When you're in the Wolf Pack, your ability to obey orders becomes stronger.

Chapter 349 A formidable opponent! (4K+)

Xu Ge: ? ? ?
"A first-class merit? Brigade Commander, what does that mean?" Xu Ge was completely dumbfounded.

Seeing that Xu Ge's expression didn't seem fake, Zhang Fengxue was equally puzzled and made the same guess as Lao Wang, asking, "So, you want to be the team leader?"

"No, not at all, Brigade Commander!" Xu Ge explained, "It's because I made a mistake, and this is a way of disciplineing myself!"

Zhang Fengxue laughed and flicked Xu Ge's forehead: "You know you made a mistake? That's ridiculous! No organization, no discipline!"

Xu Ge stood there obediently, looking as if he was humbly accepting the criticism.

Zhang Fengxue called Xu Ge over to find out why a formal member of the Hidden Wolves would participate in the Warriors Tournament. After asking him, she planned to leave.

"You're about to be promoted to officer. Once you become a military officer, you must correct this bad habit, understand?"

"Know!"

"Alright, go line up!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Fengxue returned to the podium, and Xu Ge silently walked to the back of the line.

The officers in front of him looked at Xu Ge with much friendlier eyes.

Everyone wasn't stupid; they had already guessed the private's identity.

Although the brigade commander seemed to be criticizing, the doting attitude he showed in his every move was too obvious.

In the entire Wolf Brigade, which soldier could be flicked on the head like that by the brigade commander?
Before leaving after drawing lots, the officers smiled and greeted Xu Ge, who responded to each of them.

Those who can serve as team leaders for their respective units in the Warriors Competition are all elite officers like Yang Shaojie, so Xu Ge has become a familiar face in this regard.

After everyone else had left, Xu Ge went to the box where the lottery had been drawn and picked it up in his arms.

"Squad leader, there are only 25 numbers left in here, I've taken them all."

Guo Yuanshuai nodded: "Okay..."

"Wait a moment!"

Niu Sanxian suddenly came over, reached inside and stirred it, saying, "You should still check it, just in case someone took too much."

Xu Ge nodded: "Oh, that's right. Then let me count the number of numbers."

He didn't find anything unusual about Niu Sanxian's words, but Guo Yuanshuai noticed something was wrong and grabbed Niu Sanxian's arm.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Niu Sanxian looked completely innocent: "Squad leader, I didn't do anything, I just reminded him."

"Then why did you stick your hand in there?" Guo Yuanshuai frowned and looked at Xu Ge. "Ge Bao, pour out all the numbers so I can see them!"

"Oh!"

Xu Ge understood as well; the squad leader suspected that Niu Sanxian had just cheated.

Wow!
The box was lifted up and flipped in the air, causing a pile of number plates to fall onto the table.

"12345678... Vice squad leader, that's 25, no doubt about it," Xu Ge counted and said.

Guo Yuanshuai: "You should separate the odd and even numbers again."

Niu Sanxian's expression became slightly flustered: "Squad leader, I don't think this is necessary, is it?"

"What, are you going to confess?" Guo Yuanshuai asked, glancing at him.

"What am I supposed to confess to? I didn't do anything!"

Niu Sanxian retorted, "I just want to say that drawing lots is all about luck. There can be more odd numbers or more even numbers. Just because there are more odd numbers doesn't mean I rigged it!"

"You think I'm stupid? How do you know there are so many odd numbers here?"

Niu Sanxian: ...

Upon seeing Niu Sanxian's reaction, Guo Yuanshuai became even more certain of his guess and looked at Xu Ge: "Quickly divide them!"

"Yes!"

Xu Ge glanced at Niu Sanxian and understood the situation. He then slowly began to separate the odd and even number plates.

"288 even numbers, 102 even numbers, 414 even numbers, 076 even numbers, 002 even numbers..."

But as they continued dividing the items, Xu Ge began to feel that something was amiss.

Not only him, but Guo Yuanshuai and Niu Sanxian also stared wide-eyed.

There are 25 number plates, only 6 of which are odd numbers.

Xu Ge raised his head and looked at Guo Yuanshuai and Niu Sanxian with a deep gaze: "Squad leader, you don't have to do this to me, do you?"

Guo Yuanshuai raised his hand and slapped Niu Sanxian on the head, cursing, "What's going on? You bastard, you deliberately left all the even numbers at the end, didn't you?"

Niu Sanxian was extremely aggrieved: "How could that be? I specifically left five order numbers, and I just put them all in!"

Guo Yuanshuai: ? ? ?

Xu Ge: ? ? ?
"What do you mean? You mean, there was actually only one order number left in this box?" Xu Ge was stunned.

Niu San nodded first, then sighed, "Uncle, all I can say is that your luck... is just really terrible!"

Xu Ge: I'm so pissed off...

