Chapter 494: Even King Yama Has to Praise Your Skill

"This chicken......"

Cook soldier Liu Cheng lifted the heavy dead chicken in his hands and gave it a slight shake.

When the chicken's belly was split open, a clatter of metal shell casings spilled out at once, like large and small beads falling onto a jade plate.

"Squad Leader, this chicken died far too miserably!"

"Is this the legendary heavy‑metal poisoning?"

"A chicken weighs three jin, the bullet is at least two‑and‑a‑half jin—does that count as a phantom scale? By the way, what's the current price of copper?"

In the back‑kitchen alley of the Cafeteria, Squad Leader Hong stared at the large basin of these heavy‑metal‑overloaded dead chickens, his eyelids twitching nonstop.

Having served as a cook soldier for so many years and handled all kinds of meat and poultry, this was still the first time encountering such a situation.

This is, in the truest sense, being beaten into a sieve.

Cook soldier Liu Cheng asked, "Squad Leader, how should we handle this chicken? The organs and bones were shattered by the bullet, the meat is also smashed a lot; do we not need to cut it at all, just toss it into the pot and cook?"

Squad Leader Hong sighed, "Just adjust the knife a bit, cut it into small pieces, stir‑fry spicy chicken cubes; it's a pity about all that chicken blood, it could still be used to braise tofu."

Liu Cheng said, "Then, next time tell Company Commander Lu; before they conduct shooting drills, they should drain the chicken blood first?"

Every chicken in the basin seemed to die with its eyes wide open!

All members of the Cook Squad stared at him with a strangely terrified gaze.

Squad Leader Hong gave a thumbs‑up, "You're truly ruthless; even King Yama would have to praise you for being skilled!"

At that moment, Director of Affairs rushed in from outside in a hurry.

"How do you still have time to chat here? Get moving."

"What's up?"

"The Brigade Commander is coming; tonight we might have a meal in our Cafeteria. Quickly take some beef and mutton from the freezer, defrost them, and serve a solid dish tonight!"

"Alright, alright, I'm going right now!"

…

Meanwhile, in the Company Commander's office, Lu Yang was reporting to Brigade Commander Zheng Chengfeng.

Zheng Chengfeng listened to the report while flipping through the Score Book in his hand.

"At present, there are no real issues with the training; it's just the pace—we need to tighten it up."

"In the blink of an eye, over half a month has passed, and so far I haven't seen any results."

Lu Yang hurriedly took another folder from the drawer and handed it over, "Brigade Commander, could you take a look at this one?"

Zheng Chengfeng was taken aback; evidently he hadn't expected this kid to have another trick up his sleeve.

The folder's cover bore the words "Raptor Team Daily Training Score Book."

When he opened it, his eyes lit up immediately.

Whether in basic physical fitness or military subjects, the six members of the team were far ahead.

Zheng Chengfeng smiled and pointed at him, "You deliberately left this ordinary one out and kept the good one in the drawer, just to show off in front of me, right?"

Lu Yang replied, "How could I dare? Besides, I never know when you'll drop by, so I have no preparation at all."

"That's true enough," Zheng Chengfeng said, closing the Score Book and tossing it aside, "Now that's at least somewhat proper."

He lifted his tea, took a sip, and casually asked, "I heard from your Chief of Staff that lately you've been using live chickens and live rabbits to replace traditional shooting drills—does that really happen?"

Lu Yang openly admitted, "Mainly live chickens; after the drill we send them straight to the kitchen, no waste at all."

Zheng Chengfeng burst out laughing, "Then it seems I have to stay tonight and really taste a chicken killed by concentrated fire, to see how it differs from the ones we normally eat."

Lu Yang said half‑jokingly, "Then you'll need to watch out for that when you eat."

"How?"

"You never know, the bullet might chip your teeth."

"Hahaha, that's really something only you could think of."

Zheng Chengfeng laughed breathlessly, knowing Lu Yang was talented, yet he hadn't expected him to train marksmanship in this way.

Shooting live creatures is entirely different from shooting fixed targets; especially chickens, which are timid—once the gun cracks, they flap and fly away, really testing a shooter's concentration.

