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

The heated atmosphere in the meeting room had not yet completely subsided.

The vow of "We will punish them no matter how far away they are" still echoes in the air, burning in everyone's hearts.

However, Zeng Long's sharpness subsided slightly, replaced by a deep, even somewhat somber expression.

He took a deep breath, his voice much lower than before, as if bearing an invisible weight:

"Gentlemen, I just discussed a business deal and also made a request."

"Now, the last thing I want to talk about... is an identity."

"An identity that is incredibly heavy for me and my teammates, yet one that we have to fight for."

The crowd keenly noticed the change in his tone, and they all suppressed their excitement and focused their attention on him with concern.

Zeng Long's gaze seemed to pierce through the wall, looking towards a distant place, towards his brothers and sisters who had shared life and death with him.

"Gentlemen, Team Zero... wasn't born that way. Most of us have had homes, parents, and a period of time filled with warm, albeit perhaps brief, memories."

His voice had a barely perceptible hoarseness:

"Take Little Sparrow for example. Her hands, which can command the wind and rain in the online world, may have initially been just being led to her first steps by the warm hands of her parents."

"Tie Dun's body, which could withstand the flames of war, may have been lifted high by his father when he was a child, and laughter filled the courtyard."

"Cold Thorn... Behind his silent and icy demeanor, perhaps there was once a mother's gentle nagging."

"They are not like me; I have no memory of my origins or my parents."

"But they have it."

Zeng Long's tone became incredibly profound, carrying a heartbreaking resonance:

"Those memories, perhaps buried deep in the brutal training and battles, have become blurry shadows in dreams, or an elusive bitterness in the deepest part of the heart when the night is still."

"But they never really disappeared!"

"Otherwise, it's impossible to explain why Little Sparrow could instantly recognize her long-lost parents from just a blurry face on the base's television screen during a news broadcast!"

"Because it is the lighthouse etched deep within their souls! A light that flickers faintly yet persistently, guiding them home!"

He paused, his tone becoming even more serious:

"But even a lighthouse... eventually runs out of fuel. Memories, too, will gradually fade and dissipate over time and amidst endless smoke and fire. When that light is completely extinguished, the way home will truly be lost."

Zeng Long raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his eyes filled with the responsibility and sorrow of being the team leader:

"I'm their leader."

"From a young age, I have led them to face the most brutal trials in the world, struggling to survive in mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

"Now, they are far from their homeland, experiencing the ravages of war."

"I...I must fight for them, fight for them, fight for them to find their way home before that light goes out!"

His voice carried a hint of weariness, yet it sounded all the more resolute:

"The same applies to other team members from Dragon countries!"

"If the country is strong and the people are prosperous, who would be willing to leave their hometown and loved ones, and to struggle amidst blood and fire in a foreign land?"

"They understand my choices, but I understand their desires even better!"

"Right now, Team Zero is too conspicuous overseas, and also too 'hot' to handle!"

"We are keeping too many people awake at night. This also means that we ourselves, and our relatives back home, are facing enormous potential risks."

Zeng Long took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled.

The bluish-white smoke distorted his young yet weathered face, making his expression somewhat indistinct.

His voice grew increasingly hoarse in the smoke:

"Therefore, I must ask them for an identity at this moment!"

"An identity that may be ordinary or extraordinary, but at least allows them to reunite with their loved ones openly and honestly, without bringing disaster upon them!"

"An identity that... would allow them to cease being 'ghosts' and instead become people with real roots."

Then, Zeng Long turned his gaze to Li Weiguo, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"And why am I so eager to make this request at this time? Because, not only for them, but also because... I'm being watched."

A fleeting look of distress and guilt crossed Li Weiguo's face. He lowered his head slightly and clenched his fists.

Zeng Long clearly and calmly recounted how he had been secretly investigated and framed during this period, and how the other party had meticulously planned to lure Li Weiguo into the trap in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone.

"What?! Such a thing exists?!"

The leader's face instantly darkened, and an imposing aura emanated from him. His sharp gaze shot towards Li Weiguo.

"Comrade Weiguo, is what Xiaolong said true?"

Li Weiguo raised his head, his face showing both shame and determination:

"It's absolutely true. I picked Zeng Long up from the interrogation room of the Municipal Criminal Investigation Brigade tonight."

"The other party's methods were extremely despicable. They fabricated evidence, framed people, and even tried to forcibly detain them."

"I managed to temporarily fool them by using a hastily prepared fake confidential document, which allowed me to bring Zeng Long to this meeting."

"Damn it!" General Liu slammed his fist on the table in anger, the solid wood surface groaning under its weight.

"What are they trying to do?! Huh?! So despicable! So lawless! All for the sake of power and profit."

"To use such means to frame a minister with outstanding achievements, and even attempt to destroy a national 'weapon' that returned to fight for the country! Their intentions are despicable."

Another old man, Zhang, with a stern face, said in a cold voice:

"What a brilliant plan! What a brilliant plan!"

"If they succeed, Comrade Weiguo will have no way to defend himself. Only through the joint efforts of several parties can he be forced to temporarily resign and accept investigation."

