According to the plan, after Dan Nan contacted Song He Guo, everyone boarded the plane back home early the next morning.
The plane smoothly crossed the national border and returned to Han Lang's original base.
Here, the regiment led by Huang Yuhua had been carrying out border defense missions on behalf of Han Lang and the others.
Upon seeing Han Lang and the others return, Huang Yuhua was overjoyed and personally waited at the tarmac.
"Haha... Han Lang, Deputy Officer Dan, you did a brilliant job on the cross-border mission! This time, you not only completely shattered the enemy's plan to open a new battlefield, but you also killed three X-class espers and one XS-class esper. Your contributions are immense!"
Han Lang smiled.
"It's a pity that we couldn't extract any further clues from Dr. Sim!"
Seeing Han Lang's slight disappointment, Huang Yuhua quickly comforted him.
"Hey, that's not your fault. With such great achievements, you have already exceeded the mission requirements. Leave the rest to our mighty nation! Commander Song is waiting to reward you!"
Hearing this, Dan Nan immediately became excited.
"Commander Song is here too?"
Huang Yuhua chuckled playfully.
"How could Commander Song not be here personally to welcome such heroes? Come, I'll take you to see the Commander!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy, and they happily followed Huang Yuhua towards the temporary base.
Soon, they arrived at the main command tent. Song He Guo had been waiting there for a long time and was also very happy to see everyone arrive.
"Haha... You're all back? You've worked hard, worked hard!"
"It's not hard! Serving the country is only right!"
Everyone replied in unison.
Song He Guo was even happier upon hearing this.
"Good, good. Come, let's sit and talk. You haven't tasted our country's special tea for a long time. Let's talk while we drink!"
As everyone took their seats, the orderly served tea, and Song He Guo continued.
"You don't know. Because you completely thwarted the White Elephant Nation's plan, the espers lost several X-class espers. They've been much more obedient recently, and they don't dare to disrupt the national defense border anymore! Haha..."
"Is that so? That's great."
Han Lang and the others were also very happy.
Without warfare, everyone finally had a chance to recuperate.
"But Commander, about the domestic esper bases..."
Han Lang intended to ask about the detailed response plan of the national high command, but Song He Guo waved his hand.
"There's no rush for that. They can't cause any trouble for now. As for your suggestion to research espers in reverse, the higher-ups have indeed expressed their views. They believe this plan is feasible. Therefore, we will also need to capture a few esper bases next to conduct research on their data."
Hearing this, Han Lang quickly said.
"If that's the case, then I think the bases we destroyed in Lecheng might still retain some data. If the technology is appropriate, it's possible to develop some basic research methods. However..."
Han Lang paused here.
Song He Guo hurriedly asked.
"However what?"
"First of all, those bases are all basic bases, and espers have made considerable progress in their research over the years. So, I think that data is only suitable for our initial understanding. If we want to modify espers to have strength comparable to the Nascent Soul stage like Dr. Sim, the nation will need to increase its investment in this area!"
Song He Guo nodded in agreement.
"Your plan is indeed excellent. The Lecheng esper bases should be fine for initial research. I will report this to the higher-ups later. As for what follows, our battles with the espers are not over. We can also collect more information during the fighting. With this information and captives, I believe our country's scientists will definitely be able to surpass those foreigners!"
Song He Guo spoke with pride, but none of Han Lang and the others showed any signs of relief.
After all, espers had been their opponents for many years.
If it weren't for the current unfavorable situation, why would the great nation of Xia need to research such inferior foreign things?
"Commander Song, I have another suggestion. I don't know if it's appropriate to say."
"You are all warriors on the front lines against espers, and you understand them better. Feel free to voice any thoughts you have!"
Having received permission, Han Lang no longer hesitated and spoke directly.
"Although the technology for modifying cultivators into espers has now surpassed our cultivation speed, in reality, beyond the Nascent Soul stage, no matter how much espers research, they will absolutely not be able to surpass it. And once a cultivator participates in esper modification, although their cultivation can be rapidly increased to the Nascent Soul stage, their future progress will be very difficult. Therefore, I would like to suggest that before our soldiers are modified, they must be informed of the pros and cons. The soldiers have the right to know and the right to choose. They should decide the consequences themselves!"
"Haha..."
Song He Guo burst into laughter upon hearing this suggestion.
"Don't worry. We have already considered this issue. Our Xia Nation is fundamentally a nation that prioritizes its people, so we naturally respect everyone's rights. Moreover, if we truly master the technology of esper modification, then the modified espers will also be our soldiers. If we conceal anything, wouldn't that breed their dissatisfaction? At that time, some might even develop a desire to defect. If our modified soldiers eventually become our enemies, then this technology would be meaningless to us!"
After hearing Song He Guo's explanation, Han Lang finally nodded with satisfaction.
At the same time, at this moment, they finally understood what it meant to be unable to control oneself.
Seeing that everyone's spirits were not very high, Song He Guo fully understood their current mood. He quickly changed the subject and said to everyone.
"Hehe... Let's not discuss these issues now. You have just returned to the country, and you have achieved such great merit. Why don't we talk about rewards and promotions? Tell me, what do you want?"
When asked this question, everyone looked at each other.
Because before this, they had not really thought about what rewards they wanted.
And what the special forces could offer, besides military rank, seemed to be nothing they desired.
After all, they had the Spirit Preserving Pills provided by Han Lang for cultivation resources.
"This... whatever the organization decides, we will accept. No matter what commendation it is, we are happy to accept it."
Han Lang deferred the question back to Song He Guo.
Song He Guo still had a smile on his face and then said.
"Military promotions are a certainty. The organization has already decided that the person in charge of this operation, Dan Nan, will be promoted to Army Commander, with the rank of Lieutenant General. Liu Xiaoxiao will be a Division Commander, with the rank of Major General. Tang Qin, Tang Geng, and Zhao Wu will be Regiment Commanders, with the rank of Colonel. Han Lang will be a Division Commander, with the rank of Major General. Are you satisfied with this?"