[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mercenary-s-war":3,"chapter-mercenary-s-war-mercenary-s-war-chapter-160":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Mercenary’s War",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1613050,2077,"Chapter 160 - 160 159 Magical Skills","mercenary-s-war-chapter-160",160,"\u003Cp>160: Chapter 159: Magical Skills 160: Chapter 159: Magical Skills Gao Yang adjusted his breathing to be as smooth as possible and took his position at the shooting stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all the pressure had fallen on Gao Yang’s shoulders: if he hit two out of two, he would win; if he hit only one, it would be a draw; and if he missed both, there was no doubt that he would lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang had that competitive nature, or rather, a combative one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in critical moments that he performed best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might start off a bit nervous, but when truly faced with pressure, he would only do better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the clay pigeon thrower launched two targets, Gao Yang fired his shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything seemed natural, and the result was just as everyone had hoped—both shots were hits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gao Yang put down his gun, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers, especially from Destin, Arthur, and several others who were almost going crazy with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those who had been previously wronged by Simon, Gao Yang’s victory meant they saw the dawn of their revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gao Yang returned to the group, he received an exceptionally warm welcome, while Simon, with utter disregard, spread his arms and said, “Feel proud, revel in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you won’t be smiling in the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are moving on to combat shooting, my friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laugh while you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur abruptly turned and said, “No, the next round is still skeet shooting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon raised a finger and waved it, insisting, “No, no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We agreed on three competitions, but we never specified the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I insist that we do combat shooting second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destin replied firmly, “No way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We proposed that skeet shooting be second, and that’s the order we must follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ram will take you down in the second round; you have no hope of evening the score, Simon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon still shook his head, just as resolute, “That’s why I must have combat shooting in the second round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang didn’t really care— he was equally confident about combat shooting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he casually said, “It doesn’t matter, let’s do the combat shooting in the second round then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon immediately clenched his fist and declared, “Fantastic, now the overall score is one to one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the last event will be with a Benelli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My friends, you’re going to lose to me again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang frowned and replied, “Hey, we haven’t started yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t rush to declare victory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang thought that when it came to shotguns, they were all pretty much the same: combat shooting was much easier than skeet shooting, at least that’s what he believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Gao Yang didn’t understand why Destin and the others looked like they had already conceded defeat upon hearing that combat shooting was next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang took out his Benelli M4 and put on a vest specially made for shotgun use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the mainstream military shotguns in the world today, there were plenty of Benelli M4s in the training camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon casually picked up a Benelli from a row of guns, then gestured invitingly with his hand and said, “Let you go first this time, otherwise you might lose the courage to compete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang made a disdainful face, then took his position at the edge of the simulated combat shooting range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target range for the upcoming competition was designed for combat assault training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It featured all metal silhouette targets that would fall when hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the targets moved or were pop-up targets suddenly appearing from concealment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hit more targets, Gao Yang would have to run forward along a path, which would allow him to shoot at more targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Gao Yang was ready, Arthur, holding a stopwatch, shouted the signal to start, and Gao Yang immediately sprang forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he estimated that the targets were within a thirty-meter range, Gao Yang began firing while running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even on the move, he maintained a very high hit rate; each shot was followed by the crisp ring of a metal target falling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit all seven targets in the magazine, four of which were moving and one was a sudden pop-up target, while only two were simple static targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After emptying the seven shots in his gun, Gao Yang had to stop in place and reload.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the magazine was filled again, he resumed firing on the move until Arthur shouted for him to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that time, Gao Yang had just finished his second round of ammunition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang walked back from the shooting range with a slight sense of pride— he had hit all twenty-one shots, and that too while engaging moving targets on the run, a task of high difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, seeing Arthur and the others with not a trace of joy on their faces, Gao Yang sensed that something was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hill sighed and patted Gao Yang on the shoulder, “Buddy, don’t overthink it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We can definitely beat him in the third round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second round was just to give Simon a breather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take it easy; let Simon save face, and we’ll settle things in the third round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gao Yang was bewildered, Simon smiled at him and