Chapter 19: Moving Forward Under a Heavy Burden

Having made his promise to Guo Jing, Sergeant Lao Pao began to feel a headache; how exactly should he make Xiao Zhuang convinced and convinced? He did not possess the crushing strength that Guo Jing had over him.

He and Xiao Zhuang were merely evenly matched, but he had given his word before the Platoon Leader; if he gave up halfway, wouldn't he be a cowardly soldier?

Fortunately, after these few days of interaction and training, the relationship between the two was not as hostile as in the original plot.

The reason they were so stiff was entirely because both were powder kegs; the gap in strength was not large, and neither could submit to the other.

But during these two days of contact, they reached a consensus: on the battlefield, they could rely on each other.

It was just that Xiao Zhuang's conduct was slack, so it was normal for Sergeant Lao Pao to look down on him.

Arriving outside the dormitory, sure enough, Xiao Zhuang was behind him discussing him with his roommates.

"Let me tell you, although that Sergeant Lao Pao is strict with us, deep down he is good; on the battlefield he can be fully trusted, he just doesn't want to say it."

Hearing Xiao Zhuang say this, Sergeant Lao Pao still felt quite warm at heart.

This kid finally understands my painstaking efforts.

Then Xiao Zhuang continued speaking: "Let me tell you, although Sergeant Lao Pao looks quite respectful to the Platoon Leader now, he is still quite unconvinced."

"I always feel the two of them will have a match, I just don't know when."

"Xiao Zhuang, then you say, if the Platoon Leader and Sergeant Lao Pao fight, who will win? Although the Platoon Leader's rank is higher than Sergeant Lao Pao's, his military service years are not longer than Sergeant Lao Pao's."

Chen Xiwa asked in confusion.

Hearing Chen Xiwa's question, Xiao Zhuang sneered: "Ambition is not determined by age; our Platoon Leader's skills are immense."

Everyone in the dormitory was attracted by Xiao Zhuang's words, and even the gossip fire in Sergeant Lao Pao's heart was ignited.

Seeing the curious glances of the people around him, Xiao Zhuang revealed a proud expression on his face and said: "Do you know the Wolf Tooth Detachment? That's the one where Sergeant Lao Pao signed up multiple times but wasn't selected."

Outside the dormitory, Sergeant Lao Pao's face turned black, but he held back for the sake of his inner gossip.

"Our Platoon Leader is a figure who can fight their High Team Leader, and he even won against that High Team Leader in marksmanship."

Xiao Zhuang's words shocked both the roommates inside the dormitory and Sergeant Lao Pao outside the door; let alone the squadron leader of the Wolf Tooth Special Forces,

even the special forces soldiers of the Wolf Tooth Detachment were the existence dreamed of by everyone in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company; countless soldiers participated in the Wolf Tooth Special Forces selection but were not selected.

Hearing that Guo Jing had won against Dog-Head Lao Gao in marksmanship, everyone's mood was imaginable, especially Sergeant Lao Pao; thinking about how he had confidently gone to challenge Guo Jing in marksmanship just now, he unconsciously felt a bit of shame on his face.

Xiao Zhuang, now chatting enthusiastically, said: "Let me tell you, this person Sergeant Lao Pao deep down doesn't submit to anyone; I estimate he will sooner or later challenge the Platoon Leader."

"Tsk tsk, then we'll have a good show to watch."

Hearing Xiao Zhuang's words, Sergeant Lao Pao's face was as black as a pot bottom; good, you knew the Platoon Leader's strength all along, and you didn't tell me.

When I went to challenge the Platoon Leader, you were happy to watch the show on the side; do you know what my mood was when the Platoon Leader knocked me down more than two hundred times just now? Do you know what my mood was when I competed with the Platoon Leader in marksmanship?

I actually believed that a person like you would block bullets for me on the battlefield?

In his anger, he kicked the door open; seeing that the person coming was Sergeant Lao Pao, the people in the dormitory couldn't help but feel awkward, especially Xiao Zhuang, since he was the one who had complained the most just now.

