Chapter 248: New Recruit Training, the Face of Yellow Spring!

This was Qin Shi's first time seeing a fortress city; unlike the planned layout of the Urban Circle, it overall resembled a massive defensive fortification.

Towering thick walls formed three layers inside and out; even cannon bombardment could not breach them.

Dense high points made it look like a beehive, with various hot weapons mounted on the surface, and gun barrels protruding from pitch-black crenellations capable of spewing tongues of fire.

It was easy to foresee that once identified as a hostile target, a flesh-and-blood body would be torn to shreds by a metal storm in an instant.

Professional-grade experts were no exception.

Through the car window, the scene entering Qin Shi's eyes was busy and tense.

Patrolling sentries, transport fleets escorting supplies, heavy trucks returning fully loaded...

The atmosphere and appearance of the fortress city were completely different from those of the Urban Circle.

There were no skyscrapers packed closely together here; as far as the eye could see were only factories.

Workshops operating around the clock in shifts continuously produced parts and important assemblies needed for war, like the blood vessel network of the human body, transmitting energy to various organs.

"Baiyang."

Qin Shi silently recited the code name of the fortress city, seeing the radiation clouds retreating rapidly in the rearview mirror.

The boundless vast land had only this cold and solemn city garrisoned here, like an upright Dongxia warrior, guarding the "frontier" under the stars and moon.

Within a range of nearly one thousand kilometers around, Baiyang Fortress City and the surrounding towns and settlements formed a warning belt to block the expansion of vassal creatures' territory.

Just like a white poplar tree standing for a thousand years in the wind and sand without falling!

"Arrived."

This batch of "newcomers" pulled from the conscription office got off in the Outer Ring District, and they honestly lined up according to the officer's roll call.

"Lao Fu, how was this trip?"

A veteran with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and a face full of vicissitudes approached the middle-aged lieutenant in the empty old camp, handing over a cigarette.

"Yo, Lao Zheng struck it rich? Lan grass, or special supply, not cheap."

The middle-aged lieutenant called "Lao Fu" raised his eyebrows, took the cigarette and rubbed it twice, not lighting it immediately, but tucking it behind his ear.

"Speak? Given your stingy nature of squeezing oil from a stone, Lao Zheng, we can't possibly smoke this cigarette for nothing; say what you have to say directly, don't beat around the bush!"

Lao Fu was very vigilant, always keeping the thought of returning that cigarette.

"Cough cough. The Huangquan Training Camp is short of manpower and urgently needs fresh blood to replenish."

The veteran surnamed Zheng coughed dryly twice, his gaze scanning back and forth, like an experienced "dealer" selecting fine horses.

"No!"

Lao Fu refused decisively, frowning as he said:

"The intensity of the Huangquan Training Camp is too high, almost training people to death! Although mass training is meant to forge these brats from crude iron into steel, it can't be done brutally! Otherwise, no one can stand it!"

The veteran surnamed Zheng seemed to know the difficulty, moving closer to Lao Fu and handing over two packs of Lan Cao Special Supply cigarettes, while also making a gesture:

"Add two bottles of Beidacang liquor! That's all! The Military Supply Department has enough nutrient paste and energy liquid, but cigarettes and liquor are hard to get!

Moreover, the frontline patrols are watching; if discovered, keeping them will result in punishment."

The veteran surnamed Zheng showed a fawning expression on his face, looking pitifully at Lao Fu, with whom he still had a decent relationship.

"Damn it!"

Lao Fu took the lan grass tucked behind his ear, cursing as he put it in his mouth.

"Lao Zheng, tell me, what are you plotting! Your son has been lost in the Pollution Zone for over two years; even if found... forget it, I won't stab you in the heart.

Wait here for now, I'll help you ask who is willing to go with you.

The casualty rate of the Huangquan Training Camp is too high; I can't deceive people, that's playing with lives, and if brought before a military court, the officer would have me executed."

Lao Fu took two deep drags on the cigarette, smoking more than half of the lan grass in one epic lungful, then pinched it out with his thumb and strode toward the neatly lined-up group of new recruits.

"New recruits! You will next head to different training camps to complete the transformation from rookies to warriors.

I said before, Baiyang Fortress City has three major training camps, among which the Huangquan Training Camp is the most dangerous.

Similarly, the resource supply there is the most concentrated, and the available textbooks and techniques are the highest level.

Among you, if anyone feels their ability is outstanding enough..."

Lao Fu raised his hand and pointed to the veteran surnamed Zheng not far away:

"Go with him! But I state again, the casualty rate of the Huangquan Training Camp exceeds sixty percent; don't take your life as a joke, don't play around!

The first lesson from rookie to warrior is called 'Every choice you make must be paid for by yourself'; remember it well!"

The group of new recruits looked at each other; those young faces had various expressions, some naive, some hesitant.

The middle-aged lieutenant's heartfelt words were like a torch thrown into a pile of firewood, making some people eager to try.

After about twenty seconds, Gao Pao took the lead in breaking the gloomy atmosphere; he stepped out of the ranks and walked toward the veteran surnamed Fu.

