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Chapter 88: You’re Pretty Good

Witnessing Nie Zhenbang’s current actions, Yao Yuan felt somewhat astonished. This kid was something else. As Nie Zhenbang picked up the pace, Yao Yuan soon followed suit, leaving the boy trailing behind them. By the time they reached the end, all new recruits had paused, having been lapped several times by Nie Zhenbang and Yao Yuan.

Then, all the new recruits began to spontaneously cheer Nie Zhenbang on. Some of those who started with Nie Zhenbang were calling out his name. Then, all the others joined in. “Nie Zhenbang, keep going!” they shouted.

Within the final hundred meters, Nie Zhenbang was still leading. Yao Yuan, on his side, had caught up again, pushing past his own limits this time. Carrying forty kilos and running four kilometers at such a pace was not something just anyone could do.

It was here that Nie Zhenbang had the upper hand regarding the weight challenge. Owing to particular circumstances, Nie Zhenbang had arrived without any luggage, making his burden lighter.

Nie Zhenbang turned to Yao Yuan for the first time and said, “Instructor, you’re laying it on a bit thick this time.” After saying this, he quickened his pace. The explosive power of Shape-Intent Fist was fully displayed at this moment. Nie Zhenbang crossed the finish line before Yao Yuan.

At that moment, all the new recruits cheered. In this situation, almost every recruit positioned themselves as Yao Yuan’s competition. But being of the same rank as them, Nie Zhenbang was someone they could relate to.

Looking at Yao Yuan, who was taking off his equipment, an expression of indifference on his face, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He walked up to Yao Yuan and said, “Instructor, truth be told, you are the real winner. Compared to you, my victory feels undeserved.”

Before Nie Zhenbang could finish, Yao Yuan waved it off. “Losses are losses, victories are victories. To be frank, you’re a new recruit, and I’m a veteran. It’s only fair under these circumstances. I can handle defeat,” he said.

Then Yao Yuan looked at Nie Zhenbang and asked, “Have you practiced martial arts?”

Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised at Yao Yuan’s powers of observation. However, Yao Yuan’s straightforwardness made him appreciate the man even more. He nodded and admitted, “I trained for a few years. It was a family tradition.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Yao Yuan grinned. The look he gave Nie Zhenbang was like a man beholding a hearty meal, which made Nie Zhenbang tense.

As expected, Yao Yuan’s tone turned grim, “That’s good! Just as I thought. You’re pretty good, Nie Zhenbang. In the upcoming three months, I will treat you differently than the others. Brace yourself for the hardship.”

Following Yao Yuan’s wave of the hand, fifty soldiers jogged over. These were the veterans, who from today onwards would lead these squads of newcomers through three months of training.

Under the leading veteran’s instruction, the teams and barracks were quickly sorted out.

Nie Zhenbang’s squad leader was a man from Tianfu, who spoke with a distinct

Tianfu accent.

The Southern youngster who carried the same load as the instructor happened to be assigned to the same squad.

Seeing that everyone had settled on their beds, some excitedly chatting, the squad leader stood. The squad leader was around one meter seventy in height, of sturdy build, sporting a neat crew-cut. His large eyes and candid smile gave off a feeling of honesty. His uniform was worn perfectly straight, and his buttons were meticulously fastened.

Clapping his hands to gather attention, the squad leader began, “Comrades, we come from all corners of the country and we’ve all gathered here. This is a rare opportunity. Firstly, let me introduce myself. My name is Yan Zhongxun, I’m from Tianfu. I’ve been serving since 1985. I am honored to be appointed as your squad leader. Our squad has every reason to be proud. Besides having a newcomer who dared to carry the same load as the instructor, we have a newcomer who bested the instructor. Comrades, this is our squad’s glory. I hope that during the upcoming training, we could unite as one, confident and cooperative, and excellently complete every training mission. Do you have that confidence?”

In the army, that’s how it is. The so-called money and connections don’t work here, especially not in the eyes of the average soldier. What attracts soldiers is honor.

As a veteran with three years of service, Yan Zhongxun clearly knows how to lead soldiers. With a few words, he rallied all the new recruits in the class.

At this point, morale was also on the rise. The atmosphere had become much more harmonious, and Yan Zhongxun seized the moment to say, “I’ve reviewed everyone’s files, and Comrade Nie Zhenbang was already a pre-party member before enlisting. This point, this kind of proactive attitude, is worth learning from by all of us. I propose that Comrade Nie Zhenbang temporarily serve as our class deputy leader. Does anyone have objections?”

At this moment, all the new recruits were new arrivals, with no concept of in-group politics. Nie Zhenbang had just won against the instructor, which had already earned him some prestige among the soldiers. Moreover, Nie Zhenbang’s status as a pre-party member rendered the new recruits somewhat envious. Yan Zhongxun’s suggestion naturally passed without any problem.

At the same time, Yan Zhongxun again said, “Comrades, now we will hold a class meeting for our class where everyone can introduce themselves.”

Once the words were out, Nie Zhenbang stood up first, saluted the crowd, and then said, “Hello everyone, my name is Nie Zhenbang, and I come from

Tangcheng, Yanbei Province. I have enjoyed martial arts since I was a child. Last year, I was admitted to Jingcheng University. This year I enlisted as a college student. I hope everyone can help me out in our future life and work.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words startled all the new recruits. College student? And from a prestigious university like Jingcheng University, yet he gave up on studying and enlisted instead? They wondered if he had hit his head. This was everyone’s first impression.

In the meantime, Yan Zhongxun watched Nie Zhenbang, a new sense of admiration in his eyes. Unlike the new recruits, Yan Zhongxun was a veteran and well aware of the ins and outs of the army. With potential like Nie Zhenbang’s, it was only a matter of time before he was promoted.

Next, a boy named Xiong Changgui carried the same weight as Yao Yuan. Because the pronunciation of ‘Chang’ and ‘palm’ were similar, Xiong Changgui immediately got a unique nickname, Bear Paw Gui!

At the same time, one soldier named Qin Lang from Qilu Province made a deep impression on Nie Zhenbang. Qin Lang was a typical urban soldier. But in his dealings, he exhibited a calm and composed style. His eyes were firm, and he was indeed a born soldier.

For the entire afternoon, the life of the new recruits seemed normal. Class leader Yan Zhongxun was always instructing them on internal affairs.

After dinner, they did their first drill on the field that evening. A few simple movements such as standing at attention and at ease tired all the new recruits beyond words.

The moment they returned to the dormitory, almost everyone rushed to their beds.

Wee hours

At around three o’clock, suddenly, the whistle for an emergency assembly sounded outside the silent barracks. The first to react were naturally the class leaders, and the sounds of stumbling could be heard from every dormitory.

On the field, Yao Yuan looked vigorous at this moment. Seeing the scattered and unprepared new recruits, many had not tied their shoelaces, done up their buttons, or even put on their caps properly. He admired the neatly dressed Nie Zhenbang, Qin Lang, and Xiong Changgui. He then said sternly, “Surprised? Didn’t expect it? New recruits, this is the army. This is what it means to be soldiers defending the Republic. More unexpected night assemblies will come. Prepare your minds for them. Dismiss now, class leaders take your men back!”

Yao Yuan stood motionless in the center of the field, watching rows of new recruits walk past him. When Nie Zhenbang passed by, Yao Yuan suddenly said, “Nie Zhenbang, you did well. I’m becoming more and more interested in you..”