Chapter 26: Face-Slapping Ends

Zhang Chu'an's action left everyone present baffled; based on the situation just now, Zhang Chu'an had held every advantage.

Even if Doghead Old Gao had insisted on standing up, he still wouldn’t have been Zhang Chu'an’s match.

Doghead Old Gao frowned at Zhang Chu'an, who said nothing but smiled and asked him:

“Comrade Leader, our sparring follows the rule of stopping at contact—we’re just exchanging skills, no need to go all out. I yield.”

Although Zhang Chu'an verbally conceded defeat, no one present believed he had lost; he yielded only to give Doghead Old Gao face.

Doghead Old Gao looked at Zhang Chu'an with a complex expression—he never imagined the one who defeated him would be Zhang Chu'an, and so swiftly.

Recalling their battle four years ago, when Zhang Chu'an had barely held out for a hundred moves against him, Doghead Old Gao couldn’t help asking curiously:

“Back then, when you sparred with me four years ago, you weren’t even using your full strength, were you?”

“No, Senior Sergeant, you have to believe me—I’ve been secretly training hard these past four years just to beat you.”

Zhang Chu'an quickly protested his innocence.

Doghead Old Gao gazed at Zhang Chu'an with deep meaning, as if to say: I believe you, sure—like I believe in ghosts. You held back all this time just for today, didn’t you?

Nearby, Company Commander Miao chuckled: “Hey, Old Gao, weren’t you just saying this was just a friendly sparring match, no hard feelings?”

Doghead Old Gao shook his head and laughed: “Miao, you know me—I’m not someone who can’t take a loss. Besides, losing to these two isn’t shameful.”

Doghead Old Gao’s words shocked everyone present.

“These two lieutenants under your command, four years ago—right after high school, before entering military academy—first captured a K2 assassin, then uncovered K2’s mole in the East Sea, and finally apprehended K2’s leader, Black Cat.”

Minister Zhao asked curiously: “So these two are among the four students who arrested Black Cat back then?”

“That’s right.”

Doghead Old Gao replied.

“Excellent, excellent! Truly, each generation produces its own talents, each dominating for centuries. Today, you’ve truly opened my eyes.”

“With your abilities, you could both be team leaders even in Wolf’s Tooth Battalion.”

Minister Zhao looked at the two men with great satisfaction—their excellence far surpassed his expectations.

“The regional military competition is coming soon—make sure you both perform well. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.”

Minister Zhao then called out to Xiao Zhuang and the others: “And you all—you’re all outstanding. I expect to see exceptional performances from you in the upcoming regional combat exercises.”

Doghead Old Gao also called out loudly: “I’m also looking forward to facing you all in the regional competition—don’t let me wipe you all out.”

With that, Doghead Old Gao and Minister Zhao got into their vehicle and departed; watching them drive away until they vanished from sight.

Company Commander Miao turned back, beaming, and shouted to the Night Tigers:

“You don’t know how many times Senior Sergeant Gao has come here to challenge us—not just us, but many other regional units have been humiliated by him.”

“But today, here at the Night Tigers Recon Company, he failed—and he lost twice.”

“Guo Jing, Zhang Chu’an—you’re both outstanding, and so are your men—you’ve done me proud in front of the Comrade Leader.”

Saying this, Company Commander Miao burst into loud laughter.

After laughing, his expression turned serious:

“But Senior Sergeant Gao of Wolf’s Tooth isn’t the type to swallow humiliation quietly. This year’s annual military exercise, our Night Tigers Recon Company will be his primary target.”

“When he comes, it won’t be just him—it’ll be his entire Wolf’s Tooth Battalion, that battle-hardened elite unit that’s completed countless major missions.”

“Report!”

Xiao Zhuang shouted loudly.

“Speak! Every time you say ‘report’ today, Old Gao gets slapped in the face.”

Company Commander Miao was delighted.

“Don’t worry, Company Commander—we won’t lose to Wolf’s Tooth this time.”

Xiao Zhuang shouted loudly.

“Oh? What exactly do you plan to use to face Wolf’s Tooth?”

Company Commander Miao shouted to the entire company.

“Fight to win.”

Platoon Leader Chen, Guo Jing, and Zhang Chu'an led the chant.

Then the entire company joined in unison.

In an instant, the cry “Fight to win” echoed through the sky.

In the car, Minister Zhao teased Doghead Old Gao: “So, Senior Sergeant, always going around to humiliate others—how does it feel to get slapped in the face today?”

Doghead Old Gao looked at Minister Zhao, who was teasing him, and smiled bitterly: “Minister Zhao, combat and hand-to-hand fighting are important, but they’re not the only factor.”

“But when the annual military exercise comes, I’ll give Guo Jing, Zhang Chu’an, and the entire Night Tigers Recon Company a proper lesson.”

Doghead Old Gao smiled confidently.

Seeing Doghead Old Gao’s confident expression, Minister Zhao confirmed again:

“Senior Sergeant, you’ve said ‘annual military exercise’ three times today—surely you won’t get slapped in the face again, right?”

Hearing Minister Zhao’s words, Doghead Old Gao’s expression faltered:

“Comrade Leader, why bring up the sore spot? An incident like today’s probably won’t happen again in ten years.”

“It just proves these two are once-in-a-decade talents—don’t underestimate them.”

Minister Zhao warned solemnly.

“Don’t worry, Comrade Leader—this time, no surprises will occur.”

Doghead Old Gao said firmly.

Meanwhile, back at the barracks, Guo Jing and the others had just returned when Zhang Chu'an began frantically pinging Guo Jing in the group chat.

Zhang Chu'an: “Guo Jing, do you think High Uncle will remember us after today’s humiliation? Will he give us trouble when we go to Wolf’s Tooth later?”

Guo Jing: “Given how we slapped his face today, he definitely holds a grudge against us.”

Zhang Chu'an: “So should we even go to Wolf’s Tooth?”

Guo Jing: “Given High Uncle’s character, he won’t give us trouble directly—but in the annual military exercise, he’ll target our Night Tigers Recon Company and try to encircle us completely.”

Nie Huaishang: “Oh? You guys are having fun—slapped High Uncle’s face? Xiao Fan, we can’t fall too far behind them.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “If they can slap Doghead Old Gao, we’ve got to capture Fan Tianlei alive.”

Guo Jing: “I must clarify—I didn’t go out of my way to slap High Uncle’s face. He came to us; we were just defending ourselves.”

Zhang Chu'an: “Besides, Senior Sergeant Gao is way more reliable than Fan Tiankeng. Fighting Senior Sergeant Gao is harder than fighting Fan Tiankeng.”

Nie Huaishang: “True. Compared to Senior Sergeant Gao, Fan Tianlei is arrogant and underestimates his opponents.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “In contrast, Senior Sergeant Gao always plans meticulously, leaving no openings against anyone.”