"At that time, they will use public opinion and certain 'evidence' to stir up trouble and create a fait accompli."

"Even if we know there's something fishy going on, we'll be in a very passive position without solid evidence!"

"This is tantamount to severing the backbone and future hope of our military!"

A chilling anger filled the meeting room.

These veteran generals knew all too well the cruelty of political struggles, but they could not tolerate anyone reaching out to the sword that protects the country and using such despicable means!

At this moment, Zeng Long spoke, breaking the heavy atmosphere, his voice even carrying a hint of relaxed smile:

"That's why I need a 'legal' identity, an identity that can withstand any scrutiny."

"At the same time, please rest assured, everyone, that Uncle Li and I... Minister Li have already developed a preliminary plan to deal with this mastermind."

"At that time, I might need the help of you bosses to support Uncle Li and boost his reputation."

His slightly teasing words eased the tension on the scene.

Upon hearing this, the CEO's expression softened slightly, and his eyes gleamed with wisdom and decisiveness.

"Xiaolong, Weiguo, don't worry. Our eyes are sharp."

"Since you are already prepared, we will proceed according to plan and remain inactive for the time being to avoid alerting the enemy."

"But remember, the nation and the military will always be your strongest support!"

"We will not allow anyone, in any form, to harm our heroes and contributors!"

Then, his gaze swept across the entire room, and his tone became extremely serious and formal:

"Since Xiaolong has already explained the difficulties and risks so thoroughly, this is indeed an oversight on our part!"

"If hostile foreign forces were to discover Zero's existence or its connections with the domestic forces, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"This is not only a personal tragedy, but also a major loss to national security."

He paused for a moment, then said in a resolute tone, "Therefore, I propose:"

"First."

"The true identities, experiences, and achievements of Comrade Zeng Long and all members of his Zero Squad who are of Chinese nationality are classified as top state secrets and will be permanently sealed!"

"Decryption privileges are limited to those present here and a very small number of core leaders in the future."

"second."

"Comrade Zeng Long and his squad members are granted a second identity—officers of the Special Strategic Support Division directly under the General Staff Department of the Central Military Commission."

"Comrade Zeng Long was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel, and the rest of the members were awarded the rank of major."

"Their names, resumes, and files are classified as 'SSSS' Top Secret!"

"And they are specifically granted the authority to take all necessary measures independently in the event of threats to their personal safety or in emergency situations, without needing to consult with others!"

"Gentlemen, do you have any objections to this plan?" His gaze, almost tangible, swept over each general.

"No objections! Completely agree!"

"Agreed! It should have been done a long time ago!"

"I second that! Our heroes must be given the strongest protection!"

All the military commanders stood up in unison, their voices loud and clear, their expressions solemn and resolute!

Their eyes were filled with admiration, heartache, and a sense of relief that "their own child has finally gained recognition."

Zeng Long was stunned.

He originally just wanted to serve the country and, in turn, secure a "protective charm" for his brothers so they could return home safely.

He never expected that the country's response would be so resolute, so profound, and so full of trust and recognition!

An unprecedented, scalding heat surged through his entire body, impacting his heart.

It was a sense of security that came from finding one's final home, a feeling of warmth and emotion from being tightly embraced by one's motherland!

He suddenly stood up straight, his chest heaving violently, and a hint of heat welled up in his eyes.

He blinked hard, forcing back the moisture, and in its place came an unprecedented, pure, and fervent sense of patriotism!

He raised his right hand, fingers together, fingertips lightly touching his temple, and gave all the CEOs a standard, heartfelt, and solemn military salute!

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, yet it contained an iron will:

"I, Zeng Long, on behalf of all members of Team Zero, thank the nation and all the leaders! For giving us new identities and new lives!"

He lowered his hand, his gaze, like the brightest star, sweeping over the crowd, and uttered a solemn vow, word by word:

"On behalf of all members of Squad Zero, I pledge and guarantee: Squad Zero will forever fight for the glory of our nation!"

"From this day forward, within the Dragon Kingdom, the name Zero Squad... will be permanently sealed! Only Dragon Kingdom soldiers with new identities will be allowed to use it!"

"And overseas—" Zeng Long's voice suddenly rose, carrying a chilling resolve and power, "Squad Zero will forever be the most secretive 'ghost guardian' of the people and national interests of the Dragon Kingdom!"

"Disperse! We are ghosts roaming the nightmares of all hostile forces worldwide, omnipresent and all-pervasive!"

"Gather! We are the strongest protectors of the Dragon Kingdom and its people! We are the sharpest spears, piercing through all invading enemies! We are the strongest shields, safeguarding our vast land!"

His vow, like a resounding bell, echoed throughout the silent conference room and was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every CEO.

At this moment, they knew that the Dragon Kingdom not only possessed an indestructible national treasure, but also gained a group of loyal and fearless ghost guards who would not regret even if they died nine times!

A note from the editor: We apologize to everyone. Due to the chapter content failing the review process, the extra chapter has been postponed. We hope you understand.