A Treacherous Warning and a War Between Heaven and Man

Chapter 27: A Treacherous Warning... and a Battle of Wills

Afternoon, training grounds.

"Arm swing practice, I've said it before, one command, one movement! Little guy, did I tell you to move?"

"Awooo!"

Hit them and they'll hug you, curse them and they'll love you. When affection runs deep, you kick them.

Everyone couldn't help but smile.

Peng Yingqirui's training evaluation would definitely read: "This comrade howls like a wolf whenever training begins."

He howled several times a day.

"What are you smiling at?" Hao Chengbin glared, pointing at the few people in the center of the field.

"The Flying Tigers Squad is recruiting these past two days! See over there on the field? Whoever laughs again, I'll send them to be F4!"

In the direction Hao Chengbin was pointing, a few people stood like poles, unmoving.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

This afternoon, they all understood what the Flying Tigers Squad was.

The Flying Tigers Squad, also known as the Useless Squad.

They were the ones who faked illnesses, didn't want to train, and were made to stand in the middle of the field, doing nothing. If their legs were injured, they'd even be given a stool to sit on, making a spectacle of themselves under the entire regiment's gaze.

The squad leaders called these people "Immortal Brothers," immortal from 'immortal being', and brother from 'big brother'.

It was said that this honorary title of "Immortal Brother" would be carried with them until they were assigned to a unit, until they retired, and their peers would mock them.

At 2:30 PM during roll call, there were two people, whom everyone called the "Power Station" duo. Now there were three, making them "SHE." If one more joined, they'd be F4.

The squad leader said that a staff officer from Regimental Headquarters had just announced that if one more person joined today, they wouldn't attend the evening study session. Instead, a squad leader would be specifically assigned to take them to watch the meteor shower.

This meant singing military songs downstairs in the new recruit building from when everyone watched the news at night until they returned at nine. After returning to the dorms, they would have to wash the feet of their peers, saying, "Squad leader, training was hard."

They were also assigned the fixed duty of cleaning the barracks.

Under the guise of "logistical support."

It was truly suffering.

Of course, they wouldn't let them do the minor cleaning duties, as everyone was afraid their food might have been spat in.

Hao Chengbin was very satisfied with everyone's reaction.

After all, it seemed that no one in his squad wanted to avoid training and go to the Flying Tigers Squad to embarrass him.

With this thought, Hao Chengbin walked up to Jiang Peng, adjusted his hat, and said with a smile.

"Brother Jiang, the university students from Yunnan are really fierce. They took down all their roommates. You wouldn't happen to have been wronged and planned to sneak up and grope us one by one tonight, would you? If I've offended you in any way, you have to tell me, and I'll definitely change!"

Jiang Peng had a bitter expression. "Squad leader, I wouldn't dare..."

Hao Chengbin immediately frowned, covering his nose with a look of disgust and fanning the air.

"Damn it, Jiang Peng, did you brush your teeth? Why does your mouth stink so much?"

"Pfft." Yue Tao started laughing, his forehead wrinkles piling up, his smile looking more like a grimace than a laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Hao Chengbin took off his cap, walked up to Yue Tao, and hit him several times with the cap.

"Laugh, laugh, what are you laughing at? Huh? Are there no tough guys in Fujian? I won't indulge you! ... Brother Tao, you look so ugly when you laugh. Do you really have a girlfriend? When she kisses you, does she close her eyes?"

Everyone couldn't hold back any longer.

This afternoon, they practiced marching, fixing their arms and legs. Hao Chengbin kept glancing outside the wall while talking, trying to make them laugh.

And he wouldn't allow them to laugh.

"You all want to laugh, right? Is the arm swing too easy?"

"Halt!"

Everyone stopped at the command, retracted their hands, and began to move their arms.

Hao Chengbin returned to his command position, put on his cap, and revealed a devilish smile.

"Since you don't want to swing your arms, then we'll fix our legs!"

Everyone's expressions changed.

