Leng Feng scratched his head and said with a smile, "Actually, we really have to thank Lin Beichen this time. Without him, we might not have been able to complete this mission smoothly."
"Oh, not at all. Leng Feng helped me quite a bit as well," Lin Beichen said modestly, but his eyes revealed admiration for Leng Feng.
The key to completing the mission was their tacit cooperation and mutual support.
"Alright, alright, you two, stop flattering each other," Ambassador Fan said with a smile. "In any case, you've all done exceptionally well on this mission. I heard you even got the Red Turban Army's leader to come around?"
He looked at Lin Beichen, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Well, sort of," Lin Beichen nodded, smiling a bit awkwardly. "That Ao Du is very impressed by our Huaxia Daoist Techniques and insisted on apprenticing himself to me. I didn't expect things to develop like this."
"Haha, that's a good thing!" Ambassador Fan laughed heartily. "Being able to bring those troublesome Red Turban Army folks to heel is a great achievement!"
Everyone laughed upon hearing this, and the atmosphere became relaxed and cheerful.
Then, everyone started preparing for the return voyage.
Before boarding the ship, the members of the Venomous Snake Special Team finally had a chance to talk to Lin Beichen.
"Lin Beichen, you really had us worried this time," the veteran Dao came over and said seriously, "Masure is so chaotic now, what if something happened to you? How could we explain to the Captain?"
Although there was a tone of reproach, it was more about concern and worry.
"Don't worry, I'm back safe and sound, aren't I?" Lin Beichen said with a smile, feeling a warm current in his heart.
He knew these comrades genuinely cared about his safety.
"Exactly, Lin Beichen, you're our treasure. You can't let anything happen to you!"
Flame chimed in teasingly, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, they boarded the returning military ship.
As the ship slowly left the harbor, the mood of everyone gradually relaxed.
Though the mission was filled with dangers and challenges, they successfully completed it with the strength and wisdom of the team.
On the return journey, Lin Beichen and Leng Feng were surrounded by others, listening to their thrilling account of the mission.
When they heard about how they repelled attacks from the Red Turban Army and mercenaries, everyone applauded and cheered.
When they heard about the amusing incident of subduing the Red Turban Army leader, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
The whole cabin was filled with laughter and a sense of camaraderie.
Finally, after a long voyage, the military ship smoothly arrived at a southern port of Huaxia.
As soon as they disembarked, they saw the troops and family members who came to greet them.
At this moment, they felt immensely excited and proud. They not only completed their mission but also won honor for their country and people.
After bidding farewell to Ambassador Fan and Captain Ding, Lin Beichen, Leng Feng, and others boarded a plane to Yanjing City.
Sitting on the plane, they watched the harbor and sea move farther away, filled with emotion and anticipation in their hearts.
They knew that new challenges and missions awaited them, but they were ready to contribute their efforts to the country and people anytime.
When the plane landed at Yanjing City airport, it was already dusk.
As soon as they got off the plane, they felt the familiar air and temperature of their hometown.
Wild Ox couldn't help but sigh deeply, "We're finally back! The air in Yanjing is still the best!"
Everyone laughed at his words, all agreeing that it's true: "There's no place like home."
"You're right, no place like home. Thunder, you can roll off to yours," Wild Ox snapped back to reality, giving Thunder a punch, grumbling.
"You two, stop messing around. Come with me to the Administrative Building to report the mission situation to Deputy Commander Fu," Xia Luyao said coldly, with a firm and icy voice as she swept them a glance.
Upon hearing Xia Luyao's words, the two immediately quieted down, stood up straight, and put away their smiles.
Lin Beichen and the others watched the two suddenly become serious and couldn't help but laugh.
Xia Luyao glared at them, and everyone immediately stifled their laughter and put on serious faces.
Except for Lin Beichen, who was entirely unaffected by Xia Luyao, instead shrugging at her, appearing unconcerned.
Everyone thought Xia Luyao would get angry, but unexpectedly, she just sighed helplessly and then turned to leave.
"She just walks away like that?" Thunder, looking at Xia Luyao's back, said in disbelief in a low voice.
"How can you not get it? Our relationship with the Captain can't compare to Lin Beichen's relationship with the Captain," the veteran Dao came over, patting him on the shoulder meaningfully.
Thunder was suddenly enlightened, "Oh, right, how could I forget, Lin Beichen is her fiancé, so of course it's different with him."
Lin Beichen, hearing this, discontentedly kicked Thunder, "Stop talking nonsense. You always try to take advantage of me."
He finished speaking and strode forward.
The others exchanged a smile, a knowing smile on their faces, clearly not believing Lin Beichen's denial.
They quickly followed him, heading toward the Administrative Building.
In Deputy Commander Fu's office at the Administrative Building, Deputy Commander Fu and Deng Zhong, among others, had been waiting for a long time.
As soon as the seven of them reached the door, Deputy Commander Fu eagerly ushered them in.
"Come in, come in!" Deputy Commander Fu's face beamed with joy, and before they could report, he couldn't wait to say, "I've heard that your mission was completed very well this time."
He had received news from Ambassador Fan during their return voyage and was full of praise for the Venomous Snake Special Team's evacuation mission.
Especially Lin Beichen, who was praised as the task's top contributor, and successfully brought back Dr. Chen, a significant accomplishment.
Deputy Commander Fu looked at Lin Beichen and directly asked, "Lin Beichen, your performance was outstanding this time, and the higher-ups have decided to give you a special award."
A trace of joy flickered in Lin Beichen's eyes, "How special?" he asked straightforwardly.
Deputy Commander Fu was taken aback by his direct question, "Do you...have anything you want?" he asked tentatively.
A bit surprised, Lin Beichen said, "Can I choose myself?"
"No," Deputy Commander Fu shook his head seriously.
A bit disappointed, Lin Beichen said, "Then why ask me?"
Deputy Commander Fu cleared his throat, "I just wanted to be polite."
Lin Beichen was left speechless.
Deputy Commander Fu continued, "Overall, your Venomous Snake Special Team accomplished the mission very well. You'll have a few days off next to rest well."
He paused and then said, "Lin Beichen, you not only successfully completed the evacuation mission but also quelled the conflict in Masure, which isn't a small feat. The higher-ups have decided to give you a first-class merit."
"First-class merit?" The other members of the Venomous Snake Special Team opened their eyes wide in surprise.
But remembering Lin Beichen's performance in action, they felt it was well deserved.
Lin Beichen had no big reaction to the first-class merit; he was more concerned about what Deputy Commander Fu mentioned earlier about quelling the conflict in Masure.
"Deputy Commander Fu, you said I quelled the conflict in Masure, what was that about? What does it have to do with me?" he asked directly.
Deputy Commander Fu looked at him in surprise, "You don't know yet?"
"What should I know?" Lin Beichen looked puzzled.
Deputy Commander Fu smiled and slowly said, "The Masure authorities phoned to say that Red Turban Army's leader Ao Du expressed a willingness to live peacefully with them and no longer instigate warfare. Apparently, it's because he was inspired by you and wants to dedicate himself to good deeds and focus on studying Huaxia's Daoist skill."
Lin Beichen pressed his brow helplessly; he hadn't expected it to be for this reason.