Chapter Three

  "Hey kid, how's it going?" The instructor asked again as he didn't respond.

  At this time, Li Nan finally reacted and said foolishly: "Learn from each other, learn from each other."

  The elimination training of a week ended quickly, and 89 people were left with only 37. All the others were eliminated. Yuan Shuai, Li Nan, they all participated in the Blood Wolf Pack together, none of them were eliminated. But this is just the beginning, the subjects trained by Captain Jiang Qingbo himself are just the real test.

  The old soldiers have already undergone a week of targeted training. However, they still need to start from scratch and cram all the subjects that fell behind, so their training intensity is even greater than that of the old soldiers.

  The first level, rock climbing.

  They started with 100 push-ups, followed by a 500-meter frog jump, and then began the 120-meter rock climb. The rock climb was the most physically demanding part, as it required constant energy expenditure throughout the entire 120 meters. Even if they wanted to rest, they had to hold onto the rocks to avoid falling off. Unlike extreme sports enthusiasts who can hang from safety ropes to rest, the team's training did not allow for that luxury. The safety rope was only there to protect their safety, and using it meant giving up. By the time they reached 80 meters or so, most people had already reached their limits. Jiang Qingbo knew this all too well. That's when the high-pressure water guns started spraying water at them. In the deep autumn season, the water from the high-pressure guns extinguished the body heat that was radiating from their bodies. To maintain their body temperature, they needed to expend even more energy. And this energy had to be borrowed from their physical reserves. This was Jiang Qingbo's most triumphant test of human willpower and endurance. As expected, everyone started giving up one by one. Li Nan was climbing the fastest, constantly looking back to see if Yang Zhongliang and the others had given up yet. After all, they had been through life-and-death experiences together, and he really didn't want to see them give up. Originally, he wanted to say some encouraging words, but now he barely had the energy to speak. The higher they climbed, the harder it got, with almost no place to put their hands. He just kept climbing step by step, even if he couldn't reach the top, he didn't want to lose too badly. Finally, he was only one step away from the top. And Jiang Qingbo had been waiting for them up there all along.

  "Not bad, old soldier, so fast, wait a minute, I have a few questions." When people are extremely tired, their brain will temporarily weaken its thinking ability due to lack of oxygen. At this time, even a college student may not be able to answer a simple elementary school question.

  "What is the effective killing range of the Type 81 fully automatic rifle in meters." This seemingly simple question requires strong willpower to control one's brain and think clearly.

  Li Nan: "300 meters".

  Jiang Qingbo: "500 meters distance, wind speed 3, what is the wind value of an 85 sniper?" A few seconds of relief allowed his thinking to return to normal.

  Li Nan: "Four-thirds value".

  "Sorry, you've been eliminated."

  When he heard the word "eliminated", he almost fainted, but he still forced himself to climb up, although letting go would have been easy. But having climbed this far, he didn't want to give up, even though being eliminated was a difficult prospect. He told himself that it's okay to be eliminated, but not to give up, because his old squad leader had once told him that the only one who can defeat oneself is oneself. When his left foot stepped onto the summit of the cliff...

  Jiang Qingbo nodded in satisfaction and said, "Congratulations, you have entered the next level." He looked at Jiang Qingbo suspiciously, but didn't say anything. He understood that it was also a test, and this was the biggest test. If he knew he had been eliminated and gave up, then he would truly be eliminated. Although he had answered all of Jiang Qingbo's questions correctly, he had lost in the last question - he hadn't conquered himself.

  The first round has eliminated one-third of them.

  The second pass - armed crossing of 500 meters. This is a completely new subject for many people, because many troops do not have this training. Let alone when physical strength is almost exhausted, it's an impossible task. But young Chinese special forces will not give up easily. They are the best of the best.

  Jumping into the icy lake water, the cold began to severely drain their physical strength. Only constant swimming could prevent them from being frozen stiff by the cold lake water.

