46: Chapter 46 Li Yunlong's Return Gift! What a treasure!

The wine was flowing, the apprenticeship ceremony was complete, and even the deal for the "sky-high price" tank had been finalized; the atmosphere had reached its peak.

However, just as both host and guest were enjoying themselves to the fullest, Shen Wang stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Brigade Commander, Regiment Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao, and all comrades, all good things must come to an end, and I... must take my leave now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the lively regimental headquarters instantly fell silent.

"What? Mr. Shen, you're leaving already?" Li Yunlong was the first to jump up.

"We've barely started! Old Li here hasn't even had a proper chance to toast you a few times yet! Besides, although our base area is poor, it's safe! Stay a few more days and let me, Old Li, fulfill my duties as a host!"

The Brigade Commander also quickly stood up, sincerely urging him to stay: "Mr. Shen, why the rush? Is there something about our hospitality that has been lacking?"

"You are our honored guest, and even more so, our benefactor! Please, stay a few more days and let us properly thank you."

Shen Wang looked at their sincere expressions, feeling warmed in his heart, but his resolve to leave was firm.

He had already stayed here for four days and three nights in a row!

Four whole days and three nights!

Do you know how he had spent these past few days?

Suddenly returning to this semi-primitive life was really difficult to get used to, and very inconvenient.

Especially when it came to relieving oneself; it was very inconvenient.

More importantly, this was the Eighth Route Army's base area; Shen Wang couldn't just summon a bunch of helpers in the blink of an eye, right?

Any trading or the like would naturally have to be postponed for a period of time.

"Brigade Commander, Regiment Commander Li, I appreciate your kindness! It is not that your hospitality was lacking, but there are truly some matters I need to return to handle. Rest assured, we will see each other again very soon."

He looked at the Brigade Commander and added with a hint of apology: "Brigade Commander, I apologize. The machine gun battalion I promised you, I will make up for it when we meet next time."

Although the Brigade Commander was reluctant, seeing that Shen Wang's attitude was firm, he no longer insisted.

"Mr. Shen, you are too kind! Your matters are important! We will look forward to our next meeting!"

"By then, I will definitely have the gold and antiques you requested prepared, awaiting your arrival!"

Both sides agreed that the next time they met, it would be a direct exchange of goods and payment.

Seeing that Shen Wang's intention to leave was set, Little Sha's eyes instantly turned red.

"Master! You... you're leaving already? Let me see you off!"

Li Yunlong also thumped his chest: "Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Shen, let Sha Zhenjiang see you off, and I will dispatch a guard platoon to escort you along the way! I guarantee you will be safely delivered to your destination!"

Shen Wang was moved, but he declined one by one.

He looked at Little Sha and said with a smile: "Little Sha, you have an even more important mission; during this time, you must teach everyone how to drive the tank well."

Shen Wang decided to leave the 99A behind.

Anyway, it was useless for him to take it with him.

Then he said to Li Yunlong: "Regiment Commander Li, I appreciate your good intentions, but I am used to traveling alone; too many people would only attract attention. There is no need for an escort."

After saying this, he prepared to leave.

Just at this moment, Li Yunlong's eyes darted, and he suddenly slapped his thigh: "Wait! Mr. Shen, wait a moment!"

After saying that, he turned around and rushed back to his regimental headquarters in a flurry.

Before long, he ran back carrying a long wooden box that looked quite old, and solemnly handed it to Shen Wang.

"Mr. Shen! You gave us a huge gift when we first met, saved our comrades, and helped us win so many battles; I, Old Li, have kept it all in my heart!"

"Our Eighth Route Army is poor, and I, Old Li, am an even bigger pauper; I really have nothing good to offer as a reciprocal gift..."

"There is only this! It's a little trinket I captured before. Please don't look down on it, and you must accept it! Consider it a small token of appreciation from me, Li Yunlong, and all the soldiers of our Independent Regiment!"

Shen Wang took the wooden box with some curiosity; it felt heavy in his hands.

He carefully opened the lid and saw, resting quietly on a red velvet lining, a beautifully crafted Japanese officers sword.

"This is..." Shen Wang asked, puzzled.

Before he could finish his sentence, the Brigade Commander next to him suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the sword and looking at Li Yunlong in disbelief:

"Well, you, Li Yunlong! You... you actually took out this officers sword? Last time I wore out my tongue trying to get it from you and you wouldn't part with it, but this time you're being really generous!"

Upon the Brigade Commander's mention, everyone suddenly realized!

This sword was exactly the one Li Yunlong had captured from that Japanese Major General when he led his troops to ambush the Japanese observation group!

In the Eighth Route Army, Japanese officers swords were not uncommon, but an officers sword belonging to a general was a rare item!

Li Yunlong had always treated it as a treasure, not even giving it to the Brigade Commander when asked, yet unexpectedly, he gave it to Shen Wang today without hesitation!

Old Li chuckled and scratched his head: "Brigade Commander, stop teasing me. Compared to the treasures Mr. Shen gave us, what is this broken sword?"

He looked at Shen Wang again: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Mr. Shen!"

Shen Wang smiled slightly: "Alright! I will accept this sword!"

He didn't act coy at all.

Don't look at how he was giving away guns and artillery here; back in reality, he was still a poor kid who couldn't even afford a down payment.

This officers sword should be able to improve his life a bit, right?

Regardless, at least these past few days weren't in vain.

Seeing Shen Wang accept it, Li Yunlong beamed, happier than if he had won a battle himself.

In the end, surrounded by the Brigade Commander, Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Ding Zhijian, Little Sha, and others, Shen Wang was lively seen off to the entrance of the village.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, casting a golden halo around him.

He carried the wooden box, alone, and slowly disappeared into the distance.

Watching Shen Wang's receding figure, the Brigade Commander sighed sincerely: "Truly a peerless talent of the nation! Heaven blesses China, sending such an extraordinary person!"

Li Yunlong nodded vigorously: "Yes! Mr. Shen is a person with incredible abilities, yet he has no airs at all, and he has been nothing but great to our Eighth Route Army! He's a stand-up guy!"

The others also nodded silently.

This person was a good man, a truly great man!

...

2025, Handong Province, Jingzhou City.

In a slightly shabby rented room.

"Ah... finally back!"

Shen Wang yawned, stretched, and loosened his limbs.

He looked up at the time; the time displayed on the screen showed that only about ten hours had passed since he transmigrated last night.

"Four days and three nights passed over there, and only half a day here... This feeling is quite strange."

Shen Wang rubbed his slightly throbbing temples and muttered to himself: "Maybe it's like dealing with jet lag after going abroad?"

Of course, Shen Wang had never been abroad; he was just guessing.

But this huge difference in time flow still gave him a sense of unreality and trance.

One moment he was in the anti-Japanese base area, amidst the flames of war, drinking and laughing with Li Yunlong and the others, and the next moment he was back in this modern city that was so quiet, with only the occasional sound of traffic from outside the window.

After slightly calming his agitated mood, Shen Wang took out the officers sword that Li Yunlong had given him.

However, the moment the wooden box was fully opened, Shen Wang's pupils suddenly constricted, and the expression on his face instantly froze!

W-what is going on?

(Thanks to the big brother 'Pervert who loves eating corn zongzi' for sending the God-tier certification!!!)