Chapter 32: A Show of Force

"Xiao Li, what happened today? This isn’t like you—were you holding back?" On the way back, Commander Yu Hongyang questioned Li Yuanwei.

"Commander, do you think I’m that kind of person? Heaven General is truly fierce. If I hadn’t practiced qigong, my arm would have been bitten clean off today! It still hurts now!" Li Yuanwei said earnestly after a moment’s thought. "To be honest, Heaven General gave me a very dangerous feeling. Judging by its combat ability alone, I’d say most regular special forces soldiers wouldn’t be its match!"

"That impressive?" Yu Hongyang asked in surprise. Normally, a military dog, even a fierce one, would barely match a reconnaissance soldier.

"Heaven General’s attack angles are extremely tricky. Its handler must have given it targeted training," Li Yuanwei nodded.

"This kid has not let me down," Yu Hongyang replied with a smile.

"Commander, is First Company really going to be disbanded?" Li Yuanwei was aware of the bet Yu Hongyang had made with Gu Jianfeng. He had thought it was just a joke, but now he realized it was entirely serious.

"There are no empty words in the army. When have you ever known me to lie?" Yu Hongyang pursed his lips and continued, "To be honest, I don’t want First Company to be disbanded. I started out as a soldier in First Company."

Li Yuanwei remained silent. As Yu Hongyang’s personal guard, he knew the commander’s inner turmoil well. But as a regimental commander, Yu Hongyang couldn’t let personal feelings override orders.

However, if First Company could achieve an outstanding result in the upcoming Military Working Dog Skills Competition, things might turn out differently.

———

Not long after Gu Jianfeng returned to First Company, he received a call from Yu Hongyang. The list of pre-selected snipers had been sent to Gu Jianfeng’s private email.

Yu Hongyang had begun preparing for this half a year ago when the bet was first made, simply waiting for the right moment.

Opening his inbox, Gu Jianfeng found information on thirty candidates. These were the elite soldiers from all the companies of the Border Defense Regiment, many decorated with honors. Some had even participated in the selection for Sirius and Black Tiger, but were eliminated due to insufficient educational background.

The Black Tiger Special Operations Unit was another ace team in the Northwest Theater. The unit commander, Lei Keming, was a legendary figure—he graduated from a conservatory, joined the front lines without any formal training, and made his name in blood, earning a position on the Blade Ranking, a list reserved for superlative warriors.

———

The Blade Ranking is a comprehensive military power ranking, and only eight names grace the list. Each is a figure who strikes terror into enemy ranks, masters of different fields, yet all pillars of the military. Foreign militaries never cease their research on them. In NATO’s military archives, the files on these eight could fill a room twenty square meters wide.

Five days later, at a secret training base of the Border Defense Regiment, the thirty pre-selected candidates stood in six rows of five, backs straight.

"The Commander said he was bringing in some badass instructor. Where is this big shot?"

"Hey, experts always make a showy entrance. When I tried out for Sirius, it was the same routine."

"Save your breath. Just get ready for a tough time."

None of this surprised these seasoned soldiers.

Half an hour later, Gu Jianfeng finally strolled over.

"Sorry, everyone," he said, stretching and yawning. "No idea why, but I was especially sleepy today, so I got up a bit late."

"Who’s this guy?" someone muttered.

"Is he here to get beat up?"

"He barely looks old enough to shave. What’s the Commander thinking—are we in the wrong place?"

The group buzzed with speculation, imagining many roles for Gu Jianfeng, but none guessed he was their sniper instructor.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gu Jianfeng—codename: Arbiter. You can call me by my codename or as Instructor, because I’m your chief instructor for this training."

"You’ve got to be kidding! I came all this way—not to listen to a kid brag," snapped a second lieutenant, face flushed with anger.

His name was Qi Maocai, vice platoon leader of the Reconnaissance Company’s second platoon, and an infamous sharpshooter.

"Next time, remember to report before you speak. I’ll let it go this time, just a verbal warning," Gu Jianfeng replied with a smile.

"Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? Never mind—clearly, I’m in the wrong place. What a waste of time!"

Qi Maocai turned and strode toward the exit.

"Stop. Did I say you could leave?" Gu Jianfeng’s tone was light, almost as if chatting with a friend.

"I’ll leave if I want. You think you can stop me?" Qi Maocai sneered.

"First, as I just said, report before you speak. Second, your lack of manners is really disappointing," Gu Jianfeng shook his head.

Qi Maocai ignored him and continued walking.

Suddenly, Gu Jianfeng’s aura shifted. A chilling, murderous energy swept over Qi Maocai. Before anyone could react, Qi Maocai’s body flew through the air and crashed heavily to the ground.

The kick looked brutal, but Gu Jianfeng had controlled his strength—Qi Maocai was only slightly injured.

Struggling to his feet, glaring with rage, Qi Maocai composed himself and charged at Gu Jianfeng with his fists.

With a dull thud, Qi Maocai was sent flying again.

This time, the other twenty-nine candidates looked at Gu Jianfeng with newfound respect.

"Drag him back," Gu Jianfeng ordered.

Two soldiers ran over and carried the dazed Qi Maocai back to the ranks.

"Do you know why my codename is Arbiter? Because on the battlefield, I decide who lives and who dies. From today on, everything here—every single thing—is under my command," Gu Jianfeng said, pausing before continuing. "You’re all the Commander’s favorites—the pride of every company—but here, you’re all the same: zeros."

"To be honest, I didn’t want this assignment at all. But I can’t ignore the Commander’s orders, so I came up with a compromise. If I eliminate you all, my mission is still complete, in a manner of speaking."