Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 45: Chapter 5 We Bear It Together

The ones who paid the price were two retired special forces bodyguards. It’s worth noting that even Barak, who ranked first in free combat in the Special Reconnaissance Battalion, was knocked out by a single kick from Fatty, who had trained in the gravity room for several months.

In terms of speed, Tian Xingjian was naturally quick-handed. In terms of strength, the gravity room training had given him immense power; his hands and legs were like four big iron hammers, incredibly fierce.

As soon as the two bodyguards approached, Tian Xingjian moved with lightning speed. In an instant, like a tiger pouncing on its prey, he moved so fast that the approaching bodyguard only saw a blur. Hastily, he tried to block with his hand, but with a ”crack,” Tian Xingjian’s sidekick smashed into the bodyguard’s arm. The bodyguard was kicked back several steps, barely managing to stand, his face pale as he gripped his hand; his forearm had been brutally broken by Tian Xingjian’s fierce sidekick.

With a flash of lightning speed, Tian Xingjian dodged the second bodyguard’s vicious sidekick aimed at his lower torso. His right hand grabbed the bodyguard’s ankle and tugged hard, while his left elbow, like an iron hammer, collided fiercely with the bodyguard’s abdomen. The bodyguard curled up into a ball and fell to the ground, sweating profusely in pain.

Tian Xingjian clapped his hands, looked at Joseph with a slight smile, and said, ”To throw me out, you’ll need to find a few more people.”

Joseph’s face turned ashen. He hadn’t expected his two bodyguards to be so easily taken down by this Fatty. Just as he was getting anxious and angry, he suddenly saw a Federation Vice Admiral striding in.

Joseph smiled bitterly at the Vice Admiral and said, ”General Mi, I’m really sorry, you see...”

The Vice Admiral waved his hand to stop Joseph and walked up to Tian Xingjian. With a snort, he said, ”Well, well, an Army Captain. You’re making the Federation soldiers proud!”

Seeing a General, Tian Xingjian was immediately dumbfounded. He wasn’t afraid of anyone else, but this was a General standing before him. No matter how capable he was, it was useless against a General. This was a damn nemesis!

When bullying the weak, you met the strong. What bad luck. Fatty was crying out in his heart. Just as he was about to explain, the Vice Admiral didn’t even look at him. He waved and gestured for the guards to escort Tian Xingjian away, saying, ”Lock him up first. After today, send him to the Constitutional Soldier Inspection Office for severe punishment!”

At this moment, two female soldiers broke through the crowd and stood in front of Tian Xingjian, shouting in unison, ”Who dares!”

Tian Xingjian almost fainted when he saw that the ones daring to shout at a Vice Admiral were Meiduo and Nia.

More figures then squeezed through the crowd, marched up to Tian Xingjian, stood at attention, and saluted before standing in front of him. These were the Federation soldiers rescued from the prisoner camp, now the hottest news topic, with not one fewer than the 270 soldiers.

When Colonel Pete stepped out of the crowd, saluted Fatty, and then turned to the Vice Admiral saying, ”His mistake is ours to bear together,” before silently standing beside Fatty, the crowd was in an uproar. Some journalists, who had entered the hotel posing as customers, keenly realized this was a major news bomb.

In the midst of flashing cameras, the crowd fell silent.

Shock, puzzlement, anger, disbelief—the expressions on the faces of the Vice Admiral and Joseph were indescribable.

The Vice Admiral knew this situation was far from simple. These highly regarded Federation soldiers wouldn’t stand up for an unfamiliar troublemaking Lieutenant unless there was a bigger story behind it. With an inward sigh, he thought if he had just listened to Fatty’s explanation or if those two impetuous female soldiers hadn’t been the first to intervene, maybe this scene wouldn’t have been so hard to handle.

Suddenly, the Vice Admiral spotted someone peeking out from behind the Federation soldiers. This sight made him both laugh and cry. He shouted, ”Milan, get out here!”

At that moment, Milan, who had been hiding behind Tian Xingjian, quickly tried to hide further, pressing herself tightly against Fatty’s back. Her firm and warm chest made Fatty’s spine tingle and his soul almost leave his body.

Who could have guessed that the moment she couldn’t resist peeking out she would be caught? Hearing the Vice Admiral’s shout, Milan knew she couldn’t escape anymore. She walked out with her head down, hesitatingly calling out, ”Dad.”

Mills and his friends almost fainted upon hearing Milan address the Vice Admiral as her father. They realized they were in big trouble now. A Lieutenant who could have all the Federation heroes standing up to take the blame with him, and the beauty whom Mills had insulted as trash turned out to be the Vice Admiral’s daughter.

Milan’s father, Vice Admiral Mickey, pointed at Tian Xingjian and Colonel Pete, saying, ”Come with me. You owe me an explanation.” Then he led Milan towards a quiet corner of the restaurant.

Tian Xingjian looked gratefully at Pete and all the comrades with whom he had shared life and death for twenty days, and he whispered, ”Thank you, everyone.”

Colonel Pete smiled and said, ”We are honored to do something for you, even if it means taking the blame. Without you, there would be no us.”

Though his voice was not loud, the reporters with their ears perked up heard it clearly. Quickly piecing things together, the crowd erupted in excitement. So, the mysterious platoon leader was this army lieutenant standing before them.

Pete’s voice echoed loudly in the silent restaurant: ”It was our decision to join you in taking the punishment. From the moment we met you, we pledged to be brothers in life and death.”

Everyone, including Joseph, Mills, his friends, guests, and journalists, looked at this Army Lieutenant with eyes full of respect, admiration, and awe.

The rescued Federation prisoners of war were heroes, but the Special Soldier Company Commander who led them to escape against all odds and played a crucial role in the war was a hero among heroes.

How could such a hero possibly scorn his comrades in arms? How could he start a fight without a reason?

As Tian Xingjian and Pete walked towards the Vice Admiral, the crowd broke into heated discussions. The more Joseph pondered, the angrier he got. He slapped Mills hard across the face, trembling all over as he shouted, ”You little bastard! Look at what you’ve done! I’ll beat you to death!”

Before Joseph could strike again, Mills slapped himself and said in a low voice, ”Dad, it’s my fault. I’m sorry.”

Though Mills was reckless and sometimes a bully, he was still a Federation youth with some blood and guts. At this age, he looked up to heroes. He had come here today to meet the Federation heroes who had fought bravely on the battlefield and escaped from behind enemy lines.

But who knew he would fail to recognize the greatest hero standing right in front of him, offending him completely due to his own petty plans? In shame and urgency, he slapped himself several more times, deeply regretting his actions.