King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

China's "commissioned squad" consisted of eight people, but none of them looked much like Chinese.

There were two Tajik fellows, two Xibe fellows, two Russians, the only Han Chinese fellow was so dark he looked like he was from South Asia, and the last one was a rare female soldier, hmm, from West Xinjiang.

Their squad leader was a Russian man, Assault Soldier Zhao Da, and the deputy squad leader was a Tajik fellow, Assault Soldier Qian Er.

Then there was a Russian machine gunner, Sun San.

A Tajik machine gunner, Li Si.

A Xibe assault and demolition specialist, Zhou Wu.

A Xibe assault soldier and mechanic, Wu Liu.

A Han Chinese sniper, Zheng Qi.

A Hui precision shooter and electronics expert, Wang Piaoliang.

These names were obviously pseudonyms, but these commissioned cadets had a special identity; they were the top greenhorns pulled from various military districts, to be precise, selected for concentrated training because of their exceptional qualities, secondary special operations team members.

Their team was akin to the SEALs' training squadron, specifically replenishing personnel for the front-line squads,

The higher-ups had briefed them at their departure that they would temporarily leave the military structure to become mercenaries, obeying the commands of P.B.

Their current visit was a trial to see if a long-term cooperation was worthwhile, so they didn't mind whatever their codenames were.

The oldest in this squad, team leader Zhao Da, was only 28 years old. They had excelled among millions of soldiers, routinely outperforming their peers in training exercises, but they had never engaged in actual combat, instead relying on video materials to understand their counterparts around the world. Now they were at their most proud and arrogant.

Old Sergeant Solon, the cook stationed in Tubruq, despite repeatedly urging them to be low-key, they still retained their pride...

Before Boss Qiao appeared, they stayed within the cooking unit, preferring to chop vegetables rather than receive their equipment and follow the orders of the commander Zahovic.

The remaining security sweep in Tubruq was child's play to them, failing to pique their interest at all.

Solon knew what kind of problems such soldiers could have; having seen a multitude of files but nothing beats experiencing the battlefield in reality.

No matter how many experts they had seen in the files or how many simulated drills they had done, it was not comparable to a real-life encounter with an expert.

So, old Sergeant Solon didn't bother persuading them; with a sly grin, he egged on this group of strong greenhorns to participate in P.B.'s selection process.

And so, Zhao Da and his team from the cooking unit arrived, but after getting off the vehicle, they noticed something off; why was everyone fully armed...

Old Niu, Bayika, and Solon were the logistics support for this selection process. They leaped off a truck, skillfully directing a bunch of P.B.'s Xiao Heis to unload the rocket stove and fuel, then began setting up a makeshift chopping board to process food...

Seeing a few youngsters a bit at a loss, Old Niu shook his head and called out loudly, "Come and help, and later I'll take you to get your gear..."

The fully armed soldiers all around made Zhao Da and his team feel out of place...

The youngster who resembled Judelo approached Old Niu with his mates and said in a thick Northeastern Chinese accent, "Brother Niu, this P.B. selection is using live ammunition?

Are they recruiting mercenaries or special forces?

If someone goes crazy, things could go really wrong..."

Old Niu looked at Zhao Da dismissively and replied, "You don't know nothing. Do you think this is like inside China?

The cities of Baida and Tulemaise we just passed are still under terrorist control.

Kid, I might not be able to beat you in a fight, but I surely have more experience.

From now on, you'll be entering a state of combat readiness. If not, you're definitely going to suffer, and you might even lose your life.

Feeling nervous is a good thing. If you can't handle this bit of pressure, then going to Iraq would mean shitting yourself and bringing shame not just on us, but also internationally, right?"

While speaking, Old Niu glanced at Zhao Da and his team, whose expressions were slightly odd, and he said while shaking his head, "I know you're waiting for the boss to come and greet you, but I advise you not to wait.

If you can't make it through the selection, I'll pay out of my own pocket to buy you plane tickets home, it's better than losing face in front of the boss."

Qian Er frowned, looking at Old Niu who seemed to be somewhat disdainful of him and his teammates, and said, "Brother Niu, do you think we can't even make it through the selection?"

Old Niu rolled his eyes and retorted, "What's there to be proud of if you get through the selection? You've got to prove you're better than the others to earn some respect.

P.B.'s selection might not be as harsh as the ones you've been through before, but although the previous ones were strict, they were meticulously planned, with people covertly looking out for you every step of the way.

Have you ever witnessed someone just dropping dead during training?

I have!

Don't be disgruntled, wait until you get to Central Africa. I'll take you to the jungle camp to get a feel for it, and maybe find a few old guys to spar with you.

