the courtyard house and got into his private car, thus cutting himself off from the outside world's view.

He immediately took out the satellite phone with the highest encryption level, took a deep breath, and dialed Baroque's number.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered. The voice on the other end was slightly panting, accompanied by a noisy background (it seemed to be from the training ground).

Feeding? Minister Li? What happened now? Have the photos and videos been confirmed?

I'm currently training a bunch of greenhorns, and these little brats are much harder to manage than Zero from back in the day...

Li Weiguo didn't have time for pleasantries and went straight to the point, his tone serious.

Mr. Baroque, to make a long story short.

We have conducted the highest level of verification and confirmation of the clues you provided.

Zero is indeed the long-lost grandson of my Dragon Kingdom and my old leader, who has been separated for eighteen years.

That's why I was so nervous and excited before.

I apologize for the specifics, but my former superior and family feel they owe Zero too much and want to handle this matter in a gradual and natural way.

I think Mr. Baroque will understand what I'm saying.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Then came a loud thud, which sounded like a fist hitting a sandbag.

Then came the sound of Baroque's shock.

That's good to know!

This can be considered as helping him find his roots.

I knew it!

That kid's stubbornness and those eyes are definitely not something an ordinary family could raise!

Your old superior... seems to be no ordinary person either!

This is really...

"Mr. Baroque!"

Li Weiguo interrupted his remark with a solemn tone.

This matter is of great importance.

The former leader specifically instructed that this information should currently be known only to a very small number of people at the highest level and should not be disclosed to the public for the time being.

It must not be revealed to Zero himself, in particular.

We need time, and we also need to consider the child's feelings. You...

"I understand! I get it!"

Baroque immediately chimed in, his voice becoming serious.

Don't worry, although I, Baroque, am a rough man, I still have a sense of propriety.

This concerns whether that kid can live a peaceful life, so I'll keep my mouth shut.

But... now that you've confirmed it, why don't you acknowledge each other immediately?

Although that kid had a cold exterior, he was actually...

Because he cares, he can't be in a hurry.

Li Weiguo sighed.

"The old commander is afraid. He's afraid that he won't be able to accept it right away, that he'll harbor resentment and push him even further away. So, please, keep this a secret."

"Okay! I understand." Baroque readily agreed, then asked, "So what are your plans next? What do you need me to do?"

Li Weiguo quickly explained the arranged identity (Zeng Long), school selection, airport pickup arrangements, etc.

"...In short, I will pick him up in person to put his mind at ease."

Please inform him to prepare to depart.

Tell him that everything has been arranged in the Dragon Kingdom, and that he can come to study and find his relatives without worry.

With me, the Minister of Security, here, no one will cause trouble.

But I also told him to tone it down and not to make Chinese universities as chaotic as Harvard...

"Hahaha!"

Baroque burst into laughter on the other end of the phone.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll definitely pass on the message! That kid actually knows what's going on, it's just that sometimes he can't control that girl... oh my god!"

Suddenly, a gasp and the sound of something being knocked over came from the other end of the phone.

"What's wrong?" Li Weiguo asked, surprised.

"It's nothing, it's nothing! I was so focused on talking to you on the phone that I got ambushed by some brat... Okay, I'll hang up now and contact that kid right away!"

Baroque hung up the phone in a flurry and immediately dialed Ling Ye's encrypted line.

"Hey, you old bastard," Ling Ye's icy voice came.

"You little bastard! Listen up!"

Baroque's tone was excited.

It's been confirmed in China!

Li Weiguo just finished calling me. You've got your identity sorted out, kid!

Brand new, 'Zeng Long'. This name sounds powerful, much better than the code names I gave you before, right?

Minister Li personally arranged everything; you can choose between Beijing and Qingyuan or Beijing North, an apartment will be prepared for you, and he will personally pick you up from the airport!

Once you get there, just relax and be a college student. While you're at it, look for clues. With the Minister of Security protecting you, you can do whatever you want without any problems!

Of course, we must keep a low profile in general! Absolutely! Don't repeat those "glorious deeds" like those involving Haval, you hear me?

Ling Ye paused for a moment on the other end of the phone.

"Zeng Long?" he repeated softly, the name indeed bringing a strange, indescribable sense of familiarity.

It's much better than "Zero" or those other names that Baroque came up with haphazardly before.

"I understand," he replied casually.

"There's something else!"

Baroque changed his tone, "This time, you go ahead alone to scout out the way."

As for Little Sparrow, I'll arrange for someone to escort her back to the base for a while...

"What?!"

Before Baroque could finish speaking, Lin Que let out a deafening scream from the other end of the phone.

She was clearly eavesdropping next to Ling Ye.

I'm not going back to base!

I'd rather die than go back!

I want to go to the Dragon Kingdom with the boss!

I'm going to find my parents!

I'm going to wreak havoc... oh no, I mean, to experience university life in China! Boss! You can't leave me behind!!

The sounds of chickens flying and dogs barking immediately came from the background, clearly indicating that Lin Que had started making a ruckus.

Ling Ye sighed helplessly and held the phone a little further away: "You heard everything?"

