Chapter 141: Training Combat Skills

Two figures in black crept forward, their footsteps muffled as they approached Xu Han’s bed.

The "Xu Han" on the bed remained motionless.

One of the black-clad men readied a rope, while the other repeated a maneuver they had practiced, reaching out to cover "Xu Han’s" mouth. As his hand made contact, he froze.

Something was wrong. Why did this guy’s head feel so soft?

He caught the moonlight and took a closer look.

What the hell?! Isn't this just a pillow?

"Bad move! The kid must have sensed something!"

Just as the two were frantically searching for Xu Han, a figure lunged from beneath the bed and tackled them!

...

Wang Yuan stood outside the dormitory building. The pale streetlights cast long, distorted shadows around him. He checked his watch and muttered, "Ten minutes have passed. They should have wrapped this up by now, right? Why haven't they come down yet? This is too slow; I’ll have to make them do extra training tomorrow."

Just then, two figures emerged from the dormitory entrance. Wang Yuan smiled, relieved. Finally. Not too late, he supposed. He had already prepared a lecture for Xu Han and the others. Sleeping was fine, but how could they lack such basic vigilance? Did they think they were still at home?

He opened his mouth to speak, but as the figures stepped under the streetlight, he saw their faces clearly. He stood stunned. "How is it you two?!"

It was Xu Han and Zhu Junjie.

Xu Han wore a faint, mocking smile. "Instructor Wang, waiting for someone?"

Wang Yuan’s mouth twitched. "Why aren't you two sleeping in the middle of the night? What are you doing down here?"

The smile on Xu Han’s face deepened. "I caught two spies, and I was just about to hand them over to you."

"Bring them over."

Several more figures emerged from the dormitory, followed by Jiang Yuchen and the others, accompanied by a towering Spirit Puppet. The puppet carried two men in its hands, both bound tight with rope like bundles of zongzi, their mouths gagged with rags, emitting only muffled grunts.

Wang Yuan’s face turned an ugly shade of dark. How could his own men be the ones captured? He gestured dismissively at the group. "Not bad. You pass this assessment. Go back and get some rest; meet here at six tomorrow morning."

The group bid him farewell and turned back toward the dormitory. Once inside, Zhu Junjie couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hahahaha! Did you see the look on Instructor Wang’s face? That was hilarious! Talk about a plan backfiring."

Hua Piaowu waved her fists in indignation. "It makes me so mad! They actually tried a sneak attack—why not come at us head-on? If I’d had my Spirit Puppet ready, I would have knocked their teeth out!"

Su Li whispered, "We’re lucky Xu Han was there, or we’d all be tied up right now."

Jiang Yuchen nodded slightly at Xu Han and murmured, "Thank you." If she hadn't been so exhausted from training, she wouldn't have been caught so off guard.

Xu Han smiled. "It was nothing. But since Instructor Wang lost face, he’ll probably try to get it back tomorrow. Keep your guard up."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Thinking of the psychological terror of those "face-to-face" jump scares, Zhu Junjie shivered involuntarily and moved a little closer to Xu Han.

As everyone headed to their rooms, Wang Yuan stood under the streetlight, glaring at the two bound men. Sneak attacks in the dead of night were his signature move, yet it had failed completely against them. Instead, he was the one who had lost face.

He pulled out a dagger and sliced the ropes. The two men ripped the rags from their mouths and gasped for air.

"Speak. What happened?" Wang Yuan’s gaze was like a hawk’s.

The two men shivered and recounted exactly what had occurred. Wang Yuan squinted. "Oh? You mean the kid discovered you beforehand and laid an ambush under the bed?"

The men nodded frantically. If not for that, they would have succeeded!

Wang Yuan glared at them. "Useless! You can't even handle a simple task!" The men hung their heads, not daring to make a sound. "Forget sleep. Go now and run fifty laps around the training field! You don't rest until you're done! And tomorrow, your training will be doubled!"

The men’s faces turned ash-gray. This was torture, yet they dared not defy Wang Yuan. To resist would be to invite death. They trudged toward the training field with bitter expressions.

Wang Yuan looked up at the dormitory building, his eyes narrowing. "Interesting little brats. Just wait and see how I train you tomorrow!"

...

At 6:00 AM the next day, the five of them gathered downstairs. Wang Yuan stood before them, his expression grim.

"We continue yesterday's training. Xu Han, come with me."

The others cast sympathetic glances toward Xu Han. Since he had humiliated Wang Yuan last night, he was clearly in for some special treatment. Xu Han, however, remained unfazed.

As the others were led away, Xu Han followed Wang Yuan to an open training ground where soldiers in protective gear were engaged in combat drills.

"Instructor Wang, what are we training today?" Xu Han asked.

Wang Yuan replied expressionlessly, "Based on your performance so far, you’re the best of the lot. So, you’ll be doing live combat training with me. Alright, everyone else, take a break!"

At his command, the sparring soldiers broke apart and sat on the sidelines, clearing the field. Wang Yuan walked to the center and gestured for Xu Han to join him.

Xu Han approached tentatively.

"Come on. Attack me."

Xu Han hesitated, but he followed orders. He stomped his foot and lunged toward Wang Yuan. Just as his strike was about to connect, Wang Yuan sidestepped with ease, dodging the blow, and delivered a punch to Xu Han’s back.

*Bang!*

Xu Han slammed into the ground, his clothes covered in dirt and sand, looking wretched.

The surrounding soldiers whispered.

"Isn't that the student who cleared the intimidation test in one go?"

"Yeah, and now he’s sparring with the 'Iron-Faced Yama'? Poor guy."

"Even our captain can't last a single move against him. Can a student who’s never even seen real combat stand a chance?"

"Impossible. He’s going to get crushed all day. His technique is too sloppy; he’s worse than me."

"We’ve got a show to watch today! Hahaha... it’s just a shame we don’t have popcorn."

Wang Yuan looked down at Xu Han, who was struggling to his feet. "Your speed and power are decent, but your movements are too straightforward."

Xu Han braced himself, his expression turning grave.