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

Several days later, while Zeng Long was strategizing in the capital, Wu Jun was secretly plotting a killing.

Two earth-shattering explosions in the Middle East were like two giant stones thrown into a calm lake—

The enormous wave it unleashed swept across the globe with unstoppable force, deeply impacting the hearts of everyone who pays attention to the international situation!

Those were two extremely loud, muffled, yet incredibly penetrating sounds, delivered in very short intervals!

It was like a painful groan coming from the depths of the earth, which then turned into a roar that ripped through eardrums!

Deep in the desert at the border between countries C and D in the Middle East.

Those two giant natural gas pipelines, winding like dragons and carrying the lifeline of Europe's energy supply, were at the pre-determined "optimal blast point"—

Two giant mushroom clouds, mixed with flames and thick smoke, suddenly rose up!

The scorching heatwave spread outwards like a tsunami, whipping up clouds of yellow sand and turning the sky into an ominous, dim yellow!

Immediately afterwards, the pre-set explosion points, intended to create even greater chaos and visual effects, were detonated one after another! "Boom! Boom! Rumble—!"

The continuous explosions seemed endless, flames soared into the sky, and thick smoke billowed, turning that area into an unseen, death-filled forbidden zone!

The images from major news organizations and media platforms around the world were almost simultaneously filled with this horrifying scene.

High-resolution satellite images and blurry footage captured by drones at great risk—

And the firsthand footage sent back by the "war correspondents" who "happened" to be on the scene clearly and irrefutably showed that devastating scene—

The massive pipes were torn open with jagged gashes, the twisted metal groaned in the flames, and the thick column of smoke resembled a passage to hell!

All the initial chains of evidence, through skillful manipulation of public opinion, pointed precisely to the "anti-government armed forces" operating in the area! They became the sole and heinous "instigators" of this "shocking act of destruction"!

When the news spread, especially to the European continent in the midst of a frigid winter, countless people watched this scene on television and mobile phone screens, and it was as if they heard the sound of their own hearts breaking!

"God! Our heating! Our energy!"

"This winter...it's over! It's a curse! A curse from the devil!"

Panic spread rapidly among ordinary people like a plague.

They seemed to already see the terrible scene in the near future: fireplaces in homes going out, factories shutting down due to energy shortages, and the whole society succumbing to stagnation or even chaos in the bitter cold!

A sense of despair, as if "the sky has fallen," hangs over countless European families.

The aftershocks of the explosion had not yet subsided, and global public opinion was in an uproar.

After a brief "rest," the Hellfire, Imperial Armed Forces, and Sai Armed Forces, among other "actors," had already quietly and swiftly merged and reorganized with the government forces of Country C and Country D.

They changed into uniform government military uniforms, erasing all their individual markings, like drops of water merging into the ocean, ready for battle.

Almost within an hour of the explosion, the foreign ministries of countries C and D held emergency press conferences almost simultaneously.

The atmosphere inside the venue was as heavy as lead.

The two countries' press spokespeople, dressed in dark suits, looked somber and angry.

They stood under the spotlight, with the still-smoking remains of pipes behind them.

The spokesperson, with extremely strong, even trembling anger, issued the strongest condemnation of the "anti-government forces":

"This is a blatant provocation against our sovereignty, our people, and the people of our friendly neighboring European countries!"

"We swear in the name of the nation," the spokesperson said, clenching his fist sharply, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's!

"We will mobilize the entire nation and spare no expense to launch the most ferocious military strike, vowing to completely and thoroughly eradicate these national cancers and enemies of the people from the face of the earth! Blood debts must be repaid in blood!"

This passionate and resolute declaration was broadcast live around the world, allowing everyone to feel the immense anger of these two countries after their bottom lines were crossed.

However, just when everyone thought the press conference would end in this atmosphere of tragedy and revenge—

Almost simultaneously, both spokespeople abruptly changed the subject!

The grief and indignation on their faces subsided slightly, replaced by a complex expression of expectation, trust, and determination.

