Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Bullets struck the targets one after another, landing with muffled impacts. Not a single shot strayed beyond the eighth ring.
Zhuang Yan and Chen Xiwa seamlessly transitioned from standing fire to a prone position, swiftly pulling their triggers and aiming at the human-shaped targets ahead.
This scene was clearly reflected in Minister Zhao’s eyes. He pointed at the shooting range, his expression carrying a hint of disbelief.
“Miao, those two are new recruits?”
“Yes, new recruits,” Miao Lian responded confidently.
The gunfire ceased.
Zhuang Yan and Chen Xiwa stood upright, their QBZ-95 automatic rifles held securely, unwavering.
“You wouldn’t be trying to deceive me by having veterans wear private’s insignia, would you, old Miao?”
Minister Zhao narrowed his eyes at Miao Lian, half-suspicious.
“Minister, you know the kind of person I am.”
“Would I even bother doing something like that?”
Miao Lian chuckled.
Only then did Minister Zhao’s expression ease into a smile. He gestured toward the soldiers.
“Have them run over here.”
If
’s new recruits all possessed such shooting skills, then this assessment trip had been well worth it.
“Yes, sir!”
Miao Lian immediately issued the command.
“You two—double time over here!”
“Quick march!”
Chen Xiwa and Zhuang Yan turned on their heels and jogged over, weapons in hand, stopping before Minister Zhao’s group.
Minister Zhao pointed at Zhuang Yan and asked, “You—how old are you?”
“Reporting, sir! Eighteen!”
Zhuang Yan answered without hesitation.
“Well now, the younger generation truly is remarkable.”
Minister Zhao looked him up and down before turning to Miao Lian with an approving smile.
“You’re the youngest rapid-fire sharpshooter I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“However, I am not the youngest, nor the best rapid-fire shooter in our company.”
Zhuang Yan added honestly, “The only reason we shoot so well is because he trained us well.”
“Oh?”
Minister Zhao raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
Miao Lian quickly interjected.
“This lad was a university student before enlisting—an arts major.”
“You’re that university recruit everyone’s been talking about—the one who punched his squad leader?”
Minister Zhao’s attention swung back to Zhuang Yan.
“Yes, sir.”
Zhuang Yan responded, somewhat sheepishly.
“Haha.”
Minister Zhao chuckled, then offered words of encouragement.
“Good. Very good. Work hard—I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
“Thank you, sir!”
At these words, Zhuang Yan’s face instantly lit up with delight.
“Hmm.”
“Captain Gao.”
Minister Zhao suddenly shifted his gaze to the beret-wearing major.
“What do you think—would this soldier be a good fit for your Special Operations Battalion?”
“Sir!”
“The Special Operations Battalion adheres to a strict selection process.”
“This was a directive personally signed by you three years ago.”
“You once said that the
is an elite strike force, a unit that exists to be deployed at a moment’s notice for real combat. It cannot be tainted by nepotism or political favours.”
“I trust that you wouldn’t break the very rules you set, sir.”
Captain Gao spoke with unwavering conviction.
At his words, Zhuang Yan rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
Minister Zhao let out a dry chuckle.
“Well, well—so you were waiting to throw that back at me, were you?”
“I don’t want to join anyway,” Zhuang Yan muttered.
“What was that?”
Minister Zhao’s sharp gaze immediately landed on him.
“Reporting, sir!”
“I meant that since the Special Operations Commander is present, perhaps he could give us a demonstration.”
“Let us reconnaissance company recruits witness true skill.”
Zhuang Yan’s gaze locked onto Captain Gao, unwavering.
“Xiao Zhuang.”
“Mind your manners.”
Miao Lian reprimanded him.
“Captain Gao, looks like he doesn’t think much of you.”
Minister Zhao smirked as he glanced at Captain Gao.
“I’ll do as the minister commands.”
Captain Gao’s expression remained unreadable, his lips pressed into a firm line.
“Hmm.”
“Then engage in some ‘friendly exchange’—a little contest.”
Minister Zhao issued the order.
After all, Captain Gao’s purpose in accompanying this assessment team was to evaluate the reconnaissance units and select potential candidates for the Special Forces selection process.
His role was, in essence, a whetstone—to sharpen these troops.
Now that Zhuang Yan had issued a direct challenge, Minister Zhao had the perfect excuse to test the
.
“Alright.”
“Since the minister has spoken, let’s have an exchange.”
Captain Gao removed his sunglasses and turned to Miao Lian.
“Old Miao, got any beer bottles?”
“Yeah, there’s a whole pile—used for hammer training.”
Miao Lian gestured toward the corner of the shooting range.
“Have two soldiers throw them for me.”
Captain Gao rolled up his sleeves.
Miao Lian chuckled knowingly.
“Lao Gao, you came to my turf just to show off, didn’t you?”
“What’s the matter—scared?”
Captain Gao nudged him with his elbow, waggling his brows.
“You two, grab the beer bottles.”
Miao Lian selected two soldiers from the formation.
“Since this is a demonstration, use your own rifle.”
Captain Gao pointed at Zhuang Yan.
Without hesitation, Zhuang Yan unslung his QBZ-95 and handed it over.
“I personally zeroed this rifle. Try it out.”
“No need.”
Captain Gao took the rifle, chambered a round, then patted his chest.
“Shooting isn’t about the eyes—it’s about this.”
With that, he raised the rifle in one hand and strode to the centre of the range.
The two designated soldiers arrived with a bucket of empty beer bottles, ready to follow orders.
Captain Gao assumed a combat stance, his gaze sharp as a wolf’s.
Then, he turned his back to the range and barked, “Alright.”
“Throw!”
Miao Lian signalled.
A soldier flung a beer bottle high into the air.
In a flash, Captain Gao fired, shattering the bottle mid-air.
“Keep them coming!”
The soldiers continued tossing bottles one after another.
With each gunshot, another bottle burst into fragments, raining glass down onto the field.
“Switch hands!”
Captain Gao called out, transferring the rifle to his left hand.
Zhuang Yan and Chen Xiwa were utterly dumbfounded.
By the time the shooting stopped, every last bottle had been hit. Not a single one remained intact.
“Bravo!”
The reconnaissance soldiers erupted into applause.
Even the stubborn Zhuang Yan had to admit—this man’s marksmanship was phenomenal.
“Remember this.”
“Shooting isn’t about this—it’s about this.”
Captain Gao gestured first to his eyes, then pounded his chest.
“This—this is a soldier’s heart. You don’t kill the enemy with your hands or eyes.”
“You kill with your heart. This is merely the foundation of every special forces operative.”
“If you’re interested, you can come find me anytime.”
At these words, Zhuang Yan and Chen Xiwa exchanged glances.
“Minister.”
“You really did bring Captain Gao here just to humiliate me, didn’t you?”
Miao Lian’s expression was grim.
“Nonsense.”
“I’m merely having my officers make rounds in various reconnaissance units.”
“This was just a friendly exchange. It doesn’t count.”
Minister Zhao said meaningfully.
Hearing this, Miao Lian’s eyes flickered with understanding.
“Lao Miao.”
“Apologies.”
Captain Gao offered a rare apology.
“If I had half your training budget, every one of my men would be better than yours.”
Miao Lian scoffed.
“Perhaps. Just a minor trick—nothing special.”
Captain Gao smiled.