13: Chapter 13: Departure! Heading to the Falcon Special Forces to participate in the all-army competition!

The sea breeze swept across the beach with fine sand, and the scene was silent.

Lin Hu stared fixedly at Su Han, his eyes shifting from shock to fighting spirit: "Good! Very good! I concede the first round!"

He ripped off his tactical vest, revealing a muscular upper body: "Second round, combat!"

The soldiers of the 7th Company instantly boiled over!

"Brother Han! Take him down!"

"Let them see what real Hard Qigong is!"

Wang Hao waved his fists excitedly: "Brother Han's Iron Cloth Shirt can't even be broken by wooden sticks, what's this Marine's scrawny body worth!"

Lin Hu frowned upon hearing the words "Iron Cloth Shirt": "Hard Qigong?"

Su Han smiled without answering, slowly walking to the center of the open space and assuming a standard combat stance.

Long Zhan leaned over to Wang Tiejun, lowering his voice: "Old Wang, your soldier knows Hard Qigong?"

Wang Tiejun lifted his chin smugly: "What? Scared?"

"Bullshit!" Long Zhan snorted coldly, "Lin Hu has been training in combat at the Dragon Shark Special Forces for eight years and once took fourth place in All-Army fighting! Would I be scared?"

"It's just Hard Qigong. It's not like there's no one in our Marine Corps who knows it. It's just a bit more resistant to hits."

Wang Tiejun laughed: "Then let's see whether your soldier has more power or my soldier is better at taking hits."

While the two were bickering, the showdown on the field had already begun.

Lin Hu launched the first attack, a whip kick sweeping towards Su Han's ribs with the sound of breaking air!

"Bang!" Amidst the dull sound of impact, Su Han remained motionless, while Lin Hu stumbled back two steps, his expression changing drastically: "Your body..."

Su Han smiled slightly: "Again."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Lin Hu's eyes as he suddenly changed his moves, launching a combination of punches like a storm!

Straight punch! Hook punch! Elbow strike!

"Bang, bang, bang!" The dull thuds of fist hitting flesh made everyone's scalp tingle, but Su Han stood like an old pine tree rooted to the ground, letting the attacks fall like raindrops, refusing to fall!

"Why isn't Brother Han fighting back?" Wang Hao stomped his feet anxiously.

Zhao Xiaohu also shouted at the top of his lungs: "Counterattack, Brother Han!"

Zhou Haitao, however, saw the clue and whispered: "He's testing his own resistance to strikes."

On the field, the more Lin Hu fought, the more shocked he became—each of his strikes felt like hitting an iron plate, and the recoil made his wrists numb!

"You..." Lin Hu retreated two steps, panting heavily, "Are you sure what you're practicing is Hard Qigong??"

Su Han smiled faintly: "What, doesn't it look like it?"

"I saw an old instructor when I was in Dragon Shark..." Lin Hu's eyes were complex, "I didn't expect anyone in the Army to know this martial art."

He shook his numb wrists violently: "But combat isn't just about winning by taking hits!"

Before the words faded, Lin Hu suddenly changed his move, a sweeping leg attacking Su Han's lower body!

"Bang!" Su Han finally moved—he jumped lightly to avoid the sweep, and upon landing, his right hand formed a claw, striking at Lin Hu's throat like lightning!

Lin Hu hurriedly leaned back, only to see Su Han's offensive suddenly speed up!

Left hook! Right swing! Spinning back kick!

Each move was simple and unadorned, yet dazzingly fast!

"Bang!" A heavy punch hit Lin Hu's abdomen, and this Marine elite let out a muffled groan and fell to his knees.

The whole place was silent.

The Marine soldiers widened their eyes, unable to believe their Captain had lost just like that.

Before the cheers of the 7th Company could come out, Lin Hu suddenly exploded, slamming his head into Su Han's chest!

"Watch out!" Zhou Haitao exclaimed.

Su Han didn't dodge or block, his chest muscles tightening instantly—

"Thud!" Amidst the teeth-gritting sound of impact, Lin Hu covered his forehead and stumbled back, while Su Han... didn't even retreat half a step!