Lu Yang explained that members of the Raptor Team must first complete their daily training before undertaking advanced drills.

Currently, the six members' training volume is about twice what it was at the Sea Training Base.

Thanks to the boost from their Cool Skin, they remain enthusiastic and give it their all.

When you can find joy and satisfaction in an activity, it's harder to feel fatigue.

Especially, Lu Yang constantly varies the training modes, keeping the drills from becoming monotonous.

Zheng Chengfeng looked at him, "Your training method—Chief of Staff Xiong told me about it: first see blood, then build courage, then focus on military skills. That logic is interesting, it feels a bit like special forces."

Lu Yang explained, "It's a summary of my own experience; I happened to discover that after facing danger and being wounded, it's as if a sudden enlightenment occurs."

Zheng Chengfeng nodded, "Your idea is correct; harsh environments force people to grow, whereas comfort makes one prone to complacency."

"Flowers in a greenhouse may be bright, but they can't withstand a storm's brilliance; what we need is a team that can endure the storm."

"Regarding the upcoming training content, what are your plans? Follow Chief of Staff Xiong's previous outline, or adjust on your own?"

Lu Yang produced another document and handed it over, "Brigade Commander, I've prepared the main framework using the Chief of Staff's plan, but I'd like to add some detailed elements during the process."

"Relying solely on systematic conventional military training makes it hard to quickly raise the unit's overall ceiling, so I hope to develop more practical military skills."

Zheng Chengfeng raised an eyebrow, seeing the contents in the booklet: "Mine Clearance, Mine Laying?"

"Yes."

"There are only two months left in total; is that enough?"

"It's enough."

Lu Yang: "Once I master it, I can teach the Raptor Team; learning the most basic mine‑laying technique will let us continually trouble the opponent in exercises."

Zheng Chengfeng frowned slightly, "The idea is good, but you still have to handle regular training and also oversee the combat squad's extra drills; I see on your desk there's also a draft training plan for the Firepower Squad."

"You, a single person handling so many affairs, can you keep up? Don't pick the sesame and drop the watermelon?"

Lu Yang explained: "Brigade Commander, the regular training is mainly overseen by the First Company Commander and the Second Company Commander; I just glance and give occasional suggestions. As for the Firepower Squad's training plan prototype, it's only a concept, and once it solidifies I'll hand it to Second Company Commander Gao Feng."

"What I'm mainly responsible for is the combat squad; the more they know, the higher the battlefield tolerance, and the more headache for the enemy."

"So Brigade Commander, could you arrange for a technically proficient veteran sapper, or a specialist adept at Mine Laying?"

Zheng Chengfeng strongly agreed with Lu Yang's view; raising the whole team to a higher level in a short time is not very realistic.

Because each soldier's talent, ability, and stress tolerance differ.

And the combat squad itself is carefully selected, standing out in all aspects.

Especially on the battlefield, they can more easily create opportunities, open up the situation, and thus guide the main force to victory.

Zheng Chengfeng thought for a moment, then said: "Alright, no problem. Later I'll assign someone to you to teach you Mine Laying and Mine Clearance; how much you can learn depends on you. Two months should be enough to grasp the basics."

Lu Yang smiled: "That's enough."

"Any other requests, bring them up together?"

"Brigade Commander, I actually have something and would like your help."

"Go ahead."

"I want......"

After hearing Lu Yang's request, Zheng Chengfeng's expression turned very odd.

"Is it perhaps too early to get involved with this now?"

"Forge while it's hot; early exposure leads to early growth; if possible, it'd be best to let them get hands‑on and try it out?"

"Hands‑on as well? Huh, that's a bit difficult; generally, if it's not their specialty, it's absolutely prohibited."

Zheng Chengfeng didn't answer immediately, but told him to wait for his word.

"It's hard to say exactly what can be coordinated, but I'll try to pull some strings and see about arranging it for you."

"However, you also need to prepare psychological counseling in advance; I think these kids will most likely be quite headstrong."

"No problem, I have confidence in them."