"Squad leader... we just fixed our legs in the last class..."

Fixing legs during marching was agonizing! Kicking up to a height of 25 centimeters, toes pointed, and not being allowed to sway!

"Less nonsense! Marching leg-kicking practice, one command, one movement!"

"One!"

As the command was given, although everyone grumbled, no one dared to be slow. They all kicked out their legs and then began to adjust their height.

Hao Chengbin straightened his belt and the hem of his clothes with both hands, composed his expression, and paced somewhat sternly in front of the formation.

"Squad discipline, I'll emphasize it again. In the entire formation, only the commander's voice should be heard! No laughing, no... Zhao Bing, lift your feet 5 centimeters higher!

No fidgeting!

When I tell you to speak, then you speak! If you go out on duty later and are like those old folks, constantly chattering, what will the local people think of us?

How will the people trust us?

Should I give you some melon seeds and a small…

Yue Tao! Straighten your legs! Did I tell you to move your hands? Tell me! What is the purpose of the People's Liberation Army?"

"Reporting! To serve the people!" Yue Tao shouted loudly.

Hao Chengbin stepped forward and pressed Yue Tao's hands tightly against the center seam of his pants, shouting.

"Wrong! The middle finger of the People's Liberation Army soldier should be placed along the seam of the pants!"

After saying that, he began to observe everyone's reactions.

This time, everyone held back and didn't dare to laugh.

If anyone laughed again, they might end up doing synchronized exercises with their hands and feet.

"Fang, Deputy Squad Leader, why are you so quiet this afternoon? Did this morning's run wear you out?"

Fang Huai forced himself to remain serious.

"Reporting! Squad Leader! I am not the Deputy Squad Leader!"

Hao Chengbin smiled playfully, "Don't they all call you that? Oh, and Deputy Squad Leader Jiang isn't convinced, right?"

Seeing an opportunity, Jiang Peng took the initiative to answer.

"Yes! Squad Leader! I'm not convinced! I also want to run for Deputy Squad Leader!"

"Oh, oh, oh." Hao Chengbin shook his head, a hint of sarcastic amusement in his tone, "You've only been a recruit for two days and you already want to be Deputy Squad Leader? Are you interested in being Squad Leader, Squad Leader Jiang? You want to be Squad Leader for two days?"

Jiang Peng immediately looked dejected.

Hao Chengbin became serious again.

"To be a soldier, you must first be a person!

If you can't even grasp the intention behind someone's words, how can you manage a squad?

Jiang Peng, ambition is a good thing, but I'll emphasize it again, the purpose of competition is to create a better collective! Not to play dirty tricks behind people's backs!

What were you spreading around at noon today? Saying Fang Huai is sick? That he can't run? Do you believe me if I let Fang Huai out to challenge you and see who's sick?

You even went and told people in other squads. Do you think other squad leaders wouldn't tell me if they heard it?

If you think I don't know some things, and treat me like I'm blind and deaf, I'll make you mute!"

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes flickered strangely towards Jiang Peng, and Jiang Peng's expression instantly changed.

Fang Huai just smiled faintly.

He had actually heard it too. Lu Zexian and Sun Lianhai had both secretly told him.

For the past two days, the new recruits would tidy their quilts in the hallway after lunch, chatting quietly. Jiang Peng hadn't been idle today either. He'd cornered anyone he could, saying Fang Huai might have a heart condition, couldn't run, and that he got into the army by bribing a doctor, so he'd probably be discharged after a re-examination.

He spoke with such conviction.

But these little tricks were things Fang Huai hadn't used in years. He just found it bothersome that Jiang Peng thought the squad leader was an idiot, so he couldn't be bothered to deal with it.

"Squad Leader... I didn't, I... I was just guessing!" Jiang Peng hastily explained.

Hao Chengbin gritted his teeth.

"I also guess your mouth stinks! Let me tell you, in the military, don't pull that feminine nonsense with me! Back in the feudal society, your behavior would be called treachery! You'd have your tongue cut out!

