Chapter 17: A New Mission Arrives

With the issue of funding resolved, the training of everyone in the company gradually stabilized. No one asked Gu Jianfeng where the money had come from, as that was his secret to keep.

The days passed one after another, and both Tianjiang and Rifle grew at a rate visible to the naked eye. Their rapid growth was due, in part, to the nutritious meals Gu Jianfeng provided, but the true reason lay in the modifications he made to their bodies using his soul power while they were still pups.

In the five months that had passed, Gu Jianfeng had already regained the strength of a ninth-level Soul Soldier. Watching his strength increase day by day, Xue Meng couldn't help but feel a mix of jealousy and resignation. He himself had begun martial training at the age of five, and by seven, his father had cast him into a wolf's den. Every bit of his current skill had been earned through blood and sweat.

But Gu Jianfeng was different. Though he kept up a routine of morning exercise, in all other respects he was no different from an ordinary man. Yet his power grew at a pace that left Xue Meng far behind, unable to catch up.

One day, Xue Meng could no longer hold back his curiosity and asked Gu Jianfeng for the secret behind his progress. Gu Jianfeng replied lightly, "The world of geniuses is always beyond ordinary understanding."

Such a showy answer left Xue Meng speechless, but rubbing his still-aching posterior, he forced himself to endure. Ever since losing to Gu Jianfeng, Xue Meng had pestered him for sparring matches whenever he had free time. The more they sparred, the faster Xue Meng found himself defeated, to the point he began to wonder who was really the training partner.

Still, the pain was not suffered in vain—his strength had increased greatly compared to five months ago.

Now, with only a month left before the Military Working Dog Competition in the war zone, everyone was throwing themselves into preparation with all their might.

Suddenly, the shrill sound of a battle alarm pierced the air above First Company. For many, it was the first time since arriving that they had heard an air-raid siren, and they froze, uncertain what to do.

"Quick! Battle alarm! Everyone, assemble!" Gu Jianfeng's shout snapped them out of their stupor. They dropped what they were doing and rushed to the gate.

Long Fei swept his gaze over the assembled soldiers and, not bothering with roll call, went straight to the point: "We’ve just received orders. A criminal gang is attempting to cross the Nu Mountain Range, slip past the border, and escape abroad."

"Headquarters has ordered us to cooperate with the Public Security Bureau in intercepting and apprehending them."

At these words, the men exchanged uneasy glances. Most were peacetime soldiers, serving either for conscription or to pad their resumes. The prospect of real combat had never crossed their minds.

Seeing their apprehension, Long Fei reassured them, "There’s no need to worry. The main reason we’re needed is that the public security forces require our military dogs to assist in the pursuit. So there’s nothing to be too anxious about."

"Commander, do those criminals have weapons?" Guo Youdong asked with a swallow.

"They have pistols and automatic rifles. In terms of equipment, they're not far behind us," Long Fei replied. "But in any case, we are soldiers. Our country and our people need us now. If we don't go, who will?"

Laughter broke out. "No need to look so glum," Gu Jianfeng said to the group. "Those guys may have weapons, but they're just a bunch of hoodlums waving sticks—hardly deadly. Just don't stick your heads out recklessly and stay behind me and the commander. Many people serve in the army for a decade or more and never see real action. I'd say we're pretty lucky!"

Gu Jianfeng's words now carried more weight than even Long Fei's in the company.

"For this live operation, be sure to prioritize your own safety, and also protect the military dogs," Long Fei reminded them.

"Commander, I don’t think we need to bring all our dogs for this operation," Gu Jianfeng suggested. "Many of us are facing live combat for the first time and may not be able to care for the dogs properly. How about we just bring Tianjiang and Rifle this time, and take the others when we get another chance?"

Long Fei considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Real combat was no exercise—there were no second chances. The company was in no shape to withstand any real losses.

Guo Youdong burst into laughter at Gu Jianfeng’s suggestion, aiming it at Xie Yidao—a pair of natural rivals who never tired of bickering.

First Company didn’t have many weapons—just two Type-95 automatic rifles, and even bullets were in short supply. Gu Jianfeng was embarrassed at the sight; this was hands down the poorest unit he had ever seen.

"It's because of the nature of our company—these two rifles were left by the regimental commander just in case," Long Fei explained.

"Commander... if we don’t have guns, is there any point in going?" a trembling soldier asked.

"An order is an order. Of course we go. Gu Jianfeng and I will each take one of the rifles," Long Fei said coldly.

Many of the soldiers were anxious, but they gritted their teeth and set out. Their arsenal was a motley collection: some carried military shovels, others had daggers, and one even brandished a kitchen cleaver. With no guns, they had to make do with whatever they could find.

Tianjiang and Rifle, upon leaving the kennel, were bursting with excitement, barking all the way. Rifle stood nearly a meter tall, while Tianjiang was a towering one point three meters—taller than most adults when upright. Not only were they large, but their speed was astonishing. Tianjiang, especially, could run like a bolt of lightning and, under Gu Jianfeng’s training, had mastered many attack techniques. At this point, Tianjiang’s prowess rivaled that of a special forces operative. With such perfect form, anyone with an eye for dogs would want to use him as a stud.

"We’re headed to the J65 sector to join up with the Special Police Unit from the Public Security Bureau," Long Fei announced at the company gate.