Chapter 108: Company Commander, let me bring you a message

"Target report!"

"Target No. 1, 83 rings!"

"Target No. 2, 85 rings!"

"Target No. 3......"

"Target No. 10, 98 rings!"

A few days later, at the firing range.

When the shooting results were first posted, all the veterans stared at Lu Yang, who was lying on the Number Ten position, with incredulous eyes.

Ten rounds, 200‑meter mechanical sight, rifle shooting test.

Lu Yang, the newest recruit, actually posted the best result in the whole squad.

Even Deputy Commander Cheng Jun filled in the scores with disbelief.

Is this what they call a rare talent?

Under conditions of only mechanical sighting, and on an overcast day with poor lighting.

Lu Yang used an 81‑ring target to score nine hits of ten rings and one hit of eight rings.

At this level, even a veteran who has been handling guns for years might not be able to achieve it.

Although Cheng Jun can do it, that skill was earned over his more than ten years of military service, hard‑earned through countless rounds.

From enlistment to being sent early to the training unit, Lu Yang had at most roughly three months.

And the actual time he first handled a gun was only about a dozen days.

From zero foundation to now, he only spent a dozen days.

This rate of progress is simply unbelievably astonishing!

But what's even more shocking comes next: the next test is a 100‑meter moving rapid fire.

"Get ready!"

As the small flag was lowered.

Lu Yang grabbed his rifle and sprinted out, his gunplay as fast as lightning.

Switching among three stances, the bullets still hit the bullseye with precision.

His handling of details throughout was equally spot‑on, making many veterans feel inferior.

When the moving rapid‑fire results came out, although he wasn't first, his overall performance still ranked among the top.

Moreover, the gap to the first place was only a tiny margin; a second round could easily change the outcome.

Next came the Type 85 Sniper Rifle bottle‑shooting, at four hundred meters, five bottles per person.

Bang, bang, bang—the sound of shattering rang out; each pull of the trigger made a bottle explode.

All five hits landed, and Lu Yang's expression remained calm, looking effortlessly proficient.

Moreover, Cheng Jun saw the shadows of Guo Yongwen and Zhou Kaidong in Lu Yang's movements and details.

"That kid, just by watching with his eyes that day, copied both men's techniques completely!"

Cheng Jun watched Lu Yang, who was walking back with a blade of grass in his mouth, as if he were watching Team Leader Guo Yongwen walk over here.

The feeling of being able to swiftly don others' practiced experience like a coat gave him goosebumps all over his arms, both astonished and excited.

He didn't know what heights Lu Yang would reach in the future, but it would certainly far surpass Zhou Kaidong, surpass himself, and even exceed Guo Yongwen.

"Good shooting, improving each time."

"Still need more practice; there are still places that aren't handled well."

"You've only handled a gun for so many days and already have these results; if the elite shooters in other units hear this, they'll be furious. Take a break, have some water."

"Alright."

Lu Yang took the water flask, took a sip, and said, "Why the switch to black tea this time? Weren't we always drinking green tea before?"

Cheng Jun laughed, "Just changing the flavor occasionally."

After being with the training unit for a while, Lu Yang had already become familiar with everyone.

Even though the Deputy Commander was a fourth‑phase veteran, Lu Yang basically drank whatever tea was in his flask.

After all, even Team Leader Guo Yongwen had handed him a cigarette, and all this was based on merit.

That's also a virtue of the unit: as long as you have ability, no one here can hide your brilliance.

Whether Squad Leader, Platoon Leader, or Company Commander, they'll worship you as if you were an ancestor.

"Strange, in today's test, why didn't we see our Team Leader?"

Lu Yang looked around; he hadn't seen Guo Yongwen all morning.

Usually, he's present during tests, but this time he wasn't.

Cheng Jun explained, "Guo Yongwen's girlfriend came; he asked the higher‑ups for a day off, and the two are out there being sweet and romantic."

Lu Yang was surprised, "Isn't his partner back home? How long does the train ride take from there?"

Cheng Jun chuckled, "All because of that letter you wrote; his girlfriend was so moved she insisted on coming over. She said it was over twenty hours on a hard seat, and she brought a lot of local specialties."

"When he gets back, we'll probably share it with everyone."

"Okay."

During the chat, Cheng Jun revealed that Guo Yongwen's girlfriend somewhat wants to accompany the troops.

But the family quarters can't accommodate permanent residence; usually it's only for a month, a short stay.

How to handle it later will depend on the actual situation, or filing a report to superiors for approval.

"Can it be approved?"

"I'd guess it should be possible."

Cheng Jun explained, "After all, the higher‑ups couldn't regularize him, so regarding family accompaniment, they have to give him some consideration."

Someone asked curiously, "Wan Baoshan, didn't you say Guo Yongwen's team and his girlfriend have been long‑term at odds? They're already preparing to go with the troops, it doesn't look like they're not fighting."