said, “Gao, let me show you what real combat shooting is, an exclusive secret technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from my comrades and enemies now dead, you guys are the first to witness the miracle that’s about to happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waving his shotgun, Simon walked to the reset target range and then bent over, gun at the ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Arthur gave the command, Simon immediately dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Simon’s actions, Gao Yang’s eyes nearly popped out in surprise, because after firing just one shot in a standard shooting posture, the left hand holding the shotgun immediately left the weapon, plucking three cartridges from the ammo vest on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon then supported the gun with his right hand, firmly pressed the stock against his shoulder, and controlled the shotgun with just one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon ran fast and shot quickly, but most importantly, he continually loaded shells with his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only one hand, he managed rapid and precise firing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left hand loading, right hand shooting—despite the odd posture, Simon never needed to stop to reload.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned a semi-automatic shotgun into a full-auto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang had to admit, he was completely awed by Simon’s technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared blankly at Simon, muttering to himself, “F**k, what is this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destin also sighed and said, “Did you think we lost to him just because he is good with guns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think Simon would be challenging people to bets left and right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Simon secretly perfected this technique, God knows how many have fallen into his trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst part is, every time he bets, he includes the condition that his secret must not be revealed, so there’s always someone new falling for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang finally understood why Simon was so confident in combat shooting and why he proposed a competition on how many targets could be taken down within a time limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was just about accuracy, Simon wouldn’t have a guaranteed victory, but when it came to speed, who could match Simon who used a semi-automatic weapon as if it were fully automatic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang let out a sigh, “I should have challenged Simon to a pump-action shotgun competition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destin shook his head, “It’s useless, the speed of a pump-action shotgun would indeed decrease for Simon, but he can still quickly load several rounds in the intervals between shots, maintaining ammo in the shotgun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can you do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, with a pump-action shotgun, Simon’s speed is still faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minute was up quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon hit fifty-two targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Simon returned from the range, he boasted triumphantly, “Ah ha, friends, seeing this secret technique again, don’t you feel excited?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur said indignantly, “Enough, Simon, we’ve had it with your damn secret technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re going to lose the third round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon slapped his gun, “No problem, we’re using this for the third round, not some old double-barrel shotgun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it isn’t a rapid-fire contest, I’m still the Winner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang approached Simon, cleared his throat, and with a chuckle, said, “Simon, we’re friends, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I can confirm that we are indeed friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have to admit that I’m no match for you in combat shooting, especially rapid-fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You won this round, my congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But friends don’t keep secrets from each other, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, you have to teach me this technique, Simon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teach me, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s something to consider, but whether I’ll teach you ultimately depends on my mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, let me tell you some good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m going on vacation, three months, and I plan to spend the entire three months right here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, if I’m in a good mood, maybe I can teach you this technique during these three months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I’m upset, say, I lose a bet and have to run naked, then my mood will certainly be awful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I might cancel my vacation and return to the US with the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, let me think about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Simon’s words, Morgan immediately shouted, “Gao, I’ve decided to give Simon half a year’s vacation, with no need to postpone it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destin also shouted loudly, “Don’t be fooled by the cunning Simon, Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Simon doesn’t want to teach you, he wouldn’t be showing you his secret technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So don’t be intimidated by his threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’s willing to compete against you, he’s intending to teach you anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon shrugged and said, “You got me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright, just joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I actually look forward to a fair final match, Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bring your best, so when you lose miserably to me, it’ll feel even better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang nodded, raising his voice, “Alright, a fair decision it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll each use a clay pigeon thrower, shoot at the same time, both of us taking on seventy clay pigeons to see who hits more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur waved his fist in the air, shouting loudly, “A shooting marathon is here to reveal your true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ram, take down Simon, avenge our grudges!” (To be continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support is my greatest motivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)\u003C\u002Fp>",1731,"2026-06-06T10:19:38.026Z",1,"novelbin.me","1fee566c5ebb48a5d0075611684be0414c8a9c39599b6efcb8f11992976b3086","mercenary-s-war-chapter-161","mercenary-s-war-chapter-159",2343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmercenary-s-war-cover.jpg"]