154: Chapter 154 Shocking! The news of Qin Feng's "sacrifice" has been released.

Early the next morning.

The search party from Yang Country finally arrived at the scene of the explosion from the previous night, and everyone was left speechless by the sight before them.

The carcass of the giant python, severed in half by the blast, lay across the path like a small hill.

Floating in the surrounding mud were fragments of torn combat uniforms and some... indescribable human remains.

The officer's expression was so dark that it could drip water.

A soldier stepped forward cautiously to report.

"Sir, after identification, these are the equipment of Scorpion Eye's team... No complete bodies were found."

The officer said nothing, his face turning livid.

Half a month! A full half a month!

They had deployed drones, Military Dogs, Special Forces, and even spared no effort to hire local hunters to lead the way, but what was the result?

They had suffered heavy losses without even getting a clear look at what their opponent looked like!

"Ah—!"

The long-suppressed rage finally erupted.

The officer suddenly drew the pistol from his waist and fired frantically at the giant python's carcass, emptying the entire magazine.

"Search! Even if you have to turn this swamp upside down, find him for me!"

...

The seventeenth day of Qin Feng's "sacrifice."

Southern Military Region, University Student Military Training Camp, office of Company Commander Zhou Hailong.

The red secure phone on the desk broke the silence of the afternoon.

Company Commander Zhou Hailong jolted, put down the document in his hand, and quickly grabbed the receiver.

"Hello, this is Company Commander Zhou Hailong."

"Hailong, it's me." A steady and familiar voice came from the other end of the line.

It was his Old Chief.

Company Commander Zhou Hailong's back straightened instinctively: "Greetings, Old Chief!"

"Hmm."

The Old Chief's voice betrayed no emotion, yet it carried an unusual gravity.

"I have something to tell you, you need to prepare yourself."

Company Commander Zhou Hailong's heart sank abruptly.

"The battle at Yangjiao Mountain at the Sharp Sword Base in the north... that soldier you sent... Qin Feng."

The Old Chief's voice paused, every word hitting Company Commander Zhou Hailong's heart like a stone.

"He has sacrificed."

Boom!

Company Commander Zhou Hailong felt as if a bomb had detonated in his brain, leaving it instantly blank.

Sacrificed? Qin Feng?

That student soldier whom he had kicked into the Mess Squad to flip spoons?

How is that possible!

"Chief... Chief... Did you make a mistake?"

Company Commander Zhou Hailong's voice trembled, and the veins on his hand holding the receiver bulged.

"He... wasn't he in the Mess Squad? How could a Cook..."

"The specifics are still being verified by the military headquarters. The preliminary report is that he voluntarily participated in Operation Sharp Blade-2, and was ultimately hit by an enemy airstrike."

There was a hint of regret in the Old Chief's voice.

"Platoon Leader Long Zhan of the Falcon Reconnaissance Platoon at the Sharp Sword Base will personally escort Qin Feng's belongings back."

"He will report the details to you in person."

Company Commander Zhou Hailong could no longer hear what the Old Chief was saying afterward.

In his mind, only the three words "has sacrificed" remained, echoing crazily like a curse.

"...Hailong? Hailong! Are you listening?"

"Yes! Chief, I'm listening!" Company Commander Zhou Hailong snapped back to reality.

"Comrade Qin Feng is the first student soldier to sacrifice in actual combat since this year's national university student military training began."

"This matter has a major impact, and the Military Region attaches great importance to it."

The Old Chief's tone became serious.

"First, we must spare no cost to establish his heroic image."

"We will issue a commendation throughout the entire Military, to let everyone know that the young people of our Dragon Country have grit and responsibility!"

"We must hold a memorial service of the highest standard for him to welcome the hero home!"

"Second, the aftermath work must be flawless."

"His pension must be executed according to the highest standards, and you, representing the Military Region, will personally deliver it to his family."

"Third, stabilize the mood of the military training camp. The sacrifice of a student soldier will certainly cause a shock."

"You must find a way to minimize the negative impact and turn grief into strength!"

"...Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission!" Company Commander Zhou Hailong roared these words.

He hung up the phone. Company Commander Zhou Hailong remained in the posture of holding the phone, collapsing into his chair.

The receiver in his hand fell onto the desk with a "clatter."

He wanted to light a cigarette, but after fumbling for a long time, he realized the cigarette pack was empty.

Looking at the group photo of the military training camp on the desk, his gaze was fixed intently on Qin Feng.

"You brat... weren't you quite capable..."

"I told you to go flip spoons to save your life... not to go throw it away..."

Company Commander Zhou Hailong's voice was hoarse, as if he were speaking to the person in the photo, or perhaps to himself.

Regret. He regretted it so much his intestines were turning green.

It was he who had personally fought for the mission for Qin Feng.

"I have failed you..."

Company Commander Zhou Hailong slammed his fist on the desk, causing the documents and teacup to jump.

A twenty-year-old college student. A child who should have been enjoying his youth on a university campus. Just like that, he was gone.

How was he supposed to explain this to his family?

"Knock, knock, knock." The office door was knocked on.

The Political Instructor pushed the door open and walked in, startled to see Company Commander Zhou Hailong looking so devastated.

"Old Zhou, what's wrong with you? Did you have a fight with your wife?"

Company Commander Zhou Hailong did not answer, but pushed over the internal document he had just received from the Military Region.

The Political Instructor picked up the document with confusion and took a look.

"Qin... Qin Feng... sacrificed?"

His voice was also filled with disbelief.

Company Commander Zhou Hailong slumped back into his chair and crushed the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

"The Old Chief called personally. He's gone."

The office fell into a deathly silence.

The Political Instructor looked at the words "Posthumously Awarded First-Class Merit," "Martyr for the Defense of the Country," etc., on the document and spoke with difficulty.

"Then... what about the memorial service..."

"Hold it! Just as the Old Chief said, the highest standard!" Company Commander Zhou Hailong's eyes were frighteningly red.

"Hang banners from the camp entrance all the way to the auditorium! Broadcast it throughout the entire Military Region!"

"I want everyone to see what kind of hero the soldier who came out of our Seventh Company was!"

"Also, notify logistics, prepare the best wine and the best food for me!"

"When the people delivering the hero's belongings arrive, I will personally host a welcoming dinner for them!"

There was a near-manic determination in Company Commander Zhou Hailong's voice.

He just wanted to send Qin Feng off on his final journey with the grandest ceremony.

The Political Instructor looked at the maddened Company Commander Zhou Hailong, opened his mouth, but in the end, could only let out a sigh.

He believed that the news of Qin Feng's sacrifice would soon spread throughout the entire Southern Military Region.

Meanwhile. Li Qingxue also received news from home.

Qin Feng had "sacrificed."

Boom! Li Qingxue's originally calm heart was like an atomic bomb explosion, and she muttered to herself.

"No! Impossible! I don't believe it."

"He is so strong, how could he have sacrificed!"

"I don't believe it!"