182: Chapter 181: Look at that aura, he was born to be a commander.

Houzi raised his chin proudly. "That's not all! Look ahead!"

Following the direction he pointed, Su Han saw a massive banner hanging above the base's main gate. Red with yellow characters, it was exceptionally eye-catching: "A Warm Welcome to First-Class Merit Hero Major Su Han on His Triumphant Return to the Unit!"

Beneath the banner, Wang Yuanchao stood in his crisp service uniform alongside several office leaders holding the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, a hearty smile on his face.

The off-road vehicle slowly came to a stop in front of the gate. As soon as Zhou Mo cut the engine, Houzi couldn't wait to jump out and pull open the rear door. "Chief Instructor, we're here! Look at this setup—is it a big enough surprise?"

The moment Su Han pushed the door open and stepped out, the soldiers on both sides suddenly shouted in unison, "Welcome back to the unit, Major Su Han!"

The sound exploded like a clap of thunder, echoing over the base.

A troupe with gongs and drums immediately began playing a cheerful tune. Red ribbons fluttered and the drumbeats shook the sky, creating an atmosphere so enthusiastic it made one's blood boil.

Wang Yuanchao strode forward, his smile blooming like a chrysanthemum. Behind him followed the detachment's Political Commissar and several office leaders, every one of them looking at Su Han with eyes full of appreciation and admiration.

"Su Han, we've finally looked forward to your return!" Wang Yuanchao grabbed Su Han's hand and shook it vigorously. "Well? Are you satisfied with this welcome ceremony?"

Looking at the scene before him, which rivaled a grand victory celebration, and then at the excited eyes of the surrounding soldiers, Su Han gave a helpless smile.

"Captain Wang, I'm just returning to the unit normally. While I was away, I was merely performing my duties and completing what a soldier should do. In your Falcon Detachment, this should be the most normal thing. But for you to do this..."

"You're putting me on the spot here."

"And it's a good spot to be in!" Wang Yuanchao laughed heartily, patting him on the shoulder. "You deserve it! In all the years since our Falcon Detachment was founded, we've never had an all-rounder like you! Becoming a 'God' with nine titles, two First-Class Merits, saving people from a fire, forming the Womens Special Operations Team... every single one was a hard-fought battle. We have to let the whole detachment see what a true special ops elite looks like!"

"Of course, if you're willing to transfer your official post to our Falcon Detachment right now, while I can't scramble fighter jets, I can still have every combat-ready helicopter in the base take to the skies to celebrate together! Hahaha..."

Su Han: "..."

At this moment, the Political Commissar beside them also stepped forward, shaking Su Han's hand and saying, "Comrade Su Han, you've brought glory to our Falcon Detachment and to the entire Yuezhou Military Region! During your trip back to your village, the people of the whole country saw the spirit of our soldiers. The leaders and soldiers of various units in the Military Region all think very highly of you."

The surrounding soldiers began to applaud. Da Xiong, Shan Mao, and others from the War Eagle Squad also squeezed through, their faces filled with smiles of shared pride.

Da Xiong had the loudest voice and hollered at the top of his lungs, "Chief Instructor! Welcome home! We're all waiting to do extra training with you!"

Looking at the enthusiastic faces before him and hearing the thunderous music and cheers, a sudden wave of warmth welled up in Su Han's heart.

He straightened his back and gave a crisp, standard military salute to Wang Yuanchao and the surrounding leaders, his voice clear: "Reporting to the Captain and Political Commissar! Major Su Han, reporting for duty!"

Wang Yuanchao laughed, grabbed Su Han's arm, and gave it a shake. Seeing that Su Han didn't flinch, he said, "Not bad. It seems your body has indeed mostly recovered."

"Of course, if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, I'll have Zhou Mo fly a helicopter and take you out to sea to relax for another two days?"

"That's enough, Captain Wang. I've accepted this grand welcome."

"Don't, don't, don't!" Wang Yuanchao immediately dropped the joking and put on a serious face. "I'm talking business with you. Commander Zhao just called to ask if you'd arrived, saying that the training for the Womens Special Operations Team can't be delayed."

He shot a look at the Political Commissar, who immediately understood. "Comrade Su Han, the detachment has prepared a welcome feast for you. Why not have a little something to eat before going to see the special ops team?"

"I'll skip the meal." Su Han turned toward the War Eagle Squad. "I brought Osmanthus Cake from Su Family Village; it's enough for everyone to snack on."

Houzi was quick, snatching the canvas bag and unzipping it to stuff a piece of cake into his mouth. He shouted indistinctly, "Old Su knows us best! We've been doing field survival training for the past half month, and following those female soldiers meant eating nothing but compressed biscuits. I'm so sick of it!"

As they spoke, the group had already reached the base's main road. The soldiers on both sides remained lined up, watching them pass with reverent gazes.

Wang Yuanchao followed behind. Seeing the natural and familiar interaction between Su Han and the War Eagle Squad, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. This kid—even though he hadn't officially joined Falcon yet, he had already become the 'spiritual core' of the entire detachment.

"By the way, Old Su," Houzi suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice. "Last week when we went to do a combat drill for the Womens Special Operations Team, Su Qingcheng tripped me up. That girl has learned some bad tricks; she actually used that 'Su Family Clever Strength' you taught to sneak a win!"

Su Han raised an eyebrow. "Oh? She was able to trip you?"

"I was taking it easy on her!" Houzi argued with a stiff neck. "After all, according to seniority, she has to call me 'Great-Grandpa' hahaha. I can't really get competitive with a junior..."

"The kind of 'taking it easy' where you get tripped face-first into the dirt?" Zhou Mo added coldly, drawing a burst of laughter from the people around them.

Houzi's face turned red as he pointed at Zhou Mo and yelled, "Captain, don't expose me! If you're so capable, why don't you spar with the Chief Instructor! In that exchange after the All-Army Grand Competition, who was it that got pinned to the ground in a chokehold by the Chief Instructor?"

Zhou Mo remained expressionless. "That was required for tactical coordination."

"Tch—" Everyone voiced their disdain in unison.

Looking at the group joking around, Su Han suddenly felt a sense of peace.

These members of the War Eagle Squad were the partners he had fought alongside the longest since his reincarnation.

During the All-Army Grand Competition, they went from initial doubt to later tacit cooperation, and finally to holding the championship trophy together. This friendship had long surpassed that of ordinary comrades-in-arms.

"Stop messing around." Su Han stopped laughing, his tone suddenly becoming serious. "Zhou Mo, pass the word—"

"Sir!" Zhou Mo immediately snapped to attention.

"All members of the Womens Special Operations Team are to bring their personal tactical gear and assemble at Training Ground No. 3 in fifteen minutes."

Houzi was stunned for a moment. "Training right now? Not going to rest for a bit?"

"There will be plenty of time to rest once we win next year's Cross-Military Region Exercise."

"From today, we enter the combat-realistic special training phase. Tell them to be prepared to lose a layer of skin."

Wang Yuanchao nodded repeatedly from behind, remarking to the Political Commissar with emotion, "Look at this presence; he’s a natural-born commander. If only our Falcon could keep him..."

The Political Commissar smiled and shook his head. "Don't rush it. This boy knows what he's doing."