Chapter Nineteen: The Cruel Reality

After arranging for Xu Yan and Duan Peng to stay at the Special Forces hospital, Jing Zhiming felt an immense surge of joy. He had been waiting for a special notification from the Interstellar Command Center, but what arrived was not the anticipated special directive. Instead, he was instructed to compile and send the training plans for Xu Yan and Duan Peng to the Command Center.

Perplexed by this unexpected response, Jing Zhiming quickly called the Command Center for clarification. The reply was that the routine training and missions of the Jinjiang Special Forces were already demanding, which aligned with the needs of Blue Star’s special forces, and therefore, his proposal was not approved at this time. Notably, there was no mention of Xu Yan and Duan Peng.

That very day, back at the Special Forces base, Jing Zhiming’s frustration boiled over. He smashed several cups in his office, his fury palpable. No one dared to approach him; they only watched silently.

“Damn it! Do they really think we can’t train interstellar squad members with the conditions we have now?!” he shouted, pacing back and forth.

In truth, Jing Zhiming was well aware that given the current state of the Jinjiang Special Forces, they truly lacked the capability to train interstellar squad members. He had begged and pleaded to acquire a few sets of outdated training equipment, exhausting all his dignity in the process.

Without these training devices, his plan would have been impossible to realize.

Zhang Xudong stepped forward cautiously. “Captain, this was only a simulated exam. When the real test comes at the end of the year, we’ll follow the proper procedures. I believe, with the combination of veteran members and the outstanding newcomers, we can still exceed last year’s selection quota.”

“Of course,” Jing Zhiming’s eyes blazed with determination, “but if our members could bypass the practical training and directly join the interstellar forces as they did in this simulation, then those fools would truly understand that Jinjiang Special Forces are top-tier.”

“Captain, the division of labor is different. We aren’t in the interstellar forces like before. We have to face reality,” Zhang Xudong said with a wry smile.

“I refuse to accept that! I won’t believe it!” Jing Zhiming retorted fiercely. “Later, you come with me to the Command Center. Even if I have to smile till my face cracks, I’ll get us a few sets of equipment.”

Zhang Xudong grimaced. “My face is only so big. No matter how much I smile, I can’t laugh any equipment into existence.”

Jing Zhiming raised a cup in frustration but ultimately didn’t smash it. He knew Zhang was right, but his heart remained restless.

The next day, Duan Peng had fully recovered and was ready to resume training. However, when the two returned to their shared dormitory, they found Jing Zhiming sitting there alone, as if waiting for them.

“Captain, why are you so free today?” Duan Peng teased suddenly. “Don’t tell me we’re starting training the day of discharge!”

Jing Zhiming looked up at them, a rare moment of guilt crossing his face. He stood and said, “No need. You’ve already done well. Today, you’re officially back with the team.”

“Back with the team?” Xu Yan asked, puzzled. “Aren’t we already here?”

“I mean you’re returning to First Squad to train with them,” Jing Zhiming said softly.

His gentle words unsettled Xu Yan and Duan Peng; it was unlike him. Without further explanation, he turned and left without looking back.

The two exchanged glances, confused.

Watching Jing Zhiming’s retreating figure, Xu Yan suddenly said, “The captain has taken a hit. But who could have dealt that blow?”

His training under the captain had been brutal enough to be called hellish; even a smile from him sent chills down their spines, as it often meant an escalation in training. That the captain should be so downcast was unexpected indeed.

But since the captain had spoken, they packed their gear and glanced wistfully at the dormitory that had housed just the two of them.

As Duan Peng took a few steps, Xu Yan suddenly tapped his shoulder and asked, “Duan Peng, do you want to stay here and keep training?”

“Talking is useless. What we want doesn’t matter!” Duan Peng, usually reserved, couldn’t help but curse.

“Don’t say such defeatist things. Just tell me if you want to stay and train.”

“Of course I want to!”

“Good,” Xu Yan said, “then stay.”

He turned and went back into the dorm, putting down the packed luggage. Seeing Duan Peng still stunned, Xu Yan came out, grabbed the backpack off his shoulders, and tossed it casually into the room.

“Come on, follow me.”

Duan Peng blinked in surprise, then clenched his teeth, put down his suitcase, kicked the door shut, and ran after Xu Yan.

Their destination was the large training hall where they usually practiced, filled with various pieces of worn-out equipment scavenged from the interstellar forces.

“Duan Peng, promise me one thing first, then I’ll tell you how we can stay and keep training.”

Without hesitation, Duan Peng nodded. “No question. If it means staying, I’d even let you ride me like a horse.”

“Not necessary. You’re not fast enough to outrun me!” Xu Yan joked, patting Duan Peng on the shoulder.

Though teammates and comrades through countless meals and drills, Duan Peng knew well that in a direct comparison, he’d lose to Xu Yan at least seven times out of ten. The gap was small but undeniable, so he said nothing.

“I promise,” Duan Peng said.

Xu Yan smiled. “Let’s get to work.”

He led Duan Peng to the centrifuge room and opened it. “This centrifuge lacks some design aspects of the latest models, making it hard to fully replicate the true sensation of acceleration. But with some modifications, I can make it start at 3 Gs and automatically adjust in stages based on the body’s tolerance, quickly reaching up to 10 Gs.”

“Wait!” Duan Peng interrupted. “That’s not hard. The current centrifuge already reaches 10 Gs.”

Xu Yan patiently explained, “I mean automatic adjustment. This provides a buffer period, so combined with regular training, more people can gradually adapt to 8 Gs. That way, more Jinjiang Special Forces members can become our competitors.”

Duan Peng mulled this over and finally grasped Xu Yan’s meaning: it was about mass-producing superhuman soldiers. Yet he still didn’t understand how this related directly to their staying on for training.

Xu Yan met Duan Peng’s gaze and smiled. “Because the captain wants to establish an interstellar training center within the Jinjiang Special Forces, so more members can become interstellar squad soldiers. Eventually, Jinjiang Special Forces itself will become an interstellar squad.”