Chapter 38: Survival of the Fittest

During this period, the group traversed a mountain path about one kilometer long. The trail was incredibly rugged, requiring far more time and energy to cross than a standard road. There was also a segment involving water that caused the new recruits immense suffering, though many managed to persevere.

One recruit, in particular, caught Ma Yuan’s attention. He was tall and broad-shouldered, possessing a sturdy physique and a calm, composed expression, unlike those who sighed and complained when faced with such hardships.

By late afternoon, after a full day of travel, the recruits finally reached their destination, though most were utterly exhausted. Wu Hai had arrived early and was waiting for the group. With eyes sharp as a falcon’s, he scanned the recruits; his gaze brightened significantly when it landed on the tall, sturdy recruit, clearly indicating his appreciation.

Several others also caught Wu Hai’s eye. He called out and selected all those he favored. Fortunately, Ma Yuan was the last one chosen. It was then that Ma Yuan learned the name of the outstanding recruit was Huo Yuanqi, who, without a doubt, had become the most brilliant performer in this ten-kilometer endurance race.

After finalizing his selections and taking one last look at the group, Wu Hai spoke. "Are you wondering why there was a sudden ten-kilometer race today?" He paced for a moment before continuing, "This was not a whim of mine. It was a selection process. To become part of the elite soldiers within the Zheng Faction, one must first possess extraordinary physical strength, for only a superior physique can support superior military skills."

"Those I have selected will train as the Special Warfare Battalion, while the others will enter the Reserve Battalion. I must emphasize that even in the Reserve Battalion, the training is grueling. You must all be prepared, for you could be eliminated at any time." Wu Hai softened his tone slightly and added, "Very well, Adjutant Yan, take the men for the Reserve Battalion away."

After most of the men had left, only thirty-five remained. Wu Hai was clearly very satisfied with them. "Listen, you are the elite, but do not let that go to your heads. Being chosen means you are exceptional, which also means that over the next three months, you must complete ten times the training volume of the Reserve Battalion. If anyone fails to keep up, do not say I didn't warn you—the end result will be the same: elimination."

Wu Hai was blunt but sincere. Within the Zheng Faction’s military, he understood that it was a world where the strong preyed on the weak; those who failed would eventually be relegated to the lowest-ranking soldiers, and only those who outperformed their peers could rise above the rest. Ma Yuan was thrilled to have entered the Special Warfare Battalion, seeing it as an opportunity to eventually ascend to the upper echelons of the Zheng Faction. The others in the battalion shared this intensity, their eyes gleaming with anticipation for the training ahead.

"Now, let me introduce those who will train you over the next three months. Besides myself, there are two others: Zhou Bingping and Chen E. Both are renowned soldiers within our Third Corps."

"You thirty-five will be divided into three squads of eleven, twelve, and twelve. The two twelve-man squads will be led by Zhou Bingping and Chen E, while I will lead the eleven-man squad personally. Since they have more time, their training intensity will be higher, but I have many duties, so I will not always be available to oversee you. Therefore, those in my squad must hold yourselves to a strict standard. Do you understand?" Wu Hai’s thunderous voice rang clearly across the field.

Soon, the thirty-five men were divided into the First, Second, and Third Squads. Wu Hai led the First, Zhou Bingping the Second, and Chen E the Third. Recruits like Huo Yuanqi, Bao Qi, and Zhao Haisheng were in the Second Squad, while Ma Yuan was assigned to Chen E’s unit. The standout in Wu Hai’s First Squad was a young talent named Chu Xiuge. Looking at the three squads, Chen E’s group was considered the weakest.

As Wu Hai stated, after three months, senior officers of the Zheng Faction would review their performance. Those who failed would be sent to front-line combat units, while only the qualified would remain to serve within the higher ranks of the Zheng Faction.

Once the assignments were finalized, the three veteran leaders took their respective squads to their designated training grounds on Mount Hongwu. Ma Yuan’s Third Squad was stationed in the southwest, where Chen E led the twelve men through their dormitories, training fields, and mess halls.

At dawn the next day, the twelve men gathered on the training field for their first collective session. Chen E, a man in his thirties with a kindly appearance but piercing eyes beneath heavy brows, proved to be an efficient commander.

"Greetings, everyone," Chen E said. "We will be spending the next three months together. Sergeant Major Wu has made the expectations clear, and as for me, I have a reputation to maintain. I hope you give your all. While few may reach the pinnacle, I hope some of you enter the upper ranks and perhaps pull the rest of us up later." He was speaking half in jest, as such opportunities were one in ten thousand.

Following the briefing, they began daily training: endurance, tactical drills, and defense. As raw recruits, they had yet to touch a firearm, so the focus remained on physical conditioning. After more than a month, they moved into tactical training. Ma Yuan gained a fundamental understanding of tactical coordination. Though he had learned some theory at military school, this was the practical, combat-oriented foundation he needed. His squad improved rapidly, with Zhang Keyong, Yang Hu, and Li Cheng emerging as the best, while Ma Yuan found himself in the second tier.