  They charged forward, while Jiang Qingbo stood on the shore, holding a loudspeaker and not idle. "Warriors, you are already the best, so it's understandable that you can't swim across, give up, no one will laugh at you, because you were originally the best." This is also his means of attack, psychological warfare. He doesn't use insulting words like other special forces instructors to stimulate them, making them burst out their last potential in a situation where their self-esteem is hurt. Because when someone is desperate, anyone can explode with incredible potential. Not him, he just looks at how much willpower they have under normal circumstances. Without any pressure, look at how much willpower you have. If in a relatively relaxed environment, he can do what others need to be forced to do, then the potential he releases when he is desperate will be unimaginable. This non-forced training also makes them the special forces with the highest elimination rate when selecting team members, basically 97%. To know that they were originally selected from various special forces, that is, the people they chose were already the elite of each unit. The elimination rate among the elite reached 97%, possibly the only one in the world's military.

  Their hands and feet had long been mechanized, fatigue forgotten, only willpower holding them up. One meter after another, they swam with difficulty. Jiang Qingbo pitied these soldier kings, who were like zombies without any expression, not even a painful one. One by one, they sank down, one by one, they were eliminated.

  "Give up, kings of soldiers. This is an impossible task. You are human, not machines. Humans have limits. Even if you complete this, there will be even more difficult tasks waiting for you below. Give up." Despite feeling heartache for his soldiers, training was training, and he still had strict demands for them.

  Long Jie was no longer okay, his hands had stopped moving and were slowly sinking down.

  "Long Jie, don't give up, hold on!" Jiang Hao was not far from him and saw him sinking down. He immediately went over to support him, gritting his teeth and using the last bit of strength to prevent him from sinking. At this moment, he had only one conviction - on the battlefield, he couldn't bear to see his comrade fall. Jiang Qingbo watched them. He didn't stop Jiang Hao from helping him. This was also a place where "Flash Sword" differed from other troops in training - they encouraged mutual assistance between comrades.

  There was a famous American general who once said that on the battlefield, you can't die for your comrades. But in Jiang Qingbo's view, you can't die for your comrades, but you can help them live.

  Long Jie said weakly: "Jiang Hao, let me go, neither of us can swim with the other in tow."

  Jiang Hao: "No way, you said we're going to Estonia together, let's see what's so great about those blond-haired foreigners." Yang Zhongliang came over, Li Nan arrived, and Wang Yuanshan also came. They all came together and carried Long Jie across the water...

  Jiang Qingbo smiled with relief.

  An army is all about teamwork spirit. This round eliminated another one-third of them.

  Next level, breaking out of the primeval forest.

  The exercise continued, with 140 team members entering a strange battlefield. The battlefield was in a primitive forest in Liangshan, Sichuan. After 30 minutes, 1,400 fully armed soldiers entered the forest to start searching, and those who were caught or "killed" would exit the exercise. Only by evading their pursuit and finally emerging from the designated location could they pass the exercise and enter the next assessment.

  The members of the "Lightning Sword" team immediately held a brief meeting after entering the forest, deciding to break through in units. Because 140 people acting together is too big a target, it's like telling others, I'm here, come and catch me. After dividing into groups, the troops of over 140 people quickly disappeared deep in the dense forest.

  A 1,400-strong cordon is surrounding the area, conducting a dragnet search.

  This time, Yuan Shuai and Li Nan were in the same group. The other five members didn't know each other, but they had also heard about their battle with the wolf pack, so naturally they centered around the two of them and followed their command.

  Yuan Shuai spoke first

  "Our current disadvantage is that our numbers are far fewer than theirs, but the advantage is that we have more experience in jungle warfare. We are training to participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament for ourselves, while they are just accompanying the prince to study, so their morale is not as strong as ours. However, it's daytime now and it's the first day, so they still have their freshness. If we go out now, it would undoubtedly be a suicidal move. How about waiting until night when they let their guard down before taking action?"

  "It's okay, I think", said the first-class officer with a Northeastern accent.