Now, it's called spreading rumors!

What is a comrade? You still don't understand!

This is the last time. I've already warned you. If there's a next time, I will deal with it seriously and publicly!"

No one spoke.

During the break, Jiang Peng leaned against the wire mesh alone, lost in thought.

The new recruits of Class Nine seemed to have forgotten him, and no one spoke to him. They gathered around Fang Huai, condemning him in various ways.

"This guy is too malicious, Fang Huai, are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't let him affect you!"

Even Peng Yingqirui pouted and said something childish.

"I'm not playing with him anymore!"

Fang Huai found it amusing, "Alright, you guys talking about him like this, isn't that also backbiting? Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge. We're all comrades, there's no need. He just wants that Deputy Squad Leader position. It's not that I'm stopping him, it's just that he's really lacking. Even without me, he wouldn't make it."

"You're quite confident, kid!"

Hao Chengbin, who had been standing a few meters away with his hands behind his back, gazing at the Flying Tigers Squad in the distance as if he wasn't paying attention to them at all, had actually heard everything. He walked over and ruffled the back of Fang Huai's head.

"You tell me, what's wrong with him?"

"Squad Leader!" the new recruits greeted him quickly.

Fang Huai smiled, not showing any timidity, and pointed in Jiang Peng's direction.

"Squad Leader, to be a deputy squad leader, you at least have to manage the people in your squad well and not cause trouble for the squad leader, right? Look at Jiang Peng, right now he might be thinking of causing trouble himself, his thoughts are too unstable, and he's already caused me trouble, making me have to keep an eye on him from time to time.

If something really happens, it will be because of me, and I'll feel guilty."

Everyone looked and saw Jiang Peng staring blankly at the dog-sized hole in the wire mesh fence.

"Heh, you kid, you'll be a good squad leader material in the future." Hao Chengbin patted Fang Huai on the back of his head again and walked towards Jiang Peng with his hands behind his back.

"Is he really going to run away?" Peng Yingqirui, who had just said he wasn't playing with him anymore, was now a little worried.

"It's unlikely, he probably just doesn't want to stay here and wants to change his environment," Fang Huai said with a smile.

"We're already here, what kind of environment can he change to?" Yue Tao asked blankly.

Fang Huai shook his head.

"I don't know about him."

Many people who are dissatisfied with reality have many expectations for a new environment. New competition standards, new superiors, and new impressions can all bring new opportunities, opportunities to stand out.

When they suddenly realize that they are equally mediocre in the new environment and have no chance to stand out, they want to change again, to a more favorable environment for competition.

After changing back and forth, they finally admit their mediocrity at an age when they are completely beaten down by life.

Don't ask Fang Huai why he understands so well, just ask because they are kindred spirits.

Fang Huai had lived like this for the past ten years.

People with the same thoughts could smell each other's scent from three streets away.

So he understood Jiang Peng, but he didn't sympathize, because his actions lacked a certain bottom line compared to his own.

Of course, losing the bottom line also means he is more likely to succeed.

And more likely to fall.

In the evening, the washing-up whistle blew.

As soon as Hao Chengbin entered the squad room, he closed the door, sat down, glanced at the new recruits in the squad, and took out a box of red hard Zunyi cigarettes.

The six new recruits were excitedly rubbing their hands.

There were only three people in the squad who didn't smoke: Yue Tao, Little Dot, and Zhao Bing.

"Look at you guys." Hao Chengbin chuckled, "Like you're waiting for red envelopes during Chinese New Year, so pathetic."

Chen Zhongqiang chuckled, "Squad Leader, it is Chinese New Year!"

The others didn't speak up. With Chen Zhongqiang, the old smoker, around, they just waited to smoke.

The two Fujianese in the squad, Yue Tao and Chen Zhongqiang, both had aggressive personalities; they were the ones most willing to step up when something happened.