In this situation, Guo Yuanshuai couldn't care less about pursuing Niu Sanxian's cheating anymore, and joined in comforting Xu Ge:

"Ge Bao, it's alright. The people from your Sirius team are all strong. It's not like we're competing in an individual event. The competition lasts all day, so it won't affect anything!"

What else could Xu Ge say? He could only silently take the 25 number plates and turn to leave.

He stopped and turned back after taking only a couple of steps, remembering something.

"Squad leader, why did the brigade commander just say that I came here aiming for a first-class merit?"

In his mind, it was not unreasonable to give a third-class merit for winning the title of Warrior as a new recruit, but even though the Warrior Competition was of a higher standard, it was still too exaggerated to award the first place winner a first-class merit. At most, it would be a second-class merit.

Xu Ge is no longer a clueless newbie; he knows what a first-class merit award means.

This is not a time of war. The military abolished the Special Merit Award decades ago, and the First-Class Merit Award is the highest it can be!
“In previous years, the first place winner received a second-class merit award, but this year is different!” Niu Sanxian whispered, pointing to the podium, “This year, General Manager Gu is here to watch the competition!”

Xu Ge was taken aback: "Why is President Gu here? Is there something to say?"

"There is indeed such a claim."

Guo Yuanshuai laughed, "Normally, our brigade headquarters can only decide on the candidates for second-class merit, but the group army is different. It can directly award first-class merit to soldiers below the rank of third-term sergeant!"

Xu Ge's eyes lit up: "Wow! That means if I defeat the number one warrior, I'll get a first-class merit?"

"It's just that it's possible!"

Guo Yuanshuai whispered, "Since President Gu is here, it's probably pretty much a done deal, but we'll definitely have to see how they perform in the match! By the way, Ge Bao, how are your preparations going? Are you confident?"

Xu Ge said with a determined look, "I didn't have much confidence before, but now I do!"

Just kidding, that's a first-class merit award!
Xu Ge already had a picture in his mind.

Imagine how your parents would feel if a large group of people, with drums and gongs, delivered the plaque recognizing you as a first-class meritorious official to your hometown.
Can't we just take off right here?!
Xu Ge continued walking back with the number plate in his hand, and behind him came the sound of slapping hands and the deputy squad leader's curses.

"What a bunch of trash! They can't even cheat properly..."

. . .

...On Sirius's side, Yang Shaojie already knew from Xu Ge's expression that the draw results were unsatisfactory, but he still asked again, unwilling to give up.

Xu Ge looked ashamed: "I'm sorry everyone, I have terrible luck, I only drew 6 odd numbers..."

He didn't dare say that this was because Niu San had thrown in five beforehand.

Everyone looked puzzled.

Yang Shaojie was amused and exasperated: "Goubao, you're not just unlucky, you're completely unlucky!"

However, since things have come to this, there's no point in dwelling on it anymore; other organizations have already organized their athletes to head to the competition venue.

"Goubao, Chen Wei, Wang Long..."

Yang Shaojie pointed to six people, "You six go to the entrance to report first, the rest of you come with me to climb the building!"

Xu Ge immediately shook his head: "Team Leader Yang, there are already few odd numbers, so I won't use them. It's the same if I take the climbing test first."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Yang Shaojie directly stuck the number 007 plate on Xu Ge's back. "You're the star of our Sky Wolf team, you're going to be the number one warrior!"

"Yes! We're counting on you to take us for the run later!"

"Yeah! Stop dawdling, let's go!"

"Take them down! Sirius is number one!"

The team members also chimed in.

Xu Ge respectfully accepted the order and, without saying much, led Chen Wei and the other four to the main gate of the exercise base.

The first event for odd-numbered contestants is physical fitness: a 10-kilometer cross-country run with full gear.

The race venue is not inside the base, but rather a loop around the back mountain outside. The route has been determined in advance, and there are people to guide you along the way.

The starting point was in the open space outside the main gate, where nearly two hundred contestants had already gathered.

Upon arrival, the six immediately began warming up and tidying their clothes.

Xu Ge was squatting on the ground tightening his shoelaces when he suddenly noticed some commotion behind him. Before he could turn around, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Hello comrade, I'm a reporter from the military channel. You should be the only private first class in this 'Warrior Competition,' so I can follow you... Oh! It's you!"

Xu Ge turned around and greeted him with a smile: "Long time no see, Reporter Zhuang."

Zhuang Xiaotie was both amused and exasperated: "So that's why a private first class came to the Warrior Competition! It's you!"

The two were already acquaintances, and Zhuang Xiaotie asked expectantly, "Comrade Xu, are you available for an interview now?"

"Of course it's inconvenient!"

Before Xu Ge could speak, Niu Sanxian and Guo Yuanshuai appeared at the side without anyone noticing. Niu Sanxian looked at Zhuang Xiaotie with a half-smile and said, "Reporter Zhuang, you should know what you're doing!"

