The next morning.
It was still dark, but the training ground was already packed with people.
The 'Meng Hu', 'Black Bear', and 'Wolf Fang' special forces units.
A total of twenty-four top special operations members, fully armed, stood in neat formation.
Zhou Pingcang stood at the very front of the team, his gaze sweeping over each soldier's face.
"Comrades, you must already be aware of the arduous nature of this mission."
"This gentleman beside me, Lieutenant Colonel Lu Mingyu, should not be unfamiliar to some of you."
Zhou Pingcang turned to the side, introducing Lu Mingyu to everyone.
"From now on, he will serve as the Deputy General Commander for this operation, and also the overall battlefield commander for your three small teams."
As his words fell, a slight stir rippled through the ranks.
"My goodness, it really is Instructor Lu!"
"Isn't he leading those abnormal Macrophages? Why is he here to command us?"
"Deputy General Commander? My heavens, this is a meteoric rise."
Many of the team members had been Lu Mingyu's students at the Special Operations Academy, feeling both admiration and a bit of... psychological trauma towards him.
Lu Mingyu stepped forward, without any unnecessary pleasantries.
"I know what you're thinking."
"You think it's a bit of an amateur trying to guide professionals, with me, someone who handles covert operations, coming to command you aces, right?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"But I tell you, this time's enemy, 'Viper', is unlike any opponent you've encountered before."
"They are not ordinary bandits or mercenaries; they are a group of utter lunatics who will do anything for money."
"They are coming with a vengeance, aiming to turn our world upside down."
Lu Mingyu's gaze became exceptionally serious.
"I must remind everyone, during the mission, anything can happen."
"If, and I mean if, anyone is unfortunately captured."
"Remember your oath, and even more, remember what stands behind you."
"But most importantly, hold onto your beliefs."
"Do not be swayed by the enemy's tactics; reinforcements will surely arrive."
These words made the atmosphere on site heavy.
Special forces rarely mentioned the word "captured" during missions, as it often implied an outcome more terrifying than death.
Lu Mingyu's tone shifted, his voice once again becoming strong and forceful.
"Your mission, I made very clear in yesterday's meeting."
"Shrink your defense, support each other, and hold the enemy's main force for me."
"Pin them firmly to the defensive line, make it impossible for them to advance an inch, and buy us enough time."
"I need you to be like three nails, hammered firmly into the enemy's line of attack."
"Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
The twenty-four men roared in unison, their voices shaking the sky.
Zhou Pingcang nodded in satisfaction, stepping forward to add.
"Besides you, the border patrol units have already sealed off the entire periphery of the test area."
"The Military Region's armed helicopter squadron has also entered Level 1 combat readiness, ready to take off at any time to provide fire support."
"You are not fighting alone!"
"Now, dismissed, go back and do a final check of your equipment."
"Tomorrow morning, be on time to enter the designated combat zone and enter pre-battle standby!"
"Yes!"
The team members accepted their orders and dispersed, each returning to their barracks to make final preparations for the impending tough battle.
……
At four in the morning, the barracks were still brightly lit.
The soldiers silently wiped their weapons, checking every piece of equipment to ensure nothing was amiss.
Then, they took out paper and pens from their backpacks.
They began writing letters that might never be sent.
In the temporary lounge of the Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group.
Zhou Chenguang, while changing the magazine of his assault rifle, couldn't help but mutter softly.
"Captain, do you think those twenty-four men from 'Meng Hu' can really hold them off?"
"'Viper' has really gone all out this time; those coming must be the elite of the elite."
Li Xiaoniu, who was hanging a row of flashbangs on his tactical vest, snorted coldly.
"They have to hold, even if they can't; that's called professionalism."
"Besides, our mission is to dig up their ancestral graves."
"If they can't even hold their own doorstep, that's just pathetic."
"These 'Viper' scumbags."
"Daring to extend their claws into our country, do they really think we're pushovers?"
"We must give them a harsh lesson, let them know why flowers are so red!"
Wu Tianlong was calibrating his personal computer and said without looking up.
"Alright, say less, save some energy."
"This time we are the vanguard; once we stab in, there's no turning back. Everyone, take care of your affairs."
Just then, the door to the lounge was pushed open.
Lu Wei, dressed in a crisp military uniform, walked in.
The young men in the room instinctively stood at attention.
"Greetings, Commander!"
Lu Mingyu put down his tactical tablet and went to greet him.
"Grandpa, why are you here?"
Lu Wei's gaze swept over Zhou Chenguang and the others, and he nodded.
"You few, step out for a moment. I have a few words to say to your captain privately."
"Yes!"
Zhou Chenguang and the others immediately put down what they were doing, saluted, and quickly left the lounge.
Only the grandfather and grandson remained in the room.
Lu Wei looked at his grandson's calm and resolute face, and slowly spoke.
"You... wrote too?"
He didn't explicitly say what was written, but Lu Mingyu understood.
Lu Mingyu smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Yes, I did. It's standard procedure, you know that."
"Besides, I have no intention of letting this letter have a chance to be sent."
He walked to his equipment rack and picked up an exquisite jewelry box.
"Naza and I agreed that after this mission, I'd take her home to meet you two."
"This is a bracelet I had someone bring to her, considered an early betrothal gift."
"I also told her that when I return, we'll go and get our marriage certificate."
As he spoke, Lu Mingyu pulled open his collar, revealing a smooth jade pendant hanging around his neck.
"She insisted I wear this; she said it was a good luck charm from a temple, to ensure safety."
"See, I have double insurance, so don't worry."
Looking at the longing for the future in his grandson's eyes, the heaviest stone in Lu Wei's heart finally settled a little.
He knew that a soldier with attachments and hopes in his heart possessed the strongest will to fight.
Lu Wei nodded with satisfaction, then looked around the small lounge.
It was filled with the world's most advanced individual combat equipment, each piece of considerable value.
"This team you lead truly has a different spirit."
Lu Wei's tone carried undisguised admiration.
"Honestly, if it weren't for you being their leader, I'd really want to poach a few people from you to be my bodyguards."
Lu Mingyu chuckled, with a hint of small pride.
"That won't do, Grandpa."
"My Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group is not for loan, and no returns after sale."
"They are my precious darlings; not one can be missing."
Lu Wei was amused by his protective demeanor, and his tense face completely softened.
He stepped forward, reaching out and patting Lu Mingyu's shoulder heavily, then straightened his collar.
Thousands of words ultimately condensed into a simple yet powerful statement.
"Be safe, I'll wait for you to come back."
"Yes, I will definitely come back."
Lu Wei looked at him deeply, then turned and left.
