Chapter Eighteen: Are You Qin Feng?

Su Yun led Qin Feng toward the border camp. Along the way, she continued to teach him, and Qin Feng listened intently, absorbing every lesson. Time slipped by unnoticed, half a day passing in the blink of an eye, neither of them aware of how quickly it went.

Good times always pass too fast. Su Yun had to return to report on her mission; this was as much as she could teach for now. Yet she felt little regret—she had imparted nearly all she knew of sniping and combat skills to Qin Feng. How much he could master would depend on his own efforts. Su Yun believed he had immense potential; with enough time, he would improve rapidly, and perhaps even surpass her one day. She held great hopes for him. Qin Feng, aware of her expectations, devoted himself to learning, determined to grow stronger.

As they neared the border camp, Su Yun’s vigilance quickly picked out a reconnaissance team nearby. She approached them, while Qin Feng, knowing Su Yun wished to keep her identity secret, stepped forward first, identifying himself as a member of the border camp. The team checked his uniform and credentials, and, finding everything in order, promptly reported to their superiors. They watched Su Yun warily, as they did not know her.

Su Yun’s expression remained as cold and frosty as ever—her usual demeanor. She requested a communications phone from the team leader. He eyed her cautiously, but knowing the border often saw special operations, and with Su Yun standing close enough to overhear, he handed her the phone.

Su Yun dialed a number. When the line connected, she said simply, “Mission accomplished, returning safely,” then hung up and handed the phone back.

Not knowing who she was, the reconnaissance team treated Su Yun as an unidentified individual and escorted her to the border camp. Qin Feng, being with her, went along as well.

About half an hour later, a transport helicopter descended, landing nearby. A group of camouflaged soldiers, fully armed, disembarked and quickly fanned out to secure the area. The reconnaissance team leader was surprised to see the camp commander come out personally to greet them. Glancing at Su Yun, he began to believe her claim of being on a special mission.

The camp commander accompanied a burly, imposing man forward—tall, broad-shouldered, with the bearing of a decisive leader. A faint smile rested on his face as he ignored everyone else and strode straight to Su Yun, nodding at her with evident satisfaction.

Su Yun stepped forward and saluted. The man nodded and said simply, “Good.” Then he turned and walked toward the helicopter, with Su Yun close behind.

Watching Su Yun walk away, Qin Feng felt a hollow emptiness inside, as though something most precious was leaving him. The soldiers on guard duty followed her as well, and the helicopter lifted off, soaring into the sky.

“Is she really gone?” Qin Feng stared quietly after her, his gaze never leaving her figure. He wanted to etch this moment into his memory, unsure if he would ever see Su Yun again. Perhaps this was just a fleeting encounter, destined to become nothing more than a memory, a crossing of paths never to be repeated. A wave of melancholy welled up within him.

But just then, Qin Feng saw Su Yun, aboard the helicopter, raise three fingers in his direction. To others, it might mean nothing—just three fingers, a simple gesture. But to Qin Feng, it was laden with significance. It was their promise. He smiled, a broad and genuine smile, his spirits instantly lifted, strength surging through him. He understood—Su Yun was reminding him of the vow between them.

Determination shone in Qin Feng’s eyes as he thought, “Su Yun, don’t worry. Our three-year promise—I will keep it. I will become strong, no longer just some ignorant boy relying on luck.”

At that moment, the camp commander approached Qin Feng. “You’re Qin Feng?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Qin Feng replied; he recognized the commander, as he was from the border camp himself.

“Good. I met your squad leader, Xiao Jinkai. He was an excellent soldier—a real loss. But at least you avenged them,” the commander said, pain flickering across his face.

“No matter where those enemies go, I’ll hunt them down,” Qin Feng replied. He would never let go of the enemies who killed his squad leader, deputy, and comrades. He knew Blood Skull was a mercenary group—not just a dozen men, but perhaps a hundred, even several hundred. It was a blood feud, a fight to the death.

“You’re one of the finest soldiers I’ve seen. Come with me. What you experienced in the jungle is now a top military secret. Do not speak of it lightly, understood?” The commander’s eyes were filled with satisfaction; the more he looked at Qin Feng, the more he liked him—brave and resourceful, a credit to the border camp.

“Understood, sir!” Qin Feng replied loudly. He knew better than to talk about classified matters—leaking secrets could have dire consequences. Only traitors would do such a thing, and he had no intention of becoming one.

“Excellent. Come with me.” The commander smiled approvingly at Qin Feng.

Soon, a military jeep arrived. The commander signaled for Qin Feng to get in, and they sped toward the heart of the camp. In just over ten minutes, they reached the central area. It was Qin Feng’s first time there; he saw a broad training ground where soldiers drilled, neat rows of barracks, everything painted in green—even the walls—giving the place a unique character.

“Come with me,” the commander said, and Qin Feng quickly followed. The commander glanced at the enemy pistol Qin Feng had captured and the ghillie suit he wore. “You’ll need to turn in any weapons you seized, and the ghillie suit as well.”

“Yes, sir,” Qin Feng replied. Rules were rules, and he would abide by them. He handed over the items.

“Orderly!” the commander called out.

“Here, sir!” A young man hurried over.

“Take him to shower and change into clean clothes, then bring him to my office,” the commander instructed.

“Yes, sir.” The orderly turned to Qin Feng, who nodded. After a day without washing, fighting in the jungle under harsh conditions, Qin Feng was filthy and sorely in need of a bath.

After his shower, Qin Feng felt refreshed. The orderly brought him a clean set of fatigues. His stomach rumbled—he hadn’t eaten all day. He told the orderly, who took him to the mess hall. After a hearty meal, the orderly led him to the commander’s office.