Chapter 423: Is This Your Line?

On the second afternoon, the island was conducting boat handling, swimming across, infiltration, and unarmed control training.

In plain terms, it means secretly slipping onto the island from the outskirts and quickly subduing the enemy without using any weapons.

Occupying or retaking control of the island to facilitate the next military operation.

At this moment, on the northern slope, Jiang Dahai, assigned to the defending side, was gripping a wooden stick and patrolling the territory back and forth.

Perhaps a bit hungry, he fished a Snickers chocolate from his pocket, tore open the wrapper and took a small bite to replenish his strength.

Suddenly, he noticed stones rolling down to his right front, thinking another team must be landing on the island, and he rushed forward to verify the situation.

But before he could get close, a pair of hands emerged from a blind spot beneath his feet, grabbed his ankle, and a sudden yank made him lose his balance, his body tilting backward.

At the same time, he quickly countered, swinging his wooden stick toward the opponent; however, it missed and was firmly caught and taken away.

Immediately, Jiang Dahai had the stick pressed against his throat, and his mouth was tightly covered.

"Shh, you're already dead!"

Lu Yang slowly released his grip and made a shushing gesture.

Jiang Dahai sighed, wondering why every training session that involved Lu Yang ended with him being taken down.

Whether facing Xu Ce or Tu Hongwei, he could put up some resistance, but against Lu Yang he was simply crushed.

"What did you eat, your mouth all sticky?"

"Snickers."

"Seized."

Lu Yang didn't bother with courtesy and confiscated the half Snickers left in his pocket as spoils.

Then he pulled out the walkie‑talkie at his waist and shouted into it, "Point C, control successful."

Soon, voices from others came through the walkie‑talkie one after another.

"Point A, control failed, I was counter‑killed by Jiu Hao."

"Point B, control successful."

"Point F, control successful."

"......"

After everyone participating in the training reported their results, Bai Yuan's lazy voice finally sounded in the channel.

"Let's stop here for now, come gather, get ready to eat."

Lu Yang pulled Jiang Dahai up from the ground, and the two walked toward the gathering point.

Jiang Dahai patted his rear and asked curiously, "Brother Yang, the gunfire kept going all night yesterday, what exactly were you training, training for so long?"

Lu Yang didn't hide it: "Sniper tactics, shooting skills, and battlefield awareness; I'm not like you guys—once the assessment ends in a couple of days, I'll be leaving, so I might as well learn more."

Jiang Dahai wasn't envious of the instructor's special extra training, because they'd encounter this material later anyway.

Moreover, Lu Yang didn't have much time left; after the assessment, they'd all go their separate ways.

The thought of not seeing each other later left Jiang Dahai feeling a bit reluctant.

From the prejudice when first landing on the island to gradually breaking down barriers.

Lu Yang's strength and ability won over everyone; they had already come to regard him as an inseparable comrade.

"How about not leaving?"

"Not leaving?"

Lu Yang laughed, "Stay to guard the island? I don't have Bai Yuan's stamina; I could guard for ten years straight."

Jiang Dahai shook his head, "I mean, go with us; earlier, didn't the instructor say they'd give Tu Hongwei's comrade a chance to re‑enter the selection?"

"Your abilities are outstanding; as long as you speak up to the instructor, they'll surely agree to let you join, they'd gladly have you with us."

Lu Yang shook his head, "No, I have more important matters to attend to."

"Back to the Sea Training Base?"

"Yeah."

"With your level, shouldn't you stay in the lower‑rank units?"

"I actually enjoy the atmosphere of the lower units—weekend mess meals, occasional movies together, playing cards."

Lu Yang explained, "People have different understandings and definitions of military service; for you, Special Operations is the highest pursuit, the ultimate goal, but not for me."

"My company is gone, my regiment is gone; someone has to lift the flag in everyone's hearts, rally the people, and restore their confidence."

