Chapter 59: Friends and Rivals

  "Number 111, thank you for saving my team member!" said Ryu Ji-eun, the captain of Korea's 707 Special Mission Battalion. Behind him stood all members of the 707 Special Mission Battalion, each with sincere eyes and friendly attitudes, clearly very genuine.

  When he saw them, Zhang Hang's face rose with a smile. And stretched out his right hand to shake hands with Liu Zhi'en's big hand that reached out actively.

  "At a distance of seven or eight meters from the riverbank, one of my team members was electrocuted by an electric eel. At that time, a group of piranhas were crazily attacking us. If it weren't for your quick thinking and desperate efforts to pull him ashore, I'm afraid my team member would not only be disfigured but also end his military career. So on behalf of him and our 707 unit, I want to express heartfelt gratitude to you for selflessly saving my brother, an outstanding soldier of the 707 unit! Salute!" Liu Zhi'en led his team members in giving Zhang Hang a solemn military salute.

  The military salute is the highest courtesy for soldiers, generally used to show respect to superiors, elders, heroes and high-ranking foreign guests. Facing the collective military salute of the entire 707 Special Forces team from South Korea, Zhang Hang's mind went blank, he never thought that at this moment, he would receive such treatment from his counterparts in a foreign country. So, Zhang Hang could only mechanically return the salute.

  "No need to be polite! Not helping those in dire straits has never been the style of us Chinese, especially not for Chinese soldiers!" Zhang Hang retorted.

  "In the Amazon River where piranhas swarm, being electrocuted by an electric eel is a very dangerous thing. Although our equipment can effectively help us resist the attack of piranhas, our hands and heads are not effectively protected after all. In that situation, in an instant, our heads would become white bones. If it weren't for your timely assistance, I think even if I had discovered him and rescued him to the riverbank, his appearance would probably be unrecognizable by then. There's a Chinese proverb that says 'adversity reveals true character!' It also applies to us Koreans. Captain, you used your own arm to block the attack of numerous piranhas, sparing my brother from disaster. This military salute, you deserve it!" Ryu Ji-eon gave a reasonable explanation for Zhang Hang's surprised expression.

  Zhang Hang's eyebrows moved, and he couldn't help but think that the captain of the 707 special forces had incredibly strong observational and judgmental abilities. Based solely on the injuries on his team members' bodies, he was able to infer the situation at the time with remarkable accuracy, truly living up to his reputation!

  "I know that in your Chinese martial arts stories, there's a strange feeling where two previously unrelated knights-errant can become brothers instantly after just a few flowery conversations. Although this is somewhat exaggerated, such things do happen in reality. As long as there's fate and both parties feel they're of the same kind, are worthy friends to interact with, they can instantly become close friends or even brothers. If Captain doesn't mind, before becoming brothers, I think we can at least be friends. A friend like you, I've decided on, our 707 unit has decided on, what do you think, Captain?" Liu Zhi'en said, looking fixedly at Zhang Hang, waiting for his response.

  "Of course, we Chinese people love making friends. You're this friend, I've made!" With just a few words, Zhang Hang made his attitude clear.

  "Alright, Captain Zhang is indeed a straightforward person!" Liu Zhi'en stretched out his right hand again and shook hands with Zhang Hanghai tightly. Then he changed the subject: "However, on the Hunter School's stage, we are still competitors. My team and I will not shrink back because of this, nor will we show mercy. We will go all out to fight for victory, because we are all soldiers, with a soldier's dignity, honor, and mission. To bring out my full strength, to engage in a real battle with you on the stage, is both respect for you as soldiers, and respect for ourselves! But if one day, no matter what the reason, we meet on the battlefield, after the war, we are still friends!"

  "Not bad. A real man should always distinguish between public and private, gratitude and resentment. As a soldier, he should be even more so!" Zhang Hang's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but admit that the captain of the Korean 707 Special Forces in front of him was indeed a wise and righteous friend.

  "Hey, Big Brother, that Number One always has two goose eggs in his hand, fiddling with them back and forth, with an air of superiority. I really want to teach him a lesson! Teach him not to be so arrogant!" As soon as Liu Zhi'en and his troops left, Chu Lei's loud voice began broadcasting.

  One of the world's top ten special forces, the US Navy SEALs is one of the most mysterious and intimidating special warfare units in the world. To this day, few people outside know where the SEALs will carry out their missions or where they will be based for training, but this mysterious force always appears at the moment when the country needs them most. It is said that there are only over 200 active-duty Navy SEALs in the entire US military, each of whom is both culturally and physically strong, with vision requirements no less than those of fighter pilots, as they mainly carry out missions at night. To join the SEALs, trainees must go through what is considered to be the toughest and most rigorous special military training in the world, sometimes even using live ammunition, where trainees cultivate their willpower and teamwork skills in extreme adversity, with 70% of them eventually being eliminated. Therefore, becoming a Navy SEAL is the highest honor for an American soldier.

