Chapter Five: The Duty of a Soldier-Invincible God of War: War of Resistance Against Japan(Wang Cunye)

Upon hearing these words, a glimmer of hope and longing instantly appeared in the wounded young soldier’s eyes. He murmured, “How wonderful it would be to witness such a moment with my own eyes...” But almost immediately, the hope and light faded, replaced by a look of disappointment. He bowed his head, falling silent.

He knew he would never see that day.

Seeing this, Chen Qingzhi wanted to speak, but the words caught in his throat. His mouth opened, yet nothing came out. In the end, all he could do was sigh and fall silent.

“Captain, I know... our position likely can’t hold. Even if it does, someone like me won’t survive,” the young soldier said after a pause. Suddenly, he raised his head to look at Chen Qingzhi, adding, “Captain, I have one request I hope you’ll grant.”

“Please give me a grenade! Let me detonate it at the critical moment and take some of those devils with me. Before I die, let me do my part. I don’t want to die quietly and without a sound. Before I go, I want to go out with a bang, to show the enemy the spirit of a Republic man!”

“Captain, please, give me a grenade!”

As he spoke these words, his tone was calm, without a trace of agitation. It was as if he weren’t talking about life and death, but simply making small talk.

But to Chen Qingzhi, the words rang out like thunder on a clear day.

There is great terror between life and death.

Yet this young soldier could face it all with such composure. Chen Qingzhi was deeply shaken and, for a time, didn’t know how to answer.

“Captain, please, I beg you! Grant me this request!” Seeing Chen Qingzhi remain silent, the young soldier grew anxious and pleaded, “Captain, I’ve lost both my legs. It’s almost impossible for me to survive on this battlefield! Even if I do, once I leave the battlefield, I’ll only be a cripple!”

“A man without legs, returning home, would only become a burden to my elderly parents. Rather than cling to a miserable existence, I’d rather die gloriously!”

He continued, “Captain, I’m not an educated man and I don’t really understand great national causes. But—”

“I am a soldier!”

“From the first day I joined the army, our drill instructor taught us that a soldier’s duty is to defend the nation and the people, even at the cost of our lives! I may not have studied, but I’ve always remembered that.”

“If you choose a profession, you must uphold its responsibilities. Since I chose to be a soldier, I must shoulder the duty, do what must be done!”

With that, the young soldier struggled to straighten his back, raised his trembling arm, and saluted Chen Qingzhi. Solemnly, he said, “Captain, I request, as a soldier, that you grant me a grenade, so that I may fulfill my duty to the very end!”

Though his voice was faint, Chen Qingzhi could hear the resolve to die that lay within.

Hearing this and looking at the man before him, Chen Qingzhi was suddenly struck by a sense of clarity. He understood the young soldier’s mind was made up—he was determined to die, and could not be dissuaded.

Moreover, Chen Qingzhi did not wish to dissuade him.

This was a soldier’s request.

It was the duty of a soldier, ever ready to lay down his life.

Placing a hand on the young soldier’s shoulder, Chen Qingzhi said gravely, “You are a true soldier. As your commanding officer, I cannot refuse you. Your wish is granted.”

With that, he fetched a crate of grenades from another trench. At this, the other wounded men, who had been watching silently, began to speak up.

“Captain, give me one as well!”

“And me!”

These wounded men, cowering in the trenches, were all covered in injuries. Some were missing arms, some legs, all severely wounded.

Given the ferocity of the battle, their chances of survival were slim.

They were all veterans and knew well the fate of the gravely wounded. That was why they were resolved to die. All they hoped for was that, in their final moments, they could shine, forcing the Japanese invaders to pay in blood.

Their actions were worthy of true sons of the Republic.

Chen Qingzhi did not know their names, but he knew—they were all true heroes.

Gazing at them, Chen Qingzhi’s heart was suddenly set. He straightened his back and shouted, “All hands, attention!”

His voice carried across the battlefield. Every soldier turned their gaze toward him.

They watched as Chen Qingzhi straightened his uniform, stood at attention, and saluted the wounded men with solemn respect.

Seeing this, the wounded all tried to stand straight as well. Even those without legs did their best to sit upright and salute in return; those without arms still managed to show a dignified bearing.

Witnessing the scene, Chen Qingzhi drew a deep breath and shouted, “Salute the heroes!”

Instantly, every soldier stood at attention, removed their caps, and saluted the wounded, offering them the highest honor.

“Captain...”

Seeing this, many of the wounded were moved to tears. They were ordinary foot soldiers, never before recipients of such respect, and didn’t know how to respond.

The young soldier, overwhelmed, wept as well. He had never experienced such honor in all his years.

His desire to die had been born of despair after losing both legs, feeling there was no hope for the future, and so he had wished to end his life with a grenade.

But now, for the first time, he felt something new—a feeling that sprang up from deep within and quickly took root, filling his heart.

That feeling was honor.

It was recognition.

It was duty.

“Salute complete!” Chen Qingzhi called loudly, then looked solemnly at the wounded before him and said, “You are all heroes of the Republic. You have fought the invaders to defend your country’s land. Even in death, yours is a glorious sacrifice!”

“It is because of thousands like you that our Republic, though weak, can fight the Japanese with such tenacity!”

“With you among us, our nation will never fall! You are the backbone of our people!”

With every word, Chen Qingzhi nearly shouted himself hoarse. The sound rolled across the battlefield, thundering in every ear.

“Gallant China, together we face national peril! Our blood will not be spent in vain; we will not rest while we yet live!” Chen Qingzhi roared.

“Our blood will not be spent in vain; we will not rest while we yet live!”

All the soldiers echoed as one, their voices merging and resounding across the land. Even the clouds above seemed torn asunder by their cry, letting a ray of dawn pierce through.