No offense, but you guys aren't up to it..."

Old Niu's provocation had fired up the spirits of the few...

Seeing the youngsters and the girl's spirits lifted, Old Niu was finally content and said, "Keep your eyes peeled. The old sergeant didn't tell you before because he was afraid of denting your confidence..."

Pointing to a hunched Russian not too far away and a Mongolian-looking burly man, Old Niu said, "The skinny one is called 'Crow,' the strong man is called 'Executioner.' Do you see something?"

Zhao Da furrowed his brow as he looked over...

The Russian man appeared to be in his forties, close to fifty, his expression was like a mask, and just by glancing at him, one could feel that this guy seemed to have suffered all his life...

The Mongolian man looked normal, except that his eyes lacked luster and his walk was slightly uneven...

However, these two had one thing in common: they lacked vitality, and looking at them for too long felt a bit creepy.

And somehow, when Zhao Da's gaze met theirs, the hair on his arms stood on end...

Zhao Da glanced at his companions who seemed to share his feeling, then looked at Lao Niu and said, "They've killed people..."

Upon hearing this, Lao Niu said with a chuckle, "Killed people?

I've killed people too. I killed three in Tubruq not long ago. Do you get that feeling when you look at me?"

After listening, Zhao Da thought for a moment and said, "At first, a little, but after being together for a while, not anymore.

What's there to say? Our battalion commander..."

Seeing that he had spoken out of turn, Zhao Da promptly shut his mouth, and Lao Niu shook his head and said, "You know I like to pry. When I see strange people, I always want to strike up a conversation.

I asked the American colleagues about 'Crow' and 'Executioner.' They're all from the Great Russian Banner.

In fact, these two guys are just over forty this year, but they participated in the Second Chechen War and, due to bad luck, have always been operating near Eastern Ukraine.

Ask our old squad leader how many people you have to kill to become like them?

Do you know what a killing aura is?

That's it!"

When Solon heard his name being brought up by Lao Niu, he shook his head and said, "Don't listen to him. Their look is formed by being immersed in a sea of corpses for a long time, it doesn't mean they've really killed that many people.

That black elder by our boss's side is truly formidable..."

As Solon said this, looking at the group of curious youngsters, he shook his head and said, "Don't look at me; I'm still a bit behind them.

I didn't tell you this to scare you, I wanted to tell you to never be careless.

I didn't expect our homeland would send anyone, but now that you have come, I have to take some responsibility for you.

Your opponents aren't those 'living dead men.' Look over there..."

Zhao Da and the others followed the direction of Solon's pointing to another few teams...

Solon didn't beat around the bush and simply said, "Those two teams of Englishmen are the legendary SAS, the ones you've learned about the most in your internal materials.

The other team is from the French Naval Infantry's First Parachute Regiment, which is France's SAS.

Unfortunately, you came a bit too late and missed America's SEAL Team Six...

They are the ones you need to surpass!

Those Russians are a bit outdated, just like us old guys.

Special Forces aren't those kinds of troops that play a life-and-death gamble on the frontlines. You're after high-value targets.

Being bare-handed and taking on three people at once is not a skill. P·B has a complete air support system, and you need to take what you've learned and verify it in real combat, not constantly thinking about how many people you have to kill. That comes naturally."

In the world of military affairs, SAS was still quite formidable...

Upon hearing about those teams, Zhao Da and his team became instantly alert.

The sniper, Zheng Qi, had been watching the P·B team intently and curiously said, "Old squad leader, with all those big names participating in the selection, does that mean the original P·B team is exceptionally strong?"

Solon shook his head and said, "I don't know about that; you should ask Iron Shovel. He joined P·B with those people."

Upon hearing this, Lao Niu laughed proudly and said, "The leader of P·B's Team B is from the American Rangers Reconnaissance, paired with the Belarusian Diamond Quartet.

Team C consists of members from the Sri Lankan Special Forces.

Team D's main body is made up of people from the Azerbaijan BOS Special Forces, but the most formidable is the always smiling Bajau, 'Capybara.'

Team E is full of maniacs; don't follow their example.

From the sound of it, it seems just average, but let me tell you, we are the ones who can fight tough battles."

Having said this, Lao Niu patted the insignia on his arm with a touch of pride and said, "If there's something about P·B that's similar to our old unit, it's that we have plenty of fighting spirit.

Having that spirit changes the feeling in battle!

Remember what the old squad leader said, but most importantly, don't disgrace us.

The Russians are sending their old guys, and the French are not young either, only the SAS were still active last week.

I'll get you something good to eat to boost you up. No matter how tough the selection is, take them down..."