"This is impossible..." Lin Hu's voice trembled.

Su Han slowly exhaled a breath: "My turn."

He lunged forward, his right hand reaching out like a viper, gripping Lin Hu's wrist and twisting—

"Ah!" Lin Hu cried out in pain, and was heavily slammed onto the beach by Su Han with a shoulder throw!

Before he could crawl up, Su Han's knee was already pressing against his throat.

"Do you concede?" Su Han asked calmly.

Lin Hu's face flushed red, and he finally squeezed two words out from between his teeth: "... Concede."

"Whoa—" The cheers of the 7th Company were deafening!

Wang Hao took the lead and rushed up to toss Su Han high into the air: "Brother Han is invincible!"

The Navy side was dead silent.

Long Zhan's face was horribly ugly: "Old Wang... where exactly did this soldier of yours come from?"

Wang Tiejun straightened his military cap smugly: "Know the power of our Army now?"

"Don't get cocky!" Long Zhan gritted his teeth, "There's still a third round!"

Wang Tiejun said disdainfully: "Best of three, your soldier has already lost two rounds. Even if he wins the third, what will the outcome be?"

Long Zhan: "..."

On the beach, Lin Hu was helped up by his comrades, his eyes filled with a bit of awe as he looked at Su Han: "Are you... really just a private?"

Su Han nodded: "I've only been in the army for half a year."

"Half a year?!" Lin Hu almost bit his tongue, "Did you practice martial arts before?"

"It's a family tradition." Su Han answered nonchalantly.

Lin Hu took a deep breath and suddenly reached out his hand solemnly: "No need to compete in the third round, I concede."

This decision stunned everyone.

"Captain?" The Marine soldiers looked at him in confusion.

Lin Hu shook his head: "Crossing the sea and landing on the island is my strong suit, but..."

He looked at Su Han with a bitter smile, "I don't want to humiliate myself again."

At this time, Long Zhan and Wang Tiejun walked over.

"Good! Being able to accept defeat is what makes a real man!"

Long Zhan strode up to Su Han, looking up and down at the private who had created a miracle: "Kid, I, Long Zhan, keep my word. From now on, whenever your regiment comes for sea training, the Navy will cover all expenses!"

Wang Tiejun was grinning from ear to ear: "Old Long, this is a huge loss for you!"

"Don't be a hypocrite!" Long Zhan laughed and scolded, then suddenly lowered his voice, "However... are you really not considering giving him to our Navy? You can set any conditions!"

"Don't even think about it!" Wang Tiejun pulled Su Han behind him like a mother hen protecting her chicks, "This is our Army's treasure!"

While the two chiefs were bickering, Lin Hu had already walked up to Su Han and reached out his hand solemnly: "Let's spar again if we have the chance."

Su Han shook his hand: "You're welcome anytime."

As the sun set, the figures on the beach of the Sea Training Ground grew sparse.

The soldiers of the 7th Company surrounded Su Han, talking over each other as they reviewed today's competition.

"Brother Han, that Iron Cloth Shirt of yours is too perverted! It hurt just watching Lin Hu hit you!"

"What do you know, that's called Hard Qigong! I heard my grandpa say that true masters are invulnerable to swords and guns!"

Su Han smiled without answering, just moving his slightly sore muscles—although Lin Hu's attacks couldn't break his defense, the impact force was real.

Zhou Haitao walked over and patted his shoulder: "The Regimental Commander wants to see you."

In the Regimental Headquarters tent, Wang Tiejun was deep in thought facing the map. Seeing Su Han enter, he immediately beamed: "Good kid! You really saved face for our Army today!"

He personally poured a cup of tea for Su Han: "I have good news for you—the Division Headquarters has approved your application for promotion to officer!"

Su Han was stunned: "So fast?"

"Fast?" Wang Tiejun laughed loudly, "With your performance over the past two months, you should have been promoted long ago!"

He lowered his voice: "However... I want to wait until you participate in the All-Army Special Forces Competition before officially announcing it."

Su Han understood—if he could achieve good results in the competition, the promotion would carry more weight.

"Thank you, Regimental Commander."

Late at night, Su Han sat alone on the reef by the sea, running the Tortoise Breathing Technique to regulate his breath. Moonlight sprinkled on the sea, creating shimmering waves.

"Knew you'd be here."

Zhou Haitao's voice came from behind. He walked over carrying two cans of beer (non-alcoholic) and handed one to Su Han.

"Grandson-in-law is thoughtful." Su Han joked.

Zhou Haitao rolled his eyes and sat down beside him: "After today's battle, you're completely famous in the Marine Corps."

Su Han gazed at the distant horizon: "Not enough."

"What?"

"There's one month left until the All-Army Special Forces Competition." Su Han said softly, "I need to become stronger."

Zhou Haitao was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

Under the moonlight, Su Han's profile was sharp: "Because..."

His gaze seemed to travel through time and space, returning to that war-torn previous life: "I don't want to leave any more regrets."

His goal was never just the All-Army Grand Competition. It was a longer, wider world!

Over the next month, Su Han continued his insane training.

A month later, at the gate of the 7th Company camp.

The morning dew had not yet dissipated, and the gate of the 7th Company camp was already full of people.

Su Han was fully armed, ready to set off to report to the Falcon Special Forces Brigade and go with several Special Forces Soldiers from the Falcon Special Forces Brigade to participate in the All-Army Special Forces Competition!

Regimental Commander Wang Tiejun led the team personally, and the whole company was lined up neatly to see off Su Han who was about to set off.

"Attention!"

At Zhou Haitao's order, the soldiers of the whole company stood straight.

Wang Tiejun walked up to Su Han and personally straightened his collar badge: "Kid, this time you are representing our 356th Regiment in the All-Army Special Forces Competition, perform well for me!"

"Yes! Guarantee to complete the mission!" Su Han gave a standard military salute.

Wang Tiejun lowered his voice: "Remember, although you are from our conventional troops, you are definitely no worse than the Special Forces Soldiers! Slap the faces of those arrogant guys for me!"

Su Han grinned: "Don't worry, Commander, I will definitely let them know what it means to have people beyond people."

Wang Tiejun nodded slightly, then said with some worry: "However, if it really doesn't work, don't force yourself."

"I heard that the difficulty of the competition is very high, and it is also very dangerous. Don't get yourself hurt, there are plenty of opportunities."

"Yes!"

Zhou Haitao stepped forward, rarely dropping the company commander's posture: "Third Grandpa... be careful on the road."

This remark drew a burst of laughter from the whole company, and the originally solemn atmosphere suddenly became much more relaxed.

Wang Hao squeezed to the front and stuffed a small cloth bag to Su Han: "Brother Han, this is the peace charm my mother asked for before I joined the army, you take it!"

Zhao Xiaohu also came over: "This is the beef jerky I saved, eat it on the road!"

Other soldiers presented their own small gifts one after another—some had handwritten blessing cards, some had carefully polished bullet casing crafts, and some even had chocolate they had secretly hidden.

Su Han accepted them one by one, a warm current surging in his heart.

"Alright, alright!" Zhou Haitao looked at his watch, "Any more delaying and we won't catch the car!"

A military jeep was already waiting outside the camp gate. Su Han saluted the whole company for the last time, turned, and boarded the car.

"Go for it, Brother Han!"

"Win glory for our 7th Company!"

Amidst the cheers of his comrades, the jeep slowly drove away from the camp and sped towards the station of the Falcon Special Forces Brigade.

Falcon Special Forces Brigade training ground.

Six fully armed, ready-to-go Special Forces Soldiers sat around on the lawn, the atmosphere heavy.

"Damn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get!" A burly man with a face full of oil paint slammed the ground hard, "Why give Old Seven's spot to a connection-hire?"

"Exactly!" Another lean soldier sneered, "I heard it's just a rookie who hasn't been in the army for a year, not even a Special Forces Soldier, and he's qualified to represent our Falcon to participate in the competition?"

Captain Zhou Mo sat with a gloomy face and said nothing, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the Falcon emblem on his armband.

"Captain, say something!" The burly man was anxious, "Old Seven is still sulking in the dormitory!"

Zhou Mo finally spoke: "The order was given by the Captain himself, what can we do?"

"But we can't let a rookie hold us back!"

The lean soldier gritted his teeth, "What kind of occasion is the All-Army Grand Competition? That is a contest between the top Special Forces Soldiers of each Military Region! A private from his conventional troops, isn't he going up there to lose face for our Falcon?"

"If he was representing himself, that would be fine, but he is occupying our Falcon's quota. If his results are bad, people will only say our Falcon is not good, they won't say he is not good!"

"Exactly! Originally, in so many previous competitions, our Falcon's results have not been very good. We have been preparing for two full years, training so hard, isn't it just to be proud and elated this time, and get back the face we lost before? Now it's better, a pot of good porridge, and a mouse dropping fell into it, who can stand it?"

"Like it or not, you have to endure it! This person was inserted by the Military Region Headquarters. If you are not happy, go find the Military Region Chief to talk about it?" Zhou Mo looked at the five people and asked impatiently.

The five were speechless.

Military Region Headquarters... Unless they didn't want to stay in Falcon, they would dare to question the decision of the Military Region Chief.

Zhou Mo's tone softened, and he said helplessly: "This matter cannot be changed, so we can only accept it. Whether this kid really has ability or is a straw bag with connections, since the higher-ups have decided, we can only take him with us."

Saying that, Zhou Mo checked the time, "Two hours until departure, hurry up and check, see if the equipment is all there!"

"That kid should be on his way too."

Falcon Special Forces Brigade gate.

Su Han carried his marching bag, looking curiously at this legendary Special Forces base—high walls and electric nets, guard towers standing everywhere, even the air was filled with a murderous aura.

"Name!" The sentry asked coldly.

"356th Regiment 7th Company, Private Su Han, reporting for duty as ordered." Su Han handed over his documents.

After checking, the sentry pointed to the shade of a tree next to the gate: "Wait there, they have already been notified inside."

"Ring-a-ling—" The phone by the training ground suddenly rang. After answering, the duty officer shouted to this side: "Captain Zhou! The sentry at the gate reported that Su Han has arrived!"

The six stood up at the same time, a trace of coldness flashing in their eyes.

"Let him wait at the gate!"

Zhou Mo said coldly.

"Yes!"

This wait lasted an hour and a half.

With the scorching sun overhead, Su Han's training uniform was soon soaked with sweat, but he still stood straight, like a javelin.

Finally, six camouflaged figures walked slowly from the depths of the base.

The leading man was nearly 1.9 meters tall, with knotted muscles and eyes as sharp as an eagle—it was none other than War Eagle Squad Captain Zhou Mo.

"You are Su Han?" Zhou Mo looked up and down at this seemingly ordinary rookie, his tone filled with undisguised contempt.

Su Han stood at attention and saluted: "Report, yes!"

"Do you know why you were asked to come?" Zhou Mo asked coldly.

"To participate in the All-Army Special Forces Competition."

"Heh," the lean soldier next to him sneered, "Just you? A rookie who isn't even a Special Forces Soldier?"

The burly man stepped forward directly, poking Su Han with his chest: "Kid, I don't care which big shot you have connections with, once you get here, you have to follow our rules!"

Su Han was not angry. He knew why these Special Forces Soldiers were so unwelcoming to him.

If he were one of them, he would be like this too.

After all, he took one of their Special Forces quotas.

And he was a rookie from a conventional army.

If they knew his strength, that would be one thing.

But the Military Region Chief didn't reveal his results from that day.

Whoever it was, no one would believe that a rookie who had been in the army for less than a year could achieve any results on the big stage of elite All-Army Special Forces Soldiers!

He would only hold them back.

Therefore, Su Han was very cooperative. No matter what tone they used, he treated it as in one ear and out the other.

"Yes! Whatever you say, I will obey."

Su Han's submissiveness made the six members of the War Eagle Squad have nowhere to vent their anger, and they could only get on the car with hatred.

"Get on! Do you want to walk to the train station?"

Zhou Mo said to Su Han unhappily.

Su Han responded, put his equipment in one of the cars, then opened the door and sat in.