Zhao Wu did not answer Zhao Wei’s question directly.
He himself felt that without his brother’s intervention, he might not have survived under Dr. Sim, or even Gou Tuizhi.
Although Zhao Wei’s collusion with psychics was treasonous, he still cared about his brother, didn't he?
For this reason, despite his anger, he could not bring himself to hate him.
But in his heart, his animosity towards psychics ran deep. He could not accept his brother betraying the country he so passionately loved.
While Zhao Wu remained silent, Han Lang did not.
He immediately said,
“Hmph! Zhao Wei, are you too arrogant? Do you think Zhao Wu would have died in the Special Task Force without your care? Do you think we, his comrades, are made of mud? Let me tell you, on the battlefield, we never abandon a comrade, including your brother!”
Han Lang’s words completely extricated Zhao Wu from his predicament.
He had thought that his survival was entirely due to Zhao Wei’s influence, which had caused Dr. Sim and others to hold back.
He had overlooked that Ma Long, Tang Qin, and others had all survived perilous battles, unharmed.
From this perspective, even without Zhao Wei’s care, he might not have died on the battlefield.
Furthermore, even if he had died on the battlefield, it would have been in service to his country.
This was in line with the oath he had sworn under the national flag!
With this thought, his gaze once again firmed.
“That’s right! Zhao Wei. The camaraderie in the Special Task Force is not what you imagine. Do you think this is caring for me? I’m telling you, it’s not! The moment I stepped onto the battlefield, I was prepared to die for my country! Even without you, I would have felt it was a worthy death, my honor, my pride. And your current actions only make me feel disgusted, only make me feel ashamed!”
“Yes!” Zhao Wei was furious.
He had not expected that, even at this point, Zhao Wu would still be thinking about the camaraderie of the Special Task Force.
“You’re right! You’re amazing, you’re noble! You can disregard life and death for your honor and pride. But I cannot! I cannot accept a life of mediocrity, merely becoming an elder in an ordinary immortal cultivation family! Nor can I accept bearing the stigma of being a reject from the Special Task Force my entire life! I want to rise above them, I want to show these high-ranking officials of the Special Task Force that I, Zhao Wei, can also be stronger than them!”
“Alas!”
Zhao Wei’s words made Song Heguo shake his head.
“The Special Task Force is a dangerous place. The elimination system is merely to protect our people as much as possible. If one’s strength is insufficient and they go to the battlefield, they will only add another comrade’s corpse to the border conflict. You truly believe that we are merely wielding power. This shows that it is not our system that is dark, but your heart!”
“Old man! Shut up!” Zhao Wei cursed Song Heguo.
“You are only seeing the problem from your own perspective. Do you know how much ridicule we who were eliminated by the Special Task Force have endured after returning to our families? You don’t know! Being eliminated by you essentially brands us as failures. Do you think how many of us are willing to admit that we are failures!”
Song Heguo did not become as emotional as Zhao Wei. He shook his head slightly, took out something resembling a token from his embrace, and said to Zhao Wei,
“Fine! You believe the rules of the Special Task Force are unfair, and I am willing to admit that it has some shortcomings. I can give you an opportunity. This is the military dispatch token of the highest commander of the Special Task Force. With this, you can mobilize one hundred thousand soldiers of the Special Task Force at any time. I can even hand it over to you!”
Upon hearing this, Han Lang, Dan Nan, and Huang Yuhua were all stunned.
“This is not possible, Commander Song. How can someone as petty as Zhao Wei be entrusted with such a great responsibility?”
“Yes, Commander. Isn’t this action akin to bringing disaster upon the nation and the people?”
“Absolutely not…”
Facing everyone’s dissuasion, Song Heguo waved his hand and said directly,
“You don’t need to persuade me. Some people spend their days believing they bear the brunt of the world’s injustices. They will not awaken until they experience the helplessness of those in power! What do you say, Zhao Wei? Do you dare to accept this token?”
Zhao Wei’s eyes darted around, unsure of what Song Heguo was up to. He simply extended his hand.
“Fine! If you give it to me, I will prove to you that this is your mistake!”
Song Heguo did not give the token to Zhao Wei directly. Instead, he said,
“Certainly! But before that, I have a condition!”
Zhao Wei laughed heartily.
“I knew you wouldn’t be so kind! The power of the Special Task Force, what a great temptation. How could you bear to part with it?”
Song Heguo shook his head.
“Not at all! I will definitely give you the token. But I must also make it clear to you. We have thoroughly laid our cards on the table now. If you accept this token, you must bear its responsibilities. Protecting the safety of Xia Country is the most basic. Your current actions of colluding with psychics across Xia Country to establish XS-level psychic modification bases are the greatest threat to national security. Coincidentally, the high command has also approved the establishment of psychic modification technology in Xia Country. If you want this token, you must also contribute your technology to the country. This request is not unreasonable, is it?”
Zhao Wei thought for a moment.
If he became the highest leader of the Special Task Force, he would naturally have to bear the responsibilities Song Heguo mentioned.
Moreover, since the country did not oppose psychic modification, it seemed reasonable to hand over such technology to the state.
So he immediately replied,
“No problem! The XS-level psychic modification technology is not yet mature. We will likely need another ten years for optimization. Therefore, currently, I am the only one establishing psychic bases within Xia Country with Dr. Sim. However, this technology has already been shared with external psychics. As long as we control the genetic technology and cultivation methods of Xia Country’s people, foreigners will not be a threat. This matter can be completely entrusted to me, no problem!”
Hearing this, an imperceptible smile appeared on Song Heguo’s lips.
“Good! Since you are so confident, then this authority will be given to you. As long as you can lead Xia Country to prosperity and strength, this old man will step aside!”
With that, he unhesitatingly threw the token towards Zhao Wei.
Watching the token fly closer, a look of joy appeared on Zhao Wei’s face.
He leaped up without hesitation, intending to snatch the token.
At that moment, Huang Yuhua, who was closest, also moved, intending to snatch the token.