Strongest Soldier King

Instability had appeared within the team, something Luo Zheng had not anticipated, and what was more, such matters were difficult to investigate, for they could affect unity. However, the instability could cost everyone their lives at any moment, so he could not leave it unchecked. He looked at Lan Xue with some difficulty, and Lan Xue, after thinking it over, said, "We must investigate."

Luo Zheng of course knew they had to investigate, but being his first time dealing with such an issue, he felt somewhat helpless and found it hard to bring up. They were brothers who shared life and death; unearthing something was good, but what if they found nothing? And what if something unforeseen happened during the investigation? Seeing Luo Zheng's difficulty, Lan Xue did not compromise and stared intently at him. The price of growth had to be faced and borne alone.

"Alright," Luo Zheng said with a bitter smile, slowly standing up. He switched on his military headset, glanced at the people resting around him, and steeled himself as he called out, "Ghost Team, assemble."

The Ghost Team was startled but still reflexively scrambled over, quickly forming a line. Looking at each calm, brave face, Luo Zheng hesitated. Voicing such matters would definitely affect unity and become an everlasting scar and shame for this newly-formed squad. But thinking of the consequences, Luo Zheng's vacant expression firmed, and he addressed the crowd calmly, "Put down your weapons and equipment, and take three steps back."

Everyone was taken aback, but out of trust for Luo Zheng, they complied without hesitation, their actions neat and synchronized. Luo Zheng hesitated again. If there really was a traitor, they would definitely sense something at this point and wouldn't comply so readily. Watching everyone's confused expressions, he bit the bullet and continued, "Brothers, you must be curious, right? Trust me, and don't ask too much."

"Captain, what's going on?" Liu Xun asked curiously, and the others also looked at Luo Zheng with curiosity.

Seeing the sincere and perplexed looks on everyone's faces, none ducking away or being vigilant, and all appearing completely unaware, doubts surged in Luo Zheng. Perhaps it was not an inside job? With this thought, he glanced at Lan Xue, who was watching everything calmly from not too far away. Trusting Lan Xue, Luo Zheng decided to thoroughly investigate their own people. Even if they found nothing, they would have a clear conscience. With that in mind, he spoke with conviction, "Brothers, someone among us has been sending signals to the enemy. I trust you, but I can't rule out the possibility of someone being exploited. To be fair, I have to check. I'm sorry for this."

"What?" Everyone looked at Luo Zheng in surprise before examining those around them. Leaking their whereabouts was an unforgivable act, but they had all been through life and death together and couldn't believe anyone would do such a thing.

"Don't speculate, just accept the check. I'll invite everyone out for a drink afterwards to apologize," Luo Zheng said, dispelling any further hesitation and looking toward Lan Xue.

Lan Xue nodded in understanding but didn't conduct the search herself, instead calling over Ghost Hand. Having listened in and gathered what was happening, Ghost Hand already had an inkling of what was going on. As a soldier, he despised traitors, especially being an elite soldier like him. He thoroughly checked each backpack without finding anything.

Just when Luo Zheng was breathing a sigh of relief, Ghost Hand approached the line of people, his expression cold as he gestured for Meng Zhu at the front to raise his hands. Meng Zhu also wanted to find out who the mole was. With nothing to hide, he naturally cooperated and allowed Ghost Hand to search him.

Ghost Hand searched meticulously but found nothing on Meng Zhu and continued onto the next person. Watching Ghost Hand conduct the searches one by one, Luo Zheng felt an unbearable heaviness. It was distressing to have his teammates under suspicion. If not for Lan Xue's firm belief, Luo Zheng would never have allowed the search to continue.

After ruling everyone out one by one, Ghost Hand approached the last person, his face expressionless as he signalled Zhou Gang to stretch out his hands. Suddenly, he spotted a watch on Zhou Gang's wrist, grabbed his wrist, took off the watch without a word, turned, and walked away, handing it to Lan Xue.

Upon seeing the watch, Lan Xue's expression drastically changed. She approached and demanded coldly, "What's the meaning of this watch?"

Luo Zheng also approached, glanced at his watch, a very ordinary watch without any problems, and puzzledly looked to Zhou Gang. Seeing Zhou Gang also with a puzzled face, he couldn't help saying, "Don't rush, take it slow, I believe you."

Zhou Gang came to his senses and gratefully looked at Luo Zheng, saying candidly, "Reporting to the captain, this was a gift from a comrade during training; everyone who passed from the Training Team to the Special Warfare Team has one."

"A gift from a comrade?" Luo Zheng looked at Lan Xue with some confusion.

Lan Xue tossed the watch to Ghost Hand not far away, and coldly ordered, "Open it."

"Understood." Ghost Hand caught the watch and pulled out a military dagger from his boot, quickly twisting the screws on the back cover with the tip of the blade. Lan Xue watched Zhou Gang coldly without explanation, and Luo Zheng was even more confused. Lan Xue was trustworthy, and Zhou Gang didn't seem like someone who would leak secrets, so what was going on?

In less than a minute, Ghost Hand had removed the back cover of the watch. Luo Zheng, with his sharp eyes, saw a small red dot flashing inside, and he was shocked. Then he looked at Zhou Gang, who also saw it and his expression turned ugly. With a face full of grievance, he looked at Luo Zheng without offering an explanation. Others saw it too, and they soon understood, their gazes towards Zhou Gang now filled with complex emotions, but everyone remained silent.

It was the first time Luo Zheng had to deal with such a situation and he didn't know what to do. He looked at Lan Xue, who, with a frosty face, demanded, "Which Training Team are you from?"

"From the same Training Team as me." Seeing Zhou Gang not speaking and looking at himself with a face full of sorrow and eyes brimming with aggrieved tears, Luo Zheng's heart softened and he spoke on behalf of Zhou Gang, suddenly thinking of something and looking towards Lan Xue.

Lan Xue also looked at Luo Zheng, nodded, and signaled Ghost Hand to put the watch back together as it was. She didn't express any opinion on how to deal with Zhou Gang, as the two teams were under different commands. Lan Xue did not want to make Luo Zheng uncomfortable. Luo Zheng looked at Zhou Gang, feeling somewhat conflicted, took a deep breath, and said earnestly, "I believe you, we're still good brothers."

"Captain?!" Zhou Gang's eyes turned red, tears rolling in his tiger-like eyes, and his face showed deep gratitude.

"Enough, no more talking. I believe you were unaware, and we'll leave it at that. From now on, no one is to bring this up again, we're still good brothers, understand?" Luo Zheng said sternly, seriously admonishing everyone.

"Understood," replied everyone, puffing out their chests and responding loudly.

After indicating everyone to disperse, Luo Zheng walked quickly up to Lan Xue, gestured for her to turn off her earpiece, and said in a low voice, "I didn't expect it to be Song Yang, that bastard, again. Notify the team leader."

"What can be said? It's a special agent's watch, equipped with global GPS tracking, standard equipment. That bastard giving it to his comrades isn't illegal, at most it's against regulations. With his family's power, this matter won't affect him at all, talking about it is a waste of breath. But it's good to notify the team leader to be careful. You talk to him yourself," Lan Xue agreed, taking out the satellite phone from her backpack and handing it to Luo Zheng.