Chapter 650 Extra 2: The Shadow Hunter Squad
"You don't agree to increase the number of personnel in Hunting Shadow?" The deputy commander leaned forward, clasped his hands on the table, and stared at Wen Ni.
"Yes." Wen Ni nodded decisively.
Vice-captain Long Ren stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "If the higher-ups insist on assigning manpower to rebuild Shadow Hunter, then I request that Shadow Hunter be abolished directly, because the rebuilt Shadow Hunter will no longer be Shadow Hunter."
It can be called by any code name, but it absolutely cannot be Shadow Hunter!
"Leng Feng, is that what you mean too?" The deputy commander's expression hardened as he looked at the only person who hadn't spoken.
"Yes, sir!"
Leng Feng stood at attention, his resounding reply echoing throughout the conference hall.
"You guys are really..." The deputy commander's expression turned serious, then he relaxed, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "As expected, the commander guessed right, you won't agree."
"Commander?" Wen Ni's expression froze. "Was it the Commander's suggestion?"
"Yes, it was the commander's suggestion. But he said the same thing to you. There can only ever be one top-tier special operations unit, the Shadow Hunter, in the 83rd Army. The newly recruited forces cannot form a new whole with you. If you don't agree, then we won't force you!" The deputy commander pondered for a moment and said, "Therefore, the commander has given you other arrangements."
Wen Ni's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. "What arrangements?"
"Wen Ni, now that you've returned to take over as captain of the Sharp Sword Battalion, then Long Ren and Leng Feng will be promoted to deputy captains, serving as your right-hand men. With your tacit understanding, you'll definitely be able to train even more outstanding special forces soldiers for the army!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Wen Ni and Leng Feng both said in unison that they were very satisfied with the arrangement.
But Dragon Blade stood still, without uttering a sound!
The deputy commander's gaze also fell on Long Ren. "What are your demands? Or are you dissatisfied with this arrangement? Tell me, and I might give you priority consideration!"
“I…” Dragon Blade paused slightly, staring at the ground.
"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'? Isn't it good for the three of us to be together?" Leng Feng said anxiously, lowering his voice.
Wen Ni remained silent, looking at Long Ren's lowered eyes.
“I want to… continue participating in peacekeeping operations.” Long Ren’s eyelashes drooped, but he finally blurted it out.
Wen Ni's brow twitched, and she looked at the dragon blade again.
But then he saw that the latter's hands were clenched into fists at his sides, as if he had made an extremely difficult decision!
"Why?" The deputy commander was also surprised. "I thought you would be happy to stay in 76482, to stay in Sharp Sword."
“My eyes were injured before, and I know the details myself. I'm no longer suitable to stay in the special forces.” Long Ren’s tone was heavy, and his breathing was labored. “But my life was given to me by Captain Lu, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my days in a daze, just going through the motions. I want to do everything I can to help people in war-torn areas and contribute to world peace!”
"Long Ren, are you crazy!" Leng Feng couldn't hold back any longer. "Right now, apart from China where the situation is stabilizing, other countries are in the middle of war, and the international situation is tense. You want to go on peacekeeping missions at a time like this?! Besides, your health is..."
“I am fully aware of every word I have said, and this is my choice.” Long Ren looked straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with Wen Ni and the other person.
He was resolute, but Wen Ni noticed a glimmer of tears in the corner of his eyes!
“I understand Longren’s request and I will consider it. However, I also hope that Longren’s decision is well thought out.” The deputy commander sighed almost imperceptibly, his eyes sweeping over the three of them a few times before finally standing up. “I have said all I need to say. However, you should have a lot more to say to each other. If you have any other ideas later, please report them in advance and come to my office.”
"Yes, sir."
They watched the commander leave.
Only the three Shadow Hunters remained in the conference room.
Leng Feng strode forward, shoved Long Ren on the shoulder, his face full of confusion, and called Long Ren by his real name, "Long Cheng! What are you doing? What do you mean? Why are you applying to participate in peacekeeping operations again? You were on peacekeeping missions every day before, weren't you tired of being in that godforsaken place?"