Looking at the awkward crowd in the dormitory, Sergeant Lao Pao spoke slowly and deliberately: "Fine, you've been in the army for only a few days, haven't learned anything else, but you've learned to mock the squad leader's jokes."

After speaking, he walked up to Xiao Zhuang and looked straight into his eyes, saying:

"Especially certain people; there are some things they dare not say to the face, only speaking behind people's backs about their faults, just like a gossipy woman in the vegetable market."

"As for certain people's wish to watch a good show, it will not be realized."

Hearing this, a look of regret appeared on Xiao Zhuang's face.

"What, do you feel very regretful, unable to see the squad leader's good show?"

Sergeant Lao Pao asked mockingly.

"How could that be, Squad Leader."

Xiao Zhuang tried to bluff his way through with nonsense.

"Stop talking nonsense; you can't see the good show because I have already challenged him."

Sergeant Lao Pao said lightly.

Hearing Sergeant Lao Pao say this, Xiao Zhuang did not show the excitement of watching a spectacle; instead, he asked with concern: "Already challenged?"

"Already challenged; in hand-to-hand combat, I was knocked down more than two hundred times in half an hour; in marksmanship, I lost miserably. How about it, are you happy, are you glad?"

Sergeant Lao Pao asked with a bitter smile.

Seeing Sergeant Lao Pao's desolate appearance, Xiao Zhuang quickly comforted him:

"Squad Leader, as the old saying goes, victory and defeat are common occurrences for soldiers; if you lose this time, just win it back next time, isn't that right?"

Of course, there was a sentence hidden in his heart: that Sergeant Lao Pao would hardly be able to beat Guo Jing in his entire life.

After all, Sergeant Lao Pao was older than Guo Jing, plus there was already a huge gap in strength between the two.

Hearing Xiao Zhuang's comfort, Sergeant Lao Pao smiled self-mockingly and said: "You are right; I have been eliminated by the Wolf Tooth Detachment several times."

"Squad Leader Lao Pao, don't be discouraged; it's just the Wolf Tooth Detachment, what's so great about that? If they didn't select you, it's because they lack vision."

Hearing Xiao Zhuang's words, Sergeant Lao Pao flew into a rage and said: "What do you know? Do you know what a soldier enlists for? Do you understand a soldier's honor? Do you understand the honor of the Night Tiger? Do you understand the honor of the Wolf Tooth?"

Xiao Zhuang was questioned by Sergeant Lao Pao and had nothing to say; he had just joined the army as a soldier, and his reason for enlisting was also because of his girlfriend Han Xiaoying.

Sergeant Lao Pao looked straight at Xiao Zhuang and asked seriously: "Where does a soldier's honor come from? Do you know?"

"Countless times when the people fell into danger, such as flood control and disaster relief, such as fighting against drug lords, soldiers will stand out at the first moment and use their lives to protect the people."

"The stability and happiness of the people are the greatest honor for us soldiers; do you understand these?"

Hearing these matters too distant from himself, Xiao Zhuang couldn't help but feel ashamed of his previous thoughts, and he rarely failed to refute Sergeant Lao Pao.

"Do you know why I want to join the Wolf Tooth? Because they are all warriors who have undergone true trials."

After Sergeant Lao Pao finished speaking, his expression was full of admiration, and his words were full of respect:

"Do you know why they are called Wolf Tooth by the enemy? Because they are fast enough, accurate enough, and ruthless enough, making those enemies know that China is not a place for them to act recklessly."

"In many unknown places, they use their lives to maintain the current peace and happiness; I want to join them, to undergo true trials, to become true warriors."

"I want to stand with them at the most dangerous front of the country to protect the people's happiness and stability; do you understand?"

Speaking to this point, Sergeant Lao Pao roared angrily at Xiao Zhuang.

Not far away, Guo Jing, who had been listening to their conversation, fell silent for a long time; he seemed to understand why the people here lived in such peace and stability, untouched by the ravages of war.

And inside the house, Xiao Zhuang also seemed to understand: what is there of peaceful years and tranquil days? It is merely that someone else carries the heavy burden for us.