Hao Chengbin was a man of his word. He had deliberately delayed distributing the cigarettes for two days, and now he didn't hesitate. He took out a cigarette and threw it to Chen Zhongqiang.

"Who else wants one?"

"Me, me, me! Squad Leader!" Sun Lianhai also excitedly raised his hand.

The remaining new recruits all raised their hands.

Even Yue Tao, who didn't smoke, raised his hand with a glint in his eyes, saying he wanted to try smoking for fun.

After all, in the recruit training corps, cigarettes were an extremely precious resource for new recruits. Yue Tao didn't want to miss out on this opportunity, feeling like he would be at a disadvantage.

Fang Huai was engaged in an internal struggle.

Damn it, one cigarette! A whole cigarette!

In my previous life, in the recruit training corps, Squad Leader Xiang Zhiyuan gave out one cigarette! For eight people to share!

After holding back for a month, the feeling of each person taking a puff was unforgettable, and everyone thought it was a more memorable experience than going to a brothel together.

That night, everyone agreed to take one puff each, and one cigarette could be shared for two rounds. But then some bastard took three big puffs at once, causing everyone to get one less puff.

That cigarette was almost thrown away after the last person even burned the filter.

The one who took three big puffs was ostracized by everyone for a week.

He still held a grudge.

Squad Leader Hao is really generous! He's giving out one per person!

"Fang Huai, do you want one?" The few words spoken by Hao Chengbin were as if they had a magical power.

Smoke it! After one puff, my throat will feel clear!

Don't smoke! If you can't even quit smoking, what can you do in this life? Do you still want to be like before, waking up every day and looking for trash cans to spit in, coughing violently after speaking too loudly?

What's there to be afraid of? I have the System in this life, it can modify my lungs and respiratory tract!

Who knows if the System has this function? What if it's this weak System and it doesn't?

Two voices warred in Fang Huai's mind.

But the last thought was that he'd offended someone.

No, he'd offended the System.

Just as Fang Huai was about to take the cigarette and consider whether to smoke it or not.

[Mission: Quit smoking.]

[This mission independently grants a reward of "Nervous System Enhancement" once. If the host actively smokes, the reward will be revoked. (Description: A good nervous system not only has better reaction speed but also a stronger endocrine system.)]

What the hell.

This System really forces you to improve.

He knew the dangers of smoking, of course. His dad used to send him motivational speeches about it all the time.

Besides damaging the lungs and respiratory tract, heavy smoking also damages neurons and brain tissue.

So... quitting smoking would also "enhance the nervous system"?

Was this something he earned himself, or a System reward?

This reward...

Hesitating now would make him a grandson.

Fang Huai's hand, which had been reaching out, immediately changed direction. He pulled out his small green basin from under the bed frame.

"Squad Leader, I should probably quit. It'll affect training... Jiang Peng is right. Besides my heart, my lungs might not be great either. If I keep smoking, I'm afraid I'll really get disqualified in the physical exam."

Fang Huai had originally planned to act cool and say smoking affected training, but seeing the seven people around him with cigarettes, he casually threw the blame onto Jiang Peng.

After speaking, Fang Huai glanced around cautiously.

"Squad Leader... the smell bothers me. Can I go wash my face now?"

Hao Chengbin smiled. "Don't overthink it. Jiang Peng was just talking nonsense. If your body could get disqualified, less than ten people in the whole regiment would pass... But it's good that you want to quit. Go ahead and wash up, just be quiet when you open the door."

"Yes, Squad Leader!" Fang Huai still looked worried as he left the barracks.

As soon as Fang Huai left, all the new recruits in the squad remembered what had happened that afternoon. They looked at Jiang Peng with some resentment.

See? Look at the psychological damage you've caused him!

He's not even smoking anymore!

Jiang Peng was completely bewildered.

He had originally thought they could all smoke a cigarette together and brag a bit, easing the tension and improving their relationships. That idea was now shattered.

The cigarette in his hand suddenly didn't taste as good.