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

A black Audi A6 passed through layers of heavily guarded checkpoints.

Finally, Li Weiguo led Zeng Long through layers of checks and reports, and headed towards the ancient conference room that symbolized the core of the highest power in the Dragon Kingdom.

The atmosphere in the meeting room seemed to have subtly changed compared to when I left.

The smoke thinned a bit, but the heavy air seemed to be compressed to its limit, filled with the urgency of an impending storm.

All the eyes of the bigwigs—the head of state, General Zhang, and the other military leaders with three gold stars on their shoulders—were focused like searchlights on Zeng Long, who had just entered the room.

They scrutinized the young man:

His eyes were deep beyond his years, his features were resolute yet he wore a wicked smile with a hint of cynicism, and he had an indescribable contradictory quality, both experienced and youthful.

"Greetings, leaders."

Zeng Long stood at attention and gave a military salute.

The movements weren't particularly standard or smooth, and were even a bit clumsy (it's already quite an achievement that the old Baroque guy could be taught to salute, given his rough nature).

After saluting, he remained calm and composed, as if he were back at home, and very naturally walked to sit down in the empty seat next to Army Commander-in-Chief Liu.

Then, in full view of everyone, he did something that stunned all the big shots—he very naturally took out a special cigarette from the cigarette box in front of Old Liu.

He reached for the lighter on the table, lit it with a "snap," took a deep drag, and exhaled a smoke ring with satisfaction.

Old Liu was taken aback at first.

Then those tiger eyes glared.

His face, etched with fierce wrinkles, roared:

"Hey! You little punk! You've got some nerve! You dare steal my cigarettes?"

"Smoking in front of so many old guys?!"

Zeng Long turned his head and gave Old Liu his signature wicked smile:

"Sir, is it really necessary?"

"It's just a cigarette, isn't it?"

"I'll return the whole carload to you next time!"

"The main problem is that the atmosphere in this meeting room is too oppressive. I'm not even 20 years old yet, and with so many big shots like you here, my heart is pounding. Having a cigarette to calm my nerves and ease the tension isn't too much to ask, is it?"

He spoke casually, as if the thrilling experience he had just had at the criminal investigation team was nothing more than going out to buy a pack of cigarettes.

"Hey! You think you're right?!"

Old Liu was amused by his words, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly changed the subject:

"Since you took something you shouldn't have, you can't just get away with it so easily!"

"You smoked the cigarettes, and I don't expect you to pay me back!"

"But, whenever you have free time, you have to spend some time at my unit! How about that, fair enough?"

A sly glint appeared on the old general's face.

Upon hearing this, the naval commander Zhang, who was standing nearby, objected, puffing out his beard and glaring at him, saying:

"You old scoundrel Liu! Have you no shame?"

"All Xiaolong did was smoke a cigarette from you, and you're threatening and bribing him like that!"

"Little Dragon, don't listen to his nonsense! Come to our navy! Tons of cigarettes! If you can't finish them, just put them in your pocket and go!"

"If that's not enough, come to the fleet. Those old smokers can keep you company while you smoke and discuss the philosophy of life!"

The reason he came up with was so convincing that the other military leaders couldn't help but roll their eyes, giving him a "you win" look.

Air Force Commander Wang also spoke slowly: "Smoking in the air offers a better view, how about considering it?"

Zeng Long looked at the group of bigwigs scrambling for the item like old children, and couldn't help but laugh and cry. He quickly waved his hand:

"My lords, my bosses! Please spare me! My fragile heart can't take this kind of scare! I'm still young..."

"Little brat!" Old Liu laughed and scolded, "You're just a precocious brat! Enough talk, are you going or not? Give me a straight answer! You can't just smoke for free!"

Zeng Long flicked his cigarette ash and gave a wicked smile:

"It's not a problem for me to stay at your place for a while. As long as you can handle my antics and are willing to clean up my messes, I'm fine with it."

Upon hearing this, Old Liu felt a chill run down his spine, and suddenly had an ominous premonition, like "hunting geese all day long, only to have them peck at your eyes."

These few witty exchanges were like a breath of fresh air, unexpectedly lightening the originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere in the meeting room.

At this moment, the head of state spoke with a smile, his gaze gentle yet penetrating as he looked at Zeng Long:

"Comrade Zeng Long, Comrade Wei Guo has already briefly explained the situation to us. Are you really sure that we can carry out this kind of unconventional and dangerous mission entirely on our own, without the country needing to send a single soldier?"