Wan Baoshan laughed, scratched his head, and said, "That's just hearsay, a rumor—don't take it seriously."

Cheng Jun glared at him and told him not to speak carelessly about unclear matters in the future.

Lu Yang then stated the truth: when he was helping Guo Yongwen write a love letter, Guo had told him.

In fact, the two have always gotten along fairly well; the frequent fights are mainly due to family interference behind the scenes.

Both sides come from impoverished counties and villages; moreover, their families are low‑educated and relatively barbaric and stubborn.

It was only after that letter was sent that the girlfriend replied, revealing that the silence wasn't intentional on his part toward Guo Yongwen.

Rather, her family confiscated her phone and forbade her from contacting the good‑for‑nothing soldier.

And, without permission, they arranged a matchmaker for her.

They planned to marry her off to a pork‑seller in town, whose family is said to be well off and can offer a hefty bride price.

Under constant family pressure, Cui Fen was forced to break up with Guo Yongwen, becoming a love‑struck pair beaten apart.

Lu Yang's letter helped her break the shackles of her birth family and solidified the resolve of this girl, who had never traveled far, to stay with Guo Yongwen.

Moreover, she slipped away alone, took a train for about twenty‑odd hours, and arrived here.

Wan Baoshan listened and felt the story was oddly familiar.

"Isn't this a modern version of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai？」

"Liang Shanpo is the one with the 108 Heroes, right？」

"That's Liang Shanpo; I'm talking about Liang Shanbo, Shanbo！」

"Oh, oh, oh, I've never heard of a Zhu Yingtai among the 108 Heroes—haha, that's a twist。」

During the break, the big group chatted and laughed, discussing many topics.

Besides Guo Yongwen and his girlfriend's matter, they also talked about Lu Yang's situation.

Everyone was curious where Lu Yang would go after his company.

After all, a genius rookie like him is coveted by everyone.

In fact, in recent days, a veteran from the training squad had already passed a message from the Company Commander to the Instructor.

He said: "Our Company Commander asked me to give you a message—if you nod, we'll give you whatever you want…"

This left Lu Yang with a headache; he's not a free‑spirit who can go wherever he wants.

In the afternoon, Guo Yongwen hadn't returned yet; the big group finished rifle drills and did a quick physical training session.

Then someone suggested sparring with Lu Yang in a grappling match.

Because a few days earlier, Lu Yang was thrown down by Zhou Kaidong and Guo Yongwen working together.

Since then, after lights out, he often practices alone with a dummy in the sand pit.

The thudding can last until one or two in the morning, keeping everyone awake at night.

Yet this guy sleeps late at night, stays alert by day, and his training vigor is a mystery.

Although grappling isn't part of the training squad's curriculum, a little sparring in free time is still fine.

Lu Yang was now eager; after being double‑teamed by Zhou Kaidong and Guo Yongwen, he'd only vented on a dummy, so this was a chance to test himself.

"Who goes first?"

As soon as Lu Yang said that, everyone burst into laughter.

"Yo, is this a wheel‑battle preparation?"

"It's not impossible!"

"Hehe, I suggested it first, so I'll set the example!"

The one who volunteered was a medium‑built Er Gua from the Second Company.

He came from the artillery company and had long been the unit's sharpshooter.

So before arriving here, he was confident in his shooting, but unexpectedly lost in his strongest field to a rookie.

That made him feel uneasy, hoping to regain some face in other areas.

"Here I come."

"Hmm!"

As soon as the words fell, the veteran opposite kicked at him.

Lu Yang didn't retreat; instead he stepped forward and grabbed the veteran's lower leg.

In a panic, the veteran tried to struggle, but Lu Yang kicked his stomach first.

When the veteran bent over in pain and lost balance, Lu Yang swiftly tripped him, locking his arm and thigh.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, let go, let go!"

"I concede!"

Lu Yang released him and stood up from the ground.

The other also scrambled up, sand clinging to his body.

"Whoa, got taken down instantly?"

"You're no better—got taken down by a rookie."

"All you do is talk trash; try it yourself. This kid's got something!"

"If I'm coming, I'm coming—I won't believe otherwise!"

A slightly burly veteran rolled up his sleeves, walked over, and smiled at him: "You were only attacking, not defending. I caught your leg, hit your lower body—you couldn't stay steady. Watch me!"

With that, he planted a solid horse stance, pointed a finger at Lu Yang, and said, "Now it's your turn to attack me!"

Lu Yang smiled, "No problem!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he swung his fists and charged forward.

The opponent reacted quickly, blocking with both hands, then retreated while actually squatting and sweeping a leg.

But Lu Yang leapt up to dodge it, then delivered a spinning kick to his face, leaving a dirty big footprint.

Although the kick wasn't heavy, it was still highly insulting, especially to receive a kick to the face in front of so many people.