Chapter 23

Chapter 23

By a little past nine, the group reached the finish line. The June morning sun was already scorching, leaving everyone else red-faced and soaked in sweat, but Feng Xia looked like a cat soaking up the sun, her whole body felt great, and even her superpower felt smoother.

The destination was a flat clearing under a few tall, sturdy trees, their leaves blocking out most of the sun. But another team was already there, resting.

Yuan Biao stepped out of the jeep, his face stern, and exchanged salutes with the guy in charge. This team was a familiar one—the Second Regiment's elite unit, called the Wolf Pack by its commander.

They were about as strong as the Tip of the Spear.

Every year, the whole army's competition pitted these elite units against each other. Both the Tip of the Spear and the Wolf Pack had a rotation system too, where the bottom performers got replaced by better soldiers. People said that joining an elite unit meant either walking out with a first-class medal or being carried out with a second-class one, which shows how tough these units are.

The Wolf Pack's captain, Xu Tian, was thirty, a big, dark-faced guy with broad shoulders. He and Yuan Biao exchanged pleasantries—they got along pretty well. The Wolf Pack had started their field training an hour earlier, so they got there first.

The soldiers had dropped their gear and were sitting around resting, drinking water, chewing on dry rations, and chatting a little with their buddies. Everyone was tired, so they kept their voices low.

Plus, there was a traditional "show" coming up, so conserving energy was key.

Feng Xia, being small, saw no one was watching. She quietly took off her gear and poked a young soldier's arm. "Do we bring knives or firewood for field training?"

The soldier looked confused, then thought about it. "Yeah, I think so. I've seen the captain pull some out of the jeep before."

Hearing that, Feng Xia's eyes lit up. Nice, they've got some. She patted the soldier's shoulder, looking pleased, then went up to Lin Feihu and said she needed to go to the bathroom.

Since she was the only girl, Lin Feihu felt a little awkward and just told her not to go too far. Feng Xia nodded, a little dimple showing on her cheek, which meant she was in a great mood.

Once Feng Xia was out of sight, Yuan Biao asked casually, "Where's she off to?"

Lin Feihu said, "To the bathroom."

Yuan Biao just grunted and kept talking to Xu Tian. Xu Tian had noticed the slender figure, but since Feng Xia was in standard-issue camo, he figured she was a new member of the Tip of the Spear and didn't think twice.

Half an hour later, the soldiers were mostly rested and had eaten. Yuan Biao and Xu Tian looked at each other and announced the start of the competition.

Yeah, the bonus event of every field training: when two teams met, they had to spar. One-on-one, the Wolf Pack and the Tip of the Spear were both partners and rivals, and neither was willing to back down. A fight would settle things.

Each side sent out a fighter, both of them fearless warriors. As soon as they stepped up, the atmosphere was intense. They went at it fiercely, while the soldiers around them cheered loudly for their buddies. Neither captain stepped in—young people needed some fire, after all.

Meanwhile, Feng Xia had run two kilometers off. She moved swiftly, following animal tracks in the dirt, specifically targeting wild boar hoof prints. Spotting a patch of flattened grass, she smirked, her eyes sparkling. Found it!

Back at the camp, the fights were heating up. Each match lasted about ten minutes, and three had already been fought. The Tip of the Spear had one win and two losses. Yuan Biao's face darkened—he'd need to ramp up training for these guys, and hard. His gaze swept around.

Suddenly, he asked, "Where's that girl?"

Lin Feihu realized she'd been gone for over half an hour and had forgotten about her. Yuan Biao, not seeing her, decided not to bother. Feng Xia was tough; she wouldn't get eaten by wolves. She was probably off foraging for food again. He turned his attention back to the field—this was the fourth match. The two fighters were going at it fiercely, ending in a draw with the Tip of the Spear slightly ahead.

Xu Tian laughed heartily. "Old Yuan, how about a little demonstration?"

