BXBX NOVEL Chapter 187 - 187: The End Point of Training
“Salute!”
Early the following morning, the recruits didn’t even sound their wake-up whistle.
It was the class leaders who roused them individually.
However, even after they gathered downstairs, the principal and two female teachers still made an appearance.
And so, this scene unfolded. Wu Jianfeng stood at the forefront of the team and bellowed with gusto, saluting the trio of teachers.
“We extend our gratitude to the three teachers for welcoming us. Our thanks also go to the two female volunteer teachers for their commendable efforts. 1 must mention their painstaking work in coordinating the students to present gifts to everyone…”
Naturally, Wang Ye’s attempt at returning kindness with animosity was simply unattainable.
Bright and early in the morning, after rousing, everyone wiped clean the chalkboard scribbles and penned a few words of encouragement each, to gift to the children who would attend class later.
“Little Ya, I’m almost inclined to enlist!” One of the two female teachers said sotto voce to her companion as the team departed.
“Company Commander, how much farther? When do you anticipate our arrival today?”
In front of the recruits, Wang Ye still begrudgingly held onto a flag he had no desire to bear.
Accelerating his pace to catch up with Wu Jianfeng, Wang Ye whispered in a hushed tone, “What’s the matter? Can’t handle it?”
Wu Jianfeng chuckled, glancing at the flag in Wang Ye’s grasp.
“What’s the fuss about bearing it? It’s simply a pole!” Even though Wang Ye harbored reservations, he couldn’t possibly voice them openly.
“Indeed, as long as you can carry it. You’re genuinely capable of hoisting the flag. How about this? In the future, when we march out as a company, we’ll let you carry the standard of our Fourth Company?”
Wang Ye inwardly berated himself upon hearing this.
Why did he ask?
“Haha…” Wang Ye managed an awkward smile, “Well, Company Commander, I’m a fresh recruit and I’m not certain if 1 can shoulder this considerable responsibility. Regarding the Fourth Company’s flag, I reckon it’s wiser to assign the role to a seasoned comrade who commands enough respect!” “You’re quite the smooth talker!”
Wu Jianfeng playfully reprimanded, yet he didn’t insist on Wang Ye carrying the flag.
Of course not. If he balked and then failed to join the Fourth Company, what if he doubled back to seek out the Chief of Staff?
On the final day, Wu Jianfeng appeared to have transformed.
From the early morning departure at the school, much of the day was spent marching punctuated by intermittent rushes. In between, there were no training drills.
The purpose was clear…
From the town into the wild expanse of the forest.
It wasn’t until two in the afternoon that the team confronted a fresh challenge.
Before them lay a river spanning twenty to thirty meters in length.
No mountains, no bridges in sight.
“As a soldier, adaptability to any environment is key. Mountains and rivers are natural facets of the Earth. Such terrains are inevitable. In real combat scenarios, you can’t count on bridges being available everywhere.
This, therefore, stands as your final task.
Cross the river!”
Wu Jianfeng’s words stirred a modest excitement among the group.
Hmm… It wasn’t so much his words that held power, but the fact that this marked the culmination of their training.
Only the cosmos knew how fervently they had longed to hear these words over the past few days.
Even without additional challenges today, there was a lurking apprehension that Sixth Brother might spring a surprise in the next breath.
They remained on perpetual guard.
And now, they were met with the ultimate training event.
How could this not ignite everyone’s enthusiasm?
As for the river before them…
Perhaps, certain recruits harbored trepidation, concerned about its depth. Others among them might not even possess swimming skills.
However, many recruits harbored no such worries.
A few even seemed eager to take the plunge, hoping for a chance to swim.
Four days had elapsed, and not a shower had been taken since their arrival.
Yet, after being put through their paces daily, everyone’s bodies had grown ripe.
Of course, the pivotal factor was the weather, hardly chilly. Even in the winter forest, temperatures remained above 20 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the group had been sweltering as they marched.
Wang Ye felt no different. The prospect of diving in for a swim couldn’t come soon enough.
Reality, however, dictated otherwise.
Shoes were shucked, sandals donned. Laces were employed to tether their footwear securely, then they ventured into the river in pairs, hand in hand. “Fuck!”
The instant his skin brushed the water, Wang Ye started cursing inwardly, his endurance strained.
The cold was piercing.
Despite temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius, the water mirrored fridge-cold ice water.
“Why the hissing? Move swiftly, descend!” chided Wu Jianfeng as he towed Wang Ye in. Wu Jianfeng’s lower half was submerged, appearing remarkably nonchalant.
Yet, Wang Ye spotted his rapidly purpling lips.
He was bearing it stoically!
Clenching his teeth, Wang Ye squeezed his eyes shut and entered the water.
There was no dodging this ordeal.
Ice-like it might be, but a single crossing stretched ahead.
“Ouch!”
“All, darn it, is the water this freezing?”
“Class Monitor, I’m clueless about swimming
“Hey, Class Monitor, can I skip this?”
Wang Ye remained quiet, but as the recruits formed their line, about to descend into the water one by one, those behind him weren’t as composed as he was.
The frigid water elicited cries of discomfort.
Yet, regardless, they all had to proceed.
And what about those who couldn’t swim?
Here, swimming wasn’t required, as the deepest part barely reached waist-level.
Not even removing their backpacks, they could traverse the river by shouldering them.
“Fuck… It’s just… So fucking cold!”
“Ah! My… my shoes are sinking…into the muck!”
“Argh! Splash!”
As the company entered the water, pandemonium ensued.
Some got ensnared in the mud, clutching at their slippers. Others lost their balance, toppling to the side.
Of course, it wasn’t a grave issue. Linked hand in hand, comrades stood two meters apart within the water, ready to assist. If someone stumbled, a helping hand was readily extended.
For shoes entrenched in mud, they needed to be yanked out forcefully.
Post-extraction, they would either slip them on if still intact or drag them barefoot if detached.
In any case, their footwear was affixed firmly by packing tape, precluding loss.
“Hurry, fetch some firewood and start a fire!”
Field training came with ample provisions for the recruits’ well-being. Upon reaching the opposite bank, stacks of firewood awaited them.
Now procured, there was no demand to have everyone ignite fires.
Wu Jianfeng and select class leaders produced lighters, sparking flames.
Clustered by the fire, those recruits whose lips had turned purplish from the cold wasted no time stripping off their garments. Simultaneously, they wrung out their clothes, expelling moisture.
Hmm… wrung dry, not switched out for dry clothes.
This was due to Wu Jianfeng, who, supposed to be the final river-crosser, had decided to introduce an additional—dubiously considerate—element to the challenge.
Wu Jianfeng’s rationale went, “Aren’t you all complaining about how warm it is? Well, let’s wear these slightly damp clothes and jog. You’ll find it rather refreshing that way. As for when we stop, we’ll stop once the clothes are dry!”
His proposition might’ve spurred homicidal thoughts, but they couldn’t exactly revolt. Besides, they had to jog.
Half an hour later, the rest of the ensemble had dry clothes.
Concurrently, an unexpected sight awaited them.
A few military vehicles were parked ahead.
Members of the committee they had encountered earlier stood there with a contingent.
In this moment, Wang Ye and his peers spotted a towering monument.