1262 Out for Battle, Tiger Strike Force!
Wang Teng knew he had achieved his objective when he saw the change in everyone's gazes.
They had tried to ruffle his feathers…
The Tiger Strike Force had never experienced a beating!
Wang Teng flashed a mental smirk while still showing a calm expression. He looked at everyone and said, "I'm very glad to be able to command the Tiger Strike Force. I'm satisfied to experience your spirit today. You didn't disappoint me."
"…" Huo Qiya and the others were speechless.
They felt that the Tiger Strike Force was being looked down upon.
Their leader had just said that he was satisfied, his expression was too calm, making it look like he was complimenting an ordinary squad, not the renowned Tiger Strike Force.
None of them refute him, though. Wang Teng had the capital to act in such a manner.
Their pride was shattered in the face of absolute strength.
Wang Teng said slowly, "I'm an easygoing person. I will reward those who are worthy while giving due punishment to those who deserve it. I won't be stingy either; if the credit is yours, it's yours. I won't take any of it away from you, and I would never bother to do so.
"But, if anyone does something wrong, don't blame me for being unkind.
"So, everyone, please don't cross my bottom line."
The last sentence sent chills to the crowd. They looked at his calm face and compared him to the rumors.
It wasn't easy to deal with someone who had the power to be ruthless to Deputy Regimental Commander Huo Qiya.
At this moment, they truly saw their new commander as a strong person. None of them dared to underestimate him.
"That is all. From now on, we will be comrades; we will drink, eat, and bleed together." Wang Teng smiled.
The atmosphere on the field relaxed a little.
Wang Teng waved his hand and said, "All right, if there's nothing else, disperse. There will be a mission later; go back and prepare."
"Mission!"
Huo Qiya and the others were surprised.
However, none of them attempted to probe further since Wang Teng didn't say much.
"Commander, let us show you around the place." Deputy Regimental Commander Jira smiled.
"Let's leave that for later. The higher-ups have given me orders to recover the fallen 13th frontline once I take over as commander," Wang Teng said in a deep voice.
"The 13th frontline!" Huo Qiya and the others were stunned.
"No wonder. I saw Raging Bear and Red Scorpion squads setting off two days ago. Almost all of the main forces have gone to the frontlines," Feng Gang said.
"I heard we lost three of our frontlines. It matches the number," Jira commented.
"Great, it's time for the Tiger Strike Force to shine again." Wei Tong rubbed his palms excitedly. "Commander, please give us your orders quickly. We're already two days behind."
Huo Qiya, Marly, and the others looked over. Their eyes were filled with battle thirst, clearly ready for action.
"Let's get ready then." Wang Teng smiled.
"Yes, we'll gather the teams immediately." Wei Tong was agitated. "Damn, we must give the dark apparitions a good beating this time."
"How long will it take?" Wang Teng asked.
"About half a day," Feng Gang replied.
"Okay." Wang Teng nodded. "Oh right, include my subordinates as well. They will be participating in this mission."
Huo Qiya and the others had already noticed Peggy's group and guessed his commander's intent. They only hesitated for a bit before agreeing to it.
The newly arrived martial warriors weren't weak, and would be considered good fighters amongst the celestial-stage martial warriors present. Furthermore, they had experienced many battles under Wang Teng, and probably had been acknowledged by the latter.
On top of that, Wang Teng had just assumed the commander role, and it was but a small request. They were willing to do him a favor.
And so, the matter of Peggy and the others joining the Tiger Strike Force was settled with just one sentence.
The deputy regimental commanders left in a hurry. The entire Tiger Strike Force began to gather quickly.
Peggy and the others were also incorporated into the Tiger Strike Force, forming a small team of their own with Arwen as captain.
Peggy still acted as Wang Teng's adjutant.
Time passed quickly. Half a day went by just as Feng Gang estimated. In fact, not even half a day had passed for everyone to be prepared and ready to go, assembling on the field once again.
Red Scorpion, Raging Bear, and Tiger Strike Force were well-known and intensely competitive military squads. Since all of them had been deployed, they had to compete for superiority.
How would they compare?
It depended on who fought the most beautiful battle with the least number of casualties, and the fastest to complete their missions!
Red Scorpion and Raging Bear had departed two days earlier and virtually the whole Tiger Strike Force was anxious; all they wanted was to head to the 13th frontline.
Wang Teng was wearing the commander's special battle armor. The majestic tiger on his chest seemed to be roaring to the skies. He took to the air and floated in front of all the martial warriors of the Tiger Strike Force.
"Everyone, this is my first battle acting as the Tiger Strike Force's commander. There is no room for failure, and we must fight splendidly!"
