Chapter 179: The Transfer Orders

Huaihai City.

The figure cloaked in gray, Tianping, hurried down the corridor, knocking on a door before pushing it open and entering.

"Captain, the rankings for this year's training camp are out," Tianping said, walking up to Wang Mian's desk.

Wang Mian raised an eyebrow. "How did it go?"

"As expected, Lin QiYe took first place with 95 points and earned a Star Medal."

"95... same score as mine back in the day. Phew, that's a relief," Wang Mian sighed, feeling better as he had worried the kid might score even higher, making him lose face.

"Captain, his shooting score was only 6 points."

"...Monster." Wang Mian's lips twitched slightly, and he collapsed back into his lounge chair with a deep sigh. "With that kind of performance, I'm sure he'll have people fighting to recruit him..."

"Captain, should we apply to have Lin QiYe transferred here?" Tianping couldn't help asking.

Wang Mian shook his head. "No need."

Tianping was stunned. "Why not? We're a special squad, and we have a good relationship with Lin QiYe. If we send an invitation, he'll likely agree."

"A talent like Lin QiYe won't be allowed to join any special squad," Wang Mian said calmly.

Tianping seemed to have figured something out. "You mean..."

"People like him are destined to form their own special squad. Joining an existing one would only limit his potential. I've heard that the plan to rebuild the Fifth Special Squad is already underway." Wang Mian continued, his tone measured.

"But Lin QiYe's still a rookie fresh out of training. His strength and experience are still lacking. They won't let him form a special squad so soon. The higher-ups will likely send him to a city's stationed squad to gain experience before allowing him to form a new squad."

"So, if we apply to have him transferred here, the higher-ups would never approve it," Wang Mian concluded.

Tianping sighed, looking somewhat regretful.

"Such a pity..."

"It's not a pity," Wang Mian stood up, patting Tianping's shoulder with a smile. "Don't you look forward to it?"

"Look forward to what?"

"Look forward to the day when he leads a new special squad and stands side by side with us." Wang Mian looked out the window, murmuring, "I can't wait for that day..."

Dark clouds began to blanket the sky, with the scorching sun seemingly exiled by the encroaching gloom. The air grew hot and oppressive, almost suffocating.

The world seemed to be waiting for a heavy rain.

"It's going to rain heavily soon," Lin QiYe leaned against the corridor of the dormitory, looking up at the increasingly dark sky.

"Let it rain, let it rain. This heat is unbearable," Bai Li Fatty wiped the sweat off his forehead, complaining.

There was no air conditioning in the training camp, and with the oppressive heat, almost no one could stand staying in the dorm rooms. Most of the recruits had gathered in the corridors, trying to catch even a slight breeze.

With the training restrictions lifted, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Everyone had started organizing some recreational activities in the dorm—card games, chess, and playing mobile games...

But just as everyone was enjoying themselves, the sharp whistle blew again.

At the sound of the whistle, everyone instinctively dropped what they were doing and rushed to the training field. Over the course of the year, that whistle had become second nature.

Three minutes later, everyone had gathered on the training field.

Instructor Hong stood on the martial arts platform, calling for attention and standing at ease before pulling out a document from his leather bag and speaking up.

"I called you all here because your transfer orders have arrived. I'm going to announce them now so you can prepare yourselves."

As soon as the words "transfer orders" were spoken, everyone's hearts tightened, feeling a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Zheng Zhong, transferred to the Night Watch Squad 117 in Wudong City!"

"Yang Zi, transferred to the Night Watch Squad 152 in Hailan City!"

"Li Shaoguang, transferred to..."

"Deng Wei..."

"...."

With each name read aloud, the sky grew darker, and faint thunder rumbled in the clouds above. Some let out relieved sighs, while others were still nervous, hearts in their throats.

"Molly, transferred to the Gusu City Squad 017!"

"...."

"Bai Li Tu Ming, transferred to the Guangshen City Squad 010!"

"...."

"Cao Yuan, transferred to the Huaihai City Squad 007!"

"...."

"Shen Qingzhu, transferred to the Shangjing City Squad 006!"

"Lin QiYe... transferred to the Cangnan City Squad 136!"

At this, everyone froze, looking at Lin QiYe with surprise. There was confusion, shock, and even a hint of resentment. Everyone had been watching Lin QiYe's performance, and as the first-place finisher, they were all convinced he deserved to be placed in a special squad.

But what they didn't expect was that, instead of being assigned to a special squad or even the Shangjing City squad, the higher-ups had instead assigned him to the small city of Cangnan...

Was there some kind of hidden agenda behind this?!

Meanwhile, Lin QiYe, upon hearing the news, didn't feel angry or wronged. Quite the opposite, he was actually pleased with the assignment.

Bai Li Fatty and Cao Yuan exchanged a glance, both frowning as they seemed to sense something wasn't quite right. But seeing how satisfied Lin QiYe was with the result, they decided not to say anything.

However, not everyone was silent.

"Report!" Shen Qingzhu suddenly shouted from the crowd.

"Speak." The instructor nodded.

"I'm not satisfied!" Shen Qingzhu's voice rang out.

"You've been transferred to the Shangjing City Squad, what's there to be dissatisfied about?" Instructor Hong asked.

"It's not about me," Shen Qingzhu narrowed her eyes, her voice cold. "Lin QiYe was first in the camp, and he didn't even get into a special squad. Why was he assigned to Cangnan?"

"Oh?" Instructor Hong raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you and Lin QiYe become so close?"

"It's not about our relationship," Shen Qingzhu said solemnly. "He's stronger than me, he's stronger than anyone in this camp! If even he's stuck in Cangnan, then why am I going to Shangjing? I, Shen Qingzhu, can't take this humiliation!"

Shen Qingzhu's words were firm and direct, leaving not just Lin QiYe stunned, but even Instructor Hong at a loss for how to respond.

"Shen Qingzhu, and Lin QiYe, I want you both to understand..." Instructor Hong took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "This transfer order wasn't made by us. It was issued by the higher-ups of the Night Watch. When we found out about it, we were just as puzzled and frustrated. We all saw Lin QiYe's performance—he's the one who should be given the most opportunities."

"But we're soldiers. Soldiers must follow orders."

"I don't know who made this decision, but I believe they have their reasons."

With that, Instructor Hong turned and walked away, leaving the recruits standing in place, exchanging confused and questioning looks.

Plop.

A raindrop landed on Lin QiYe's shoulder. Moments later, more drops followed. Soon, a torrential downpour poured from the heavens.