# 179
Chapter 179 – Transfer Orders
Huaihai City.
Tianping, his gray cloak flapping, strode down the corridor, rapped on a door, and pushed it open.
“Captain, this year’s training-camp rankings are out.” He walked up to Wang Mian and reported.
Wang Mian raised an eyebrow. “How’d it go?”
“Just as you predicted—Lin Qiye took first place with ninety-five points and even picked up a Star Medal.”
“Ninety-five… same score I got back then. Not bad, not bad.” Wang Mian exhaled in relief; he’d been afraid the kid might embarrass him with an even higher mark.
“Captain, he only scored six points on the firearms test.”
“…Monster.” Wang Mian’s mouth twitched. He slumped back into his recliner and sighed. “With numbers like that, plenty of people will be fighting over him.”
“Captain, should we submit a request to have Lin Qiye transferred here?” Tianping couldn’t help asking.
Wang Mian shook his head. “No need.”
Tianping blinked. “Why? We’re a special squad too, and we get along with him. If we extend an invitation, he’d probably accept.”
“A once-in-a-lifetime talent like Lin Qiye—High Command won’t let him join any existing special squad.”
Tianping seemed to catch on. “You mean…”
“He’s destined to build his own special squad. Joining one now would only limit his growth. I heard the plan to re-establish the fifth special squad is already on the table.” Wang Mian spoke calmly. “Still, he’s only a rookie fresh out of camp—lacking in strength and seniority. They won’t hand him a new squad right away. High Command will probably post him to a city garrison team to gain experience, then let him form a squad when the time is right. So, our application would never be approved.”
Tianping sighed, disappointed.
“What a shame…”
“Nothing to regret.” Wang Mian stood, patted Tianping’s shoulder, and smiled. “Aren’t you looking forward to it?”
“To what?”
“To the day he stands beside us at the head of a brand-new special squad.” Wang Mian gazed out the window and murmured, “I really am…”
…
Dark clouds crept across the land, the blazing sun banished behind the gloom. Stifling, oppressive air pressed down until it was hard to breathe.
The world was waiting for a downpour.
“Rain’s coming,” Lin Qiye said, leaning against the dormitory railing, staring at the dimming sky.
“Let it come—anything to kill this heat,” Baili Pangpang muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
The camp had no air-conditioning; the dorms were unbearable. Most recruits had fled to the corridors, hoping for a breath of cool air. Freed from training, they relaxed, organizing card games, chess, mobile-game tournaments…
Then a sharp whistle cut through the laughter.
Instant reflexes took over: everyone dropped what they were doing and sprinted for the training ground. After a year of drills, the whistle had become instinct.
Three minutes later, the entire cohort stood assembled.
Instructor Hong on the platform called them to attention, then pulled a document from a leather pouch.
“You’re here because your transfer orders have arrived. I’ll read them out so you can prepare.”
At the word “transfer,” every heart clenched—nervous yet hopeful.
“Zheng Zhong, posted to Night Watch Team 117, Wudong City!”
“Yang Zi, posted to Night Watch Team 152, Hailan City!”
“Li Shaoguang, posted to—”
“Deng Wei—”
“……”
As names rolled out, the sky darkened further; distant thunder rumbled. Some recruits exhaled in relief, others remained on edge.
“Molly, assigned to Team 017, Gusu City!”
“……”
“Baili Tuming, posted to Team 010, Guangshen City!”
“……”
“Cao Yuan, assigned to Team 007, Huaihai City!”
“……”
“Shen Qingzhu, posted to Team 006, Shangjing City!”
“Lin Qiye… posted to Team 136, Cangnan City!”
Everyone froze, staring at Lin Qiye in disbelief—confused, shocked, indignant. They’d all witnessed his performance; first place was undisputed. Yet instead of a special squad or even Shangjing City, the higher-ups were sending him back to tiny Cangnan?
Rigged!
Yet Lin Qiye showed no anger—only satisfaction.
Baili Pangpang and Cao Yuan frowned at each other, uneasy, but since Lin Qiye himself seemed pleased, they kept silent.
Someone else wouldn’t.
“Report!!” Shen Qingzhu shouted.
“Speak.”
“I object!”
“You’ve been assigned to Shangjing City—what’s to object?”
“Not about me.” Shen Qingzhu’s eyes narrowed. “Lin Qiye topped the camp. Forget a special squad—why dump him in Cangnan?”
“Oh?” Instructor Hong raised an eyebrow. “Since when are you and Lin Qiye so close?”
“It’s not about friendship.” Shen Qingzhu’s voice was steel. “He’s stronger than me—stronger than anyone here! If he’s stuck in Cangnan, what right do I have to go to Shangjing? I, Shen Qingzhu, can’t afford that disgrace!”
His words rang across the field, stunning Lin Qiye and leaving Instructor Hong momentarily speechless.
“Shen Qingzhu, Lin Qiye—understand this.” Instructor Hong drew a slow breath. “These orders come from High Command, not us. We were as baffled and angry as you. Lin Qiye’s record screams for promotion! But—we’re soldiers. Soldiers obey orders. I don’t know who issued this, but I trust there’s a reason. That’s all. Your individual papers will be handed out shortly.”
He turned and left the recruits standing in bewilderment.
—Plop.
A raindrop hit Lin Qiye’s shoulder, followed by a second, a third…
In seconds, the sky unleashed a torrential downpour!