When it came to serious matters, Zeng Long's playful expression faded slightly. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled, and his eyes became sharp and serious.

"Yes, sir. I have already communicated with the Zero team members."

"Although we have some reputation overseas, it's nothing to brag about."

"After the last rescue of Professor Lin, at least a dozen countries and forces gathered around 'Hellfire' and wanted us dead."

"If Baroque hadn't reacted quickly and told us to immediately break up and go underground, we'd probably be surrounded and hunted by the whole world right now."

"Baroque is a man with a cold exterior but a warm heart. No matter how much pressure he's under, he won't say it, but I know he's carrying a heavy burden."

"Moreover," Zeng Long's voice lowered, carrying a heavy emotion:

"Most of my team members are from China."

"Some were abducted by human traffickers as children and have lived a life of constant displacement."

"There are also outstanding retired soldiers from our Dragon Country who have ended up overseas for various reasons."

"They may not say it, but their roots have always been in China."

"Returning to one's roots and serving one's country is not only an honor, but also the deepest desire in their hearts."

"Little Sparrow, she had long since found out about her background and reunited with her parents, but she couldn't go home."

"Iron-Hearted and Cold-Thorn seem to be doing very well now, but in the dead of night, who doesn't feel a pang of sadness as they look eastward?"

"So, sir!"

Zeng Long's gaze swept across the faces of every tycoon present, his tone becoming extremely solemn and even somewhat impassioned:

"I'm here today not on my own behalf, but to demand a stance from the government. I'm here on behalf of my brothers who have risked their lives for us, demanding protection and a promise!"

"Our fighting strength is not weak, but our ability to cause trouble is even greater!"

"If our identities are exposed in the future because of our mission, can the country withstand retaliation and pressure from all sides?"

"Can you protect us and ensure our brothers have no worries?"

"Only in this way can we fight for this country without reservation and with our lives on the line."

His words were resounding, his eyes burning with unwavering determination and expectation.

"Good lad!" General Zhang slammed his hand on the table, his beard trembling with excitement.

"Well said! Don't worry! As long as we old folks are here, as long as we have a breath left, we will never let our heroes shed blood and tears!"

"Trouble? What are you afraid of!" Old Liu roared back.

"Anyway, you're just beating up those bastards overseas! Go ahead and provoke them! Make a scene! If the sky falls, I'll be the first to lead my troops to hold it up!"

"Within the Dragon Kingdom, anyone who dares to cause trouble will not leave alive, that's my word!"

Several other military leaders also expressed their opinions, instantly turning the atmosphere into one of passion and excitement.

The head of state nodded emphatically, his gaze resolute:

"Comrade Zeng Long, the country and the people will never let down their heroes. The country will take care of your worries!"

"This is my promise, and it is the promise of everyone here!"

He looked at Li Weiguo: "Comrade Weiguo, now that our 'Zero' is ready, let's tell him the details of the mission."

Li Weiguo's expression turned serious, and he immediately opened the top-secret briefing:

"Briefing 1: Code name 'Pigeon'—" His voice instantly became incredibly heavy:

"One of our top agents was exposed and unfortunately arrested by the US intelligence agency 48 hours ago while carrying out a top-secret mission!"

"The last thing we received was a broken distress signal, located somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, California!"

"The situation is extremely critical. Every second of delay increases the risk of Comrade 'Pigeon' being killed or secretly transferred."

The lively atmosphere in the meeting room instantly froze again!

The loss of a top agent to the enemy is almost one of the worst possible scenarios in the intelligence field.

Briefing 2:

Li Weiguo spoke faster:

"my country has two important strategic oil fields in Country D in the Middle East: 'Pearl 1' and 'Hope 2'!"

"36 hours ago, it was suddenly attacked and occupied by a well-equipped and well-trained unidentified armed group!"

"All 47 personnel from China stationed at the oil field have gone missing, their fate unknown!"

"The D country's government forces attempted a rescue but suffered heavy losses. Although the anti-government forces claimed responsibility, their statements were vague and their motives were questionable. It is highly likely that other major powers were behind it."

Two missions, one concerning the life of a top agent and top-secret intelligence.

A matter concerning the nation's energy strategy and the lives of 47 compatriots is urgent and fraught with difficulties.

All eyes were once again focused on Zeng Long.

Zeng Long stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray with a fierce stub, his eyes showing no hesitation, only a cold, sharp glint and powerful confidence.

He stood up, his voice clear and firm:

"Mission received. 'Pigeon' and the oil field are both ours."

"Squad Zero, mission accomplished!"