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墨書 Inktalez
“Wang Instructor, how did you come back with the Cadets?” the Captain asked in surprise.
“Didn’t Deputy Team Leader report to you?” I was equally astonished. Did Pig Head's Deputy not inform the Captain?
“No! I thought you took the unconscious Cadet back to the base as needed!”
“Oh, that’s right. I made a last-minute decision to return with the Cadets. I figured there would be intersections along the way, and since it was closer, I could rush over if anything happened. I reported this to Deputy Team Leader.”
“Is that so?” The Captain's tone turned stern. “Do you realize that you unilaterally changed the training content? Vice Captain doesn’t have the authority to approve that either. For now, you will rest here, and I will investigate the situation before making a decision on how to handle this!”
Looking at the Captain's serious expression, I felt a wave of regret. It was just an impulsive decision, and now I had to face consequences. If this really went through and was reported to our unit, it would be utterly embarrassing; I wouldn’t even have the face to go back.
What else could I do? At that moment, Old Bi tugged at me, and I had no choice but to follow him to the resting point. While eating some Compressed Rations and drinking water to regain my strength, I observed everyone returning. It seemed like everyone was in a similar state—covered in mud, faces weary, some even looked worse for wear, with their clothes torn in places. I noticed Zhong returned a bit later than us, limping. As he got closer, I realized his shoe sole had come off, and his foot was injured. He had no choice but to wrap his foot with something and push through.
Lin Hao, Wu Di, and Sun Hu returned earlier than us; perhaps it was because I had slowed Old Bi down. Looking back now, Deputy Team Leader’s unilateral agreement for me to stay back with Old Bi also seemed like he wanted to see us fail while considering that I would slow Old Bi down and affect our results.
After a quick wash-up, Old Bi and I lay down on the ground mat to rest. We exchanged only a few words before falling into a deep sleep; we were utterly exhausted, especially since we had reduced our sleep and rest time to maintain marching speed.
I slept soundly until the Captain blew the whistle for assembly. Sitting up abruptly, I realized it was already bright outside. Had we really slept for so long? After gathering together, we found that all Cadets were back except for the one who had broken his leg early on. The truck that would take us back was parked beside the camp, and it seemed the Captain was about to announce our results.
Sure enough, the Captain announced that due to injuries and failure to meet requirements, over ten Cadets were eliminated from this assessment. Just as everyone was discussing this news, I heard an announcement that felt like a bolt from the blue: “Additionally, there are two disciplinary actions: Vice Captain Chen acted without consultation and unilaterally changed training plans and content; he receives a reprimand! Furthermore, Instructor Wang Wei did not assist according to regulations during training and acted independently without following orders. Given that he is not a participating Cadet, after discussion by the training team, Wang Wei’s instructor status is revoked, he is ordered to leave the team, and Cadet Bia Meng’s scores will be deducted accordingly. Specific details will be announced when we return to base on Monday!”
What?! How could this happen?! They could just send me back to my unit; how could they deduct other Cadets’ scores? Old Bi’s scores weren’t even that high; if they were deducted too, it would be like sending both of us back together!
In a moment of agitation, I stood up wanting to protest. Just as my body swayed slightly, a heavy hand pressed down on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Team Leader Ding! He shook his head at me. Frustrated, I glanced at the Captain again before looking at Old Bi; he smiled at me nonchalantly. My heart sank again as I pondered what to do next.
After dismissal, everyone began packing up their things to board the vehicle home. Since the Captain announced today as a rest day, all remaining Cadets appeared relaxed while I boarded the support vehicle with a heavy heart.
Inside were several soldiers led by Team Leader Ding; clearly Old Li and Pig Head were still with the helicopter support team and hadn’t returned yet. After half a moment of silence once the vehicle started moving, Team Leader Ding finally looked at me and asked, “Are you okay, Instructor?”
“I’m no longer an Instructor,” I replied with a bitter smile. “But I really can’t accept being sent back like this while having Old Bi’s scores deducted.”
“Then why did you insist on returning with the Cadets?” he asked me curiously.
"We are brothers and comrades, coming from the same place. Since we've met, why not accompany him on this journey? There might be a time when I can be of use. Besides, we are not far apart; in case of an emergency, I can rush back in time."
"Is that all?"
I looked up directly at Team Leader Ding. "There's more. Actually, I want to see if I can endure this. Watching them train, I feel like I can do it too. I want to give it a try, even if I'm eliminated, I'd accept it. I don't want to just be a spectator!"