  "Right, we can use fallen leaves for camouflage and get a good sleep. We'll be energetic enough to deal with them tonight." said a comrade who was carrying the rank of junior lieutenant. Everyone else agreed. They found a spot on the leeward side of a slope, lay down on the ground, and covered themselves with a layer of dry leaves, waiting for nightfall. Lying in ambush was child's play for them; they could lie in wait for several days and nights in any environment without it being a problem.

  As the rustling sound gradually dispersed, no light could be seen in the gaps of the leaves. They shook off the dry leaves on their bodies one after another.

  The lieutenant cautiously looked around, then took out the night vision device and map, while the sniper vigilantly guarded the surroundings. Everyone gathered around the lieutenant to analyze how to proceed.

  "Our exit is in the southeast, roughly at our two o'clock position. The circumference of the mountain road is approximately 600 kilometers, and we can't walk in a straight line, so at least we have to travel 300 kilometers, divided into seven days, we will be walking about 45 kilometers per day. If it were an express march, it would be a very easy task, but the problem is that there are now ten times as many 'enemies' waiting to 'encircle and annihilate' us, so our mission is very heavy."

  "Everyone fill your stomachs first, and then we'll set off immediately." Yuan Shuai's face always had a stern expression when he spoke. The so-called filling food was just some compressed biscuits.

  Less than a kilometer away, I saw the enemy's camp.

  Everyone quickly gathered together to discuss.

  Yuan Shuai spoke first: "Sniper, scout the enemy's number, firepower and position distribution." His voice was very low.

  The sniper quickly found a location to observe from. "There are three tents, arranged in the shape of the character for 'product', but only two sentry posts. Normally, there would be around 60 people. On both sides, there is one 12.7mm heavy machine gun each."

  "Looks like we have no choice but to go around," said Lieutenant General Yuan.

  Yuan Shuai furrowed his brow tightly "Three tents with only two sentry posts, and they're still lit with torches, are they afraid we don't know they're camping there?"

  "Are you saying it's a 'ruse de guerre'? Then why would they go to the trouble of setting up a ruse?" the lieutenant asked.

  "The layout of the goods is to prevent us from figuring out their true intentions. If they are waiting for us to fall into their trap, why would they still light a beacon fire? I have a feeling that they want us to bypass and directly enter their pocket. Even wolves know this principle, how could they not?"

  "So you mean pull it out?"

  "Is it? Dare you?"

  "Are you sure?"

  "We have 50% confidence."

  "Then just do it."

  Dry

  "Dry, dry, dry."

  Everyone agrees with Yuan Shuai's opinion.

  "Alright, let's think about what to do. My plan is: we'll snipe from the tree, we're in the dark and they're in the light, we sneak up next to their campsite, when you hear the first gunshot, take out the two machine gunners immediately, but you must take them out quickly, you only have 5 seconds. Are you confident?"

  "The" sniper firmly said

  Then he turned around and said to the others, "I and Lieutenant will take out one sentry each. 5 seconds after the shot, Li Nan and I will rush into the left tent (he pointed at a superior soldier) you and him rush into the right tent (he pointed at the Northeast accent, then pointed at the lieutenant). The remaining two rushed into the frontmost tent. Does everyone understand?"

  "I understand."

  Action

  Under the cover of the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the leaves, they crawled slowly, a distance of over 100 meters, and they quickly arrived. Yuan Shuai gestured to the lieutenant to take out the one on the right. Two shots rang out, "Bang, Bang", and two sentries fell to the ground, followed by yellow smoke billowing up. They tried to return fire but their guns were already useless (training rifles, after being hit, the body emits smoke and the gun malfunctions). Almost simultaneously, the sniper also opened fire and took out the machine gunner on the left, and the machine gunner on the right fell to the ground as soon as he released the safety.

  It turned out to be just as General Yuan expected - it was an empty city tactic.