Before Yuan Biao could respond, a loud "thud" shook the ground. Many turned to see a wild boar, at least two hundred jin, lying in front of Feng Xia. The girl was grinning, her teeth white, her eyes narrowed into slits.

Even Xu Tian and Yuan Biao were taken aback. Yuan Biao, especially, was furious. He shouted at her, "What's wrong with you?! What's wrong with you?! Where the hell did you go to hunt a wild boar?! This is field training, not a picnic! No discipline, no order! You're running around like crazy!"

By the end, Yuan Biao was shaking with anger. If he weren't so fit, he'd probably need a Quick-acting Heart-saving Pill. Feng Xia's cap was askew, her big eyes watery, a bit of grass on her fair cheek. Anyone would think she was an adorable little girl—if not for the wild boar in front of her.

"I thought everyone could have some meat, Captain. Can we eat it now? I'm hungry." Feng Xia's voice was crisp, but it sent Yuan Biao's blood pressure soaring. Meat, meat—this was field training, not a damn barbecue!

Yuan Biao forced down his anger. The Wolf Pack was watching; he couldn't let them see a joke. But it was so infuriating!

"No!"

Feng Xia blinked, looking pitiful. "Really not?"

"No!"

Yuan Biao turned away, not wanting to deal with her—out of sight, out of mind.

"Then I'll take this boar back to eat." Feng Xia wasn't about to give up the pig. "That's okay, right?"

She seemed a bit unhappy, the dimple on her cheek gone, reverting to her usual aloof demeanor.

Yuan Biao roared, "How the hell are you taking it back?"

Feng Xia replied, "I'll carry it."

Yuan Biao knew she meant it. His soldier carrying a pig back from field training—he didn't need to imagine it; he'd become the laughingstock of the entire Field Army. Damn it, damn it, so infuriating!

"Get lost, get lost! I'll tie it to the jeep for you. Just get out of my sight!" Yuan Biao bellowed. Feng Xia beamed, agreed, and turned to hoist the massive boar, carrying it to Yuan Biao's jeep.

Such a frail figure, seemingly breakable, effortlessly lifting a two- to three-hundred-jin wild boar. The stark contrast stunned everyone present.

The Wolf Pack soldiers, especially, were dumbfounded, jaws nearly dropping. My god, this kid looked eleven or twelve years old. This wasn't a girl—this was Xiang Yu reborn!

Strength to lift a cauldron!

Xu Tian stared, his eyes fixed on Feng Xia with pure fervor. With talent like that, who wouldn't want to train a soldier king?!

"Old Yuan, how about I spar with this girl?" Xu Tian stepped forward, draping an arm over Yuan Biao's shoulder, grinning.

Yuan Biao wanted to refuse but couldn't. He replied, "She's still an unofficial member. Ask her yourself—I can't decide for her."

Xu Tian approached Feng Xia with a smile, asking if she'd spar with him. She was about to shake her head when Xu Tian pulled out a foil-wrapped item from his pocket. He explained it was chocolate. If she agreed to spar, win or lose, she could have it.

Feng Xia's eyes lit up instantly. The sweet aroma stimulated her senses. She loved candy, and chocolate—a rare treasure even in the apocalypse—she'd only heard of but never tasted.

"Alright, let's fight."

With that, Feng Xia lunged at Xu Tian, her moves lethal and ruthless, incorporating the techniques Yuan Biao had taught her. Even Xu Tian found himself scrambling to keep up. But his combat experience was richer. Without using her superpower, they exchanged twenty to thirty moves. Sweat dripped from Xu Tian's face. He laughed heartily, stepped back, and called a halt, tossing the chocolate to Feng Xia.

Feng Xia peeled off the foil and took a bite. The smooth, rich cocoa flavor filled her mouth. So, so delicious!

Xu Tian's smile widened. "Comrade Feng Xia, how about joining the Wolf Pack? I've got plenty more chocolate!"

Feng Xia's eyes sparkled. Beside her, Yuan Biao's face turned as black as a pot.