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

Chapter Five: Training in the Snow—A Reckoning for Xiao Zhuang

“About turn!”

“Right turn!”

“March in step!”@@novelbin@@

The drill commands rang out across the recruit training ground, barked by seasoned veterans.

The new recruits, standing in formation, were undergoing their basic drill training.

As Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan had enlisted during the winter recruitment, they arrived just as December neared its end.

The temperature had plummeted, and snowflakes fluttered down from the overcast sky.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Smack!”

A weaker recruit collapsed, his body trembling with cold.

Two veteran soldiers rushed forward, lifting him off the ground and carrying him to the medical room.

Zheng Sanpao glanced at his watch.

“Forty-five minutes.”

Then, he scanned the remaining recruits.

“Anyone ready to admit they’re weak?”

“Step forward if you are.”

Silence.

“No one? Still think you’re all tough men?”

Zheng Sanpao’s voice hardened.

“Wrong. You’re all weaklings.

“Not just weaklings—worse than weaklings.”

Guh… guh…

Chen Xiwa’s teeth chattered violently, his entire body shivering.

The other recruits were no better—quivering from the freezing cold.

Yet Lin Yi remained steadfast, standing as tall and firm as a pine tree.

With his golden entry, Supreme Titan of Competition, he was completely unfazed by the environment.

In just a few days, he had mastered drill training to the level of a seasoned soldier.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Sergeant!”

Zhuang Yan’s voice rang out, clear and strong.

“Admitting defeat?”

Zheng Sanpao glanced at him, his expression unreadable.

“Step forward.”

Zhuang Yan marched a step forward, his voice unwavering.

“I’m not admitting defeat. I have a question.”

“Ask.”

Zheng Sanpao’s tone was calm.

“If we’re weaklings—then what does that make you?”

“A weakling sergeant?”

His words were delivered with perfect seriousness.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

“Pfft!”

Lin Yi couldn’t help but chuckle.

Zhuang Yan, despite being an art student, definitely had a knack for comedy.

Even Chen Xiwa’s face turned red from stifling his laughter.

But their amusement vanished instantly when Zheng Sanpao stepped forward.

“Do you think that was funny?”

“All of you—hold the military stance for one hour!”

“That’s inhuman!”

Zhuang Yan’s temper flared.

He turned on his heel, preparing to walk away.

“Stop right there!”

Zheng Sanpao’s sharp voice cut through the cold air.

He strode up to Zhuang Yan, his expression ice-cold.

“What did you just say?”

“You heard me!”

Zhuang Yan’s frustration boiled over.

“We came here to be soldiers, not to be tortured!”

“Torture?”

Zheng Sanpao raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right. It’s inhumane.”

“Other squads only stand for half an hour—why does ours have to stand until we drop?”

Zhuang Yan’s anger mounted, his voice growing louder.

“You want to know why?”

Zheng Sanpao leaned in, so close their faces were nearly touching.

Then, he roared:

“Because you are my recruits!”

Zheng Sanpao then turned to face the squad.

“All of you—drop and give me a hundred push-ups!”

Without hesitation, Lin Yi assumed the perfect push-up position and began. Seeing this, the other recruits followed suit, lowering themselves to the ground.

“Sergeant!”

Zhuang Yan’s fury erupted.

“Why punish them?”

Zheng Sanpao’s cold gaze locked onto him.

“Because you are a squad.”

“One person makes a mistake—everyone suffers.”

“It’s because of you, a weakling, that they are being punished.”

“Now, you have two choices.”

“One—walk away. They keep suffering.”

“Two—get back in formation and suffer with them.”

Zhuang Yan hesitated, his anger clashing with guilt. Then, gritting his teeth, he dropped into position and began his push-ups.

Snow fell heavier. The recruits endured the bitter cold, their breaths laboured, their movements slowing. But Lin Yi remained composed. He understood—this was their first real lesson. The military wasn’t about fairness. It was about discipline. And obedience.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Rule number one of the Wolf Fang Recon Unit!”

Zheng Sanpao’s voice boomed across the training ground.

“You are no longer civilians. You are soldiers.”

“So don’t talk to your squad leader about human rights.”

Huff… huff…

By the time the morning training ended, every recruit had been pushed to their limits. The experience would stay with them forever.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Back at the barracks, Zhuang Yan collapsed onto his bed, lying sprawled out like a lord of leisure.

“Xiao Zhuang!”

Chen Xiwa rushed over in alarm, shaking him.

“Get up! The sergeant might come in any second!”

“I’m not getting up.”

Zhuang Yan waved him off.

“Even if you put a gun to my head, I’m not moving.”

His voice was laced with exhaustion and defiance.

“That sergeant is insane.”

“Other squads have decent leaders.”

“But ours? He’s trying to kill us.”

“I quit.”

“No, no, no!”

Chen Xiwa’s panic grew.

“Keep your voice down!”

“Get up—don’t let anyone hear!”

But Zhuang Yan only got louder.

“Only cowards eavesdrop!”

“Enough!”

A cold voice cut through the room.

Lin Yi yanked Chen Xiwa away and stood in front of Zhuang Yan, his expression frosty.

“I thought you just had some emotional baggage.”

“Turns out you’re just a weakling.”

“What did you just say?”

Zhuang Yan bolted upright, eyes burning.

“Am I wrong?”

Lin Yi’s voice was razor-sharp.

“Future director? Drama Academy student?”

He scoffed.

“A real man carries responsibility.”

“Love is important—but what about duty?”

“You’re no longer a civilian. You’re a soldier.”

“Your actions don’t just affect you.”

“They affect your squad. The entire recruit battalion. Thousands of soldiers across the country.”

“Even the girl you love wouldn’t want a teammate who holds others back.”

Zhuang Yan’s face twisted, his emotions raging inside him. But Lin Yi wasn’t finished.

“You can quit anytime—you have a university waiting for you.”

“But what about them?”

“Ask Chen Xiwa if he wants to leave.”

“Xiao Zhuang…”

Chen Xiwa met his gaze, his voice unwavering.

“I want to stay.”

And around them—the other recruits’ eyes burned with the same resolve. For them, this wasn’t just about service. It was their only choice.