Cosmic Demon

Chapter 248 New Recruit Training, The Face of the Underworld!
This was the first time Qin Shi had seen a fortified city. Unlike the planning and distribution of urban clusters, it resembled a massive defensive fortification.

The towering, thick walls consist of three layers, making them impenetrable even to cannon fire.

The dense array of high points makes it resemble a honeycomb, with various firearms mounted on its surface, and gun barrels capable of spitting fire protruding from the dark, gaping openings.

It is foreseeable that once identified as a hostile target, flesh and blood will be instantly torn to shreds by the metal storm.

Even professional-level experts are no exception.

Through the car window, Qin Shi saw a busy and tense scene.

Patrolling sentries, convoys escorting supplies, heavy trucks returning fully loaded...

The atmosphere and appearance of a fortified city are completely different from those of a metropolitan area.

There are no towering skyscrapers here, only factories as far as the eye can see.

The workshop, operating 24 hours a day, continuously produces the parts and important components needed for war, much like the vascular network of the human body, delivering energy to various organs.

"poplar."

Qin Shi silently read out the code name of the fortified city, and he saw the rapidly receding radiation cloud in the rearview mirror.

Across the vast, boundless land, only this cold and solemn city stands guard, like a sturdy Eastern Xia warrior, watching over the "frontier" under the stars and moon.

The surrounding area, spanning nearly a thousand kilometers, is protected by the poplar fortress city and the surrounding villages and towns, forming a protective barrier to prevent the expansion of the territory by the dependent creatures.

Just like the poplar tree that has stood firm for thousands of years in the wind and sand!
"arrive."

This batch of "new recruits" brought from the conscription office got off the bus in the outer ring of the city. They obediently lined up in order to be called by their superiors.

"Old Fu, how did this trip go?"

In the empty, old camp, an old soldier with wrinkles around his eyes and a weathered face approached the middle-aged lieutenant and offered him a cigarette.

"Wow, Old Zheng's struck it rich? Orchids, even the special supply ones, they're not cheap."

The middle-aged lieutenant, referred to as "Old Fu," raised an eyebrow, took the cigarette, rubbed it a couple of times, and instead of lighting it immediately, tucked it behind his ear.

"Speak up? With your stingy nature, Old Zheng, we're not going to smoke this cigarette for free. Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush!"

Old Fu was very vigilant, always keeping in mind the idea of ​​returning the cigarette.

"Ahem. The Yellow Springs Training Camp is short-handed and urgently needs fresh blood."

The veteran surnamed Zheng coughed twice, his eyes darting around, scanning back and forth like an experienced dealer selecting a fine horse.

"no!"

Old Fu resolutely refused, frowning as he said:

"The intensity of the Yellow Springs Training Camp is too high, it's practically pushing people to their deaths! Although the purpose of this large-scale training is to forge these kids from rough iron into steel, we can't just force them! Otherwise, no one can withstand it!"

The veteran surnamed Zheng seemed to understand the predicament, so he leaned closer to Lao Fu and handed him two packs of Lancao special-supply cigarettes, while also making a hand gesture:
"Add two more bottles of Beidacang liquor! That's all! The quartermaster has plenty of nutritional paste and energy drinks, but cigarettes and alcohol are hard to come by!"
Moreover, the military police at the front are watching, and if caught, you're guaranteed to be punished.

The veteran surnamed Zheng put on a fawning expression and looked pitifully at Lao Fu, with whom he had a fairly good relationship.

"Hold!"

Old Fu took the orchid clipped to his ear, grumbling as he put it in his mouth.

"Old Zheng, tell me, what are you after! Your son has been missing in the polluted area for more than two years. Even if you find him... never mind, I won't hurt your feelings."

Wait here, I'll ask around and see who's willing to go with you.

The casualty rate at the Yellow Springs Training Camp is too high. I can't lie to them; that's treating lives like dirt. If I were taken to a military court, the commanding officer would execute me.

Old Fu took two deep drags on his cigarette, inhaling more than half of the smoke in one epic burst, then stubbed it out with his thumb and strode toward the neatly lined-up new recruits.

"New recruits! You will be heading to different training camps to complete your transformation from rookies to soldiers."

As I mentioned before, there are three training camps in White Poplar Fortress, of which the Yellow Springs Training Camp is the most dangerous.

Similarly, the resources there are most concentrated, and the teaching materials and techniques available are of the highest quality.

If any of you feel that you are capable enough…

Old Fu pointed to the veteran surnamed Zheng not far away:

"Go with him! But I reiterate, the casualty rate at the Yellow Springs Training Camp exceeds 60%. Don't gamble with your life, don't be ridiculous!"

The first lesson from novice to warrior is: 'You have to pay the price for every choice you make.' Remember that!

The new recruits looked at each other, their young faces displaying a variety of expressions—some bewildered, others hesitant.

The middle-aged lieutenant's heartfelt words were like a torch thrown into a pyre, stirring the interest of some.