“As you all know, the peacekeeping force needs manpower right now.” Long Ren had a faint smile on his face. “Besides, Sharp Sword only needs a battalion commander and a deputy commander. As for me, it’s only because of past relationships that my superiors said they would keep me. But I know myself that in my current situation, I don’t deserve to stay at all.”
"What nonsense are you spouting about whether you're worthy or not! If you're not worthy, who is?" Leng Feng's eyes reddened with anger. "You stay here! I'll go on peacekeeping in your place!"
"Leng Feng, stop fooling around." Long Ren grabbed Leng Feng's arm, his tone gentle yet helpless. "This is my choice, and no one can change it."
"You're the one being ridiculous!" Leng Feng whirled around, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Long Ren. "Poison Fang retired, Beacon Fire is dead, Captain Lu is dead. Now it's just the three of us left, and now even you're leaving..."
Long Ren stared blankly for a moment, then smiled slightly and patted Leng Feng on the shoulder. "It's not like I'm never coming back. Why are you crying? Besides... it's easier to get promoted after participating in peacekeeping missions. Maybe in a few years I'll be like the boss and become a colonel."
"Come on, you're not a pragmatic person." Leng Feng turned his face away, sniffed, and looked both aggrieved and fierce!
Long Ren reached out and grabbed Leng Feng's hair, but Leng Feng angrily pushed him away.
Wen Ni stood there quietly watching them go back and forth.
Upon her return, she could clearly sense Long Ren's exhaustion and the growing sorrow between his brows!
Dragon Blade has changed; he's become increasingly preoccupied.
"Are you still blaming yourself for what happened to Captain Lu?" Wen Ni sensed something was wrong, but this was the first time she had brought it up directly.
She was afraid of reopening the wounds of the dragon blade, but now she realized that some scars, if left unaddressed, would only fester deeper!
Long Ren's expression visibly stiffened for a moment.
Leng Feng finally realized what was happening, his eyes wide as he grabbed Long Ren's arm. "Is what the boss said true? You haven't gotten over that hurdle yet? But no one is blaming you, and it wasn't your fault at all! It was Li Shiyan who drove Captain Lu to his death! Li Shiyan is dead, and Captain Lu has rested in peace! Why are you still taking the blame?"
"I know, I know everything."
Dragon Blade slowly closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly!
“But I always remember that day, the day when Captain Lu came to relieve me, the moment he killed himself so as not to be a burden to us… I can’t forget it, I can’t forget it at all. Every day and every night I stayed at Lijian was agonizing. Because in every corner here, I could see Captain Lu and Fengsui.”
Training grounds, dormitories, office buildings, canteens, guardhouses...
Long Ren kept seeing many overlapping shadows, which drove him crazy with distress. He needed to leave this place and keep himself busy.
He raised his hand and pressed it into his hair, trembling uncontrollably.
Looking at Long Ren in this state, Wen Ni frowned even more deeply, as if she saw her former self in him.
The person I once was, who watched his comrade-in-arms, the company commander, die in front of him, and heard the news of Song Yanfeng's death!
Post-traumatic stress disorder, battlefield PTSD...
Long Ren has been receiving psychological counseling, but it doesn't seem to be having much effect so far.
Suppressing her heartache, she suddenly stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Long Ren's neck, and pulled him to her shoulders. Her voice was soft:
"It's okay, it's okay, don't think about it anymore. If you want to go on peacekeeping, then go ahead. We'll wait for you at home. Come back and visit us when you want to, okay?"
"good."
Long Ren felt a lump in his throat, and the suppressed pain and tears finally burst forth.
He buried his face in her shoulder, trembling and sobbing!
Leng Feng put his hands on his hips and turned to the side, secretly wiping away his tears with his sleeve.
"The boss has spoken, so you can go if you want, but remember to come home! Otherwise, I'll come looking for you myself!"
"Um."
Dragon Blade cried, then laughed.
Warm sunlight streamed through the windows into the conference room, making it cozy and bright, as if it could illuminate every dark corner...
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