Chapter 415: Never Abandon, Never Give Up

"Ah, I'm broke!"

Night training ended, and the sixfold reward was back in hand.

Lu Yang rubs his arms, shirtless and drenched, and darts toward the mountain cave.

He thought that, upon arriving, he would first light a fire, then put on a clean coat to prevent catching a cold.

But he didn't expect that everyone inside stood rigidly like zombies in a row, their expressions stiff and awkward.

Including the previously feverish and food‑poisoned Xu Ce and Tu Hongwei, they now also stand like wooden stakes, only not quite as straight.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on the shirtless Lu Yang who ran in, while Lao Mao and Bai Yuan stood nearby, smiling as they stared at him.

When Lu Yang saw Bai Yuan clutching a pack of cigarettes and Lao Mao holding a fast‑food bread wrapper, his throat suddenly gurgled.

It's ruined!

The secret base has been discovered!

"Report, HaidaiShierhao requests to return to the unit!"

Lu Yang, feeling self‑aware, ran over and gave a salute.

Bai Yuan, smiling, asked, "Training finished?"

Lu Yang: "......"

Bai Yuan: "Typhoon weather, rock climbing—doesn't that feel great, really thrilling? Kid, you're brave, huh?"

Everyone's pupils widened dramatically again; they'd already been shocked a lot tonight, yet they hadn't expected there was more.

Lao Mao stepped forward, letting out a cold snort: "If you get swept away by waves during training, or slip and fall, whose fault is that?"

Lu Yang: "Report, it's on me!"

At those words, everyone drew a sharp breath.

No wonder Lu Yang earlier said he had to go out for something, and then never came back.

It turns out he used the stormy weather to go train rock climbing on the sheer cliffs.

This cursed weather makes even a moment outside feel deadly, and could easily lead to loss of body heat.

The cliffs in the downpour became even steeper, the waves below grew larger; a slight misstep could cause a fall, and even with a safety rope, it wasn't foolproof.

Yet, taking on something none of them dared to do, Lu Yang went off alone without even a greeting—truly ruthless.

Xu Ce's face was flushed, unsure whether from the smoke or the fever; Tu Hongwei's head had slightly deflated, no vomiting or diarrhea, but his eye bags remained swollen.

But at this moment, the way they looked at Lu Yang was the same as everyone else's—prostrate admiration.

He's definitely a ruthless person, first‑class ruthless!

If anyone later dares to utter the words "going through the back door," they'll instantly go and beat them to death!

Bai Yuan stepped forward, waved the cigarette in his hand: "Cigarette, good?"

"Um......"

Before Lu Yang could figure out how to argue, Jiang Dahai stepped forward on his own.

"Report, I stole the cigarettes; my nicotine craving is huge!"

"Report, we stole the cigarettes together, and the instant noodles as well!"

Following that, everyone, as if pre‑arranged, took the responsibility onto themselves.

If it hadn't been Lu Yang, they'd still be out there braving wind and rain, starving and freezing.

Now they have a shelter, charcoal fire for warmth, food, and even damn cigarettes to smoke.

As the saying goes, enjoy the smoke without forgetting the thief.

If those earlier shouts of "Brother Yang" were driven by an intense craving for cigarettes and food, now they come from genuine respect for the strong.

Moreover, ever since Lu Yang arrived, he has never shown off, always winning people over with virtue!

It's their narrowness, their myopic vision, unable to recognize the bigger picture!

Bai Yuan's eyes swept over the group, seeing pair after pair of fearless gazes.

He approached Xu Ce, placed his hand on his forehead, and asked.

"How does it feel, is the fever severe?"

"Report, whether the fever is severe or not, the items were also stolen by me! I was the one who led the breach of discipline; if there's punishment, punish me!"

Then Xu Ce coughed forcefully: "But I'm a sick person, not suitable for a heavy penalty; can this be an exception?"

Bai Yuan laughed, turned to the still slightly bluish‑cheeked Tu Hongwei: "You, besides shouting that vulgar insult, what else do you have to say?"

Tu Hongwei: "Report, I'm also a patient; I hope for a light punishment. This matter has nothing to do with Number Twelve; I act alone, and the instant noodles also ended up in my stomach!"