  "Oh God, if Zhuge Liang had met you back then, he would have been done for!" Everyone praised and flattered Yuan Shuai.

  Yuan Shuai scratched his head and said, "Don't praise me like that, I'll become arrogant. What's coming next is even more severe. Now it's really a empty city plan, which means there are indeed heavy troops waiting for us ahead."

  "What shall we do now?" asked a Northeasterner with a slightly worried tone.

  Sleeping.

  "Sleep again?" Everyone stared and asked.

  "Yes, the gunshot just now must have caught their attention, they're probably waiting for us with bated breath. To move forward now is to ask for a bullet in the head, I'm not going to be that unlucky."

  "That makes sense." Everyone praised and admired him once again.

  "Sleep is a joke, the task is heavy, take down the camouflage net on the tent, and then go find some withered branches with leaves, the more leaves the better."

  "What's going on?" Sniper asked.

  "Ah, a withered branch? With leaves attached, what a great idea!" He suddenly realized and said "Camouflage".

  Yuan Shuai gave him a thumbs up on the side. They exchanged a smile with each other.

  After disguising themselves well, they continued to advance.

  On the other hand, as General Yuan analyzed, a whole battalion of troops had already set up an ambush waiting for them to walk in.

  Xintianyong (the commander of the 119th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, C Corps, who implemented the "Surround and Annihilate" tactic with lightning speed) was studying tactics with his instructors and deputy battalion commanders.

  Xīn Tiān Xióng: "Everyone says that the Lightning Sword is awesome, but I think they're only good at individual combat. However, when it comes to tactical application, they're not very impressive. To begin with, they don't have many people, and yet they split into 20 small groups - this is a major taboo in military strategy."

  "I don't think so, they saw through our empty city strategy, which shows that their battlefield judgment is still quite strong, and it only took them 4 shots. In this visible condition, in just a few seconds, can our soldiers do the same?" Instructor Zhang argued.

  "What you said also makes sense, their combat capabilities are indeed very strong, and the battlefield judgment of this group is very strong. It's rare to meet such an opponent, it's really challenging. We've won too many times and made our soldiers arrogant. This time, let them know that there are stronger opponents among the strong."

  "By now they should have fallen into our trap," the instructor asked.

  "Yes, order all units to be on high alert." Xintian Xiong gave the command.

  At this time, Yuan Shuai and his men were less than 100 meters away from their camp.

  Yuan Shuai: "The real main force is up ahead, sniper, observe their firepower deployment situation."

  Good, the night vision scope of the sniper played a huge role at this time.

  "There is no construction work, just a disguised tent."

  "After all, they are a cunning lot, wanting to take advantage of their numerical superiority to annihilate us. In that case, let's play a game of 'ant moving'".

  "what does it mean?"

  Yuan Shuai: "Sparrow War".

  Everyone was still looking at him in confusion.

  "There are fewer of them, but our individual combat is stronger than theirs. Aren't they 'luring the enemy in deep'? Then let's do a 'startle the snake from its hiding place'. We'll fire a shot first to probe their position, and they will definitely send some people out to scout around. On such a dark night, even if we're wearing thick leaves right under their noses, they won't be able to find us."

  Lieutenant: "I see what you mean. We'll fight separately but support each other, however I think there are too many of them and it won't be easy to deal with."

  Yuan Shuai: "We're not going to massacre them, according to the exercise rules, taking out their command center is also a win."

  "That makes sense."

  Yuan Shuai: "First, everyone disperses a bit but not too far, about ten steps apart so we can still respond to each other. Fire one shot to the left and right sides respectively, if there's no response then fire another shot. Continue until there's a reaction. They're not an ambush party, are they? That means they'll definitely have people on both sides waiting for us to enter the ambush before sealing off our escape route. Let them attack each other instead, once they're confused and disorganized we can take them out one by one, but only do this if it's safe for ourselves."

  "Secondly, they found that after being deceived, they will definitely continue to search the perimeter. At that time, we will rush into the command post at the fastest speed, and then we will win."