Their gazes swept over the densely packed, breathless reporters from various countries below the stage, as well as the countless camera lenses pointed at them, as if they wanted to look through the lenses towards the distant East.

The spokesperson for Country D took a deep breath, and spoke clearly and forcefully:

"At this critical juncture for the nation, we must find the most reliable and effective guarantees for the future of our country and the lives of our people!"

The spokesperson for Country C followed suit, speaking with an even more fervent tone:

Following emergency consultations in our parliament, and after comprehensively considering the strong will of the domestic public, as well as a thorough assessment of the capabilities, credibility, and national responsibility of leading infrastructure nations internationally—

We unanimously believe that only one country can shoulder this heavy responsibility in this time of crisis!

The two exchanged a glance and spoke simultaneously, their voices booming like bells, resounding throughout the hall and shaking the world via radio waves:

"We have decided to formally invite China to dispatch its top-tier natural gas pipeline repair team to help us repair the energy lifeline severely damaged by anti-government militants as quickly as possible!"

"And—" the speaker paused deliberately, emphasizing his words:

"We also formally invite the Dragon Kingdom to dispatch peacekeeping forces to the relevant area to assist us in eliminating the remaining terrorist forces and ensuring absolute security during and after the pipeline repair!"

Finally, they spoke almost in unison, their eyes filled with unwavering trust:

"We trust China's technology! We trust China's reputation and sense of responsibility even more! Because—China is worthy of our trust!"

The dropping of this "diplomatic bomb" instantly triggered a global "earthquake" even more violent than the pipeline explosion itself!

Many governments of countries that have competition with or are hostile to China immediately jumped out and voiced their opposition through various channels:

"This does not comply with international procedures!"

"China should not extend its influence to the Middle East!"

"This disrupts the regional balance!"

However, these weak and feeble official voices of opposition were instantly drowned out by the surging tide of public opinion across Europe as soon as they emerged!

On social media and in news comment sections, countless ordinary Europeans voiced their anger:

"Shut up, you incompetent politicians! What can you do besides oppose us?!"

"Look at the speed of your own country's infrastructure development! It takes months to build a public toilet! By the time you come to fix the pipes, our corpses will already be frozen solid!"

"Right now, only China! Only their 'infrastructure maniac' has the ability to save us! We only trust China!"

"Please, China! Send someone to fix it quickly! We need warmth! We need a normal life!"

"If China can help us get through this winter, I swear, from now on my family will only buy products made in China! Please! Thank you, China!"

The torrent of public opinion, like a tsunami, swept away all the noise that tried to obstruct it.

In despair, the people of Europe placed all their hopes and gratitude on the Dragon Kingdom in the far east.

When this news reached back to the Dragon Kingdom, the entire nation was instantly in an uproar!

From the snowy plains of the north to the islands of the south, from the coast of the East China Sea to the Gobi Desert in the west, countless people of the Dragon Kingdom learned of this news through television, the internet, and radio.

People were excitedly discussing it in the streets and alleys;

Online, the internet is flooded with messages of pride and excitement:

"That's amazing! Did you see that? This is the responsibility of a major power!"

"In critical moments, we still have to rely on our Dragon Nation! Infrastructure powerhouse, march on!"

"Countries C and D have excellent judgment! Trusting us is absolutely the right choice!"

"Our peacekeeping forces are going to protect the world's energy lifeline! That's so inspiring!"

"I'm proud of my country! I'm proud to be a Chinese!"

An unprecedented sense of national pride and honor surged in the hearts of every citizen of the Dragon Kingdom like a volcanic eruption!

The strength of a nation is no longer an abstract concept, but has been transformed into tangible trust and entrustment, and into the warmest and proudest light illuminating this cold winter!

Meanwhile, in Beijing, Zeng Long watched the boiling public opinion on the screen and the resounding invitation on the diplomatic stage, a smile of complete control curving his lips.

The pieces he has laid out are gradually moving towards the center of the chessboard, according to his will.

The flag of the Dragon Kingdom will soon fly high on this ancient land of the Middle East, for peace and reconstruction, and for a far-reaching strategic plan!