Chapter 159: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon — Experts Gather!

Unsurprisingly, that tall, long-armed soldier with two crutches.

With a terrifying score of 112 meters, he took first place in the standing throw and successfully broke the division record.

Although Zhou Kaidong performed steadily and threw a respectable 85 meters, he ended up only in fifth place.

"What did he eat to grow up like that? His strength is incredible!"

Kong Long still wore an expression of utter disbelief: "He threw twice as far as me—surely he isn't a professional shot‑put or discus thrower, is he?"

Zhou Kaidong gave a somewhat helpless smile: "Every division competition brings out a few freaks of nature; I'm already used to it, but this time…… it's really a bit over the top."

"Back in the war, a soldier like this would definitely be promoted out of turn—he's practically a mobile mortar, and a silent one at that."

"I dare say that over ninety‑five percent of the veteran soldiers in the unit couldn't throw that far."

Lu Yang watched as the two‑crutch soldier was surrounded by his comrades, then walked away chuckling.

He couldn't help but feel that the unit truly was a place where hidden tigers and dragons lurked, with all kinds of gifted oddballs everywhere.

Still, he wasn't discouraged; one day the system would help him close these gaps.

But the grenade's 110‑meter throw still made him a little envious.

As the most commonly used fire‑support weapon for individual soldiers, the mortar is absolutely a major killer on the battlefield for infantry.

However, using a mortar usually requires two‑person cooperation; in an attack you also need to pick the right moment and choose the proper angle and direction.

But for that soldier, all he needs to do is toss it like a stone—he can silently lob grenade after grenade, even modified cluster grenades, onto the enemy position and blast a wide area.

However, speaking of which, such a person on the battlefield is usually a prime target for snipers.

If Lu Yang encountered such an enemy, he would surely, the moment the enemy hadn't finished throwing, blow his head off.

Lu Yang's second match was scheduled for three in the afternoon.

The intervening free time could only be spent waiting patiently.

Of course, if one couldn't stay idle, they could also go to the field to watch the other competitors' matches.

At noon, the division's training department cafeteria had prepared lunch, and Lu Yang, Zhou Kaidong, and the others simply ate something in the cafeteria.

After exchanging a few words with the fellow competitors from the same company, aside from Lu Yang, the vast majority hadn't achieved any notable results.

"Who else has a match this afternoon?"

"Me."

"Me too."

Besides Lu Yang, there was also Li Jiang, who had signed up for the 400‑meter obstacle race.

As team leader, Zhou Kaidong spoke up: "We'll forget about the matches already done, but in the last two we've got to give it our all."

He looked at Li Jiang: "Li Jiang, I sneakily checked the entry list for the 400‑meter obstacle race—there are plenty of strong contenders, and the champions from the past few editions have all come. We won't even think about first place; let's just aim for third."

"I'll do my best."

Li Jiang had no appetite, and his words lacked any confidence.

He had also looked up the participant list for the 400‑meter obstacle race beforehand.

Especially seeing that both the previous champion and the champion before that had shown up, he felt panicked.

Although the soldiers of the Sixth Company have excellent footwork, the 400‑meter obstacle race tests not only speed but also endurance, balance, reaction, flexibility, and explosiveness—a comprehensive examination.

Beforehand, Li Jiang had done some crash training for several days, and he felt his condition was fairly good.

But seeing that all the usual championship contenders had arrived, he still lacked confidence deep down.

Zhou Kaidong simply encouraged him with a couple of sentences, telling him to adjust his mindset, not overthink it, and just perform at his usual level.

Then he turned his gaze to Lu Yang: "Lu Yang, you're under considerable pressure too—precision shooting has always been a popular event. The division has a marksman company and a dedicated sniper company; soldiers from those outfits can hit whatever they aim at."

"Although you trained with the shooting squad during your time in the New Recruit Company, to be frank, even if Guo Yongwen showed up, he'd probably still struggle to earn any ranking."

Different squad leaders have different ways of leading troops, and Zhou Kaidong is essentially an honest, down‑to‑earth person.