Baroque was also having a major headache on the other end:

"Oh my little darling... girl! Listen to me! The situation in Dragon Kingdom isn't entirely clear yet, it's safest for you to go back to base first! Once your boss has established himself, he'll definitely bring you over!"

"No, no, I just won't!"

Lin Que complained in a tearful voice, "The base is so boring!"

When I get back, I'll infect all the servers at the base with viruses!

Set all drones to dancing mode!

Make all your electronic and communication devices lose signal!

Let's see how you guys manage!

Ling Ye: "..." Baroque: "...Little Miss, I'm begging you..."

Finally, after a noisy half-hour-long transoceanic talk,

Both sides reluctantly reached a consensus:

Ling Ye went ahead to the Dragon Kingdom to "pioneering" the land. He assessed the environment and established certain safeguards.

Once the situation stabilizes, the government's stance is clear, and safety is assured, Lin Que will be taken there as soon as possible.

But Lin Que was clearly extremely dissatisfied with this "future-oriented" promise.

A furious ultimatum:

Half a year!

I can only stay at the base for a maximum of six months!

If they still haven't picked me up in six months, I'll hack into the civil aviation system, buy a ticket, and fly there myself!

And for the next six months, you must video chat with me at least once a day!

Otherwise I'll... I'll have that old killer's private account anonymously donate to the African Children's Fund every day!

Donate until he goes bankrupt!

Baroque: "???" (What does this have to do with me?!) Ling Ye rubbed his temples: "...Okay."

---

Meanwhile, Li Weiguo had already arrived deep inside the heavily guarded, tree-lined inner palace.

In a quaint yet dignified conference room, several elderly people who frequently appear in the news are gathered.

And several high-ranking military officers with three gold stars on their shoulders.

He was casually sipping his tea, assuming that Li Weiguo had come to report on some routine security work.

Then, Li Weiguo dropped a bombshell.

Respected leaders, this is an urgent report.

An important figure in the international mercenary community, codenamed "Zero".

It has now been confirmed that his true identity is Zeng Linglong, the grandson of General Zeng Rong, who was separated from his family for eighteen years.

He has accepted our arrangements and will soon return to China under the pseudonym "Zeng Long" to begin his university studies...

"Pfft—!" A CEO who was drinking tea lost his composure on the spot, spitting out a mouthful of tea all over the conference table, choking and coughing repeatedly.

The document in the other leader's hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and his eyes widened in surprise.

The entire conference room fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone seemed to have been put on pause, their faces filled with huge question marks and shock, as if asking, "Who am I? Where am I? What did I just hear?"

After a full ten seconds of silence, someone finally spoke in disbelief.

Who?! Zero?! The "Zero" who turned the mercenary world and the underworld upside down?

Is he the grandson of the Zeng family?

The child who went missing eighteen years ago? Has he been found?

"And found it this way?!" "This...this is...so dramatic!"

After the initial shock, the senior executives quickly calmed down and their expressions became serious.

They immediately realized the complexity and importance of the matter.

How to treat and protect this "Zeng Long" with his special identity became the primary issue.

The meeting officially began with the theme: "Proposal for the Protection and Resettlement of Comrade Zeng Long after His Return to China."

However, less than ten minutes into the meeting, the tone suddenly veered off course.

General Zhao, who was in charge of defense science and technology, first coughed and then spoke in a serious tone:

Cough cough, I think.

Comrade Zeng Long is a talent with rich practical experience and extremely high tactical skills.

The most suitable option is to directly enter a military academy for further study!

The National Defense University has an advanced command training program, which is perfect...

Before he could finish speaking, General Liu of the Army interrupted him immediately.

His voice was booming, carrying a domineering air of a thug:

Old Zhao, give me a break!

Which school should I go to?

Talking about strategy on paper is a waste of talent!

Come straight to my army!

I entrusted him with leading the best squad of the "Dragon Fang" Special Forces!

You know what "Dragon Fang" is, right?

The sharpest blade the entire army has ever honed!

We need a tough guy like him, who has seen blood and fought hard battles, to be a whetstone!

Rank and resources are maxed out!

Let him pour all that valuable combat experience into the training field and transform it into real combat power!

(The "Dragon Fang" special forces, the undisputed elite force, frequently undertakes high-intensity border missions and counter-terrorism and stability maintenance operations. They are the pride and benchmark of the military, renowned for their formidable frontal combat capabilities.)

Navy Commander Zhang was displeased and spoke slowly.

His tone, however, carried the pressure of the deep sea:

Old Liu, your perspective is too narrow.

Modern warfare is three-dimensional warfare; no matter how strong "Dragon Fang" is, it is still a tiger on land.

Comrade Zeng Long's abilities are clearly more inclined towards overall command and special operations infiltration.

Our Navy's newly established "Jiaolong" Special Commando Unit.

In the future, he will be assigned to aircraft carrier battle groups to carry out missions of ocean control and strategic deterrence, which is exactly what commanders with a global vision and combat experience like him are needed!

The amphibious assault ship that was recently launched over there is his mobile command center!

Air Force Commander Wang scoffed:

That's all traditional territory for you!

