Strongest Soldier King

After a brief communication, Luo Zheng roughly understood Lan Xue's plan, but a new question surfaced in his mind. As he considered the formidable combat power of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group, he couldn't help but ask, "You're aware of their combat capabilities, so how many people are you planning to bring? And what's their combat level?"

Lan Xue smiled, not answering immediately but falling into a thoughtful silence instead. Luo Zheng didn't press further, pondering over Lan Xue's plan. One team to block the drug-trafficking convoy, another to raid their base. If the Song family learned that he was also going to surround the drug traffickers, they would certainly pass the word to the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group. The mercenaries would then surely dispatch their most elite forces, leaving their base vulnerable to attack. Although the likelihood of a successful raid was high, the risk to the team intercepting the drug traffickers was greater. A foolproof plan was essential.

As he considered this, Lan Xue seemed to make a decision, her expression eased and she spoke with serious intent, "There are some things I want to tell you, but you must keep them secret, limited to your knowledge only. Can you do that?"

"I guarantee it with my integrity," Luo Zheng responded solemnly, feeling that secrets were about to be uncovered before him, and that his relationship with Lan Xue would grow closer with the forthcoming conversation. He eagerly awaited this, summoning his utmost attention.

"I trust you won't spill, just a reminder," Lan Xue said, thoroughly acquainted with Luo Zheng's character. She continued seriously, "You know about the Zhongnanhai bodyguards, right?"

"I do," Luo Zheng quickly responded, his curiosity intensifying.

"The nation has two mysterious armies, one in the open and one in the shadows. The visible one is the Zhongnanhai bodyguards, officially known as the Central Guard Corps. I can't disclose the designation of the covert army; it's a matter of discipline. Both were established before the founding of the country, with a long-standing history and many distinguished individuals. Each warrior is a Soldier King selected from the military regions, with even stricter selection for the covert army," Lan Xue whispered passionately.

Luo Zheng immediately guessed that Lan Xue hailed from that mysterious army but refrained from asking, considering it a state secret. He listened patiently, etching the existence of this force in his memory.

"I think you've guessed my identity by now. I can't say more; it's discipline, and you understand that. Do you still doubt the combat strength of my squad?" Lan Xue asked with a smile.

Luo Zheng shook his head and asked, "You just mentioned the Soldier King. Can you elaborate on that?"

"Certainly," Lan Xue began, organizing her thoughts before explaining in detail, "Every military region has its own Special Forces. Take yours, for example, divided into rookie, ordinary, and elite subunits, with three squads in each subunit. You're well aware of the power gap. An ordinary special soldier can take down around five rookies. An elite special soldier can defeat about ten ordinary special soldiers. The elites are already the strongest in your Special Forces, with the team leader being slightly stronger, though the gap is not too significant. Am I right?"

Luo Zheng nodded, his gaze becoming fervent.

"In last month's competition, the Group Army selected five individuals. These five have the capabilities of team leaders, slightly stronger than elite special soldiers. Your sniping skills have reached the level of a team leader, but since you've been selected as a Special Forces soldier for only a short time, your close combat skills fall slightly short, at the elite special soldier level. Am I correct?" Lan Xue continued her analysis.

"That's right," Luo Zheng awkwardly nodded, feeling uncomfortable being seen as lesser by the woman he admired.

Lan Xue seemed to see through Luo Zheng's pride, rolled her eyes at him, and continued, "Only when you reach the captain level in the Special Forces can you be considered a Soldier King, the strongest existence in each military region. However, these Soldier Kings are just ordinary soldiers in the Mysterious Army. The Mysterious Army composed of Soldier Kings is divided into three levels: Ordinary Soldier King, Elite Soldier King, and Strongest Soldier King."

"Strongest Soldier King?" It was as if a thunderclap exploded in Luo Zheng's mind, sending his blood boiling instantly. He looked at Lan Xue with fervor, his breathing growing much quicker.

"You want to be the Strongest Soldier King?" Lan Xue asked in surprise. Seeing Luo Zheng's somewhat embarrassed silly smile, Lan Xue smiled reassuringly too. Then, her expression turned stern as she said seriously, "I will support your choice. It's important for a person to have their own goal to strive for. If you're going to be a soldier, then be the strongest one. This 'strongest one' refers to just being a Soldier King. But in my opinion, you should add one more thing to it: if you're going to be a Soldier King, then be the Strongest Soldier King."

"Okay." Luo Zheng seemed to have found his goal to strive for and smiled passionately.

"The Strongest Soldier King is only a legendary figure. Divine Dragons are elusive, and one might emerge only once every ten years after enduring countless hardships. Are you sure?" Lan Xue reminded him kindly.

"Sure, otherwise how could I be worthy of you?" Luo Zheng said with determination.

"Smooth talker." Lan Xue gave Luo Zheng a white look, but her heart was sweetened. After some thought, she said earnestly, "I don't want to discourage you, but you must soberly realize that with your current skill level, you are extremely far from your goal. At a fixed distance of 600 meters, you score full marks; at a moving target at 300 meters, you score full marks. But I know people who score full marks at 1,000 meters on fixed targets and 600 meters on moving targets, and even they haven't become the Strongest Soldier King."

"Ah?" Luo Zheng inhaled sharply. If even a shooting score of full marks at 1,000 meters wasn't enough to become the Strongest Soldier King, then the gap for him was indeed huge. However, Luo Zheng quickly adjusted his mindset and said earnestly with a passionate smile, "That's what makes it interesting."

"I don't know how powerful the Strongest Soldier King really is. They are a mysterious existence. Such people exist in many countries, and not a few of them belong to a world and a group that I am not familiar with. I only know one thing: their bullets can turn corners, and with ordinary handguns, they can achieve the effect of machine-gun fire." Lan Xue said seriously.

"That's interesting." Luo Zheng was startled but then became even more excited. Using an ordinary handgun as a machine gun required extremely advanced shooting skills and techniques. It seemed that he still had a long way to go, but this was the life a man should have, the world that a strong person should pursue.

The reason Lan Xue said all this was to ignite Luo Zheng's fighting spirit. She could tell that Luo Zheng already had his own goals to fight for. Her purpose was achieved, and she felt relieved and smiled, saying, "I've taught you everything I know. Whether or not you can become the Strongest Soldier King is up to you. Regardless, I will be by your side. Understand?"

"Understand. Even if I become the Strongest Soldier King, I will still be your Luo Zheng," Luo Zheng said with deep affection.

The two nodded understandingly, their gazes firm, and their hearts drew closer. This tacit understanding made them both feel relaxed and comfortable. Lan Xue asked, "Shall we call over the commander to discuss the specifics?"