Chapter 523: Radiant Pride

Chapter 523: Radiant Pride! Dispatch from Yang (Update 1)

The early glow wasn’t just sunlight—it was the vast light of the sky.

A summer morning is cool, beautiful, and brimming with life.

P City Hospital.

Zhou Lie leaned against his hospital bed, watching Xiao Yu by the window.

Having been through it himself, he knew his little brother was missing home.

That’s just how men are.

Once you have a family, a strand of longing inevitably tugs at your heart.

“Thanks.”

Zhou Lie said warmly, “I’m glad you were here; otherwise, I’d have completely sullied National Security’s reputation.”

Group Nine is National Security’s combat team.

The illustrious leader of Group Nine now lay on a hospital bed—a disgrace in his own right.

Don’t try to excuse it by claiming you were ambushed.

On a battlefield, one careless moment can harm others and yourself alike.

But you have to admit…

Before Xiao Yu joined National Security, Zhou Lie was its strongest lone fighter.

He was a one-man army—a military knife!

“Who do you think is getting sullied?”

Xiao Yu turned to Zhou Lie with a grin. “Nobody’s perfect—and besides, you didn’t mess up. This opponent was just outrageously overpowered.”

Not only was he overwhelmingly strong… just think back over the entire incident.

He’s still a bit shaken by it all!

What is there to fear?

Last night, Xiao Yu led Group Nine to the Border, where they discovered a miniature nuclear bomb.

It confirmed that the White Youth wasn’t lying.

Had it not been for the enemy’s overwhelming arrogance…

if they hadn’t followed any rules of engagement…

by covertly smuggling the bomb into our territory and detonating it outright.

Can you imagine the fallout?

Interrogation confirmed that the White Youth really planned to do just that.

In his overconfidence, he aimed first to annihilate Xiao Yu and Group Nine.

to avenge his own father and then retaliate against the Dragon Kingdom.

That’s the difference between calculating strategists and reckless brutes.

A brute like him would have attacked without hesitation.

But the smart ones try to show off before striking.

Sometimes blunt force and simple tactics are the best approach!

The White Youth has been escorted to the capital.

Accompanying him were other individuals involved in the case.

This Border incident now draws to a perfect close.

Going forward, Xiao Yu’s personal involvement won’t be required.

He didn’t leave immediately because…

first, he had a shoulder injury,

and he couldn’t bear to see his sister in pain.

Second, he needed to bid farewell to Zhou Lie,

handing over Group Nine’s command to him,

and saying goodbye to the rest of its members.

Who knows when they might team up again?

“You pulled off a major feat this time,”

Zhou Lie remarked, “a truly colossal achievement.”

Not only did my little brother take down a mercenary squad,

but he also eliminated one top-tier mercenary known as Poisoned Sting.

And he even prevented a nuclear bomb from being detonated…

First-Class Merit?

Don’t joke around.

An achievement like this isn’t just worthy of a First-Class Merit; you could practically award an honorary title.

“Big Boss called,”

Xiao Yu chuckled, “I’ve got two First-Class Merits on record with an extra honorary title thrown in. But you all know my ambition—I’m the kind of man who goes for the ultimate prize. I need ten First-Class Merits to exchange for that final top honor!”

The ultimate prize… Zhou Lie murmured with mixed envy, “The National Honor Medal!”

In that moment, he couldn’t help but feel envious.

Since the nation’s founding, only a handful have ever received such an honor.

No one in the police force has ever earned it!

If only Xiao Yu could pioneer this… Zhou Lie didn’t dare to imagine.

“Big Boss says I’m getting promoted.”

Xiao Yu grinned widely, raised his hand, and pointed upward, “Top brass has given a special approval—I’m now a Second-Class Police Superintendent, full bureau rank!”

He was stunned when he first heard the news.

After becoming a Third-Class Police Superintendent, Xiao Yu had thought promotions were off the table before thirty.

But it turned out there was still room for advancement.

A 23-year-old Third-Class Police Superintendent with a deputy bureau rank—impressive, to say the least.

What more could he ask for?

He never expected this Border incident,

which not only put his life on the line but also brought an unexpected reward.

The nation never lets its capable officers go unrewarded.

Xiao Yu had truly caught the eye of the top brass.

When the bigwigs spoke, they made an exception and promoted him.

Another badge of honor was added to his shoulder!

“Congratulations!”

Zhou Lie sincerely congratulated him, “Now you’re on equal footing with us veterans!”

As he congratulated him, he couldn’t help but think, “Aren’t the real game-changers just like my little brother?”

Remember, those seniors have dedicated their lives and have only now reached bureau ranks.

Meanwhile, my little brother, fresh from police academy and with a military background,

managed to hit full bureau rank in less than two years!

As the saying goes…

“The waves of the Yangtze push one another forward; the old get washed away on the sands.”

But none can surge like you!

“Cheers to that,” Xiao Yu grinned.

Having lived two lives, he had come to see through many things.

Yet moments like these still brought him joy.

Once home, he’d be sure to show off to his sister.

Gotta snap a picture with the cucumber—life’s all about living it up!

“Let your big brother be enlightened,”

Zhou Lie’s expression grew serious as he looked intently at Xiao Yu, “How many merits and titles do you have now?”

“Uh, well…”

Xiao Yu felt a bit embarrassed.

After all, showing off in front of friends was never much fun.

After a brief hesitation, he began to list his record.

First-Class Merit: Nine times.

Tenth First-Class Merit: 5/10 (National Honor Medal).

Second-Class Excellent Police Honor: Twice.

First-Class Excellent Police Honor: Twice.

Not to mention countless second-class, third-class, and collective merits…

Truly, they were innumerable.

How many cases had Xiao Yu and the Bincheng Criminal Investigation Team cracked?

And how many investigations had they assisted leaders like Wang Dong of National Security with?

(Liao de Zhao) Anyway, the accolades piled up…

Zhou Lie stared at Xiao Yu’s bashful expression, momentarily at a loss for words.

Then, a question struck him.

What if Xiao Yu were to pin every single medal on his chest?

Would there even be room left on that uniform?

Certainly not!

Some people are born to be the brightest star.

Yet, in Zhou Lie’s eyes, Xiao Yu was not that star.

Xiao Yu wasn’t a star.

He was… a blazing sun!

No wonder Big Boss chose him… Zhou Lie smiled warmly.

Where there’s light, there’s also darkness.

To protect the nation, these men have long embraced the shadows.

Yet they still need a beacon of light

to ensure they don’t lose their way.

Only then can they avoid a complete downfall.

And that’s why he arrived.

He came, radiant with an indescribable brilliance—a blazing sun!