Chapter 39: The Cunning Miao Lian

"Bang, bang, bang!"

"Bang!"

Once Chen Guotao had fetched the wine bottles, Gao Dazhuang performed a masterful display of skill before the assembled officers and men of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company.

"Damn, is this the power of special forces? He didn't even calibrate his sights."

"He didn't even aim; he just fired!"

"And he switched between his left and right hands—he’s not even human."

The soldiers of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company knew special forces were formidable, but they truly hadn't expected the major from the special forces unit to be this exceptional.

"Zhuang Yan has met his match today. The Wolf Warriors are truly impressive."

Chen Guotao was startled as well, though not entirely surprised. If the men of the Wolf Warriors weren't elite, then all the dreams he had spent years tirelessly pursuing would have meant nothing.

Gao Dazhuang handed the rifle back to Zhuang Yan and stared at him, saying, "Playing with guns isn't about using your eyes; it's about using this—a soldier's heart!"

He then turned to Zhuang Yan and asked, "Do you know why I said Su Yang from your Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company is worth cultivating?"

"Why?"

Zhuang Yan found Gao Dazhuang’s arrogance grating, but he couldn't help but ask.

As soon as he spoke, everyone in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company pricked up their ears.

"Because he has already grasped the meaning of what I just said."

Gao Dazhuang was happy to explain.

"Sir, do you mean that Su Yang could also shoot wine bottles without aiming just like you?" Xihua asked, looking pleasantly surprised.

He didn't fully understand Gao’s words, but he gathered that the special forces officer held Su Yang in high regard.

Gao Dazhuang glanced at Xihua and nodded. "In a way, yes." He then issued a challenge to all the soldiers of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, saying loudly, "If any of you are interested in this, you are welcome to come find me at the Wolf Warriors anytime."

Zhuang Yan said nothing more. Although he believed that given time, he could perform just as skillfully, he knew that once you’ve lost, any words are hollow.

...

After the leaders left, Captain Miao's expression darkened, and he began his usual tactical routine.

"Did you all see that? Did you see it?"

He snatched the company flag and threw it onto the ground.

"What’s the point of having a company flag? Throw it away! Why hang it up here? Our pride has been shattered; what face do we have left to display the flag?"

"From this day on, the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company has no flag."

Captain Miao roared hoarsely, "I tell you, when I was your age, none of you were better than I was."

He pointed at Zhuang Yan and Xihua. "A bunch of weaklings, cowards, and losers—a single major from a special forces brigade wiped the floor with you."

Xihua felt stung and immediately replied, "Report! Captain, don't we still have Su Yang? Didn't that officer say Su Yang performed very well?"

This immediately incited Captain Miao's fury. "What do you mean by 'performing well'? That was Su Yang's performance, not yours! Besides, Su Yang only achieved that because he went to the training camp. He is in the same intake as you!"

"When you were training, he was training. When you were resting, he was still training. That is what his hard work earned him. What, do you think Su Yang is the only living soul in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company?"

Zhuang Yan immediately stepped forward. "Don't worry, Captain Miao. We will definitely learn from Su Yang, train hard, and one day we will surpass them."

Captain Miao looked skeptical. "If you work hard, will they just stand still?"

"Because we dare to fight and are sure to win!" Zhuang Yan shouted.

All the men of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, their blood boiling, shouted in unison: "Dare to fight and sure to win! Dare to fight and sure to win! Dare to fight and sure to win!"

Watching his soldiers filled with morale, Captain Miao revealed a mysterious smile.

...

At the comprehensive training base, the three-month reconnaissance training program reached its final day.

To demonstrate the results of the training to the leadership, the base organized a competitive assessment.

Su Yang was also pleased; once the assessment ended, he could return to the reconnaissance company.

He was still worried about Chen's injury. If he hadn't already called the company and learned from Lao Pao that Chen could remain in the unit, he would have undoubtedly rushed to the hospital to see him, just as Zhuang Yan had.

The assessment subjects covered everything trained over the past three months. Su Yang felt confident, as everyone had secretly gauged each other's abilities. He knew exactly where he stood.

...

On the morning of the assessment, the service squad at the training base didn't need to do morning exercises. Instead, they were up early, marking boundaries, numbers, and lanes with white lime on the parade grounds, shooting ranges, and obstacle courses.

After breakfast, several vehicles carrying the leadership arrived at the base and stopped in front of the brigade headquarters.

"Comrades, you are all military backbone from your respective companies. I believe that in this training camp, you have truly become excellent reconnaissance scouts. Once you pass this assessment, you will be the future squad leaders and deputy squad leaders."

"The first superior that new recruits encounter when they enter the military might be you. How you conduct yourselves determines what kind of soldiers they will become!"

The visiting leader, the division chief of staff, spoke eloquently. He first offered encouragement and then issued a warning: "Therefore, although the division and the army have invested great effort into today's assessment, it is impossible and absolutely forbidden for anyone to pass by cutting corners. I have only one requirement: give it your all and seek the truth from facts!"

Once the leader finished speaking, the assessment officially began.

The order of the assessment followed the training schedule: physical fitness first, then professional subjects, and finally, comprehensive tactical drills.

In physical fitness, Su Yang remained a standout. Thanks to his persistent extra training, he erupted with energy, taking first place in most subjects.

He performed equally well in professional subjects.

In live-fire shooting, whether it was rapid movement shooting, night firing, or sniping, he took first place.

In field survival, however, Su Yang lost the top spot to Zhong Huatao. There was no helping it; Su Yang hadn't had as many opportunities to train in that area, while Zhong Huatao came from a family of hunters who had roamed the mountains since childhood.

As for map surveying and plotting, Su Yang relied on the knowledge from his previous life and his private studies to defeat most of the others.

In the comprehensive tactical drills, although Su Yang was good and had unique insights, he was still surpassed by those who had served for years and could execute tactics with absolute decisiveness.

The assessment was exhausting, but the time passed quickly.

Three days later, in the auditorium of the training base, Su Yang had the award for the competition assessment pinned to his uniform by the division chief of staff.

A Third-Class Merit!

This was the second medal Su Yang had received, and it was the reward for finishing first in the reconnaissance training assessment.

"Captain Miao, Platoon Leader, we will train hard. We will win back our pride and fly the company flag once again!"