Strongest Soldier King

"I'm personally willing to give up the race, but this is a significant matter, it's not for me alone to decide. The rest of you, state your positions, and someone go ask the farmer's brother how he feels. We can't drag this out, we need to make a decision immediately. Luo Zheng's injuries are getting worse; any delay is untenable. Missing the optimal treatment window could be just as troublesome." The scholar said earnestly, his eyes filled with determination as he looked at the unconscious Luo Zheng.

"I agree to give up the race. I'll go talk to the farmer and bring down some medicine and water. Keep an eye on him." The gardener exchanged a knowing look with Monk, nodding firmly before standing up and leaving. The gardener couldn't bear to exchange his comrades' well-being for honor.

"I agree too," Monk stated resolutely. The gardener, who had only left a few steps away, stopped, and the three exchanged a knowing look, then smiled. A strong sense of camaraderie spread among them.

The gardener left with resolute steps. Monk looked at Luo Zheng's cracked lips, dehydration was severe, and said worriedly, "Should we loosen his clothes a bit to let the air in?"

"Good idea," the scholar replied, starting to loosen Luo Zheng's clothing. When he touched Luo Zheng's chest, he felt something inside and flipped it open to see—a piece of paper was in the inner pocket. The scholar wasn't the type to snoop, he was about to put it back when Monk, with his sharp eyes, blurted out in surprise. The scholar paused, took a serious look, and noticed something strange about the paper, which bore a significant red seal.

"What's that?" Monk asked in surprise.

The scholar hesitated, then couldn't resist unfolding it. His expression changed slightly as he read it and handed it to Monk. Monk saw that it was an appointment letter, his expression also changed subtly. He folded it carefully and put it back into Luo Zheng's pocket, then looked at the scholar. The scholar said with a bitter smile, "Do you think I'm going to be angry, jealous of Luo Zheng?"

"Even if you were, it would be normal. The organization appointed you as the leader, yet they secretly gave Luo Zheng an appointment letter. However, I think they did this for a reason and not to belittle you or look down on you. It's probably meant to confuse the other teams," Monk explained somewhat awkwardly.

"You don't have to console me. Even without this letter, I'd be willing to let Luo Zheng take over as leader. I just regret not listening to him sooner; then we wouldn't be in this situation, and he wouldn't be hiding this appointment. If he'd taken over leadership earlier, we wouldn't all be here because of my mistakes," the scholar said with remorse.

"Brother, it's wrong of you to say that. All along the way, every decision you made was agreed upon by everyone. It was a collective decision, not yours alone to blame. Luo Zheng probably didn't show the letter because he trusted your commands. Anyway, we've had some good fights along the way, taken out quite a few East Yi Yun Members, and contributed to the security of the country and the border. It was worth it," Monk said solemnly.

The scholar didn't dwell on the issue but looked at Luo Zheng with guilt, occasionally glancing up at the farmer climbing up the cliff. Seeing the farmer almost at the top, he let out a sigh of relief and tried to calm his anxious heart. The team had gotten to this point because of his command; both the farmer and Monk were injured to varying degrees, and now Luo Zheng was unconscious. The scholar silently resolved to not make any more mistakes.

At the top of the cliff, the gardener solemnly informed the farmer of the situation. The faces of the other team's warriors changed as well. Everyone looked at the farmer and the gardener with sympathy on their faces—it was a difficult choice, and nobody knew what they would do if faced with it.

But the farmer didn't think too much. Remembering Luo Zheng's life-saving grace, he said without hesitation, "Then what are we waiting for? Call for rescue immediately, give up the race. We are all well aware of everything Luo Zheng did for us along the way. We absolutely cannot abandon him. If we leave behind a comrade, I might as well be dead."

Everyone who heard the farmer's resolute choice had a change of expression, and their eyes filled with respect when they looked at him. A soldier's honor is above all else, and to give up that honor itself requires great courage. Not abandoning comrades is not something everyone can do—it takes a great heart and generosity. The farmer's loyalty and righteousness earned everyone's deep respect.

At that moment, someone helped to bring medicine. The gardener thanked them, then hurried off. The competition team that was clearing the battlefield in the valley below the cliff also arrived. A team leader handed the collected dog tags to the farmer and earnestly said, "Thank you for saving our lives. If you hadn't driven here, our whole squad would have been wiped out. These are your merits, we dare not take credit for them."

Soldiers have their own pride, and no one would covet these things. Holding the dog tags that others had traded their lives for, the farmer felt a bitter sweetness in his heart. After looking deeply at them, he handed them back and said seriously, "You also made a significant effort, as did the brothers who rushed here to rescue us. Divide these among yourselves, our squad has already decided to forfeit the competition."

"What?" The team leader was unaware of the situation and looked at the farmer in surprise. Someone quietly explained the situation, and after the team leader was informed, he shook his head and said, "If I took these, I would never be at peace for the rest of my life, and I believe the other brothers feel the same way. If it weren't for your brother who lured away the enemies, none of us would have survived."

"Exactly," said a warrior who had come in search of Luo Zheng. He spoke earnestly, "Brother Luo Zheng lured away more than a hundred of the East Yi Yun Members. If that group had joined the fight, we would have all died before the reinforcements arrived. These are for you, as our way of thanking you." With that, the warrior handed over the dog tags they had collected.

"Thank you, but I can't take them," the farmer said with a firm expression. "You all go on and continue the competition. I wish you good results and hope you bring honor to our country." They exchanged glances and slowly departed.

...

About ten minutes later, the farmer came running back with the medicine, his voice reaching them before he did, "Brothers, the farmer is also very determined to forfeit the match. Hurry and press the distress beacon."

Upon hearing this, the scholar immediately pressed the distress beacon. When the gardener arrived, he asked anxiously, "What medicine?"

"There's no fever medicine, only some antihemorrhagic and anti-inflammatory drugs left," said the gardener with sorrow and indignation.

"Ah?" the scholar exclaimed in surprise. Gunshot wounds are serious but not fatal, and it was still unclear if there were any internal injuries. There were visibly two fatal wounds: the high fever and the blood loss. But there was no use in panicking at that moment. After cleaning Luo Zheng's wounds and administering an anti-inflammatory shot, he sprayed some antihemorrhagic and wrapped the wounds with gauze.

After finishing all this, everyone anxiously looked up at the sky. The distress beacon couldn't facilitate communication, but it could send their location coordinates. All they could do was wait. The scholar sat down on the ground, looked at Luo Zheng whose fate was uncertain, and said anxiously, "Why haven't they come yet?"

Half an hour later, the heavenly sound of a transport helicopter appeared in everyone's sight.