Chapter 273: Chapter 271: Untitled

Ling Chengyan entered and heard Han Daqing telling the leader triumphantly, “…This mission was immensely difficult, fraught with challenges. Our soldiers are truly commendable, each one fearless, valiantly pressing forward without hesitation…”

The leader was already bored, and upon seeing Ling Chengyan come in, he immediately raised his hand in greeting, “Captain Ling is back, how’s the situation?”

Ling Chengyan stepped forward, saluted, and handed over the information her squad had gathered.

The leader reached out to receive it, noticing Han Daqing craning his neck, nearly sticking his face into Ling Chengyan’s report, immediately furrowing his brow, “Captain Han, aren’t you going back? Your soldiers are injured, don’t they need medical attention?”

“No prob…” Han Daqing instinctively began to say there was no problem but quickly caught himself and corrected, “The comrades are strong-willed and will not be defeated by minor injuries, rest assured, leader.”

Ling Chengyan felt her scalp tingle with irritation as the leader impatiently waved him off, “Go, go, quickly. Soldiers are strong, but we cannot ignore their pains. Ancient military leaders required ’loving soldiers like sons,’ though we are not a feudal army, we are comrades in arms, even more, like brothers and sisters. Civilians entrust their children to protect the nation, and we must care for every soldier, minimizing or avoiding non-combat injuries and casualties.”

Han Daqing glanced sideways at Ling Chengyan, half-smiling as he said, “Speaking of non-combat injuries, we’re not quite experienced in that area.”

Ling Chengyan’s eyes flashed with astonishment, followed by a surge of undiluted anger, making her hair stand on end!

Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed Han Daqing by the collar, although shorter by half a head and slighter in build she effortlessly hoisted him up.

Han Daqing didn’t have time to react before his feet left the ground. As he realized what was happening and tried to struggle or counter, he found his arms were limp and couldn’t be lifted. He was instantly terrified.

“Wha-what are you doing?” Han Daqing stammered in panic.

Ling Chengyan stared coldly at him, “I used to think stories like ’The Farmer and the Snake’ and ’Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf’ were just tales. Today, I see that in reality, there are such ungrateful, heartless, and vindictive people!”

People in the command room rushed to intervene, and the leader sternly stopped them, “Both of you, stop right now.”

Following the orders, Ling Chengyan released the limp Han Daqing, letting him fall to the ground, and said coldly, “We didn’t expect you to repay our rescue with gratitude, but since you wear human skin, at least speak human language. If you can’t, shut your mouth tight. If I hear you speak out of turn again, I won’t let it slide!”

Han Daqing lay on the ground, unable to stand, while Ling Chengyan handed over the report and then departed.

A few staff and aides attempted to help Han Daqing up but couldn’t move him. Han Daqing lay on the ground like a shameless rogue, frustrating the leader enough to shout, “Liu Daqing, what are you doing?!”

The leader had come from a large district, and during an exercise, Yu Bei Team faced danger and were rescued by Huicheng Team. Not a single death or severe injury occurred to Yu Bei Team, while Huicheng Team’s young platoon leader lost a leg, ending his career… This happened just months ago, and witnesses still remember it clearly. Yet Liu Daqing, the person rescued, utterly shamelessly, insulted and ridiculed the incident.

This level of ingratitude and malice transcends competition between brother units, reaching into personal character issues.

Such individuals… are most despised by comrades and fellow soldiers.

Who would trust this thankless, vengeful person on the battlefield?

Liu Daqing recognized the leader’s disdain and, with the help of others, forced himself to stand, sweating profusely, “Leader, it’s not that I didn’t want to stand, but Ling Chengyan threw me too hard; I must be injured…”

Seeing his appearance, he didn’t seem to be lying, so the leader and members of the command staff became suspicious.

Therefore, the leader sent someone to escort Liu Daqing to the nearest rear hospital for a full examination. After two hours, upon arrival at the hospital, Liu Daqing immediately realized something was off: his legs were no longer weak or powerless, they had fully recovered!

There was no turning back, so he begrudgingly underwent the examination. The results unsurprisingly showed he was in perfect health, without any injuries, and all bodily functions were normal.

Liu Daqing had no choice but to return, and throughout the journey, two accompanying staff members maintained their smiles, while their gazes towards him were noticeably different.

This man, ingratitude aside, is maliciously trying to tarnish those who are kind to him. Truly, he is the worst among the despicable! It’s best to steer clear, lest one day he turns against you!

A day later, the results for all Special Service Company squads came out, with Huicheng Special Service Company squad ranking first.

All Special Service Company captains attended a meeting at the command post, and after announcing the results, the leader highlighted Huicheng Special Service Company’s task completion, “…well-coordinated, orderly collaboration. Not only did they scout changes in two enemy highland strongpoints, discover a new route for local supplies, they cleared a path for penetration, disposing of over a dozen mines, marking tens more, eliminating threats for subsequent operations… commendable for all comrades to emulate.”

After the leader finished speaking, it was time for each squad to express opinions, ask questions, and discuss.

Many extended congratulations and admiration to Ling Chengyan, whom she graciously acknowledged.

Suddenly, someone asked, “As far as I’m aware, the enemy is ruthless with their mine-laying, commonly doing so both in the morning and afternoon. Clearing mines once doesn’t mean much, does it?”

Ling Chengyan looked over; it was a Special Service Company captain from Yu Province named Qian Xiangjun, sitting with Han Daqing. At this moment, Han Daqing’s eyes conveyed barely concealed pride as he looked at Ling Chengyan.

Bragging as if it’s something remarkable to clear this many mines, marking so many, but once cleared, won’t they just lay more?

Ling Chengyan’s expression was indifferent, her gaze cold and detached. Being stumped didn’t cause her to burst out in anger; she merely glanced over then withdrew her gaze, saying, “While clearing mines cannot thoroughly sanitize nor prevent the enemy from laying mines again, should we avoid clearing them at all? Wouldn’t that be saving manpower and resources for the enemy?”

Her words made sense, but there was nothing particularly groundbreaking about it.

However, the leader presiding over the meeting glanced at Han Daqing and Qian Xiangjun before casually stating, “Perhaps earlier I wasn’t clear, the mines marked by Huicheng Special Service Company squad were not laid by the enemy…”

The sudden clarification stunned everyone, who all turned towards the leader, quietly waiting for him to continue.

Satisfied with their reaction, the leader grinned slightly and explained, “Those mines were laid by Huicheng Special Service Company squad.”

Han Daqing practically jumped up, angrily questioning, “Why lay mines when clearing isn’t thorough?…”

Before finishing his sentence, he paused, caught off guard.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep