Chapter 168: Explosion, Enemy Attack, Gunshots
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The sudden explosion caused the bun in Wang Ye’s hand, which he was about to eat, to tremble and fall to the ground.
He instinctively pulled back, covering his ears with his hands, and quickly glanced in the direction of the blast.
However, Wang Ye’s mind was not focused on this event.
The explosion nearly caused the flagpole he held to slip from his grasp.
Acting quickly, he firmly clutched the flagpole with both hands.
This flag couldn’t fall.
“Enemy attack!”
Wu Jianfeng’s loud shout startled the group of recruits who were still in shock.
In that moment, adrenaline surged through the recruits’ veins.
No one cared to ponder why someone would dare to assault the army in this peaceful nation.
In an instant, the recruits who had been casually eating their breakfast were now in a state of panic.
One individual covered his head and scanned the surroundings. Seeing no immediate shelter, he dropped to the ground.
Others, who had been drinking milk just moments ago, were so startled by the explosion that they accidentally spilled milk on themselves as they jerked. Yet, their current predicament overshadowed any concern about their appearances.
Discarding their breakfast, some individuals turned and started crawling and rolling, seeking refuge nearby.
The explosion had taken them completely by surprise. Within that brief period of confusion, coupled with Wu Jianfeng’s commanding roar, the words “enemy attack” became ingrained in their minds before they could fully comprehend the situation.
This timing was impeccably chosen, a meticulous plan that left many recruits with no room for contemplation.
For a fleeting moment, even Wang Ye felt taken aback. But he swiftly regained his senses after clutching the flag tightly.
Ridiculous.
“Enemy attack,” my foot. This was definitely orchestrated by Wu Jianfeng.
Recalling how he had skipped his breakfast and lit a cigarette, only to have the explosion occur immediately after he did so.
Wang Ye refused to believe this wasn’t a setup.
He swiftly pivoted, fixing his gaze upon the two points from which the explosions had originated.
“Stay calm, everyone! We’re soldiers. If they dare to attack us, we’ll retaliate and eliminate them!”
Wang Ye fervently waved the flag and dashed toward the opposing slope, vociferously urging, “Follow me!”
However…
An embarrassing scene unfolded.
Having already crossed the road, Wang Ye found himself alone in his charge.
Instead, everyone was scrambling to find cover.
Charge?
Was he out of his mind?
If there were explosives, there might also be firearms.
Though each recruit held a gun, they were devoid of ammunition.
What was the point of charging into that danger? It would be a death wish.
This thought flickered through the minds of a few individuals who heard Wang Ye’s call.
They didn’t have the luxury to ponder it further.
Their top priority was to secure cover rapidly.
“Pa, pa, pa!”
Suddenly, a gunshot echoed.
At once, the already-disconcerted recruits were further jolted.
Some who had been lying on the ground in search of shelter contemplated raising their heads to observe the situation. But when the gunshot pierced the air, they flinched, hurriedly shielding themselves with their hands, and began seeking refuge with renewed vigor.
In this instant, the urge to urinate surged among many recruits.
A few even ended up wetting themselves.
Explosions, enemy attacks, gunfire – a sequence of unforeseen events unfolded.
Thinking ceased to be an option for anyone.
Upon hearing the gunshot, many hearts leaped into throats, the fear of becoming targets of the bullets consuming them.
Everyone completely disregarded the kitchen veterans, who hid behind the food cart despite the explosion, appearing sneaky and somewhat amused.
The nearby class monitors were equally dismissed.
Indeed, the class monitors showed no concern whatsoever, not even attempting to guide their actions; they allowed them to act as they saw fit.
“Alright, Wang Ye, return.”
At this juncture, Wu Jianfeng’s voice reached Wang Ye, who had crossed the road and realized he was alone.
Subsequently, upon seeing Wang Ye retracing his steps, Wu Jianfeng discarded the freshly lit cigarette and advanced with a stern expression.
“Regroup!”
His thunderous command reverberated.
Recruits who had scattered in all directions – some prone on the ground, others concealing themselves behind the mobile kitchen, and even those who had bolted up the hill – stood transfixed.
Then, a palpable sense of unease began to wash over them.
The sudden explosion, the enemy’s perceived assault, and the subsequent gunfire had plunged everyone into chaos.
But now, Wu Jianfeng’s order prompted a return to rationality, reactivating their thought processes.
“Fuck, you two idiots, get back here!”
“Fuck, you lot on the hill, come down!”
Several class monitors shouted vehemently.
In an instant, the recruits who had fled up the hill sensed a storm gathering over their heads.
“Fuck, why did you run? You aiming to be deserters?”
As they descended the hill, a class leader strode up, his face a deep shade of red. He landed a kick on one of the recruits, who promptly tumbled to the ground. His face resembled a ripe tomato, and he dared not protest, only stammering, “C-Class monitor, no… I wasn’t deserting!”
Naturally, he wouldn’t confess even if subjected to severe beating.
Though the explosions and gunfire had indeed disrupted their reasoning, pushing them to flee, their current circumstances…
Soon, the recruits dispersed on the ground or taking refuge behind off-road vehicles and food carts, along with those descending the hill, reassembled before Wu Jianfeng.
Squad leaders of the soldiers who had ascended the hill wore expressions dark as thunderclouds. However, apart from one or two squad leaders who vented their frustration, they remained mostly silent..