Seeing everyone defending Lu Yang, Bai Yuan smiled.

He glanced back, and Lao Mao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The facts prove that Bai Yuan's gamble was right; comradeship can indeed be catalyzed early under extreme circumstances.

Nevertheless, it requires a catalyst, a mastermind, someone to assume the role of the lead sheep.

But ultimately it signifies a new possibility—a brand‑new training system.

And the early catalysis of comradeship means training can enter a new phase ahead of schedule.

Moreover, efficiency will save at least two or three months compared to the previous step‑by‑step approach.

Because the rapport and connections formed between squads are far more significant than the training itself.

Even many of the original plan's trainings were intended to force this new rookie team to quickly meld together, since the battlefield is never a one‑person duel.

Bai Yuan picked up a shirt and tossed it to Lu Yang, signaling him to put it on first so he wouldn't freeze.

"Let's return to the unit first."

"Yes."

"Alright, here I want to announce something."

Bai Yuan faced the crowd and shouted, "Congratulations, the survival on the deserted island ends here; the next phase of training begins!"

With those words, everyone was completely confused.

They had imagined ten thousand ways to end the wilderness‑survival training, but never expected it to be so sudden.

Lu Yang, however, knew the reason.

"Never abandon, never give up!" Bai Yuan shouted. "Do you still remember these six words?"

"Since the day you set foot on the island, I've emphasized that there were seventeen of you in total!"

"On the day Number Twelve arrived on the island, I was afraid you'd forget, so I stressed it again; I said you should be like a family, love each other, and help one another."

"But from start to finish, how many actually listened?"

He raised a fist. "Zero. Zero eggs."

Everyone stared at him, replaying the scene in their heads.

Most people still couldn't figure it out, but Xu Ce suddenly caught on.

Could it be that the point of the deserted‑island survival wasn't competition at all, but cooperative win‑win?

Bai Yuan explained, "Eleven people were divided into three groups, each group watching the others, and members within each group had their own selfish motives; therefore someone was always starving, and the assessment never stopped."

"If one of you stepped forward to centrally collect and distribute food and water, and to build a solid shelter together, the situation would be far better than now."

"My original intention was cooperation and mutual aid, but you turned this island into a training ground for gu."

Someone shouted back, "Then how are we supposed to know whether you intend to eliminate us or to make us cooperate?"

Bai Yuan stepped forward and tapped the soldier's head with his finger. "Never abandon, never give up—are those six words clear enough? Should I carve them onto each of your foreheads, huh?"

That soldier fell silent, and the others felt a bit ashamed.

Especially those like Jiang Dahai, who had secretly eaten from the group's shared supplies and hoarded for themselves without sharing.

Indeed, they only thought about passing the assessment themselves and staying till the end; teammates were to be placed behind them.

So the selfishness Bai Yuan mentioned, they could not deny, nor could they refute.

Bai Yuan: "Of course, the original plan wasn't like this; originally, this was just a simple wilderness‑survival test, but because of one incident, I had to make an on‑the‑spot adjustment."

He looked at Tu Hongwei, his tone softening considerably: "Because of that comrade's action, I changed my mind; he gave you the chance to advance, yet he pulled the honor‑trigger himself."

"It was his action that made me realize that comradeship and teamwork are far more important than professional ability; Tu Hongwei, I'm sorry I eliminated that comrade of yours."

"But I want you to know, he's an outstanding soldier, a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years talent; I will consider applying to the superiors to have him reassessed."

"The assessment's difficulty will certainly increase, but if he can seize this chance, perhaps you both could meet again at the finish line……"

Tu Hongwei's slightly swollen eye sockets turned red instantly, as if warm liquid were about to spill out.

Thinking of his comrade pulling the honor‑trigger and the final hard push he gave himself, he couldn't get past that hurdle in his heart.

"Thank you, instructor!"

Tu Hongwei's trembling voice expressed sincere gratitude from the bottom of his lungs.

In that moment, the barrier between him and the instructor vanished completely.

Even Lu Yang felt that Bai Yuan in front of them seemed different now.

He was warmer, more emotional, and more like a living person.