"Kid, I advise you to think again; if your Qi Life Force hasn't reached fifty points, going to the Huangquan Training Camp makes you cannon fodder, and you might not survive the two-month rookie period."

The middle-aged lieutenant glanced sideways, reminding him in a cold tone.

"Report, sir! Opportunities need to be seized by oneself! This is the principle my Shi Ye told me."

Gao Pao's eyes were firm as he said loudly.

"Good material."

The middle-aged lieutenant nodded and spoke more than usual for the first time:

"If you can't hold on, quit; I'll assign you to other training camps; don't feel it's losing face.

The second lesson new recruits must learn is 'How to survive on the battlefield.' Because only by living can one continue to improve."

Gao Pao's heart trembled, and he replied with a serious expression:

"Thank you, sir!"

A few more minutes passed, and several people from the group of new recruits walked out one after another, choosing to join the "infamous" Huangquan Training Camp.

Qin Shi neither stood out as the first to step forward nor deliberately delayed to be the last.

But the middle-aged lieutenant was slightly surprised—a "Young Master" from Central City coming to gild his reputation actually had the guts to enter Huangquan Training Camp?

Could the pioneering Qin Family be so powerful as to extend their hands even there?

"Grateful beyond measure! Old Fu! I thank you..."

The Zheng-surnamed veteran laughed hehehe, but the middle-aged lieutenant said impatiently:

"Stop being an eyesore here, hurry up and go! Let me advise you one more thing, Old Zheng, you've stayed in Baiyang so long, you should understand one principle.

Soldiering and fighting, eating rations and drawing pay, it's perfectly normal to run out one day. Bi Lei Cheng is the frontline against the Pollution Zone; going up to the front here, dying in battle is better than scraping by."

The middle-aged lieutenant patted the other's shoulder, then strode off, beginning to assign destinations to the new recruits as a group.

The Zheng-surnamed veteran's face stiffened, that weathered face full of the traces of time twitched twice, then immediately put on a laughing hehehe expression.

"Let's go, let's go, I'll take you to Huangquan Training Camp."

The Zheng-surnamed veteran was unlike the other warriors of Bi Lei Cheng; he spoke very gently, even with a hint of carefulness.

Like an old farmer whose family had put a student through university, coming from the countryside to the big city, hesitant and constrained everywhere.

After his self-introduction, Qin Shi roughly learned some information.

First, this little old man who didn't know what military rank or what position, his great name was "Zheng Xuebin," most people called him "Old Zheng."

He drove a broken pickup truck, carrying a total of seven or eight "greenhorns" who volunteered to go to Huangquan Training Camp, traveling to Middle Ring District.

When they arrived at the place, most of the sunset had sunk below the horizon, leaving only the last trace of afterglow.

The broken pickup stopped in front of an iron door, Old Zheng jumped out of the car and waved at the sentry post.

Qin Shi mixed in among seven or eight high-spirited new recruits; his eyelids twitched—this Old Zheng didn't seem to be from Huangquan Training Camp?

Then why go to such trouble to recruit people for this place?

"Old Zheng! The nutrient paste and energy liquid in the camp are almost used up; hurry and bring a batch over, make sure the quality is good!"

A burly lieutenant stepped out of the training camp; unlike Old Zheng, this man's aura was extremely ferocious, combined with a dark body like an iron tower, steel-needle-like beard, like a wild beast.

"Specialist Rank!"

Qin Shi's gaze contracted slightly.

The feeling this man gave him was similar to Jiang Shijie of the Seventh War Corps Wind Scythe Sequence Army.

Life Force Purity might be slightly inferior, but Combat Power should be about the same.

Clearly true gold forged in the furnace of war!

"Alright, I'll make another trip later, guaranteed to be the best supplies."

Old Zheng laughed hehehe, bending his waist slightly.

Making Qin Shi feel he was more like a landlord's hired hand than an active soldier of Bi Lei Cheng.

"Let me take a look at the quality of these newcomers."

The burly man had a prominent scar from his eyelid to the bridge of his nose; his gaze was intimidating, extremely sharp, like two arrows.

"Not bad. Indeed, newcomers brave enough to come to Huangquan Training Camp won't be too green of rookies."

Immediately after, this burly man wearing lieutenant shoulder epaulets opened his mouth:

"Welcome to Baiyang! Welcome to Yellow Spring!"

At eight in the evening, Qin Shi finished assigning his dormitory and had eaten in the cafeteria.

Huangquan Training Camp did not show the expected cruel side, such as instructors' unrestrained corporal punishment or extremely harsh treatment.

Those squeezing methods existing in imagination did not happen.

Qin Shi spent a peaceful night.

Similar to the environment at the conscription office, several iron rack beds were placed in the large room.

Other new recruits seemed very excited about coming to Huangquan Training Camp; only Qin Shi silently finished washing up and fell asleep immediately.

The next dawn, the bugle sounded.

Qin Shi's body was automatically awakened; he opened his eyes first, then put on the issued camouflage uniform and military boots, and quickly came to the playground.

