novelzi Chapter 10 - The Battalion Commander’s Expectations—The Best Recruit in the Southeastern Military Region
Chapter 10 - The Battalion Commander’s Expectations—The Best Recruit in the Southeastern Military Region
Chapter Ten: The Battalion Commander’s Expectations—The Best Recruit in the Southeastern Military Region
The damp morning air carried the rhythmic thud of boots against the track as the recruits ran in tight formation, their movements sharp, their breathing steady. A month ago, this same group had been a chaotic mass of fresh conscripts, but now, they moved as one, hardened by discipline and relentless training. Among them, Lin Yi ran with unwavering focus, his strides controlled, his breathing perfectly measured.
Standing at the edge of the field, Battalion Commander Miao Yidao watched the scene unfold, his sharp eyes scanning the recruits before settling on Lin Yi’s tall, upright figure. Without turning his gaze, he asked, “How is he doing?”
Zheng Sanpao, standing beside him in his neatly pressed fatigues, didn’t need clarification. There was only one recruit in the entire battalion who warranted such a question.
“He’s already reached the standard of a seasoned soldier,” Zheng Sanpao replied with certainty. “His endurance is unmatched, and from the first day of training, he’s been leading the pack. After a month of intense drills, he’s only grown stronger. The current training programme is too basic for him.”
Miao Yidao smirked slightly but didn’t shift his gaze. Lin Yi was different—too different. A university prodigy, an orphan who had carved his own path, and now a soldier whose ability surpassed even the most promising recruits. His transformation had been swift and absolute.
But the army was not a place for individual privilege. “Because he’s exceptional,” Miao Yidao said evenly, “he will follow the same rules as everyone else. The military is built on fairness. If we single him out now, what message does that send to the others?”
Zheng Sanpao hesitated. There was something unspoken in his commander’s tone. “Sir, you...” He trailed off, then glanced back at Lin Yi, who was effortlessly maintaining the pace, his expression unreadable.
“If he keeps this up,” Miao Yidao continued, “then the title of ‘Outstanding Recruit’ will be his.”
Zheng Sanpao stiffened.
In the army, honours were not given lightly. A soldier could earn First-Class, Second-Class, or Third-Class Merit, and above those were Official Commendations. But among the ranks of new recruits, there was one title that stood apart—‘Outstanding Recruit’.@@@@
It was more than just an award. It was a gateway. Soldiers who earned it were prioritised for promotions, leadership roles, and officer training. To be recognised as the best among all new soldiers meant skipping ahead of their peers, their careers set on a fast track.
But Miao Yidao wasn’t just talking about the battalion-level award.
He meant something far greater.
As soon as the thought formed, a familiar chime rang in his mind.
[Rookie Marksman (White) → Upgrading...]
In the next instant, his vision sharpened. His hands, steady before, now felt like extensions of the weapon itself. He could sense the weight, the recoil, the trajectory—as if he had fired thousands of rounds before.
A golden light flashed across his consciousness.
[Upgrade Complete: Hundred Paces Piercer (Gold)]
Lin Yi’s breath hitched. He had expected a modest increase in skill—perhaps an improvement to Purple-Tier, but this? This was on another level entirely.
The phrase ‘Hundred Paces Piercer’ originated from ancient Chinese history—a reference to archers so skilled that they could hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces away. Now, that talent was his. No matter the weapon, no matter the distance—he would never miss. Taking a slow breath, he aligned his sights. The fixed target at 100 metres away seemed almost too easy. His finger tightened on the trigger, and in a fraction of a second—
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!
Each shot was fired in quick succession, each bullet striking dead centre.
The supervising officer beside him visibly stiffened, unable to mask his astonishment.
A few metres away, Zheng Sanpao, watching through his binoculars, lowered them slightly, his brow furrowed. He had expected some decent performances today, but this?
Shooting wasn’t the same as running or fighting. It wasn’t just about physical prowess—it required training, refinement, and an almost unnatural level of control.
New recruits rarely excelled at marksmanship. In fact, the army’s best sharpshooters were usually former civilian competitors, transferred in from sports teams. So it was a mystery where Lin Yi had learned to shoot like this.
For a moment, the veteran sergeant could only stare. The rest of the recruits had no idea yet, but in that instant, Lin Yi had just set himself apart once again. And this time, there was no way to ignore it.