Chapter 89: Gun in Hand, the World Is Mine

"Comrades, stand at attention!"

The bright command echoed across the training ground, and more than fifty militia core members from towns across the county straightened their backs in unison, eyes fixed forward.

The May sun was scorching, heating the entire field. Lu Qingshan stood in the center of the formation, sweat soaking his army‑green vest.

This was the third day of the joint training; they had already completed drill and political study, and today began light‑weapon shooting training.

"At ease! Align to the right!"

The instructor was a veteran, his voice booming like thunder.

Lu Qingshan turned his head slightly, adjusting his stance.

The young man beside him muttered quietly, "I heard we're firing live rounds today, I'm terrified."

"Don't be afraid, just do as the instructor says." Lu Qingshan replied softly, his heart unruffled.

In his previous life, while in prison, he had secretly perused the guards' military magazines, gaining some knowledge of firearms.

The hunting experience accumulated in this life, plus the extraordinary perception granted by Mountain Wild Heart, filled him with confidence for today's training.

"Now we will conduct live‑round shooting training, ten rounds per person, starting with prone fire."

After the instructor finished announcing, he demonstrated the standard movements.

When it was Lu Qingshan's turn, he deftly went prone, regulated his breathing, and steadied the old training rifle against his shoulder socket.

Through the sights, he felt an unprecedented sense of control.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Five rounds, five perfect tens.

"Great shooting!" the instructor walked over, patted his shoulder, "Have you fired a gun before?"

"I've hunted in the village," Lu Qingshan answered, standing up.

"A Hunting Rifle and a rifle are not the same," the instructor smiled, "Looks like you're a born sharpshooter."

"My father was also a sharpshooter back in the war."

Lu Qingshan tossed out a reason, prompting a round of amazement from those around him.

"It's a bloodline inheritance!" a sturdy militia man exclaimed, patting his thigh.

In the subsequent kneeling and standing shots, Lu Qingshan continued to excel.

In the final round of standing fire, he deliberately slowed the rhythm, feeling every vibration of the gun, and the bullets struck the bullseye with precision.

"Ten! Ten again!" the scorer shouted loudly, drawing gasps.

"That kid shoots like he's playing!"

"I think his real skill comes from hunting!"

Lu Qingshan lowered his rifle, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his mouth twitched upward slightly.

He knew all this was the advantage of rebirth, but the feeling of being revered was damn exhilarating!

The next day, Deputy County Chief and Head of the County Armed Forces Department Zhang Zhanmin personally inspected the training ground.

He was broad‑shouldered and rugged, his eyes bright and sharp, exuding the distinctive bearing of a soldier.

"Comrades, how is the training going?" Zhang Zhanmin looked around, his voice resonant.

"Report, Chief, the training is progressing smoothly!" the instructor stood at attention and saluted.

Chen Zhiguo was also among the entourage; he quietly pointed at Lu Qingshan to Zhang Zhanmin, "That's him, yesterday hit ten perfect tens with ten shots."

During the noon break, Lu Qingshan was cleaning his rifle under a tree shade when he suddenly heard someone call his name.

"Comrade Lu Qingshan?"

Looking up, he saw Zhang Zhanmin and Chen Zhiguo.

"Good day, County Chief Zhang! Good day, Captain Chen!" Lu Qingshan rose immediately.

"Don't be nervous, sit down and talk." Zhang Zhanmin waved his hand, sat beside him, "I heard your shooting is good?"

"Just luck."

"Don't be modest, Captain Chen already told me." Zhang Zhanmin sized him up, "You're from Shanwan Village?"

"Yes, I make a living hunting in the village."

"Hunting? Have you ever faced danger?"

Lu Qingshan thought briefly, "Recently I ran into a herd of Wild Boar, almost got gored, and I've also shot a black bear."

"How did you handle it?" a hint of interest flashed in Zhang Zhanmin's eyes.

"We had a patrol ranger's Hunting Rifle, plus a hunting knife and a wooden staff; together with the villagers we managed to subdue them."

Zhang Zhanmin nodded, "Calm under danger, courageous."

"County Chief Zhang, you're flattering me. If Jin Hu hadn't helped that time, I'd have lost my life."

"Jin Hu?"

"It's my hunting dog, very intuitive." Lu Qingshan spoke of Jin Hu, pride in his eyes, "It can locate the most hidden game in the mountains; its scent is ten times sharper than ours."

"What a good fellow, hearing you say that makes me want to visit your village." Zhang Zhanmin laughed, "I've been to Shanwan Village; the mountains are high, the forests dense, and wildlife abundant."

The two talked about firearms and tactics, then mountain terrain and village economy, becoming increasingly in sync.

Lu Qingshan remained neither obsequious nor arrogant, answering fluidly, and Zhang Zhanmin grew more appreciative.

"How much do you know about the 5.6 semi‑automatic rifle?" Zhang Zhanmin suddenly asked.

"I only know the basics, hope the minister can guide me."