Team Leader Ding was silent for a while before finally saying, "Actually, there is still room for redemption."
"What do you mean?"
After another long pause, he continued, "Next week’s plan is a special skills showcase. If you have solid skills, you can compete in front of Old Li." Ding Yuan said softly.
I was a bit confused, and when I tried to ask more, he had already fallen silent.
After returning to the base, everyone began to wash up and rest. For now, that was not important; since no one urged me to leave the team, I stayed hidden in my room. Even when Xiao Yu knocked on my door, I didn’t dare respond. By the afternoon, I heard footsteps outside and Team Leader Ding's voice. My heart stirred; Old Li had returned.
I pondered over Team Leader Ding's words and guessed that Old Li's identity was likely not as simple as a non-commissioned officer; he might be the observer who had yet to show himself—the Special Operations Brigade Chief of Staff. Should I go look for him? But if I found him, what would I say? Not daring to turn on the light, I lay in my room and spent the time hesitating.
On Monday morning during assembly, I followed along. At a glance, many people were missing from the team; however, those remaining appeared more capable. After a period of adjustment, everyone had fully recovered and was spiritedly looking forward to the final week of assessments.
After gathering, the captain spoke at the front while I kept my head down and pulled my hat low, standing at the back of the line for fear that the captain would notice me still in training. He announced that the last week would consist of bonus assessments with relatively simple content: any Cadet who believed they had military specialties could step forward to challenge Team Leader Ding and accept challenges from all Cadets. If no one could match them, they would receive bonus points; how those points were awarded seemed to be determined by the assessment team.
What surprised me less was that the assessment team did not include anyone from our unit—there were three people: Old Li, Ding, and someone I had never seen before—a middle-aged man in his forties with dark skin and an imposing presence who exuded an air of menace. The surrounding Cadets murmured that this was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Special Operations Brigade; this week would be crucial for observing each Cadet's performance.
After leading us to the training ground, the assessment team sat behind a table. Once the captain announced that the morning assessment had begun, he stood aside with his hands behind his back while Cadets whispered among themselves but no one stepped forward first.
After quite some time and feeling impatient myself, I heard a Cadet shout out, "Report!"
Everyone turned to look—it was Zhong!
After calling out his report, he ran out of formation and stood facing the assessment panel. "Report Leader! My specialties are hard qigong and iron head skill! I'm willing to accept everyone's challenge."
Old Li smiled and nodded slightly. "Show us your skills first." Zhong looked around before suddenly running towards the venue side where he picked up two bricks typically used for leg weights and returned to stand ready.
Zhong took a deep breath, settled into a horse stance, and shouted as he brought the brick in his left hand crashing down onto his head. With a loud thud, the brick shattered into two pieces! He tossed the broken pieces aside, raised the brick in his right hand high, transformed his left fist into an open palm, and with another shout, he swung the brick down again. With a sharp sound, the brick was sliced in half once more!
After discarding the remnants of the brick, Zhong stood at attention, looking at Old Li. At this moment, Team Leader Ding was whispering with Old Li. Having sparred with Zhong before, Old Li likely understood the weight of Zhong's hard qigong. He casually remarked, "Not bad. Is there anyone who thinks their hard qigong is stronger than his?"
No one responded. Old Li waved his hand, "You can go now; you've earned your points." Zhong was overjoyed. After saluting, he ran back to his team with a beaming face.
Seeing how easily Zhong had earned points, the cadets below couldn't contain themselves any longer. One after another, several cadets stepped up to showcase their skills. However, perhaps due to Team Leader Ding's presence, none of them had combat specialties; they displayed various other skills instead. One cadet even specialized in firearm maintenance and assembly. He could disassemble a Type 95 Rifle in just a few seconds and then piece together a Type 54 pistol from a pile of parts. Old Li immediately instructed Team Leader Ding to take him to the armory for an assessment by a specialized technician.
Just as I was engrossed in watching, the captain suddenly called out from the front of the line, "Wang Wei! Why haven't you left the team yet?" I realized I was in trouble; he had spotted me. Gritting my teeth, I replied, "Report! I want to join the training team as a cadet."
The captain shouted again, "Step forward!" As I ran to the front and stood at attention, he asked me, "What gives you that right? Competition must be fair. The cadets before you have all worked hard to get here; why should you be allowed to join now?! Tell them!"
I hesitated for a moment but recalled Liu's words and replied loudly, "Report to the captain and assessment team: I have special skills!"
Old Li and the man beside him turned their gazes toward me.
(To be continued; more exciting content tomorrow!)
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