  "Is it really that simple?" Everyone looked at him with doubt.

  "Isn't it what Laozi said? The great way is simple."

  "Or do you have a better plan?" Yuan Shuai looked at them with confidence.

  Some shook their heads, while others scratched their scalps.

  "If not, then follow my plan and act." The general's confidence was innate.

  Everyone dispersed and hid well.

  Yuan Shuai said to the lieutenant: "I'll count one, two, three and then we'll open fire together." The lieutenant nodded.

  "One, two, three," the shots rang out simultaneously.

  Because the gunfire was simultaneous, the ambushing machine gunners on both sides thought it was the opposing side that fired and they opened fire while closing in on each other.

  And they were hiding next to them watching the commotion, 'Northeastern accent' almost burst out laughing.

  When the soldiers who had been fighting all day saw that they were killing each other, those who had never lost a battle before became furious. They frantically searched the perimeter while General Yuan seized the opportunity to lead everyone in a charge towards the command center. When they stormed into the command center, several battalion commanders almost dropped their eyeballs to the ground.

  "Sorry, gentlemen, you are now our prisoners." General Yuan said, pointing his gun at them.

  The young battalion commander, who had almost never lost in exercises, had his mouth agape enough to fit a basketball. About two seconds later, he said in surprise: "We've been captured?"

  "Yes, I apologize for that." After all, a soldier is still so polite in front of the leader of the captors.

  "Don't move, don't move." A commotion was heard from outside, at which time their soldiers were pointing guns at them.

  "Put down your guns, we've already lost. A battalion of over a hundred men was 'beheaded' by just seven people and you're still not ashamed enough?" The company commander shouted loudly.

  "Alright, you've won. Put down your guns. Hmph, over a hundred of us were defeated by just seven of you. How humiliating! Our mechanized regiment has never lost so badly before. Not bad, young man. The Lightning Sword is indeed the Lightning Sword - impressive! He gave them a thumbs up and continued, "If this were a real battle, I think it would be considered a classic."

  "General, you're being too serious, we were just lucky." Yuan Shuai said with courtesy.

  "Don't be polite, I have a request."

  "Please go ahead, sir."

  "They say that you Lightning Swordsmen are all incredibly powerful individually. I'd like to see it for myself," he said, taking off his outer garment and handing it to the soldier beside him.

  "The leader wants to test us."

  "I was once the boxing champion of our military school, I'd like to have a match with you."

  "In that case, it's unnecessary, I'm definitely no match for the commander." Yuan Shuai said humbly.

  "Don't be modest, come on, anyway we've already lost face, and it doesn't matter if it's one more time."

  "Then I'll teach you a lesson." He said, assuming a fighting stance. The people around them dispersed, leaving an empty space for the two of them.

  It's clear that Lian Chang is also a master, starting with a flying kick straight at Yuan Shuai's face. This kick carried absolute killing intent, making a "whooshing" sound, and Yuan Shuai quickly dodged to the right while lightly pulling Lian Chang's back leg backwards with his left hand. Because Lian Chang was in mid-air, after being pulled by Yuan Shuai, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. However, after falling, he immediately swept a powerful kick, originally he could have completely avoided it, but he thought they had already lost, so he might as well give them some face. So he intentionally let himself be swept to the ground. After standing up, he bowed to Lian Chang.

  "Commander Lin is indeed the champion of the military academy's combat competition, I'm not worthy of comparison. We have a more important mission anyway. Let's go first." He then saluted Commander Lin and everyone present before disappearing into the night.

  "General Lian is indeed a champion, awesome! Even the soldiers of the Thunderbolt Sword are no match for you." His subordinates even omitted the two words "Military School" when flattering him.

  "It's a good thing. You guys understand, he intentionally let me win, to save us some face. A soldier like this is truly a professional, not arrogant in victory and won't be blinded by success. Losing to someone like him, I can accept with dignity." He then went on to say some more words of encouragement.