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

Yueting Garden, Tengge Hall.

The clinking of glasses was accompanied by hushed laughter and compliments.

Three circles naturally formed—

Zeng Long was surrounded by a group of scions of prominent families. Each of them wore a perfectly measured smile, and when they raised their glasses, they leaned forward slightly—a subconscious gesture of respect.

Beside Teng Ao and Yan Rugo were some of the nation's top billionaires. Their conversation was more direct, with numbers and projects flying between their words, and every decision potentially impacting the industry landscape.

Surrounding Ye Zhenkang and Lin Shucheng were entrepreneurs eager to curry favor with them. They carefully handed out business cards, spoke humbly, but their eyes kept drifting towards Zeng Long.

Yin Hang and Du Hanyuan stood beside Teng Ao. Their faces were filled with barely suppressed excitement—from tonight onwards, they had officially entered this top-tier circle.

All eyes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, were focused on the man in the center of the arena, dressed in simple black.

Zeng Long.

He held his wine glass, a faint smile on his face, and nodded to the person who came to offer a toast.

Everything was so harmonious, so perfect.

This time!

Mr. Qin, a towering figure in the real estate industry.

Mr. Yang, the helmsman of the internet empire.

President He, who controls vast financial capital...

These super-rich businessmen, who have consistently ranked high on the Forbes rich list, are now surrounding Teng Ao.

President Qin clinked his glass with Teng Ao's.

"Mr. Teng, my CFO called to say that we just received a huge sum of 300 billion yuan. I didn't expect you to be so generous, saying that the return would be double."

Yes!

At this time-

Mr. Yang, taking over the conversation,

"At first, President Qin, President He, and I just wanted to make a good connection with Young Master Long and President Teng. Each of us only invested 10 billion. We never expected that in such a short time, we would have doubled our investment and received the money back in our accounts," President Yang said happily. "If we had known that the rate of return would be so fast and so high, we would have invested all our assets."

"Everyone!"

Financial tycoon Mr. He suddenly raised his voice and raised his hands.

The hall gradually quieted down.

All eyes turned to him.

President He's face was flushed with excitement as he walked to the center of the hall and spoke in a loud voice:

"I think everyone received a surprise tonight, right?"

A knowing laugh rippled through the crowd.

"I received 30 billion!" President He held up three fingers. "I only invested 10 billion initially, thinking it would be good to establish a good relationship with Young Master Long and Teng Jie..."

"I can't believe it! It's only been a short time, and it's already doubled!"

I am very grateful to Mr. Teng and also to Long Yu.

To be honest, this is the easiest and fastest time I've ever made money.

Mr. Teng and Mr. Long Yu are partners we should follow and cooperate with.

So I suggested that, since this huge sum of money was earned with Teng's help anyway...

Why don't we reinvest this easily earned money back into President Teng and Long Yu?

It doesn't matter how much or how little you earn; everyone here is here because of Mr. Teng's influence.

And Young Master Long is here too.

"So I'd like to propose—"

President He paused, then his voice became even more impassioned.

"Let's reinvest this money we earned so easily back into the market!"

"What do you all say, is it good?!"

"good--!!"

Cheers erupted.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Everyone's eyes were shining—a testament to their desire for wealth, and even more so, to their recognition of this powerful warship.

Everyone stared eagerly at Teng Ao, waiting for his response and confirmation.

Teng Ao smiled slightly, but was inwardly shocked. Such recognition could not be measured by money.

Those present were either from prominent families or national business tycoons, with businesses spanning various industries. They represented a tremendous force and influence, and their recognition was priceless.

This recognition actually came from Zeng Long.

Teng Ao, his blood boiling, glanced in the direction of Zeng Long and then addressed the crowd:

"Since you all trust Long Yu and me, Teng Ao, so much, I will certainly live up to your expectations, leading your vast investments out of the country and creating a glorious future…!"

Clap clap clap... thunderous applause erupted in the Tengge Hall, lasting for a long time.

President Qin walked over to Teng Ao and patted him on the shoulder with a smile:

"Mr. Teng, from now on you're our boss!"

Teng Ao smiled.

That was a genuine laugh.

however.

Just as the applause subsided and everyone was still immersed in excitement—

"Ring ring... Ring ring..."

A piercing cell phone ringtone shattered the tranquility of the hall.

Everyone frowned, searching for the source of the sound.

Then they saw—

Zeng Long took his phone out of his pocket.

The light from the screen illuminated his face.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath at that moment.

The hall fell completely silent.

Even the waiters stopped in their tracks.

Zeng Long glanced at the caller ID and gave everyone an apologetic smile:

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

He pressed the answer button and walked to the rest area in the corner of the lobby.

"Uncle Li, is something the matter?"

His voice was gentle, showing respect for his elders.

He walked to the solid wood chair and prepared to sit down.

but--

Just as my butt was about to touch the sofa surface.

His body froze.

The smile on his face froze.

Instead, there is something chilling—

Icy.

Zeng Long remained seated, motionless.

Li Weiguo's voice continued through the receiver.

Zeng Long listened intently, but his eyes slowly widened.

The pupil is contracting.

Thirty seconds.

He only listened for thirty seconds.

Then--

"boom--!"

An invisible yet tangible killing intent erupted from Zeng Long!

Like a tsunami!

Like a volcano!

It's more like an icebox!

It swept through the entire Tengge Hall in an instant!

The temperature dropped sharply.

The chilling killing intent made the air in the hall feel cold and biting.

Those closest to Zeng Long instinctively stepped back, their faces turning pale.

They felt short of breath, as if an invisible hand was squeezing their hearts.

That's the biological instinct of fear of deadly danger!

Zeng Long slowly straightened up.

His movements were slow.

But every subtle movement carries a chilling sense of power.

Turn your neck to the left.

"Click."

The joint made a cracking sound.

Go right again.

"Click."

He opened his left hand, his five fingers stretching out in a spasm-like motion.

Then, clench your fist tightly!

"Giggle giggle..."

The sound of finger bones rubbing together was clearly audible.

"Uncle Li..."

Zeng Long spoke up.

His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against rust.

"Say it again."

He spoke slowly and deliberately.

Every word seemed to be covered in ice crystals.

"I...didn't...hear...clearly."

On the other end of the phone, Li Weiguo paused for two seconds before repeating the most crucial sentence.

When those words reached my ears again—

Zeng Long's entire world shattered.

"Buzz—"

A tinnitus sound began.

Everything in front of me—the chandelier, the wine glasses, the faces—began to spin and blur.

Only that one sentence kept echoing in my mind:

"Tiezhu's biological father... Shi Qinglie... was beaten to death..."

died.

He was beaten to death.

For eleven years, Tie Zhu called out "Dad" in his dreams.

That Tie Zhu always proudly referred to his "father," who could carry a hundred or two pounds of weight.

The "father" to whom he had promised, "My brothers' family is my family."

died.

When Zeng Long was enjoying the adoration of the crowd and drinking wine that cost tens of thousands of yuan a glass.

died.

At Iron Pillar, the country reached numerous cooperation agreements and alliances with Country C in the Middle East, while blood was shed on the Middle Eastern battlefield.

died.

"what……"

A low growl escaped from deep within Zeng Long's throat.

That wasn't a human voice.

That was the mournful cry of a wounded beast.

Tears welled up in my eyes without warning.

Large, scalding hot stones were smashed onto the marble floor.

"Clatter".

"Clatter".

Clear and painful...