  During the Gulf War, SEAL teams rode Fast Attack Vehicles (FAV) at speeds of up to 129 km/h through the deserts inside Iraq and Kuwait. These $50,000 dune buggies were based on a racing car chassis, equipped with M60 machine guns, M134 miniguns, and AT-4 anti-tank rockets, making them an impressive addition to the SEALs' arsenal.

  "In a recent in-depth anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, they eliminated hundreds of terrorists hiding in caves and dark places. Only 4 SEAL team members were killed."

  "Indeed very strong!" Chu Shi couldn't help but admit that his opponent indeed had the capital to be proud.

  "The members of this unit are the elite among the American military elites, and to be the commander of such a unit, one can imagine how formidable his strength is! Moreover, he is also the champion of several consecutive grappling and team competitions at the Hunter School, with both experience and combat power! Who else can match him?! Zhang Hang's eyebrows rose sharply: "If you want to kill his momentum, then defeat them fairly on the battlefield. Here, everything speaks with strength!"

  "Not bad, we'll see the truth on the battlefield! We're all just two shoulders and one head, who's afraid of whom?!

  He Lian Guang was full of confidence: "I heard that in last year's team battle, their team's two top snipers played a crucial role. Half of the British Royal SAS special forces were taken out by them, how strong is that?! Playing with such opponents will be very interesting, I like it."

  "Very correct. If I'm not mistaken, the two pebbles in his hand must have other uses. Judging from their size, they are very suitable for use as hidden weapons."

  "Awesome! Boss, your skills are on par with Little Li's Flying Dagger. Oh, I made a mistake, it's actually Little Zhang's Flying Dagger now." In fact, Chu Rui didn't know how skilled Zhang Hang was with his flying dagger either, because he rarely saw him practice, let alone take action.

  "Even if that Number One has practiced his goose egg stone to the point of perfection, it's still impossible for him to be a match for our boss. Hidden weapons, launched from the wrist, with power controlled by the heart, the more solid the basic skills, the deeper the inner strength, the greater the power. In this aspect, we Chinese are the ancestors. Our boss has been training under his grandfather since he was young, whether it's the power of his wrist or the judgment of his eyes, or even his basic skills, it's absolutely N times that of Number One who is only half-trained. Don't forget, in our Chinese special forces, there are many people who can use a needle to pierce through a glass window two or three meters away. So I guarantee, if they face each other on the battlefield, the one who will die is definitely Number One." Si Tu Jian said with a grin.

  Everyone believes that the madam of the family is actually close friends with the big sister's madam, and there are still some secrets between Situ Jian, Situ Gang and Zhang Hang.

  "But then again, the strength of the SEAL team is not to be underestimated. As far as I know, their daily diet is scientifically formulated, with strict regulations for every meal and every snack. If they are on a mission, they will also prepare special dry rations. Just now in the cafeteria, I saw them eat this kind of dinner without batting an eyelid, they are a formidable opponent, and the strongest enemy our troops have ever encountered." Zhang Hang cleared his throat and said in a low voice.

  "Now my 'Special Forces' will surely make a name for itself in the Hunter School's history! Haha! Lin Gen Sheng is quite narcissistic, but when it comes to this abnormal weapon that can't be defused and will explode once touched, even the powerful Navy SEALs are bound to suffer."

  "Big brother, now you can't even think of a name for that 'Death God' of yours." Lin Gen added casually.

  After the Battle of Hong Kong, Zhang Hang's sniper rifle earned a nickname "God of Death".

  "Yes, indeed! This time we can let loose and do a big job! You don't know, according to the people who participated last time, before departure, the leader ordered them to follow the doctrine of mediocrity." said Si Tu Jian.

  "It can't be too outstanding, nor can it be too poor. If it's too outstanding, it will attract envy and the international community will further hype up the China threat theory; if the results are too poor, it will lose face for a big country like ours! The team leader at that time was really frustrated!" said Si Tu Jian.

  No wonder they're scouts, they've even found this out.

  "Not bad! As our comprehensive national power continues to increase, those with ulterior motives everywhere trumpet the "China threat theory", making us shrink back and be unable to speak out. It's like a mute person eating bitter melon - having grievances but being unable to express them! The US has such strong military power, yet it's only called the "world police", never hearing anyone mention the "US threat theory". Only when you're strong enough will others shut their mouths."

  "What the boss said is right, strength decides everything! This time let them see the power of the Chinese giant dragon!"

  Zhang Hang glanced around at the crowd, seeing them clench their fists and rub their palms, knowing that they had all built up enough energy, just waiting for the right moment to unleash a shocking and earth-shaking explosion!

  If Zhao Zilong saw all this, he would definitely laugh. Now Zhang Hang is laughing too, because the morale of the troops has been unprecedentedly boosted without realizing it.

  When two evenly matched opponents meet, it is always: the brave win on a narrow road! Zhang Hang saw that the belief and momentum of must-win were permeating every member of the Chinese team.

  This is what Zhang Hang wants to see and achieve. Now he has seen it, so he has no reason not to smile.