Zhuang Xiaotie immediately understood, shook hands with Xu Ge: "Okay, in that case, let's go interview others! I wish you good luck!"

"Thank you!"

Xu Ge nodded in acknowledgment, then walked to the side amidst the curious gazes of those around him. "Deputy squad leader, are you all done with your work?"

Guo Yuanshuai nodded: "It's nothing, I just came to cheer you on!"

"Uncle, hold on!" Niu Sanxian also raised his fist.

Xu Ge noticed that Guo Yuanshuai's eyes kept glancing at the athletes stretching their ligaments not far away, and asked, "Squad leader, what are you looking at?"

"Those guys are from the reconnaissance battalion of the motorized infantry regiment. I heard from the squad leader that their regimental commander has made a pledge to bring back at least three 'Hero' titles!"

Guo Yuanshuai whispered, "Ge Bao, these guys are all very strong physically, but their shooting is a bit worse than yours. As long as you don't fall too far behind them in the 10km race, you have a chance to win first place."

"Okay! Don't worry, squad leader, I'll definitely do my best!"

Xu Ge agreed and followed Guo Yuanshuai's gaze in that direction.

The four men were also warming up. One of them, a second-term sergeant, had rolled up his trouser legs, revealing his long and thin calf muscles, clearly indicating he was a running expert.

Guo Yuanshuai reminded you, "What I mean by telling you this is that you shouldn't get carried away with them!"

Xu Ge asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, Deputy Squad Leader?"

"It's okay to fall behind a little. You can make up for it in other subjects. Don't try to get first place in every subject, or you'll just fall behind!"

Guo Yuanshuai said seriously, "Sometimes, reducing mistakes is more important than performing exceptionally well!"

"Hmm! I understand, Deputy Squad Leader!" Xu Ge nodded thoughtfully.

Niu Sanxian took out his phone and pointed it at Xu Ge: "Come on! Uncle, smile, I'll take some pictures and send them to my aunt!"

Xu Ge made a peace sign in cooperation and said, "Remember to Photoshop it, I'm too tanned now!"

"Don't worry, wrap it on me!"

Beep!
The whistle sounded.

Several examiners immediately ordered everyone to line up in preparation for a dress code check.

"I'm going now, squad leader!"

Xu Ge immediately bent down, pulled up his trouser legs, and took two ten-pound sandbags off his calves, throwing them to Niu Sanxian. "San'er, you hold these for me!"

Guo Yuanshuai's eyes widened instantly.

Niu Sanxian, clutching the sandbag, gaped and exclaimed, "Holy crap???"

Xu Ge had already run back to the queue, his steps light and agile.

His current physical fitness level is LV5 (6846), which has increased by more than 5000 in just one month!
More than a month ago, he had already started wearing sandbags and participating in various daily training sessions.

In other words, even Xu Ge himself doesn't know what kind of results he can achieve in long-distance running.

The standard load for the Mengshi Race Armed Cross-Country is 30 kilograms, including a water bottle filled with water, a satchel, weapons, and a marching backpack.

After the examiners checked everyone's attire, they immediately had the contestants form a line and pointed out the starting line, indicating that everyone should adjust their positions accordingly.

There's a trick to this: if a runner is confident in their physical abilities, they can come to the front row; otherwise, they can follow behind. There's no need to rush to sprint after the start.

The front-row players need to create distance from the people behind them as soon as possible to form the first echelon.

However, this also has a drawback: if your physical strength is insufficient, you can easily be disrupted by others and be eliminated in the first half of the race!

Xu Ge and his six companions naturally chose to come to the front, and not far away, the members of the motorcycle infantry regiment also squeezed up.

Everyone leaned forward, ready to set off.

Snapped!
"Come on!"

With the starter firing a gun, more than two hundred people rushed out instantly.

In an instant, applause and shouts erupted from the surrounding crowd, all cheering loudly for their team's contestants.

Xu Ge maintained the first position from the start, with the other five Sirius members close behind.

The cement road at the entrance of the exercise base is ten meters wide, and the distance to the entrance to the mountain road is about 2000 meters.

All the athletes knew that they had to be in the leading group within this 2000-meter distance, otherwise the mountain road would be narrow and it would be difficult to overtake them.

When he was more than 1000 meters away, Xu Ge suddenly saw three figures overtake him from the side and take the lead.

Whoohoo!
The heavy breathing of the three men carried far away; they were running like madmen. After overtaking Xu Ge, they did not slow down but instead continued to accelerate, quickly putting a distance of tens of meters between themselves and Xu Ge!
Xu Ge glanced quickly at the digital watch on his wrist and immediately estimated the current speed of the three people, which surprised him greatly.

The three of them were pacing for almost three and a half minutes per kilometer!
(End of this chapter)