About twenty seconds later, Gao Pao broke the silence by stepping out of the line and walking toward the veteran surnamed Fu.

"Kid, I advise you to think it over again. If your vitality is less than fifty points, you'll just be cannon fodder in the Yellow Springs Training Camp. You might not even survive the two-month recruit training period."

The middle-aged lieutenant glanced at him sideways and reminded him in a cold tone.

"Sir! Opportunities must be seized! This is a principle my grandfather taught me."

The man in the tall robe spoke with a determined look in his eyes.

"It's a good piece of material."

The middle-aged lieutenant nodded, and unusually added:

"If you can't hold on, quit. I'll assign you to another training camp. Don't feel ashamed."

The second lesson new recruits learn is 'how to survive on the battlefield.' Because only by surviving can they continue to progress.

The man in the tall robe felt a chill run down his spine and replied solemnly:
"Thank you sir!"

A few minutes later, several new recruits emerged one after another, choosing to join the infamous Yellow Springs Training Camp.

During the Qin Dynasty, he neither took the lead by being the first to step forward nor deliberately delayed his performance to be the last one to finish.

The middle-aged officer was slightly surprised that the "young master" who came from the central city to gain experience actually dared to enter the Yellow Springs Training Camp.
Could it be that the Qin family, the pioneers, are so powerful that they've extended their reach there?
"I'm so grateful! Old Fu! Thank you so much..."

The veteran surnamed Zheng chuckled, but the middle-aged lieutenant said impatiently:
"Don't get in my way, get out of here! Let me give you another piece of advice, Lao Zheng. You've been in Baiyang for so long, you should understand one thing."

Soldiers are fed and paid; it's normal for them to run out of food and pay any day. The fortified city is the defensive line against the contaminated zone; going to the front lines from here, death is better than mere survival.

The middle-aged lieutenant patted the other man on the shoulder, then strode off to assign destinations to the new recruits.

The old soldier surnamed Zheng's face was stiff, his weathered face, marked by the passage of time, twitched twice, and then he put on a smiling expression again.

"Let's go, let's go, I'll take you to the Yellow Springs Training Camp."

Unlike the other soldiers in the fortified city, the veteran surnamed Zheng spoke very kindly, even with a hint of caution.

Like those elderly farmers whose families have supported them through college, coming from the countryside to the big city, they feel restrained and awkward everywhere.

After his self-introduction, Qin Shi learned some of the information.

First of all, this little old man, whose military rank and position are unknown, is named "Zheng Xuebin," but most people call him "Old Zheng."

He drove a beat-up pickup truck, carrying a total of seven or eight "hotheads" who volunteered to go to the Yellow Springs training camp, and drove to the Central District.

By the time we arrived at our destination, most of the setting sun had sunk below the horizon, leaving only a final glimmer of light.

The beat-up pickup truck stopped in front of an iron gate. Old Zheng jumped out of the truck and waved to the sentry.

Qin Shi was among seven or eight ambitious new recruits when his eyelids twitched. This old Zheng didn't seem to be from the Yellow Springs Training Camp.
Then why go to all the trouble of recruiting people for this place?

"Old Zheng! The camp's nutritional paste and energy liquid are almost gone again. Hurry up and get a new batch, preferably of good quality!"

The burly lieutenant stepped out of the training camp. Unlike Old Zheng, this man exuded a fierce aura. Combined with his dark, towering physique and steel-needle-like beard, he resembled a wild beast.

"Professional level!" Qin Shi's eyes narrowed slightly.

This person gave him a similar feeling to Jiang Shijie of the Seventh Battle Group's Wind Scythe Sequence Army.

Their vitality purity may be inferior, but their combat strength should be about the same.

It's clearly pure gold forged in the crucible of war!
"Okay, I'll make another trip later and make sure it's all the best supplies."

Old Zheng chuckled, his back slightly bent.

Qin Shi felt that he was more like a landlord's long-term laborer than an active-duty soldier in the fortified city.

"Let me see what kind of quality these new recruits are."

The burly man had a prominent scar running from his eyelid to the bridge of his nose. His eyes were piercing and sharp, like two arrows.

"Not bad. As expected, a newcomer who dares to come to the Yellow Springs Training Camp is at least not a really bad newbie."

Immediately afterwards, the burly man with the rank insignia of a lieutenant grinned:
"Welcome to Poplar! Welcome to the Underworld!"

……

……

At 8 p.m., Qin Shi finished assigning his dormitory room and had dinner in the cafeteria.

The Yellow Springs Training Camp did not exhibit the expected cruelty, such as the instructors' unbridled corporal punishment or extremely harsh treatment.

Those exploitative practices that existed only in imagination did not occur.

Qin Shi spent a peaceful night.

The environment was similar to that of the conscription office, with several iron-framed beds in a large room.

The other recruits seemed very excited to be at the Yellow Springs Training Camp, but Qin Shi quietly finished washing up and went straight to sleep.