Wang Teng's calm voice wasn't loud, but it echoed in the sky and reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Tiger Strike, Victory!"
"Tiger Strike, Victory!"
"Tiger Strike, Victory!"
…
Five thousand martial warriors shouted in unison. Their voices echoed in the sky, and their morale was sky-high.
It was the first time for Arwen and the others. Their blood boiled with enthusiasm when they felt such camaraderie; they joined in the shouting.
Wang Teng looked at the members of the Tiger Strike Force and understood the origin of their name. One of the corners of his mouth rose a bit, making a smile.
"May martial arts flourish!"
"Let's go!"
Everyone boarded the Tiger Strike Force's dedicated battlecraft that was docked at the side according to their teams—Tiger Strike Eight!
There were a total of fifty vessels, and each could fit a hundred people.
Those ships were considered small, more suitable for internal operations on the planet.
Tiger Strike Eight's body was dark red, and was equipped with a large amount of heavy weaponry. You could see a cannon in every direction. It had a ferocious appearance, like a terrifying war monster.
Wang Teng and the deputy regimental commanders set sail on the main battlecraft, which was escorted by a squadron as they headed toward the 13th frontline.
The fifty ships turned into streaks of red light and disappeared into the horizon.
It was a scene that drew the attention of a large number of martial warriors as they looked up.
"Look at the logo. It's the Tiger Strike Force!"
"There's more than fifty of them! Were their entire forces dispatched?"
"They're heading toward the fallen 13th frontline. Are they going to recover it?"
"The Tiger Strike Force should be under the command of that new fellow, Major Wang Teng. I don't know if they'll succeed!"
"I hope everything goes well!"
…
Many people already knew about the change in the Tiger Strike Force. Everyone was worried and hopeful when they saw them mobilize.
Many knew about Wang Teng's achievements, especially when he returned from the third frontline. His reputation was definitely on the rise, yet he still was a newcomer and had no experience in leading a squad.
It was natural for people to worry.
Di Qi was standing in front of his team. He had almost recovered and was about to go on a new mission.
The previous deployment had a great impact on him, especially when he saw that Wang Teng had already started to take command of the Tiger Strike Force. It was impossible for him not to envy him.
Di Qi was feeling troubled at the moment. He entered the military much earlier than Wang Teng and made a lot of contributions. Still, Wang Teng overtook him in the end. The latter's status in the military was much higher than his now. It was embarrassing.
He had rejected Wang Teng's invitation to join the Tiger Strike Force.
There was his own pride and he wanted to rely on his own strength to gain more power, to later catch up with Wang Teng again.
He looked up to the sky and watched the Tiger Strike Force setting off. He seemed to makee out Wang Teng's figure as well. After taking a deep breath, he murmured in his heart, "Wang Teng, you have to fight splendidly in this battle. Don't let others take you lightly."
"Captain, should we set off?" a martial warrior asked.
"Yes. Let's go." Di Qi retracted his gaze and boarded the battlecraft before soaring into the sky.
…
At the top of the buildings where Veblen's laboratory was located—Moira stood at the edge of their building and looked at the sky.
"If you're worried, why don't you send him off?" said an approaching voice behind her.
"Master!" Moira saw Veblen walking over and smiled. "I'm not worried, I just came out to get some air."
"Lies!" Veblen shook his head and looked into the sky. "There's nothing to be worried about, though. That kid is cunning as a fox and as strong as a demon. The battle won't stop him."
"Master, you think highly of him."
"So-so." Veblen pouted. "I just haven't seen anyone as interesting as him in a long time."
"Is it okay to let him go to the Light Velvet Planet?" Moira asked.
"Actually, I hope he can help the Light Velvet Race."
"I was right all along." Moira smiled.
"You clever little devil." Veblen laughed.
…
Back in the central command building—a smile appeared on General Cameron's serious face as he looked up.
This brat, he's finally willing to go!
He gave Wang Teng three days to prepare.
At first he thought that the boy wouldn't be able to sit still on the first day, ending up rushing to the 13th frontline. He didn't expect him to really hold out till the last day.
Wang Teng was really calm.
The man just didn't know if the young fellow would give him a surprise.
Adjutant Song stood next to General Cameron and was surprised when he noticed his leader's expression.
It looks like General Cameron thinks highly of Major Wang Teng!
"How's the situation with Red Scorpion and Raging Bear?" General Cameron asked.
"Both squads have reached the ninth and seventeenth frontline respectively, and had their first wave of attacks. However, they failed to break through the dark apparitions' defenses," Adjutant Song replied hurriedly.
"Keep paying attention to this. Report as soon as possible if there's any news." General Cameron nodded and went back to his office with a blank expression.
