Chapter 2

Of ordinary visage and somewhat corpulent build, Tian Kaiwen, during his schooldays, had an insatiable penchant for lingering in the company of females. He would incessantly regale others with tales of his purported ancestor, the renowned Tian Boguang, yet his efforts were met with indifference. Undeterred, he persisted in his pursuits.

This individual was endowed with remarkable patience and had an uncanny knack for devising novel solutions to problems. The very reason he enlisted in the military served as a testament to the fact that his mindset was far from the ordinary.

The singular motivation behind his enlistment was incredibly to shed excess weight.

For Tian Kaiwen, there were, in fact, multiple underlying reasons. Firstly, he was acutely aware of his own indolence, which had reached a point bordering on the egregious. Thus, he resolved to turn over a new leaf. Secondly, he was dismayed by his burgeoning corpulence. Since leaving school, he had gained over twenty pounds. The thought of adding another twenty pounds per annum for the next decade was simply unthinkable to him. Thirdly, he was cognizant of his lack of perseverance and his aversion to hardship. Without external supervision, he surmised that any weight-loss regimen he embarked upon would likely falter within a day. Therefore, perceiving the world to be at peace, Tian Kaiwen resolutely decided to join the military. During the military medical examination, the comely female military doctor was astounded to discover that this portly recruit possessed physical prowess far beyond what his appearance would suggest. He exhibited remarkable speed, agility, and extraordinary endurance. Tian Kaiwen, brimming with self-confidence, proclaimed, "Fair maiden, my family has an ancestral qinggong technique—'Ten 'Thousand Li Solo March,' a fast knife technique, and three hundred and sixty-five arts of the boudoir." The female military doctor, with a nod, made a sweeping gesture with her pen and consigned this supposed descendant of Tian Boguang to the special training unit. "So, you're Tian Boguang, are you? If you dare to trifle with me, you'd better be prepared to endure hardship."

Tian Kaiwen, of course, was no true scion of Tian Boguang; he merely idolized the libertine. Nevertheless, in terms of natural endowment, his speed and endurance were truly exceptional.

Upon entering the special training unit, Tian Kaiwen came to realize the dire consequences of his loose-lipped bravado. The special training unit was a crucible for nurturing special-talent recruits within the Leray Federal Army. Any new recruit with unique abilities was funneled into this training crucible. Through intensive training, they would subsequently be assigned to positions where they could best utilize their skills. Some recruits possessed prodigious computational abilities. Those who successfully completed the training without being weeded out would be eligible for entry into the Operations Planning Department or the Logistics Management Department, where they could apply their extraordinary computational prowess. For there were certain things that eluded the purview of computers, yet these individuals could compute with ease. There were also those with an acute sense of smell, sharp hearing, a preternatural sixth sense, exceptional physical strength, great manual dexterity, or those who had achieved outstanding academic results in a particular subject during their schooling. Such individuals, more often than not, would be assigned to departments commensurate with their skills upon the completion of the special training.

Tian Kaiwen was assigned to the scout training squadron for indoctrination.

With the current technological advancements, it was virtually possible to monitor all designated targets. It must be noted, however, that this pertained specifically to designated targets. In the absence of a specific designation or when the location of the target was unknown, surveillance remained an insurmountable challenge. These tasks then fell squarely upon the shoulders of the scouts. In ground combat scenarios, in particular, the role of scouts was of paramount importance. High-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, spy satellites, and outer-space reconnaissance vessels, though formidable, were not infallible in discerning between truth and falsehood. Contemporary electronic technology could fabricate a plethora of illusions to deceive the radars and cameras in the skies, requiring nothing more than a simple jamming transmitter. Moreover, control of the airspace was a primary objective in warfare. Should a side lose air superiority and lack the support of scouts, the conduct of the war would be severely hampered.

Scout?

This prospect filled Tian Kaiwen with dread. How could he, of all people, engage in such a perilous vocation? Even if he were capable, he would steadfastly refuse! To Tian Kaiwen, life was the most precious commodity. He would not, under any circumstances, expose himself to danger. Greed for wealth, lasciviousness, timidity, and fear of death were afflictions common to those of Tian Kaiwen's generation. However, Tian Kaiwen was more forthright and extreme in his manifestations of these traits than the average individual. Despite a series of ideological counseling sessions, Tian Kaiwen remained resolute in his determination. He was as unyielding as a turtle swallowing a weight, steadfastly refusing to report to the scout training squadron.

Alas, matters were not within Tian Kaiwen's control. Once within the military, could a mere recruit dictate the course of events? The scout instructor, in a fit of anger, administered a severe beating, which effectively shattered Tian Kaiwen's resolve to resist at all costs.

Prior to the beating, the instructor queried, "Why are you averse to becoming a scout?"

"Scouting is far too perilous. I fear for my life."

"Very well. Either you become a scout and face the risk of death, or I shall end your life here and now."

A volley of blows ensued...

"Will you go?"

"I will!"

A wise man yields to circumstances.

"Bah, scoundrel. You refuse to move when cajoled, yet submit when coerced." The burly instructor, as he left, muttered in disgust.

Tian Kaiwen, sprawled on the ground, endeavored to find solace in his thoughts. "Damn it, this is a time of peace. It's merely entry into a scout training camp, not deployment to a scout company in the thick of battle. What cause for alarm?"

"Once I've mastered the scout's skills, instructor? I'll thrash ten of you single-handedly!"

A classic case of spiritual victory.

And so, with a semblance of cheer, he rose from the ground and trailed behind the instructor to report for duty.

Thus, Tian Kaiwen entered the scout training camp. He applied himself rigorously to his training. The bear-like instructor shadowed him daily, and the slightest hint of laxity was met with a severe thrashing. Tian Kaiwen, by nature, possessed a certain aptitude for the scout training curriculum. Moreover, at his core, he exhibited a measure of the bold and unyielding spirit reminiscent of Tian Boguang. Thus, after a year of arduous training, his performance was exemplary. In areas such as wilderness survival, camouflage, concealment, and long-distance marches, even the instructor paled in comparison. When his unarmed combat skills reached the pinnacle of proficiency, the bear-like instructor began to shadow him daily, brandishing a blade. Tian Kaiwen, after much agonizing reflection, ultimately refrained from engaging in a futile struggle.

Just as Tian Kaiwen was on the cusp of graduating from the training camp, he astutely devised a strategy to avoid being assigned to a scout company. During his spare moments from training, Tian Kaiwen would frequently frequent the mechanical maintenance battalion.

"Once you've completed your training, you're free to pursue your own interests. As long as you refrain from causing trouble, you can do as you please." These were the exact words of the scout instructor. In the instructor's estimation, few recruits would have the energy to engage in other activities after the grueling daily training regimen of the scouts.

Those selected for the mechanical maintenance battalion were endowed with dexterous hands. They were not ordinary repairmen; their knowledge and skills far surpassed those of the average mechanic. Whether it was aircraft carriers, warplanes, land-combat mechas, or electronic equipment, there was nothing they could not repair.

Tian Kaiwen had hands of extraordinary dexterity. He could disassemble and reassemble a firearm in a fraction of the time, surpassing.