Seeing the spirited Qin Shi, the burly man's eyes flashed with a trace of satisfaction.

Then he raised his hand and began counting.

When he counted to "thirty-seven," the new recruits finally lined up.

Among them were not lacking those with messy clothes, disheveled hair, and poor appearance as if not yet awake.

"Cherish today; this is the gentlest me you can feel here. Huangquan Training Camp lacks people, but it does not lack garbage."

The burly man walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, like a fierce beast patrolling its territory.

"This place is absolutely not a garbage station; defective products cannot pass my inspection. Other training camps give you two months to grow, but Huangquan only has ten days; every ten days I will eliminate a batch of the worst scrap!"

The burly man bared his forest-white teeth, like a naturally ferocious carnivorous creature.

"By the way, forgot to introduce myself; I'm called 'Fu Lei,' you can also call me 'Butcher.' I am your instructor; for the next ten days, I will spend them with you."

After finishing the segment of speaking harsh words, Fu Lei did not launch the devilish training many new recruits had imagined.

Instead, he took them to the machine room, connected to the internal network, and opened the teaching materials for selection.

The internal website enjoyed by Huangquan Training Camp had diverse and rich teaching materials.

"《Extreme Cold Technique》... 《Wave Palm》... 《Heavy Cannon Footwork》... 《High-Speed Bullet Fist》..."

Huangquan Training Camp's internal website had diverse and rich teaching materials.

Fu Lei paced slowly at the doorway, saying loudly:

"Other training camps only have 《Wave Palm》, 《Heavy Cannon Footwork》, 《High-Speed Bullet Fist》, this kind of most basic elementary teaching material.

But Huangquan is different; if you can master it, if you can learn it, higher-level 《Golden Wave Qigong》, 《Armored Indestructible Body》, 《Warplane Soaring Body Technique》... Friendly reminder, rookies, this is the first test."

Fu Lei's face wore an ill-intentioned smile, like a hunter setting a trap waiting for prey to take the bait.

Everyone was puzzled by his meaning; the new recruits who chose Yellow Spring Camp mostly came from ordinary backgrounds, or had complicated backgrounds.

They had never received high-grade education; even the basic teaching materials Fu Lei spoke of, they regarded as incomparably precious.

Thus, most people selected the advanced teaching materials Fu Lei mentioned.

Gao Pao was eager to try; he stared at the displayed downloadable "Golden Wave Qigong", completely unable to look away.

But considering his own Qi Life Force level, he ultimately gritted his teeth and took "Heavy Cannon Footwork".

"This guy... looking down on it?"

From the corner of his eye, Gao Pao caught sight of Qin Shi; the other party surprisingly hadn't chosen a single one.

"Damned connections recruit!"

The ten-minute selection time arrived; Fu Lei checked the backend, scanning the download list.

As he expected, the advanced techniques had the highest count.

"Huh. 'Bing Fa Jue', someone actually chose this?"

Fu Lei laughed; as the Fourth War Corps' entry-level teaching material, "Bing Fa Jue" was naturally a beginner choice, but due to its own characteristics, it had long been eliminated in several military reforms.

"Qin Shi? Observe him, see his quality."

Fu Lei made a priority mark.

"Yellow Spring Camp doesn't seem to be that miserable after all."

In the mess hall, Gao Pao ate with the same batch of new recruits; the meals containing various nutrients were free to eat, and cultivation teaching materials were also provided for free.

Simply paradise!

Third day.

Four AM in the dead of night.

The bugle sounded again!

The barracks were dead silent; the new recruits who had barely just entered dreamland, every one slept like the dead.

Ten seconds later, the room door was kicked open with a "bang", fluorescent tubes flashed bright, glaringly illuminating everything.

Bang bang bang!

The bunk nearest the doorway was kicked over, producing an earthquake-like noise.

"I'll give you another ten seconds; if anyone is missing at roll call on the playground, I'll let them know what 'hell' is."

Fu Lei's roar was like thunder, shaking the wall plaster trembling; immediately followed by a scene of frantic scrambling.

Back at the playground, Fu Lei looked at the sparse few who, hearing the bugle, quickly got up and rushed here to form ranks.

"Gao Pao, Qin Shi, Zhao Su... not bad, adapting to the environment quickly; this will let you shed the 'defective product' reputation as soon as possible."

Fu Lei was not an iron-faced Yama-like instructor; he did not stint on praise.

He continued counting down; when the deputy instructor shouted "ten", only one-third had assembled on the playground.

When the deputy instructor shouted "twenty-eight", they were finally fully assembled.

"Good. On the third day, scrap who fall behind appear."

Fu Lei clapped and said:

"I forgot to tell you earlier: the 'garbage' swept out of Yellow Spring Camp won't be accepted anywhere else.

They will lose their 'new recruit' status, becoming lonely ghosts scratching a living in Baiyang Fortress City — unless they can cross over a thousand kilometers of vast wilderness and return to the Urban Circle."

(Chapter End)