Chapter Fifty-One: Is It Getting Serious?

Du Huaishan’s tactical strategy was met with unanimous approval from the group.

For the following half-day, the members of the Eighth Training Squad practiced according to his formation, and the results were remarkably effective.

“Du Huaishan, you always have a way with things!” Lin Sizhi crossed her arms over her chest, smiling happily. “We’re bound to win tomorrow’s assessment!”

Du Huaishan leapt down from the tree. “It’s nothing, really. Everyone should get some rest early tonight. The assessment will involve chopping at metal targets, but the exact format remains unknown, so we need to be as well-rested as possible.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave first. See you tomorrow!” Li Anqi called out as she departed.

Xu Yuan exchanged a nod with Du Huaishan, then turned and left as well.

Back in the dormitory, they happened upon Yang Anfu returning from the mess hall. The hefty fellow pushed open the door just in time to hear the sound of fists slicing through the air; Guo Tingyu and Wu Ming were working out on Du Huaishan’s reflex boxing target, practicing speed ball drills.

Du Huaishan had only recently commissioned a frame and spring from the blacksmith last week, and asked Sun Tian to sew the ball. Because it was compact, it stayed in the dorm, used for reflex training, and occasionally everyone took a turn.

“Hey, the sun must’ve risen in the west today! On a rest day, you two are still so diligent,” Yang Anfu joked.

“Well, the actual combat assessment for training soldiers is tomorrow. Tingyu and I are cramming last minute,” Wu Ming said, giving up his spot as Du Huaishan returned. “Huaishan, do you want to use it?”

“No, you go ahead,” Du Huaishan replied, dropping onto his bed and removing his armor and the weighted sandbags inside. With all the training, his sandbag load had increased to twenty-three pounds.

“Tingyu, did Xing Zhenhao mention any plans for tomorrow’s assessment?” Tan Hai’s eyes gleamed as he walked over and asked, “And Wu, your squad didn’t do any special training today?”

“Oh! Tan Hai, you sly fox, trying to get us to spill secrets?” Wu Ming, though rough around the edges, had lived with Tan Hai long enough to recognize his scheming ways. Seeing the trio sweating after training, he laughed, “Looks like you three just finished working out?”

“Come on, we’re all in the eighth squad. Doesn’t matter who wins, it’s the same!” Yang Anfu complained, “At least you guys have teammates to look out for you. Tomorrow the logistics department’s assessment will be just me, all alone. I still don’t know the exact process.”

“True, but if Xing Zhenhao’s squad wins, Huaishan and I won’t just sit by and watch,”

Guo Tingyu took a drink of water. “Personally, I think Xing Zhenhao’s not a bad guy, but his sidekick, Cai Zhizhong, really deserves a beating.”

“Tingyu, don’t let those two brainwash you,” Tan Hai grumbled, recalling his own experiences of being bullied.

“Fatty, you’re also getting assessed tomorrow?” Du Huaishan asked, toweling off his face after washing his hair.

“Yeah, I mentioned it last week, maybe you weren’t around.”

Du Huaishan raised an eyebrow and looked at another usually quiet squad member, Zhao Xinhong. “Xinhong, is the communications department also assessed tomorrow?”

Zhao Xinhong put down his book and nodded. “Yes, we’re getting assessed too.”

Tan Hai sensed something off. “Huaishan, how come Instructor Chang and Sister Zhou didn’t mention it? Could it be…”

“Ah… Looks like tomorrow’s special training will be serious.”

Night passed.

Du Huaishan relaxed with the Tiger Form from Xingyi, and enjoyed a deep, restful sleep.

He washed up and donned his armor. Since today’s assessment involved rankings and rewards, he left the weighted sandbags behind.

After breakfast, he arrived at West Mountain Gate right at seven-thirty.

The site wasn’t just training soldiers in armor; there were also infantry troops, artillery units, and more.

In other words, all fifteen hundred recruits of the 173rd intake were present.

At the foot of the mountain, several transport trucks and military vehicles were parked.

Lai Yanlong, Chang Sui’an, and Zhou Zhong’ai—members of the instructor team—each rode a military horse.

“Today is your first actual combat assessment since the 173rd intake was divided by specialization. Since it’s a combat assessment, we’ll simulate a real battlefield environment. Next, each department’s instructors will assign your assessment tasks.”

“Take this seriously, because the results will be entered into your records and will directly affect your future unit placement, merit accumulation, and promotions. So give it your all—work hard to shed your status as worthless recruits!”

Once Lai Yanlong finished, the instructors rode over to their respective departmental squads.

“Sister Zhou, what exactly are we being assessed on today?”

“Right, Instructor Chang, wouldn’t the forest behind the mountain be too cramped for so many recruits?”

“I think I saw mortars on the transport trucks!”

“Those recruits are moving something—looks like machine guns and radios!”

…

The elite trainees watched the soldiers clustered around the transport trucks, chattering with curiosity.

Chang Sui’an’s expression was stern as he spoke. “That’s correct—the West Mountain forest is too small for such a large-scale exercise. So, your target today is on Bluestone Mountain, twenty-three kilometers from the Academy.”

Twenty-three kilometers away?

The entire garrison city’s diameter was only seven or eight kilometers.

That would mean—

“Outside the garrison city?!”

“Heavens, we’re going outside?”

“Are we fighting monsters directly?”

…

Upon hearing that the assessment site was outside the city, the recruits immediately panicked.

The training soldiers were fairly calm, but the regular infantry turned pale with fright. The entire 173rd intake was in uproar.

“We’re not fighting monsters—just metal targets. Rest assured, the Academy has already sent troops to clear Bluestone Mountain of monsters, and on the way, our instructor team and patrol squads will protect you.”

“The true purpose of this assessment is to train you for real combat situations in the wild. Here are the key points—listen carefully.”

Zhou Zhong’ai’s gentle voice had a calming effect.

And once everyone heard there would be no monster fighting, their worries eased.

Chang Sui’an took over, pulling a sheet from his pocket and shouting:

“Eight o’clock marks the official start of the assessment. All infantry are to report to the logistics supply point, collect your marching maps, backpacks, and two high-pressure air canisters. All departmental squads must follow the routes marked on the maps and quickly reach their designated targets; subsequent resupply can only be coordinated at the logistical points indicated on the maps.”

“Except for the logistics and artillery departments, no other squads will have vehicles or horses. At two o’clock this afternoon, the artillery squad will bombard the target zone. Before that, whichever training squad chops the most metal targets will be crowned first among the elite trainees in this assessment!”