Chapter 464 - 375 I Can’t Bear to Disturb You (5K)

Objective: to cross a forest and reach the other side.

Even though it was cross-country, everyone was still moving along the highway before entering the forest; however, the teams had already begun to spread out, some ahead and some behind.

Everyone was galloping with incredible energy.

Since the bobcat had a heavy backpack on his back this time and was training with everyone else, each team was making an effort to surpass the bobcat’s third group. As they passed by him, it was time for revenge upon old grudges.

"Hey! Isn’t that the bobcat?"

"Where’s your little horn? Why aren’t you calling out anymore?"

"Hurry up! You’re as slow as a lump of shit!"

"With a little backpack on, the bobcat has turned into a baby!"

"Become a mountain mouse... haha..."

Thanks to Captain Hu’s generosity, everyone was filled with joy at the start of this task.

But, after just two kilometers, everyone saw a vast forest, where the highway developed for tourist attractions ended.

There was a dirt road ahead, though.

Everyone realized that this supply was definitely not a general benefit. With such a road, 20 kilometers in two hours would be hard to achieve.

Upon entering the woods, the most immediate sensation was the drop in temperature.

Lin Chong, who habitually took the lead, actually slowed down his pace and loudly warned, "Watch your step!"

But one couldn’t slow down much.

"Stick to the main paths! Each team send someone with good eyesight to lead and scout ahead! Be careful of pits in the wild, and don’t run too fast even on flat ground!" Fang Huai shouted.

He had set the subjects, but he had never been to this place before. Last night, it was all about gesturing over the map. However, for such a task, entering it wouldn’t make the path underfoot any easier, regardless of whether you knew the upcoming plans or not.

Both Lin Chong and the bobcat were here for the first time as well.

However, these two were indeed very capable in cross-country, running ahead to observe the situation while also loudly announcing precautions for mountain and forest cross-country.

"Keep your center of gravity as low as possible, don’t look too far ahead! Look for trail markers, and don’t separate from other teams!"

"During forest cross-country, never let your mind wander to other things. Stay focused, focus is most important! Pay attention to the terrain!"

"In areas with sudden changes in elevation, be decisive when choosing where to place your feet! Prevent spraining and falling!"

In these days, their subjects revolved around mountain rescue, but safety had always been the number one priority during the training process. To prevent accidental reduction in their numbers, they’d almost always chosen highways for routes, letting everyone carry out tasks in Shennongjia while walking and talking. It was like making up for the lesson on marching across mountain wilderness. During the three-day, two-night task period, even if sprains occurred, there was time for the injured to rest on the spot.

Fang Huai had brought the bobcat not only to serve the revenge list but also because Hu Peizhou had "casually" mentioned to him the previous night that the bobcat truly had some talent in cross-country and a strong observational ability. He knew how many people were in the team and could prevent people from getting lost.

He had led for three terms already, and was quite tired; Hu Peizhou didn’t feel right about actively asking him to take on this sudden arduous task.

Today, when Fang Huai suggested it, it fell right into his plans.

Fang Huai and Hu Peizhou, one casually provoked, and the other casually agreed, smoothly trapping this guy in their scheme.

The bobcat actually had a strong sense of responsibility and thick skin. He insisted on leading the third team at the very back. People teased him one by one, and although he couldn’t keep up under the load, he just laughed and said:

"Wait until we get back, I’ll slowly take care of you guys!"

All of this reassured Fang Huai, who kept raising his voice to remind everyone.

"What’s the rush? What’s the rush? Conserve your energy, maintain formation! Have mutual support between teams! Safety is the first priority! A team’s safe arrival counts as the score! Take care of your teammates! If you want to fight for first place, wait until we’re out of the forest!"

All the details of today were carefully arranged by Fang Huai. Hu Peizhou aroused everyone’s competitive spirit, and then Fang Huai pressed it down, putting unity at the forefront and strengthening the team spirit.

In firefighting, no one can respond to an emergency alone. Unity is more important than anything else.

Old soldiers also need to reinforce these elements; from his observations, the sharpshooters attending this training course, although good in coordinated drills, had that simply from professional competence. During the march, there really wasn’t much sense of mutual assistance. They were very self-reliant and felt that others didn’t need help, so their sense of unity was definitely poorer than that of regular soldiers.

This was not a team, but a group of lone rangers.

Changing their habits in normal times is difficult because in their own detachments, there are few who can teach them.

Here, they were no longer the best. Discovering that their surroundings were filled with strong individuals, their pride naturally reduced, and they became amenable to advice.

Apart from these, there was a lot more to learn.

Fang Huai planned to give them a proper lesson in these three days and two nights.

Fang Huai had plenty of reasons, so much so that Hu Peizhou argued with him low-voiced for over a dozen minutes last night but could not win against him, thus had to agree with the sudden plan.

Surrounding them were the rustling of leaves and the calls of birds.

"I just saw what seemed like a monkey! Was that little thing that flew across from the tree a monkey? I heard there are Golden Monkeys here!"

"No, that was a squirrel. It’s normal to have animals in a nature reserve! There are also South China Tigers and cheetahs here!"

"Crap, why are we here if there are predators? Are we looking for trouble?"

"You’re overthinking it. There are hardly any left; they mostly live alone. With dozens of robust men marching, and you think a tiger is a fool? Animals prey on the weak; if you don’t provoke it, even if we do encounter one, it will run away!"