Chapter 29: Swearing an Oath to the Gun!

Day Two!

Morning.

The vibrant national flag of the Iron Fist Regiment fluttered in the cool dawn breeze. Early birds chirped as they flew overhead, and everything was orderly and calm.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air like a harbinger of doom, echoing across the entire camp.

“Assemble!”

With Old Hei’s signature booming command, the once tranquil area erupted into chaos as dozens of recruits streamed out of their dormitories.

A new day, a new training subject, had begun.

This morning was unlike any before. Usually, the recruits gathered with long faces and dark expressions, not a smile in sight. But today, everything was different—everyone wore a grin.

Not a single “mourning face” could be seen!

Each recruit’s eyes brimmed with excitement and anticipation, impatient for the training ahead, eager to rush to the training grounds.

The reason for this drastic change was today’s training subject: “Live Ammunition Shooting Practice.”

A man’s passion for firearms is akin to a woman’s desire for diamonds.

They have zero resistance!

These raw recruits of the Iron Fist Regiment had spent over two months crawling, rolling, and practicing—just learning how to hold a rifle properly took nearly a month. After all this time, what they craved most was the moment of actually firing a real shot.

Now, that moment had finally arrived. How could they not be thrilled?

Especially Xing Xiaolong, who had served for five years but had only fired less than thirty rounds in total; he was so excited his hands trembled.

In these peaceful and harmonious times, getting to fire a few real bullets is no easy feat.

In this charged atmosphere, the recruits lined up and were led to the armory, where each received a Type 95 automatic rifle. They then returned to the parade ground beneath the red flag.

Next came a crucial moment—the Iron Fist Regiment’s unique “Oath to the Rifle.”

“Take up your rifles!”

Old Hei stood before the formation and gave the order. All recruits swiftly brought their rifles to their chests.

“I swear, I will use my life to cherish the rifle in my hands…”

Old Hei stood tall and solemn, his voice resonant as he recited the oath. The recruits followed him, repeating each line loudly.

“I swear, I will use my life to cherish the rifle in my hands. The rifle is a soldier’s second life. There are many rifles in the world, but this one is mine. My rifle and I are loyal guardians of the Republic.

Should any enemy invade, my rifle and I will fight back together, battle side by side, and destroy the enemy at the gates of our homeland. The rifle and the soldier’s life are one and shall never be parted. As long as the rifle is here, the soldier endures.”

Gun control in the Republic is extremely strict. If a soldier loses a rifle, while it might not mean death, severe punishment is inevitable. Should that rifle cause someone’s death, its owner would face a military tribunal.

Beyond peacetime regulations, on the battlefield, a rifle is a soldier’s lifeline; without it, he’s merely a moving target.

Only by truly caring for your rifle will it not fail you at critical moments.

For example, if you neglect your rifle and, at a decisive moment in battle, you need to kill an enemy with a single shot, but your rifle jams or misfires—you die. That is the consequence of not cherishing your weapon!

After the oath, Old Hei ordered “At ease.” The recruits stood with rifles at their sides, movements unified and precise—a stark contrast to when they first arrived.

This is growth, this is training, this is the beginning of becoming an outstanding soldier.

“Do any of you know Zhang Taofang?”

Live fire shooting is the most essential skill for a soldier. To further ignite the recruits’ passion, Old Hei didn’t rush them to the range, but instead asked a question.

“Sir!”

Xing Xiaolong was the first to respond.

“You know? Tell us.”

Old Hei favored Xing Xiaolong among the recruits and awaited his answer with anticipation.

“Zhang Taofang, sniper of the 24th Army of the People’s Liberation Army, successfully killed two hundred and fourteen enemies during the sniper battle at Shangganling. His marksmanship was feared by the enemy, who referred to his area as ‘the land of the snipers.’”

Though Xing Xiaolong wasn’t a die-hard military enthusiast spending his days on forums, as a sniper aficionado he naturally paid attention to legendary stories both at home and abroad.

Zhang Taofang was irreplaceable—the number one sniper god in Xing Xiaolong’s heart.

“Very good!”

Old Hei nodded in satisfaction and asked, “Who knows Xiang Xiaoping?”

“Sir!” This time, He Chenguang answered.

“Go ahead.”

He Chenguang was another recruit Old Hei valued highly. Unlike the enigmatic Xing Xiaolong, He Chenguang occasionally showed remarkable bursts of talent.

He Chenguang was excellent in every aspect, the most well-rounded recruit.

“Xiang Xiaoping, sniper of the 27th Group Army of the People’s Liberation Army, once killed thirty enemies and wounded one with thirty-one bullets, earning the title of Combat Hero personally awarded by the highest military leader.”

He Chenguang spoke smoothly, then raised his eyebrows at Xing Xiaolong on the far right, as if to say: I’m not so bad, am I?

The formation was arranged from left to right, shortest to tallest. Xing Xiaolong, standing at one meter eighty-one, always held the final spot, while He Chenguang was the shortest among their quartet.

“Excellent. Both your answers are correct. Zhang Taofang and Xiang Xiaoping were remarkable martyrs, their marksmanship reaching a level of mastery. But do you know who taught them to shoot?”

“Sir!”

Wang Yanbin, unwilling to be outdone, was the first to speak as soon as Old Hei finished his question. With permission, he answered confidently, “They learned shooting in the People’s Liberation Army.”

Normally, one might expect the answer to be a person. But after all these years, the true source of their training is impossible to verify.

Wang Yanbin, a seasoned streetwise veteran, had given a flawless answer.

No matter where they learned, it was all in the army.

No mistake!

“Very good, that’s the standard answer.”

Old Hei was pleased with Wang Yanbin’s cleverness. When used in the right context, such wit is a valuable asset.

He then raised his voice and asked again, “Your predecessors have proven the heights PLA shooters can reach. Tell me, can you achieve the same?”

“Yes!”

The recruits answered in unison.

“Did you not eat this morning? Louder! Tell me like real men.”

Old Hei roared.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Each response was louder than the last, morale and passion fully ignited.

“Good!”

Old Hei was very satisfied with their enthusiasm. With a sweeping gesture, he ordered, “Everyone, right turn! Target: training range, shooting field! Double time, move!”