The future trend is integrated air and space operations, and information-driven development!

Isn't there a young girl with Comrade Zeng Long who is a genius in electronic warfare?

Exactly!

Come join my Air Force!

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) combat clusters or cyber warfare centers—they can choose whatever they want!

Conditions? Name your price! We'll give you whatever you want!

We'll make sure they have even more fun than they would on the international stage.

General Zhou, the commander of the Rocket Force who had been silent until now, pushed up his glasses and said quietly:

In terms of strategic deterrence and global precision strikes, it seems that our Rocket Force needs personnel who can grasp the strategic intentions and psychological bottom lines of our adversaries to the extreme.

Comrade Zeng Long's ability to assess situations and engage in psychological maneuvering in complex environments is exactly what we urgently need for strategic duty and crisis management.

Although we don't directly command troops, every decision we make concerns the foundation of the nation.

Li Weiguo sat below, feeling a chill run down his spine.

This isn't just about stealing people; it's about stealing strategic nuclear weapons!

Just as the CEOs were arguing heatedly, almost to the point of rolling up their sleeves for a "friendly exchange,"

The leader sitting at the head of the table, who hadn't spoken much and had a more composed and reserved demeanor, coughed lightly.

The conference room fell silent immediately upon hearing that one word. All eyes were on him.

The leader took a leisurely sip of tea, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and slowly began to speak:

"What you're saying makes sense. 'Dragon Fang' is a fine blade, and 'Flood Dragon' is a sharp sword. But..."

He paused, his voice not loud, yet carrying an invisible weight:

"Have you all forgotten about the existence of 'Dragon Thorn'?"

(The "Dragon Thorn" special forces are a legendary entity, even more mysterious and elite than the "Dragon Fang." They usually only exist in top-secret documents at the highest levels. They are responsible for carrying out truly national-level top-secret missions. The identities of their members are highly confidential, and their combat capabilities are classified. They are the last daggers protecting the nation's weapons.)

The moment the words "Dragon Thorn" were uttered, even the previously domineering CEO Liu instantly became subdued, and the other CEOs also turned serious.

The leader continued.

Comrade Zeng Long's experience and abilities are extraordinary.

A sense of belonging to the Dragon Kingdom and patriotism will likely not be a problem in the future.

We still believe in the descendants of General Zeng.

Although I've always been abroad.

But from his tireless efforts to rescue Professor Lin and his team members last time, and his unwavering gratitude, we can glean a glimpse into his true character.

What he needs now is not a platform to demonstrate his power.

Rather, it is a place that can truly understand him, accept him, allow him to realize his full potential, and at the same time provide him with absolute safety and a sense of belonging.

The duties and mission of "Dragon Thorn," as well as its unique operating model, may be more suitable for his current state.

Of course, this is just a preliminary idea, and the final outcome will depend on his willingness and adaptation after returning to China.

Most importantly, he looked at Li Weiguo and said, "A safe and smooth transition will allow him to first feel the warmth of the country, the care of his home, and the tranquility of the campus, making up for his lack of a normal life."

This is the fundamental premise.

Although he has not yet reunited with Elder Zeng, his journey back to the Dragon Kingdom to search for clues about his origins proves that he has a pure and innocent heart.

The leader made the final decision, instantly bringing the meeting back on track.

The other executives still had a hint of resentment in their eyes.

Especially General Liu, who was muttering to himself, "Those guys from Dragon Thorn are elusive."

"Nothing beats our 'Dragon Fang' down-to-earth style..."

Another military commander who remained silent throughout did not speak or argue.

But inside, he was overjoyed; he was the highest-ranking officer of the Fifth Category Army.

Because his unit's chief of staff was Zeng Long's uncle, Zeng Lao's eldest son, he had the advantage of being close to him and had to keep a low profile.

"Alright, alright!"

Finally, one of the leaders smiled and tapped the table.

Look at you all, what kind of behavior is this!

Their child hasn't even returned to China yet!

The current discussion is about how to ensure his safety. There are many forces and countries around the world looking for him, so the country's goodwill will allow him to have a smooth transition!

A thorough protection and confidentiality plan is essential; this is a prerequisite!

As for what happens next... we'll have to take it into consideration, but we need to be careful with our approach and absolutely avoid scaring the child.

We must not influence his personal wishes!

The meeting is adjourned for today. Comrade Weiguo, your security department should first come up with a detailed plan for the specific protection and confidentiality measures.

The meeting ended amid a mix of joy (for the onlookers), resentment (for the CEOs), and a touch of awe for "Dragon Thorn".

Li Weiguo wiped his sweat and walked out of the conference room.

My inner monologue:

Good heavens, the "Dragon Fang" has just been revealed.

The ultimate trump card, "Dragon Thorn," is already looming large.

Linglong hasn't even returned yet, and he's already been upgraded from a "hot commodity" to a "strategic resource."

It seems his plan to take advantage of his proximity to the source has essentially failed.

This is a very complex situation with many powerful figures. With his small frame, he can probably only stand on the sidelines and shout "666" (a Chinese internet slang for "awesome").