Chapter 37: A Sense of Belonging

After a long while, the aura surrounding Gu Jianfeng finally began to settle. Feeling the power within him, now several times more robust than before, a smile flickered across his face. This familiar, formidable strength had returned.

If his previous strength as a ninth-level Soul Soldier made him an unrivaled force within Tianlang, then now, as a first-level Soul General, he could sweep across Tianlang almost unopposed—provided those hidden giants of Tianlang did not intervene.

Seeing Gu Jianfeng back to normal, Tian Jiang immediately trotted over and barked twice, as if asking what had just happened.

“It’s nothing. I just broke through. This might happen again in the future—no need to worry,” Gu Jianfeng spoke softly to Tian Jiang.

Tian Jiang barked twice, seeming half-understanding, but seeing Gu Jianfeng unharmed, nodded with an intelligent air.

“It’s so late already?” Gu Jianfeng glanced at the pitch-black night, surprised. He had felt only a short span had passed, but now realized the sky was fully dark.

When he returned to the barracks, the gates were already locked. Yet, this posed no obstacle for Gu Jianfeng; with a swift leap, he vaulted over the wall.

“Who’s there?” A soldier on duty inside, half-dozing, was startled awake by the sound.

“It’s me!” Gu Jianfeng replied with a smile.

“Oh, it’s Brother Feng! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” The sentry, a soldier named Bu Pengchi from First Squad, breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s fine, carry on sleeping,” Gu Jianfeng said as he opened the door, letting Tian Jiang inside.

“Oh, right, Brother Feng—the Company Commander was looking for you this evening. He said if you returned, you should go see him,” Bu Pengchi called out as Gu Jianfeng was about to leave.

“Got it,” Gu Jianfeng nodded. “Tian Jiang, go back to the kennel by yourself. Don’t wander off, understood?” He nodded to Bu Pengchi, spoke a word to Tian Jiang, and left, heading toward Long Fei’s quarters.

Tian Jiang gave a soft bark and trotted off on his own.

“Brother Feng really is something—even the military dogs he trains are so extraordinary. Too clever!” Bu Pengchi sighed with envy, wishing for a dog like that himself.

It’s hardly a dog anymore—more like a person.

Long Fei’s office and quarters had been combined for convenience and to cut down on cleaning. With little happening lately, Long Fei saw no need to keep a separate office.

Knock, knock, knock.

Gu Jianfeng arrived at Long Fei’s door and tapped lightly.

“Come in!” Long Fei’s voice called from within.

Gu Jianfeng entered, finding Long Fei seated at his desk, engrossed in something.

“Haha, Company Commander—still awake at this hour?” Gu Jianfeng found a chair and sat, smiling.

“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all evening,” Long Fei glanced at him, his tone cool.

“Took Tian Jiang for a walk. Didn’t realize how late it got,” Gu Jianfeng replied cheerfully.

“That was quite a long walk,” Long Fei’s face was skeptical, but he didn’t press further.

“What’s the world coming to, huh? Nobody believes me even when I tell the truth,” Gu Jianfeng clutched his chest in mock sorrow.

“Enough. I know you’re the king of drama—spare me the performance,” Long Fei said, pulling a box from his drawer and handing it to Gu Jianfeng. “Your item has arrived.”

“What is it?” Gu Jianfeng asked, curious as he took the box.

“Look for yourself,” Long Fei replied.

Gu Jianfeng opened it and was greeted by three shining characters: First Class Merit. Inside lay a military medal, quietly nestled in its box. Its plain exterior belied the profound honor it represented for an outstanding soldier.

Gu Jianfeng’s hand trembled slightly; he knew the weight this medal carried.

“Company Commander, I really didn’t do much—doesn’t this medal seem a bit too much?” When Long Fei had told him the regiment was applying for a First Class Merit on his behalf, Gu Jianfeng hadn’t thought much of it. The event, in his mind, didn’t seem sacred or grand. Yet, holding the medal now, waves of emotion surged within him.

“The nation invested tremendous manpower and resources into a problem that you alone solved. Tell me—do you deserve this medal?” Long Fei lifted his head, asking Gu Jianfeng solemnly.

“I still feel it’s a heavy honor,” Gu Jianfeng replied earnestly.

“It’s not just a medal—it’s a responsibility. Your file has been classified top-secret. Fewer than twenty people in the entire military have clearance to view your record. This is recognition, but also a spur. The pressure you’ll face from now on won’t be small,” Long Fei explained.

Cradling the medal in his palm, Gu Jianfeng felt a deep sense of belonging—from the very depths of his soul.

“It’s not pressure—it’s motivation,” Gu Jianfeng whispered.

“Actually, the commander of our war zone wanted to transfer you elsewhere after the meeting, but Xia Pengfei, the captain of Tianlang Special Forces, blocked it. He reported your situation in detail to the district commander, who then agreed to let you stay in First Company for now,” Long Fei shared all he knew.

“Transfer? Where to?” Gu Jianfeng asked, confused.

“A dragon like you can’t stay here forever. Our country needs pillars like you for greater things,” Long Fei said, looking at him.

“I just got lucky. After years of buying lottery tickets and never winning, it’s about time my luck turned,” Gu Jianfeng joked.

“Enough with the nonsense. After the military dog skills competition, there may be changes for you. I don’t know the details—just wait for the official notice.”

“I heard you’re training snipers for the regiment now? When will you start training our own company members?” Long Fei asked.

“Seriously, Company Commander? That’s a lot of work,” Gu Jianfeng complained.

“No complaints—you agreed to it yourself. And by the way, the girl the regiment commander wants to introduce you to is my cousin. Think about that,” Long Fei said, few words but striking straight at Gu Jianfeng’s weakness.