Chapter 21: If You're Going to Do It, Be the Best

Xing Xiaolong wanted to keep a low profile, but his strength simply wouldn’t allow it. Once the effects of the “booster” kicked in, not even ten oxen could hold him back. In just thirty seconds, he powered through round after round—it was impossible to keep track of how many he’d done, since everyone around was so dumbfounded that no one remembered to count. The only tally anyone could reference was the rapid-fire count that burst from Xing Xiaolong’s mouth as he rattled off numbers like a machine gun, and even that had shot well past a hundred without stopping.

Old Black glanced at his stopwatch, which had already reset to zero, then at Xing Xiaolong, who, though he’d completed the punishment challenge, seemed unable to stop, as if he were addicted. Old Black’s face darkened even more. He was convinced Xing Xiaolong was being deliberately provocative.

In truth, apart from being too hyped up from the “booster” and unable to stop—almost as if he’d chewed on some hyper-caffeinated gum—Xing Xiaolong was, indeed, intentionally trying to get under Old Black’s skin. Wasn’t Old Black the one who’d said he was no good? Who’d planned to use him as an example, a warning to the others? Who believed all new recruits were hopeless? Who loved to put on a stern face?

Fine, then. He’d make sure Old Black’s face was as black as the legendary Judge Bao of the 21st century.

“This new recruit is something else!” Old Black fumed inside, so angry he wanted nothing more than to give Xing Xiaolong a swift kick. But as a soldier, rules were rules—no matter how furious he was, no matter how much he wanted to spit blood, he couldn’t abuse his seniority. A loss was a loss.

Of course, Old Black didn’t want to linger and let Xing Xiaolong keep humiliating him, so he barked at the recruit to stop, gathered the new soldiers, and called for a Sergeant First Class to lead them back to the recruit company barracks—Xing Xiaolong, still bursting with energy after more than three hundred push-ups, and the rest of the new recruits.

The new soldiers, having dodged a ten-kilometer run and seeing Old Black’s face as dark as coal, were elated—as if the one who’d humiliated Old Black had been themselves. On the way back, they secretly gave Xing Xiaolong thumbs up. “Boss! Awesome! You’re out of this world!”

“That recruit is interesting,” someone whispered. “He faked exhaustion so well during the first hundred, he even fooled me. He’s got real potential for camouflage training.”

From outside the training ground, Gong Jian, who had been observing, watched as the recruits were led away, Xing Xiaolong a head taller than the others. Instead of being upset that the planned show of force had failed, Gong Jian actually smiled with satisfaction.

In his eyes, Xing Xiaolong’s sudden burst of strength during the second half of the challenge was probably the result of special push-up training. Plenty of people mastered one exercise—it was nothing strange. As for Xing Xiaolong’s apparent exhaustion after the first hundred, Gong Jian was sure it was an act meant to lure Old Black into a trap, then turn the tables on him. Young men, full of pride and fire—Gong Jian understood.

Old Black, turning to leave, spotted Gong Jian outside the training ground and jogged over, forcing a wry smile. “Reporting, Instructor. I embarrassed myself today—I failed the task you gave me. This new recruit is something else. I can’t make sense of him.”

“Old Black, I didn’t expect you to fall for it one day, and by a brand new recruit, no less. That’s a surprise,” Gong Jian said, clapping Old Black on the shoulder as they walked toward the company. “But from another perspective, isn’t this a good thing? The army needs outstanding soldiers—the better the recruits, the better for us. Sure, they’re young and a bit wild, but that can be changed. I trust you not to let me down in these next three months. And one more thing—Xing Xiaolong isn’t the only troublemaker in this batch. Keep an eye on He Chenguang and Wang Yanbing as well. Train them well, and they’ll have great futures.”

“Yes, sir. I guarantee the task will be completed.” Old Black felt Gong Jian’s words made perfect sense. Though he’d lost face today, he’d found a promising recruit. His spirits quickly revived, and the devilish smile returned to his lips.

When new recruits join up, before being assigned to their companies, the first step is to enter the recruit platoon or battalion for unified basic training. In this process, outstanding new soldiers can be discovered.

The very first training module awaiting Xing Xiaolong and the others was, to outsiders, something almost unbelievable—barracks organization, famous for its “tofu block” standards. Folding blankets and towels into perfect blocks, organizing personal and combat gear—tasks that, in the eyes of cynics, seemed like a complete waste of time. After all, folding a blanket into a perfect square wouldn’t make you shoot straighter; it just looked more visually pleasing. Purely for show, they’d scoff.

Yet those who sneer never consider where the iron discipline of the Chinese military, the unwavering obedience to command, and the courage to charge into danger come from. Nor do they appreciate the awe-inspiring orderliness—the soldiers who stand like pines, sit like bells, and move as one. All of it, in fact, is born from this seemingly pointless barracks organization.

The high standards of barracks organization are meant to instill patience, attention to detail, upright character, and the habit of perfect order.

Having already served once, Xing Xiaolong was a natural at these tasks. During a week of morning barracks drills and afternoon classes in political and military theory, Xing Xiaolong once again stood out for his excellence, becoming the undisputed star of the recruit platoon—number one, without question. Gong Jian and Old Black both paid increasing attention to him as training progressed.

But Xing Xiaolong’s high profile wasn’t because he craved attention or enjoyed basking in the awe-struck, admiring glances of his fellow recruits—though, admittedly, it felt fantastic. The real reason he made sure to stand out was because the second phase of the Special Training Main Quest from the CF Mall required him to finish recruit training with top marks.

The reward system for this mission was unique: tiered, incremental prizes. Ranking in the top five would count as completion—fifth place earned one random item, fourth place two, and so on up to first place, which awarded five random items. This was completely different from the first phase, where the rewards were fixed and fully visible.

Previously, in order to put Old Black in his place, Xing Xiaolong had used his “cheat” ability for the first time, opening the door to a whole new world of advantages. The invincible feeling after “boosting” was simply too addictive—and there were no side effects at all. He could use it whenever he wanted, with no worries, and the results were astonishing—instant transformation.

Who could possibly resist?

Already hooked, Xing Xiaolong was determined to go all out for the next round of rewards. If luck was on his side, he might even draw five powerful boosters, or something even better. That would be utterly exhilarating.