By 10:30 AM, the entire Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company had gathered at the combat training ground. Every platoon leader and squad leader stood in attendance, eyes fixed on the two figures at the center of the field.
The snowfall had ceased, leaving behind a crisp, icy stillness that contrasted with the growing tension.
On one side stood Zheng Sanpao, his uniform still caked with mud from his earlier fight with Zhuang Yan. Opposite him was Lin Yi, the most talked-about recruit in the entire regiment.
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First Platoon Leader Chen Guotao frowned as he observed Lin Yi, who, for the first time, seemed to be stepping out of his usual low-profile demeanor.
âWhatâs this kid up to?â he muttered.
Beside him, Company Commander Miao let out a knowing chuckle.
âHe showcased his shooting skills during live-fire training.â
âNow, heâs going to showcase his combat ability.â
âAnd with the upcoming recruit performance evaluation, do you really think heâs letting go of the âOutstanding New Soldierâ title?â
Miaoâs smirk widened.
âBesides, Night Tiger just made historyâour company now has the first recruit in the entire Southeast Military District to get thrown into the brig for punching his squad leader.â
âIf we also produce the best recruit of the year, weâll be making even bigger waves. And that⦠would conveniently overshadow Zhuang Yanâs little âincident.ââ
Chen Guotao raised an eyebrow, taking another glance at Lin Yiâs calm, unwavering stance.
The duel before them was unprecedentedâ
Zheng Sanpao, an eight-year reconnaissance veteran, known as the strongest squad leader in Night Tigerâ¦
Versus Lin Yi, a provincial top scorer, a freshman at Yanjing University, and the most dominant new recruit in the entire Southeast Military District.
This wasnât just a fight.
This was a
.
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Lin Yiâs sharp gaze met Zheng Sanpaoâs.
âSergeant, I need you to fight me at your bestâno holding back.â
His voice carried an undeniable seriousness.
Though he had never officially tested his âCombat Masteryâ ability, he already knew the truthâZheng Sanpao wasnât his equal.
But this wasnât about proving who was stronger.
Lin Yi wanted a reference point, a gauge for how a top-tier reconnaissance soldier fought, so he could estimate the capabilities of special forces operatives.
For Zheng Sanpao, this wasnât just a fight either.
It was an opportunityâto learn, to evolve, to break through his own limits.
Zheng Sanpao exhaled sharply, his expression hardening.
âAlright. No holding back.â
He dropped into a combat stance, body tense like a coiled spring.
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Lin Yi stood his ground, completely relaxed.
Then, he lifted a handâand gestured for Zheng Sanpao to come at him.
âCome.â
Zheng Sanpaoâs expression darkened.
With a sudden burst of energy, he charged forward, his movements precise and lethal, carrying the aura of a battle-hardened soldier.
His killing intent was real.
âKill!â
He threw a devastating right hook.
Lin Yi didnât dodge.
Insteadâhe moved forward.
Fists clashed at lightning speed, feet maneuvered in perfect sync, bones collided with boneâ
The impact of each strike echoed across the field.
From the very first exchange, the gathered officers and sergeants knewâ
This was no ordinary fight.
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In just a few minutes, they had already exchanged hundreds of blows.
Zheng Sanpao was fighting to kill, throwing everything he had into the battle. His stance, his footwork, his feintsâall military-grade combat tactics, designed to eliminate an enemy in the most efficient way possible. Yet, Lin Yi countered everything effortlessly. It wasnât that Zheng Sanpao was weak. Far from it. It was that Lin Yi was on a different level entirely.
Watching from the sidelines, Chen Xiwa and the other recruits were completely lost, only seeing a blur of movement. But the veteran officersâ expressions had changed entirely. What they saw wasnât just a fight. It was a lesson, a teaching match. And Zheng Sanpao was the student.
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Miaoâs eyes narrowed.
âUnbelievableâ¦â
âHeâs fighting Zheng Sanpao in an all-out brawl⦠but heâs holding back. Heâs feeding him openings, guiding his attacksâteaching him in the middle of the fight!â
Chen Guotao felt a chill crawl up his spine.
âThis isnât just training⦠this is combat artistry.â
And suddenly, Lin Yiâs stance shifted.
He was done holding back.
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âSergeantâmy turn.â
Before Zheng Sanpao could reactâ
A lightning-fast blow struck his ribs.
His defenses were shattered in an instant. Zheng Sanpao stumbled back, eyes wide in disbelief. Lin Yiâs strikes werenât random. They exploited every single weakness in his formâhis foot placement, his defensive posture, his recovery speed. Zheng Sanpao felt helpless, unable to react. It wasnât just about skill anymore. This was dominance. With a final, controlled strike, Lin Yi sent him sprawling, not in a way that would injure him, but in a way that made a statement.
Zheng Sanpao stayed on the ground for a moment, breathing hard. Then, slowly, he pushed himself up, looking at Lin Yi with respect and gratitude. He understood now. Lin Yi hadnât just beaten him. He had helped him improve.
âGood fight, Sergeant.â Lin Yi said, offering a hand.
Zheng Sanpao took it without hesitation.
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From the sidelines, Miao broke into applause.
âExcellent! Absolutely excellent!â
âEight years as a reconnaissance soldier, and you still lost to a recruit!â he laughed, shaking his head.
Zheng Sanpao grinned despite himself.
âThis kid isnât normal, sir.â
Miao turned to Lin Yi.
âYour combat styleââ he began.
âI saw elements of Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Judo, Sanda⦠youâve blended multiple disciplines into a seamless system of your own.â
âThat level of skill is almost unheard of in the regular army.â
He stepped closer.
âLin Yi.â
âHow do you feel about competing in the All-Army Military Tournament?â
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
âTell me more.â
Miao smirked.
âLetâs just say⦠if you win, you wonât be a recruit much longer.â