108: Chapter 108 The Last Task 108: Chapter 108 The Last Task In this era of rapid change, Yanjing has undergone huge transformations since the time I left.
Skyscrapers have risen one after another, while some places remain as they were.
My old home is among them; the wall outside the old house now bears patches of cracks, the marks of time.
Ye Shikai gently caresses them as he slowly approaches his family’s dwelling.
Walking through the corridor of the building, Ye Shikai recalls many things, including memories of playing here as a child, and of times with his mother.
Arriving at the door of his home, Ye shikai fishes out a rusty key from his wallet, and memories flood back to him instantly.
He was packing his luggage at home, as the plane from Yanjing to Africa would take off in two hours.
At that moment, there was an urgent knocking from outside the room.
Ye Shikai went to the living room and opened the security door.
“Commander, have you really decided to leave?” a young man standing beside him asked anxiously.
“Yeah, Commander, are you really going?” another man said.
Ye Shikai gestured for silence; the crowd gradually quieted down.
Sweeping his gaze over each face, looking at these brothers who had shared life-and-death situations with him, Ye Shikai felt incredibly reluctant to leave.
But the thought of how his Dragon Teeth Special Forces had suffered severe losses in the last battle, with his brothers barely clinging to life, made his fists clench tight.
He must seek justice for these fallen brothers.
“Listen up, everyone.
We’ve lost so many brothers this time; I must avenge them.
Their families need an explanation; I can’t let them die in vain.”
Hearing this, everyone present clenched their fists, their eyes filled with rage.
Every man has his pride; those bastards who killed their comrades – they too wished they could take immediate retribution, to skin the enemies alive.
Ye Shikai was also filled with resentment; the mission shouldn’t have encountered any issues, but somehow, halfway through, the special forces team was ambushed by the enemy.
“Commander, if you’re going to take revenge, then take me with you,” one man spoke up first.
“Yeah, Commander, count me in.”
Suddenly, the room was charged with excitement, everyone seemed ready to pick up their weapons and head right back to the frontline.
“No, you have to stay,” Ye Shikai waved his hand.
Although he was filled with anger and unwillingness, he had not lost his reason to anger.
The Dragon Teeth Special Forces were Huaxia’s cutting edge, an ‘invisible’ shadow unit comprised entirely of the army’s finest, only those who survived hellish tests.
For the protection of the country, a great deal of manpower and resources had been invested to cultivate this team.
The unit had already suffered significant depletion of its essence from the last battle; if everyone were to leave with him, the consequences would be unthinkable, not to mention whether the superiors would agree; he would never allow it.
As soldiers, the interests of the nation must come first.
“You are all the nation’s elite, the country relies on you.
The defeat in this battle was my responsibility as the Commander.
That’s why I’m retiring this time, to seek justice for them,” Ye Shikai said with a tone of deep gravity, and everyone started to calm down, although still with a sense of injustice on their faces.
Ye Shikai looked around at the dozen or so familiar faces, sighed softly, knowing that his retirement meant leaving the country to become a mercenary.
Only in this way could he find the enemy responsible for his comrades’ deaths and avenge them.
But the environment abroad, especially in Africa and Europe, a haven for mercenaries, is perilous, and one could lose their life in an instant.
These dozen men who were barely saved by his utmost efforts—Ye Shikai could not allow them to take this risk.
“But, Commander…” a man began to speak but was stopped, “My mind is made up.
Brothers, I will make sure those people disappear, but you must stay here.”
“Ouyang Feng, while I’m away, take good care of them,” Ye Shikai looked at a man standing behind him and said faintly.
“Yes, Commander,” Ouyang Feng stepped forward, with a handsome face that looked more like a male model.
However, he was the Deputy Commander of the Dragon Teeth Special Forces, holding the rank of Major, equal to Ye’s own.
Having been saved by Ye Shikai in a battle, he held deep respect for him, always fulfilling any orders without question, thus becoming Ye’s trusted second-in-command.
“Commander, when will you come back?” Ouyang Feng asked, clearly very concerned with this issue.
“When the time is right, I will naturally come back,” Ye Shikai arranged his luggage and said solemnly to everyone, “I swear to you, I will return one day.
When I do, I want to see the military spirit of the Dragon Teeth Special Forces restored by all of you.”
Everyone spoke in unison, their words ringing with force and stirring emotions.
Ye Shikai showed a gratified expression, glanced at his watch, and said with a touch of melancholy, “Well, it’s time for me to go.
But as your Commander, I have one last task for you.”
“Live well,” Ye Shikai said softly, his tone carrying a hint of mournfulness.
This was the last task he set for his team members, to live well…
To live until the moment he returned, Ye Shikai wanted to see every one of these dozen men come out to meet him.
His words stirred deep emotions within his team, sounding almost like a farewell speech.
Caught in the throes of war, one has no control over their destiny.
Ye Shikai was now embarking on a path of no return, a Huaxia Major about to become a mercenary—those unaware of his motives could never understand.
Ye Shikai picked up his luggage and, under the watchful eyes of his comrades, walked out of the house with a sense of dimness.
He had given his all for the military, and he had no idea when he would return again.
“Attention, salute!” Ouyang Feng shouted loudly, his voice echoing throughout the building, as everyone saluted in unison, watching him leave…