Chapter Twenty-Two: The Elite Tiger Commando Selection Test!

"Thank you, Captain," Qin Feng said.

"No need to be so formal. You're going to participate in the special forces selection, so do your best to pass the assessment and bring honor to our battalion," the Captain replied.

"Yes, sir." Qin Feng agreed cheerfully, but then something came to mind, and his expression darkened. In a low, sorrowful voice, he asked, "Captain, where have the brothers from the Reconnaissance Squad been assigned?"

"Rest assured, they are all heroes, martyrs. After careful consideration, the organization decided to grant them a collective second-class merit, as well as individual second-class honors. Their bodies have been cremated and handed over to their families. The organization will handle their affairs properly. We will never let heroes bleed and shed tears; their sacrifices will be honored," the Captain said, his tone heavy and his face solemn.

Heroes would be treated with respect; they were people worthy of admiration.

"Alright," Qin Feng replied, feeling a weight lifted from his heart. He turned and left.

Back at the temporary dormitory, Qin Feng looked at the military merit medal in his hand and the new sergeant's uniform delivered by the orderly. His expression was dazed, as if in a dream. He never imagined he could become a sergeant in this lifetime. When he returned home, he could finally face his family with pride. At that moment, a graceful figure flashed across his mind, and his face grew resolute. In his heart, he vowed, "Three years from now, I will become stronger. I will find you. Believe in me—I can do it."

After lunch, the orderly drove over to pick up Qin Feng and leave the battalion headquarters. On the road, the orderly spoke with envy, "Brother, I really admire you. Yesterday you were a corporal, and today you're a sergeant. It took me two whole years to earn my stripes, but you did it in just one day. Compared to you, that's worlds apart."

"You're too kind. You earned your rank through hard work," Qin Feng replied, not wanting to discuss it further, worried that too much conversation might slip something he shouldn't say.

The orderly, disciplined as he was, noticed Qin Feng didn't wish to talk, so he changed the subject. "Brother, the Xiongtiger Special Forces selection is full of elite soldiers from different divisions and units. Those who pass stay in the Xiongtiger Special Operations Team, those who don't return to their original units. Listen, brother, I've always admired special forces the most. I wanted to be one myself, but for various reasons, I couldn't become a strong special forces soldier.

If you join the Xiongtiger Special Operations Team and become a special forces soldier, and we meet again, you have to treat me to a drink. Let me celebrate a bit. Then I can proudly say that I was the one who sent you to the special forces. That would be quite something."

"Don't worry, if I become a special forces soldier, I'll let you know. Actually, you might hear about it even without me telling you," Qin Feng said. He couldn't help but think of Su Yun, his face full of longing. To serve as a soldier meant becoming the strongest, to become special forces—a phrase widely circulated in the army. As a soldier, Qin Feng yearned for it. He once thought he had no chance in the Reconnaissance Squad of the border battalion, but now, it seemed he still had an opportunity.

"I'll make the most of this chance," Qin Feng thought to himself. This was a great opportunity, and he would seize it with all he had.

He clenched his fist tightly, his eyes filled with determination.

"This is wonderful," the orderly said as he carefully drove the military vehicle. "Brother, I don't mean to discourage you, but everyone going to the Xiongtiger Special Forces selection is an elite. Don't let your guard down. The assessment can be dangerous, and you must be careful. You're the first I've sent there, and I hope you make me proud. Don't let me have to bring you back."

"Don't worry. Since you're sending me there, I won't let you have to bring me back," Qin Feng replied confidently. No matter what, he was determined to pass the Xiongtiger Special Forces selection. He was going to be a special forces soldier. If he didn't become one, how could he grow stronger in the army, join the mysterious unit, or become as strong as Su Yun?

"Alright, brother, I hope you stay in the Xiongtiger Special Operations Team and become a special forces soldier. Good luck! My name is Mai Haiqiang. What's yours?" Mai Haiqiang asked. He sensed a firm resolve in Qin Feng—a strength that many powerful soldiers possessed.

"Qin Feng," he replied, telling himself he must become a special forces soldier. His mind was already at the Xiongtiger selection site.

The orderly sensed Qin Feng’s unwavering determination. Perhaps that was his remarkable quality, and it might be why he was sent to the special forces selection.

As dusk fell, around five o'clock, the military vehicle arrived at a forest surrounded by lofty mountains. The peaks stretched endlessly, undulating and lush—a vast, boundless expanse of trees. In one corner of the forest, a sign read "Xiongtiger Special Forces Training Base." Special forces soldiers in camouflage were training inside, while others in uniform entered, and large trucks transported soldiers—many, it seemed, had come. Qin Feng guessed they were here for the selection, just like him. He saw the same anticipation on their faces.

At the gate stood armed sentries, their eyes calm. When Qin Feng and the orderly stepped out of the vehicle, Mai Haiqiang jogged over, saluted, presented his credentials, and explained their purpose. The sentry glanced at Qin Feng, then waved them through. Qin Feng noticed a flash of surprise in the sentry’s eyes—though fleeting, he caught it. He wondered if the sentry was surprised to see him arrive alone. The others were in groups, in trucks, clustered together. He was unique, standing alone.

"Brother, I can't go inside. This is as far as I can take you. Farewell for now—I'll wait for your good news," Mai Haiqiang said warmly. He saluted Qin Feng, bid him goodbye, and drove off.

Qin Feng had brought no luggage. Unsure what to do next, he looked at the sentry. The sentry pointed to a square not far ahead and said, "See that square over there? Go there and queue up. Today is the special forces selection. Go on—whether you pass depends on yourself."