Political Commissar Wang stood there, watching the soldiers' busy figures, then looked down at the fallen soldiers at his feet, and wiped away his tears.

This man-made mudslide not only severed the railway and trapped the army, but also claimed the lives of young soldiers!

His anger grew stronger and stronger.

Damn spy!

He must capture the enemy and avenge the fallen soldiers!

We must never let our comrades' blood be shed in vain!

The torrential rain was still pouring down.

Political Commissar Wang stood guard beside the fallen soldier, waiting for others to arrive and transfer the body.

The rain hit his body, icy cold.

The downpour turned into a light drizzle as night fell, and eventually stopped completely.

The dark clouds dispersed, revealing a few faint stars in the night sky, illuminating the silent team in the mountains.

The soldiers lined up in two rows and silently followed behind Political Commissar Wang, heading towards the military headquarters.

The young soldier's body was wrapped in a cloth and carried steadily in the center by four soldiers, their steps heavy and slow.

There were no other sounds in the mountains except for footsteps, the whistling of the wind through the trees, and the suppressed sobs of the soldiers; the atmosphere was extremely sorrowful.

When they arrived at the entrance of the military compound, a gray-haired couple was already standing under the dim streetlights.

Those were the parents of the fallen soldier. Soldiers had already gone to deliver the message, and they did not hesitate to rush over from the nearby village.

Upon seeing the soldier's body, the old woman's vision went black for a moment. She staggered forward and cried out hoarsely, "My son! How could you leave like this!"

The old man rushed over as well, gripping the edge of the stretcher tightly with both hands. His cloudy eyes were filled with despair, and his cries were so loud they hurt your eardrums. "Son, how are your parents supposed to live?"

The couple's cries were deafening, their grief so profound that they brought tears to the eyes of all the soldiers waiting nearby.

Political Commissar Wang stood aside, his heart aching with pain.

He could understand the feelings of the elderly couple; it is the cruelest thing in the world for a parent to outlive their child.

But he couldn't shed tears in front of so many people; as the political commissar, he had to hold on.

With red eyes and a hoarse voice, he said, "Brother, sister-in-law, please accept my condolences. Our child sacrificed himself for the country and the people. He was a hero, and his death was not in vain. The military will definitely provide you with a pension and subsidies. We will take care of your entire family's livelihood from now on and will never let you suffer any injustice."

"I don't want subsidies! I don't want money!" The old woman suddenly raised her head, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Political Commissar Wang. She suddenly lunged at him, punching and kicking him. "I want my son! Give my son back to me! We, the old couple, only have this one son. We raised him with great difficulty, and he hasn't even started a family or enjoyed any happiness yet. How are we supposed to live?"

The old man stepped forward as well, saying, "We were always so proud of him for joining the army. We even found him a wife from the city, and we were all looking forward to his wedding next month. But then a heavy rainstorm, and he was gone! Give me back my son!"

Political Commissar Wang stood still, letting them beat and scold him.

The elderly couple's fists landed on him, not with much force, but they hurt him more than any other form of torture.

No amount of comfort or subsidies could bring their son back.

He's the leader, so he has to bear this guilt.

The soldiers around tried to stop him, but Political Commissar Wang stopped them with a look.

Only when the elderly couple were exhausted and collapsed on the ground, weeping bitterly, did Political Commissar Wang slowly squat down. "Brother, sister-in-law, I know you are suffering. But the child is a hero, and his sacrifice was worthwhile. You should go back and rest first. If you need anything, you can tell me."

The old woman raised her tear-streaked face and choked out, "We won't go back... We want to see his dormitory, the place where he trained, and the things he left behind. Just one look, please?"

Political Commissar Wang looked into their eyes, his heart ached, and he nodded emphatically, "Alright, I'll take you there."

He stood up, gestured for two soldiers to help the elderly couple up, and then personally led them, along with several accompanying officers, toward the barracks where the soldiers lived.

The streetlights cast long shadows of the elderly couple, whose suppressed sobs were particularly clear in the quiet night.

Inside the barracks, the fallen soldier's bed remained neatly made, the blankets folded squarely, and a well-worn red book sat on the headboard, along with a small ornament made from a bullet casing—a gift he had made himself to give to his future wife.

The old woman walked to the bedside, her hand trembling as she reached out and gently stroked the blanket, as if she could still feel the lingering warmth of her son's body. Tears welled up in her eyes again, "My son, how could you be so heartless as to leave your parents behind..."

Political Commissar Wang stood at the door, watching this scene, his eyes reddening again.

He quietly slipped out, leaned against the wall in the corridor, and took a deep breath.

The fallen soldiers are still waiting for the truth, and the grieving families are still waiting for an explanation.

He had no time to wallow in grief; he had to find the spy as soon as possible!

We must seek justice for the fallen soldiers!

This is his promise to the families, and also his responsibility to all soldiers!

The elderly couple stayed in the barracks for a long time, their fingertips repeatedly caressing their son's belongings, tears streaming down their faces.

The old man carefully packed the red book and the bullet casing ornament into his cloth bag, while the old woman folded the pillowcase from her son's bed and held it tightly in her arms, as if it were her son's last warmth.

They didn't say another word, their eyes were so empty it was heartbreaking, and every step they took was exceptionally heavy.

Political Commissar Wang had been waiting outside the barracks. When he saw them come out, he stepped forward and said softly, "Brother and sister-in-law, I'll have someone drive you back. The body will also be taken back for proper care. The funeral will be held in three days, and I will definitely be there in person."

The elderly couple seemed not to hear him, their gazes fixed on the stretcher carrying the body, as they were numbly helped onto the military truck by the soldiers.

The moment the car door closed, the old woman finally let out a suppressed sob, but quickly swallowed it back, leaving only a deathly silence.

The truck slowly drove away from the military headquarters. Political Commissar Wang stood there, watching the headlights disappear into the night, his heart heavy.

He raised his hand to rub his throbbing temples, then turned and strode quickly toward his office.

Pushing open the door, the clues and documents on the table were still spread out, and the ashtray was filled with cigarette butts.

Commissar Wang lit a cigarette. The acrid smoke made him cough a few times, but it also calmed his chaotic thoughts a little.

He cannot fall, and he cannot stop!