Chapter 15: The Ultimate Rescue

Death?!

At the sound of those two words, Qi Tian’s nerves instantly tightened.

During the training earlier, Qi Tian firmly believed that the most technically demanding part was the tank driver’s operation.

As for them new recruits, all they had to do was lie still and stay put.

So how could such a routine exercise suddenly involve death?!

Qi Tian dared not take it lightly.

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to continue training, then quickly returned to the formation to stand at attention.

At that moment, Song Wei from the first squad and Zhang Meng from the second squad stepped out of formation almost simultaneously.

Clearly, both were proud and ambitious.

Seeing Qi Tian complete the courage training so well, they were eager to try it themselves!

Old Hei, ever the sensible one, handed the steel helmet directly to Zhang Meng. “Zhang Meng, you go first. Song Wei, you’re third.”

“Yes!” they responded in unison.

Zhang Meng took the helmet and quickly moved to a spot three meters in front of the tank.

After hesitating for two seconds, he chose to lie down and signaled to the tank driver.

After a morning of abdominal training, Zhang Meng knew his body condition and reflexes were far from normal.

There was no need to attempt the full version of the courage training like Qi Tian.

If something went wrong, the consequences would be disastrous!

“Boom…”

In the next second, the tank slowly started up and, in the blink of an eye, passed straight over Zhang Meng.

Having completed the training smoothly, Zhang Meng dusted himself off and exhaled deeply.

He stood up, returned to the formation, and handed the helmet to Song Wei. “Come on, Old Song!”

“Hmph!”

In the past, Song Wei would have smiled and accepted the helmet, praising Zhang Meng a few more words.

But this morning, seeing Zhang Meng and Qi Tian become so close, Song Wei was burning with resentment.

Faced with Zhang Meng’s goodwill now, he only snorted coldly, said nothing, put on his helmet, and strode toward the front of the tank.

Song Wei also chose the simplified version of the courage training.

After completing it, he intended to imitate Qi Tian’s operation and give the full standard version to prove he was no less than Qi Tian.

But at this moment, Lin Mang from the first squad suddenly stepped forward and raised his hand.

Old Hei saw this and decided to let Song Wei get off first, allowing the untrained soldier to go ahead.

“Lin Mang, do you think you can do it? If not, don’t force yourself.” Song Wei said with a smirk as he handed the helmet to Lin Mang.

Lin Mang trembled all over, his face pale, emotions running high.

Not only Song Wei, but even Old Hei and the second squad leader doubted whether Lin Mang could truly complete the training.

“Brother Wei, I’ve figured it out. The longer I wait, the more scared I get. Just do it!” Lin Mang said with fierce determination.

He put on the helmet, ran quickly to the front of the tank, lay down, and raised his hand to signal.

The squad leader, Old Hei, nodded instinctively.

Although Lin Mang’s courage was not as strong as Qi Tian’s, the fact that he had come to this realization showed his good overall perspective.

With proper nurturing, his future was also promising.

At that moment, the tank driver, receiving Lin Mang’s signal, started the tank again and slowly drove forward.

As long as Lin Mang stayed still, he would have endured the courage training by sheer grit.

The distance between them grew shorter.

Lin Mang’s trembling intensified.

From his view, the tank seemed like an overwhelming, earth-shattering killing machine about to swallow him whole.

Especially the constantly thundering tracks sent chills down his spine, his heartbeat racing wildly.

Under subconscious control, Lin Mang raised both arms to cover his ears, trying to block out the noise of the tracks.

But doing so exposed his arms right in front of the tracks.

If the tank passed over him, it would crush his arms, potentially causing unpredictable consequences.

Old Hei’s face darkened instantly. “Lin Mang, don’t move! Let go of your hands and fold your arms over your chest!”

The tank was now only a few dozen centimeters away from Lin Mang.

Even slamming on the brakes would be too late to stop it.

“Stop! Stop!!” the second squad leader roared, preparing to rush forward and pull Lin Mang out.

Just then, a figure shot out like lightning from the recruits’ formation, leaving behind blurred afterimages, rushing straight to the front of the tank!

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Qi Tian, like a hunting leopard, sprinted at full speed to the front of the tank.

A second before the tracks crushed Lin Mang’s arms, he grabbed Lin Mang’s collar and dragged him several meters forward!

Lin Mang was completely stunned, frozen for several seconds before realizing what had just happened.

Old Hei and the second squad leader arrived almost simultaneously, kicking Lin Mang hard in the stomach, knocking the terrified young man to the ground.

The second squad leader grabbed Lin Mang’s collar, shaking him forcefully as he shouted, “Are you crazy? Why didn’t you follow the training instructions?!

If Qi Tian hadn’t reacted quickly just now, you’d already be ground to pieces by the gears in the tracks! Do you understand that?!”

“I... I just thought the noise was terrifying. I didn’t expect the consequences to be so serious...” Lin Mang stammered nervously, trembling violently, tears streaming down his face as he completely broke down.

“That’s enough training for today. Second squad leader, take them to the mess hall for a meal. I’m going to find the company commander.

We almost had a fatal accident. If we don’t report it proactively, once the commander finds out, he’ll skin both of us alive!” Old Hei’s face was dark as he stormed out of the tank camp, heading straight for the training ground.

The second squad leader could no longer hold back his anger.

He slammed his fist into the ground beside Lin Mang, exhaled deeply, then gathered the new recruits from both squads to go eat and replenish their strength.

No veteran wants a death to occur during training.

This was not a special forces unit; there were no death quotas.

If it hadn’t been for Qi Tian’s quick reaction, it wouldn’t have been long before he and Old Hei faced a military tribunal.

Qi Tian’s act not only saved Lin Mang’s life but also saved Old Hei himself!

Thinking this, the second squad leader looked at Qi Tian with newfound gratitude and even reverence.

He never imagined this recruit could react so much faster than an old soldier like himself.

Meanwhile, outside the training ground under a tree’s shade, Old Hei pulled Xu Guoqing aside and reported everything that had happened in detail.

Even Xu Guoqing, a veteran who had been through ten years of military service, broke out in a cold sweat listening to Old Hei’s account.

“Commander, the near-accident during training was due to my improper operation.

I will personally explain to the regiment commander. Whatever punishment comes, I will accept it!”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be the one taking the blame!” Xu Guoqing snapped, face darkening.

His gaze instinctively shifted toward the mess hall, filled with lingering fear.

“This time, it’s thanks to Qi Tian.

Under those circumstances, even if the second squad leader had rushed over, it would have been too late.

This kid saved all our lives!

I’ll personally explain to the regiment commander later.

If any punishment is necessary, I’ll take it for you.

We can’t let this incident affect your promotion to Sergeant Class Four.

As for Qi Tian, from now on, increase his training load to the fullest, but don’t deliberately make things harder for him.

This kid is a good soldier!”