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

"explain?!"

Zeng Long immediately retorted, his voice suddenly rising, filled with sarcasm and indignation:

"What explanation? When will you give us an explanation?!"

"Are we supposed to wait until my Uncle Shi, with these wronged eyes, is buried in obscurity, without any explanation?!"

"I, Zeng Long, will absolutely not agree! My brothers will even less agree!"

His tone became extremely dangerous and serious:

"Old Liu, Tiezhu isn't insane yet because he still has a sliver of his moral compass as a soldier, a sliver of patriotism binding him! If that last thread of restraint breaks..."

Zeng Long's voice lowered, but it became even more chilling:

"He will no longer be the 'Iron Beast' Shi Tiezhu... but a vengeful beast. He will become a demon born only for revenge."

"If I agree to your terms today and follow the procedures step by step, I guarantee with my life that Tiezhu will kill everyone involved in this matter all by himself! You know, he absolutely has that ability."

Zeng Long paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was filled with a deep, almost overflowing sadness and heaviness:

"And... after killing all these people, Old Liu, Tie Zhu will find a secluded corner..."

"suicide."

"Because he didn't want to be a sinner against the people, didn't want to stand against the country, and didn't want us brothers to... be sad for him."

"Do you know?!" Zeng Long's voice suddenly burst out, filled with long-suppressed pain, "Do you know how much Tie Zhu is suffering right now?! I know! Xiao Ya knows! Every one of us brothers knows!!"

"If it really comes to that..."

Zeng Long suddenly let out a cold laugh, a laugh filled with determination and fearlessness:

"I, Zeng Long, and my team members... So what if we're enemies of the world?"

"I, Zeng Long, will never abandon or give up on my brothers!"

Even if he becomes a demon, even if he is at odds with the whole world...

"He is still my brother!"

"Because—to avenge my father—"

Zeng Long spoke each word slowly and deliberately, with unwavering resolve:

"He deserves it!"

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Liu remained silent for an even longer time.

Finally, a long, heavy sigh rang out, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, or as if a difficult decision had been made:

"well…………"

"Xiao Long," Old Liu's voice sounded much older, but his tone became clear and firm, "Does this matter really have to escalate to the point of bloodshed and irreparable damage? Isn't there... a way to have the best of both worlds?"

Zeng Long provided the answer.

His voice regained its extreme calm, as if the emotional outburst had never happened, leaving only cold calculation and unquestionable conditions:

"Three days."

"My Uncle Shi's funeral is in three days."

"In these three days, I can leave no one within the system in the picture, only Wang Guangtou and the two gangsters who directly committed the crime."

Task force, investigate what needs to be investigated, and follow your procedures.

At the same time, I will also use all the resources at my disposal.

Have Xiaoya use her intelligence network to thoroughly investigate every link in the county that has any relationship with Wang Guangtou involving the transfer of benefits, protection, or indulgence!

"Xiaoya will hand over the complete investigation materials to the task force by tomorrow night at the latest."

"However, my requirements are as follows:"

"First, all personnel involved in the case, regardless of their position, must be investigated and punished severely, to the fullest extent of the law, without any leniency!"

second,

On the day of my Uncle Shi's funeral, right in front of his mourning hall, a public trial was held, spearheaded by the special investigation team!

I want everyone to know the truth. I want my Uncle Shi to be exonerated and to be laid to rest in peace with dignity and clarity!

Let all those responsible be brought to justice before Shi Shuling!

"Third, and most importantly—"

Zeng Long's voice was resolute and brooked no argument:

"Tiezhu, I must avenge him myself."

Rest assured, my men have basically figured out the main crimes of Wang Guangtou and his gang, and they are more than capable of being executed ten times over.

Therefore, I want Tiezhu, as an active-duty soldier performing a special military mission, to personally execute an extremely dangerous individual who is proven to be a threat to national and social security.

"Tiezhu himself has the corresponding authority and responsibilities."

On the other end of the phone, Old Liu slowly and deeply exhaled a breath of pent-up frustration.

If we follow Zeng Long's proposed conditions... although time is tight and the methods are drastic, they do not cross the final bottom line.

Placing a public trial before the spirit tablet is certainly shocking, but it also aligns with the traditional sentiment of "comforting the souls of the deceased."

By having Tiezhu carry it out personally, he, as a soldier, had room for interpretation in terms of law (under specific authorization and in emergency situations), and in terms of human sentiment, it was to give his grief-stricken son the most important explanation.

Most importantly, this keeps the situation under control within a relatively "orderly" framework of revenge and "legitimate" trial, avoiding the most horrific, uncontrolled, and widespread bloodshed.

Special measures must be taken; in these extraordinary times, this is the only way.

"Alright!" Old Liu's voice regained its strength. "Xiao Long, I promise you! I will personally attend the funeral of Comrade Shi Qinglie and supervise the trial!"

He paused, his tone turning serious:

"But... Xiaolong, if we follow this plan, your military identities, especially Tiezhu's, are very likely to be exposed."

"Exposed?"

On the other end of the phone, Zeng Long let out a very soft, cold laugh, seemingly filled with endless mockery and resolute sneer.

"I want certain people to know."

"I want them to investigate along the 'military personnel' line."

His voice lowered, yet contained the calm before the storm:

"This is a perfect opportunity."

"They...can't wait any longer."

"And me..."

"I can't wait any longer."

"Let this storm..."

"—Come on, come faster and more fiercely!"

beep--

The call was disconnected.

Old Liu held the dial tone-sounding microphone for a long time, unable to put it down. He looked out the window at the bright yet cold sunlight, knowing that a sweeping storm was inevitable.

But at least, he has grasped a... rein that might guide the direction of this storm.

At the edge of the mourning hall, Zeng Long put away his phone.

The mournful music continued, and the incense smoke lingered.

He slowly walked to Tie Zhu's side. Tie Zhu was still kneeling, his massive body like a fossil, with only occasional slight tremors revealing the turmoil of pain churning within him.

Zeng Long pressed his hand heavily on Tie Zhu's violently heaving, hard as iron shoulder.

He didn't speak.

But Tie Zhu seemed to sense something; his usually downcast and lifeless eyes twitched slightly.

A faint, almost imperceptible breath of life struggled and began to shine in the depths of that despairing darkness.