Jiang Dahai was moved by his words; no wonder Lu Yang always trains with such vigor—he's always had motivation.

A soldier with such loyalty and righteousness must be very popular and a backbone figure.

"But you should know, it's not easy; those who transfer from the Army to the Navy always struggle with the pace and are gradually weeded out."

"You want to single‑handedly raise the old unit's flag and rally morale; the things learned here alone are far insufficient."

Lu Yang, brimming with confidence, said, "If it's not enough, learn more; learning never ends. In the future I'll attend a military academy for further study. My life creed is: act first, then think; as long as someone leads, more will follow."

"One person's strength isn't enough, so rely on a group; with so many working together, the goal will be reached someday."

Jiang Dahai looked at the unparalleled confidence in his eyes and redefined his own understanding of the six words \"never abandon, never give up. \"

He no longer tried to persuade, because as Lu Yang had said earlier, everyone's interpretation and meaning of military service differ.

Back then, when he first enlisted, he never imagined he'd one day walk the Special Operations path.

At first he liked comfort, hoping to become a Director of Affairs in the troops.

But as he muddled along, his strength rose, making him a top performer in the company, and he was inadvertently placed under high expectations, arriving here amid many envious gazes.

He actually wasn't clear on what he wanted, didn't know his purpose; perhaps he could set a small goal, try to enter Special Operations and become its Director of Affairs there?

As they walked, a strong aroma of instant‑noodle seasoning drifted from afar, making anyone with an appetite salivate.

Bai Yuan and Lao Mao were crouched beside a huge pot, tossing instant‑noodle cakes into it.

Lu Yang had never seen that brand; it was called Da Yu Zhu.

When you get close, you can still see many meatballs floating in the pot, and beside it is a plate of pre‑cooked fried eggs.

"Kid, didn't you say Shanxi dishes shouldn't be served on the table?"

Bai Yuan said with a smiling face, "Today I'll quietly introduce you to Shanxi Jincheng's signature dish: meatball instant noodles with fried egg!"

Lu Yang didn't understand, but chose to respect; after all, a region's environment nurtures its people, and Jincheng speech is for Jincheng people.

The others arrived one after another, having heard this thing is a Shanxi specialty, they likewise showed incomprehension but respectful expressions.

Jiang Dahai came over to serve the noodles, happened to meet Lao Mao's gaze, and then helplessly shook his head.

The reason Jiang Dahai had asked Lu Yang earlier was because Lao Mao had entrusted him, though most of it was also voluntary.

He indeed thought Lu Yang's personality was great, naturally bearing a leader's aura, also very suitable as a friend and as a captain; of course that doesn't mean Xu Ce has any bad qualities.

Xu Ce, as a highly educated graduate student, has good knowledge and ability, but Lu Yang is more flexible and versatile; unbound by mental frameworks, he can always find some odd perspectives to break the deadlock.

Lao Mao, seeing this, took a vacuum‑packed bag of braised duck leg and braised pork trotters, and walked toward Lu Yang, who was sitting alone on a stone eating noodles.

Many people witnessed this scene, and Xu Ce and Tu Hongwei couldn't help showing a hint of envy.

Although they no longer have to worry about food, a supply ship arrives every week.

But the braised duck leg and braised pork trotters are limited; they cannot be supplied infinitely.

Only those who perform outstandingly in training receive special rewards.

"Is that enough to eat?"

"Fine, just set it down for now."

Lao Mao sat beside him, handed him the duck leg and pork trotters: "They're yours, take them and eat."

Lu Yang didn't bother being polite, because this thing costs him nothing; it was procured by the authorities.

Lao Mao looked at the sunset over the distant sea, imitating the tone he used when reciting poetry, and said with feeling: "The island's dusk always tends to make people recall old matters…"

Pfft!

Lu Yang spewed a mouthful of noodle broth straight out, his expression turning very odd.

"Is that damn your line? You've been possessed by Bai Yuan, right?"