Zhang Zhanmin casually picked up a training rifle and explained in detail, "This gun has a quirk: the barrel jumps upward when heated, so you need to press slightly down while aiming…"

Lu Qingshan listened intently, asking questions from time to time.

Seeing Lu Qingshan's keen comprehension, Zhang Zhanmin spoke with even more vigor.

"You've got good insight, kid!" Zhang Zhanmin couldn't help but praise, "You learn faster than I did back then."

"County Chief Zhang is a battle‑hardened man, experienced," Lu Qingshan said modestly, "I'm just a country hunter; how could I compare with you."

"Don't belittle yourself," Zhang Zhanmin patted his shoulder, "War and hunting are essentially the same—accurate judgment, decisive action. You've got a certain ferocity about you; I can see it."

"Ferocity?" Lu Qingshan was startled.

"Yes, it's that unwillingness to lose," a look of approval flashed in Zhang Zhanmin's eyes, "These days, not many rural youths have that kind of drive."

Lu Qingshan felt a surge of heat in his chest. In his previous life he idled away, muddled and aimless, ultimately harming others and himself.

In this life, reborn, he swore to live up to his own standards. County Chief Zhang's approval gave him a long‑missed sense of pride.

"After the training ends, if you have time, come to the firing range; we can spar properly," Zhang Zhanmin said, patting his shoulder as he left.

In the following days, Lu Qingshan excelled in every training exercise.

Grenade throwing, battlefield rescue, tactical coordination—he always quickly grasped the essentials and exceeded the mission requirements.

"Lu Qingshan, you kid, you're great!" the comrades in his squad raised their thumbs in approval.

"It's all thanks to the instructors," Lu Qingshan replied with a smile, but in his heart he knew it was the advantage brought by two lifetimes of experience and Mountain Wild Heart.

"Cut the act!" a militia man named Wang Dazhuang laughed, "Yesterday's grenade, you threw it more accurately than the instructor!"

"Just luck," Lu Qingshan waved his hand.

"Luck, what a joke!" Wang Dazhuang persisted, "Was that a grenade or your kitchen spatula? You tossed it so smoothly!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Lu Qingshan laughed along.

This feeling of being recognized is a thousand times more genuine than the flattery of drunken friends in his past life.

The ten‑day training ended in the blink of an eye.

At the summary meeting, Lu Qingshan secured first place overall with an absolute advantage.

"Now, please have Deputy County Chief Zhang present the award to the outstanding militia representative!" the host announced loudly.

Lu Qingshan stepped onto the stage and received the "Outstanding Militia" certificate and prize from Zhang Zhanmin's hand.

"There's also a special reward," Zhang Zhanmin turned and signaled his assistant to bring a long wooden crate, "Based on the training performance and comprehensive assessment, the Armed Forces Department has decided to officially issue Comrade Lu Qingshan a Type 56 semi‑automatic rifle, along with 60 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition!"

The whole venue gasped, then erupted into enthusiastic applause.

"Damn, this is the real deal!"

"This is a state weapon, usually locked away in the Armed Forces depot!"

Lu Qingshan froze on the spot, looking in disbelief as Zhang Zhanmin opened the crate and took out the rifle, its steel sheen glinting and exuding the scent of gun oil.

"Is… this really for me?" his hands trembled slightly as he took the gun.

"Of course," Zhang Zhanmin gave his shoulder a firm pat, "Good kid, you're a raw gem! I entrust this rifle to you, hoping you'll use it to defend the nation, protect your hometown, and achieve new merits for local development! Remember, ammunition use is strictly regulated; you must apply to the Armed Forces Department according to procedure for future requisitions."

Lu Qingshan gripped the barrel tightly, feeling the cold metal, a surge of indescribable heroism rising in his chest.

In his previous life he roamed gambling dens, lived drunkenly and dreamily, and finally spent long years in prison, returning to society unable to find even a decent job.

In this life, reborn, he could actually earn the state's trust, become an armed militia, and guard his home.

"I guarantee to complete the mission!" he answered loudly.

"Qing Shan, this is a great honor!" Chen Zhiguo whispered after the meeting, "No more than five militia in the whole county receive a rifle; you're the first mountain‑area representative."

"Thanks to Brother Chen's support," Lu Qingshan said sincerely.

"Don't say that; you earned it yourself," Chen Zhiguo patted his shoulder and laughed, "By the way, this rifle isn't a toy; its use is strictly regulated, you must follow the rules."

"I understand," Lu Qingshan nodded solemnly.

On the way back to the village, Lu Qingshan carefully wrapped the rifle in burlap, coiling it tightly several times, and hid it with his bedding deep inside his pack.

His heart surged as he recalled the ten days' experiences, as if dreaming.

"With the gun in hand, the world is mine."

Lu Qingshan muttered to himself, a smile appearing on his face.

In the distance, the outline of Shanwan Village grew clearer. Lu Qingshan inhaled deeply and quickened his pace.