He has full confidence in his leg skills.

If it were running, the Sixth Company would look down on the entire division, and even the whole army wouldn't be in its sights.

But different branches of service each have their own specialties—that is, they are specialized.

The reason I'm telling you all this is also to let you know how high the caliber of your opponents is, to adjust your mindset in advance, and to prepare for the possibility of failure.

Zhou Kaidong knows that Lu Yang isn't someone who easily succumbs to setbacks, but he also doesn't want Lu Yang to lose heart and confidence after a defeat.

However, Lu Yang remained relaxed: "Squad Leader, they say a good marksman is made by the bullets he fires; I've fired plenty of rounds since my transfer to the next company, and I'm confident I can measure up against them."

Zhou Kaidong broke into a smile: "Having confidence is good enough!"

Having said that, he lifted his bowl of seaweed and egg‑flower soup: "Come on, everyone, let's raise a bowl to Lu Yang and Li Jiang, wishing them a victorious start and a good result in this afternoon's matches."

Everyone raised their stainless‑steel bowls and clinked them against Lu Yang's and Li Jiang's.

Lu Yang wore a smile and gladly accepted everyone's encouragement.

Li Jiang, however, remained worried and still lacked confidence.

Not long after lunch, the announcement for the martial‑arts competition sounded over the loudspeaker.

Being idle anyway, Lu Yang simply ran over to join the excitement, hoping to see something impressive and maybe sneakily pick up a move or two.

To everyone's surprise, Lu Yang once again spotted that tall senior private who had dominated the morning's grenade‑throwing event.

Obviously, someone in the crowd recognized him, and this bout unfolded amid the spectators' hushed commentary.

Opposite the tall soldier was a veteran from the first batch; from the bulging veins on his forehead and his fierce gaze, it was clear he was a tough character.

Originally, Lu Yang had been expecting an evenly matched fight, but he didn't anticipate that the tall senior private would subdue that old veteran with just two or three moves.

Smack!

Fierce sounds kept ringing out on the field!

Lu Yang watched as the tall soldier threw a punch with an extremely strange posture.

Rather than saying he threw a punch, it was more like he was smashing and swinging his arm.

His arms were as agile as a monkey's, his punches swift and fierce, his moves vicious, and they even produced the sound of a whip lashing the air.

The opposing veteran only took a few hits, his face contorted in pain, unable to stand, and was finally knocked to the ground.

"Holy shit, what kind of move is that? It looks painful!"

"That guy isn't using the combat skills taught in the unit, but he looks somewhat familiar."

"Through-the-back Fist."

In the crowd, someone began to discuss.

And Lu Yang responded.

The man ahead turned his head, seeing that Lu Yang was just a private, and showed a hint of surprise: "You know quite a bit?"

Lu Yang humbly replied: "Just a little, just a little."

In his previous life, he had once seen a demonstration video of Through-the-back Fist.

The famous martial arts star, Zhao Wenzhuo, practices Through-the-back Fist.

This is a boxing style passed down in the north, whose techniques mainly include throwing, slapping, piercing, chopping, and hooking, etc.

As for its power, just look at the earlier veteran's pained expression—you'll know; a single slap to the face would definitely knock someone into deep sleep instantly.

Lu Yang also didn't expect that this tall guy was actually a martial artist; if it's Through-the-back Fist, that would also explain why he could throw a grenade so far.

Because the power generation method of Through-the-back Fist is inherently similar to a whip lash and throwing motion.

Moreover, this guy is naturally tall with a long wingspan.

Furthermore, hearing from acquaintances in the crowd, it seems he also practiced shot put in school.

It's like he's stacked with personal buffs, making it hard not to achieve good results.

Originally, Lu Yang thought this tall guy would keep going like a long rainbow and secure victory.

But he didn't expect to run into a leg expert midway, who immediately gave him a combo and took him down.

Lu Yang narrowed his eyes, feeling the opponent's leg technique was also fierce, not like the kind taught in the unit: "What is this, what martial art?"

System: 【Knowledge point detected: Twelve Roads Leg Technique!】