The bugle sounded at dawn the following day.

Qin Shi's body was automatically awakened. He was the first to open his eyes, then put on the camouflage uniform and military boots that had been issued to him, and quickly went to the parade ground.

When the burly man saw the spirited Qin Shi, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Then he raised his hand and began counting.

When he read out "thirty-seven", all the new recruits finally lined up.

Among them were people with disheveled clothes, messy hair, and unwell appearances, looking as if they hadn't slept.

"Cherish today. This is the gentlest version of me you'll ever feel here. The Yellow Springs Training Camp is short of people, but it's not short of trash."

The burly man paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, like a fierce beast surveying its territory.

"This is no dump. Defective products will never pass my inspection. Other training camps give you two months to grow, but Yellow Springs only gives you ten days. Every ten days, I will eliminate a batch of the worst trash!"

The burly man revealed his gleaming white teeth, looking like a ferocious carnivore.

"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Fu Lei, but you can also call me 'The Butcher'."

I am your instructor, and I will be with you for the next ten days.

After the tough talk segment ended, Fu Lei did not begin the grueling training that many new recruits had speculated about.

Instead, they were taken to the computer room, connected to the internal network, and given access to teaching materials to choose from.

"Extreme Cold Technique... Wave Palm... Heavy Cannon Footwork... Bullet High-Speed ​​Fist..."

The Huangquan Training Camp has an internal website with diverse and abundant teaching materials.

Fu Lei stood at the doorway, pacing slowly, and said in a loud voice:
"Other training camps only have the most basic teaching materials such as 'Wave Palm,' 'Heavy Cannon Footwork,' and 'Bullet High-Speed ​​Punch.'"

But Huang Quan is different. If you can master and learn the higher-level techniques like "Golden Ripple Qi Gong," "Indestructible Armor," and "Fighter Jet Soaring Movement Technique"... Friendly reminder, newbies, this is the first test.

Fu Lei's face revealed a malicious smile, like a hunter setting a trap and waiting for someone to take the bait.

The crowd was puzzled. Most of the new recruits who chose the Yellow Springs Training Camp came from ordinary backgrounds or had complicated social origins.

They had never received higher education, and even the basic textbooks that Fu Lei mentioned were incredibly precious to them.

Therefore, most people chose the advanced textbooks mentioned by Fu Lei.

The man in the tall robe was itching to get his hands on the "Golden Ripple Qigong" app, which was available for download and he couldn't take his eyes off it.

But considering his own vitality, he gritted his teeth and finally mastered "Heavy Artillery Footwork".

"This guy... doesn't he think much of me?"

Gao Pao caught a glimpse of Qin Shi out of the corner of his eye; the other party hadn't chosen a single one.

"Damn connections!"

Once the ten-minute selection period was up, Fu Lei checked the backend and scanned the download list.

As he expected, the highest level cultivation techniques were the most numerous.

"Huh? The Art of War? Someone actually chose that?"

Fu Lei smiled. As an introductory textbook for the Fourth Battle Group, "The Art of War" was naturally a beginner's choice, but due to its inherent characteristics, it had already been eliminated in several military reforms.

"Qin Shi? Take a look and see what kind of quality he is."

Fu Lei made a key mark.

"The Yellow Springs Training Camp doesn't seem as bad as I thought."

In the mess hall, Gao Pao and the other new recruits ate their meals, enjoying unlimited nutritious food and receiving free training materials.

It's simply heaven!
Day three.

Four o'clock in the evening.

The bugle call sounded again!

The barracks were silent; the new recruits, who had barely drifted off to sleep, were all fast asleep.

Ten seconds later, the door was kicked open with a bang, and the bright white light bulb shone down.

Bang bang bang!
The bed closest to the door was kicked over, making an earthquake-like noise.

"I'll give you ten more seconds. If anyone is missing during roll call on the playground, I'll show them what 'hell' is all about."

Fu Lei roared like thunder, making the walls tremble, and then a flurry of activity ensued.

Back on the playground, Fu Lei saw only a handful of people who had gotten up quickly upon hearing the bugle call and had lined up in formation.

"Gao Pao, Qin Shi, Zhao Su... Not bad, you adapt to the environment quickly, which will help you get rid of the 'defective product' label as soon as possible."

Fu Lei was not an indifferent, stern instructor; he was generous with his praise.

He continued counting down, and by the time his deputy called out "ten," only one-third of the people had gathered on the playground.

The entire group was considered present only after the deputy called out "twenty-eight".

"Very good. On the third day, some good-for-nothings have already fallen behind."

Fu Lei clapped his hands and said:
"I forgot to tell you before, the 'trash' that were kicked out of the Yellow Springs Training Camp will not be accepted by other places."

They will lose their status as 'new recruits' and become lost souls struggling to survive in the poplar fortified city—unless they can traverse thousands of kilometers of vast wilderness and return to the urban area.

(End of this chapter)