Chapter 24: Clearing the Air, and Being Singled Out Again

At the foot of the mountain, the company of recruits moved smoothly, concealing themselves behind the command post. One hundred meters ahead lay the command post for the First and Second Battalions of the Iron Fist Regiment, including that of their own company commander, Xu Guoqing.

All around them, it was eerily empty. Of course, this was not because the veteran officers had failed to prepare; it was simply because in all the previous "cat-and-mouse" games, never had recruits dared to counterattack the veterans like this.

"Brother Tian, are we really going to take out the command post? This is too thrilling!" Lin Mang, trailing closely behind Qi Tian, felt his voice tremble with excitement. Not just him, but every recruit following Qi Tian was unusually exhilarated. Recalling their comrades being hunted by veterans the night before, and remembering how they themselves had been vomiting on the roadside from exhaustion, no one could suppress the restlessness in their hearts now that revenge was within reach.

"We’ve been bossed around by those veterans for three whole days. It’s time we showed them what the recruits are made of!" A sharp glint flashed in Qi Tian’s eyes, his tone equally fired up. Their small unit possessed twenty-four training rifles. While their supply of training rounds wasn't vast, it was more than enough to handle an unsuspecting command post. The feeling of imminent victory surged through everyone.

Song Wei gripped his weapon tightly and was the first to respond to Qi Tian: "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s just charge in and wipe out their command post!"

"Exactly, Qi Tian! I can't wait any longer, give the order to charge!" Zhang Meng added in immediate agreement.

"No rush. We need to scout the surroundings clearly and ensure there are no veterans waiting in ambush before we make our move," Qi Tian said, glancing back at them. After a moment of thought, he addressed the recruits: "Counting the comrades we found on the way down, there are forty-nine of us now. Zhang Meng, Song Wei, since you two are so eager, take sixteen men and scout the left and right flanks. Once you confirm there’s no ambush, take the command post immediately! I will stay here with the remaining thirty men. If you run into trouble, do everything in your power to draw the veterans' attention in the opposite direction. We will use that window to evacuate. That way, we can preserve the bulk of our forces."

Qi Tian’s plan was balanced and flawless. It accounted for potential traps left by the "old cats" near the command post while providing a clear exit strategy. Even if the two strike teams were ambushed, they could act as decoys to buy time for the others. At this point in the game, the scales of victory had tipped decisively in favor of the recruits.

Of course, Qi Tian’s decision regarding the headcount was strategic. He stayed behind not out of cowardice or laziness, but to complete the mission assigned by his system. After a night of action, he had seen the power of the Elite Combat Techniques. During his first engagement, he had been able to firmly suppress a veteran of six years, leaving him unable to move. Such a handy and efficient reward was something Qi Tian had to secure! Since that was the case, he couldn't afford to take any unnecessary risks. With Song Wei and Zhang Meng eager to act, letting them lead the reconnaissance was the most logical choice.

"You’ve got a sharp mind; I’ll follow your lead," Zhang Meng said, his tone turning serious. He then turned to Song Wei with a wry smile: "But Song Wei, are you willing to take orders from Qi Tian? Everyone knows you two haven't exactly been on good terms. Now that he’s ordering you around, are you really okay with it?"

At these words, the other recruits exchanged knowing smiles, looking over at Song Wei. Feeling the weight of dozens of gazes, Song Wei blurted out, "Of course I’m not happy about it! But in this game, the fact that we recruits have been able to pull teeth from the tiger’s mouth time and again—not only avoiding being hunted but actually seizing the veterans' gear to fight back—I know that’s all thanks to Qi Tian. If not for him, I’d probably still be hiding in some cave waiting for dawn. Besides, our previous issues were internal recruit company squabbles. Right now, this is a battle between recruits and veterans. He is the commander, so I will do exactly as he says, no questions asked!"

"Well said, Wei!" Zhang Meng nodded in agreement.

Qi Tian noticed that Song Wei’s attitude was no longer as antagonistic as before. Since the other party had stopped looking for trouble, Qi Tian wasn't the type to hold a grudge. He smiled and nodded at Song Wei: "After this game is over, we’re all brothers. Let’s move out, and stay safe!"

"Yes!"

Once the order was given, Zhang Meng and Song Wei each picked several capable men from their squads, checked their gear, and split off to the left and right to scout.

Jiang Chong, the deputy squad leader of the Third Squad, came up to Qi Tian and gave him a thumbs up: "Qi Tian, you’re the real deal. Before I joined the army, I read about the Iron Fist Regiment and knew that every batch of recruits goes through this game. To be honest, in every previous year, the recruits have been completely suppressed by the veterans with no power to resist; being wiped out entirely was common. But to have the veterans so thoroughly schooled and the command post accounted for, like you’ve done today—you’re the first! I can see that even though Wei has a sharp tongue, he truly respects you now. That’s just how he is—stubborn and proud—but when it comes to the big picture, he’s clear-headed. You’ll have to bear with him a bit in the future. I’m Jiang Chong, deputy squad leader of the Third Squad. If you ever need anything, just say the word!"

"Qi Tian. We’re all brothers from here on out." Qi Tian bumped fists with Jiang Chong, cementing their bond. Among men, there’s no need for complex pleasantries. If you hit it off, a few words can forge a brotherhood. Especially here in the military, having just shared an experience of honor and disgrace, the rapid warming of their relationship was only natural. As for the conflict between Qi Tian and Song Wei, it was ultimately just a matter of bruised egos. With everything laid out in the open, there was no longer any barrier between them.

Meanwhile, Song Wei and Zhang Meng had quickly finished scouting the perimeter. Confirming there were no ambushes, they led their teams into the command post. After a few shots rang out, Zhang Meng walked out and waved excitedly toward Qi Tian’s position: "Brothers, it’s clear! All the officers have been eliminated! But, Little Tian, you need to come over here yourself. The two battalion commanders, as well as Company Commander Xu, have specifically requested to see you!!!"