Strongest Soldier King

The team leader thought about a lot from Luo Zheng's "fast" training concept to selecting the fastest warriors for the team, combined with the report about Luo Zheng's nickname returned by scholars and others from the competition. He was struck by inspiration and named the first squad Ghost Team, which on one hand matched the characteristics of the selected members—good speed and shooting—and on the other hand, it was filled with anticipation and high hopes for Luo Zheng.

Luo Zheng gratefully looked at the team leader, feeling a heavy responsibility and pressure, along with the team leader's selfless trust. He felt very steady, his blood boiling with a lofty spirit of dying for a respected friend. He wished he could join the battle immediately but first, he solemnly saluted the team leader and said earnestly, eyes straight ahead, "Thank you, team leader. We will definitely become ghosts that scare the enemy by merely being mentioned, omnipresent specters on the battlefield. Ghost Team, deployed, a night full of cries and howls, kill!"

"Ghost Team, deployed, a night full of cries and howls, kill!" the other five teammates also shouted excitedly, their eyes bright with a surge of powerful battle intent that even distant warriors felt, casting glances their way.

The team leader, satisfied, left, and Luo Zheng looked at his new teammates, his brothers with whom he'd share life and death moments. He waved a big hand and said, "Sit and talk." Having said that, he himself sat cross-legged on the training ground and began their first official discussion since the team was formed, while other soldiers were signaled by the team leader to disperse.

"Let me introduce myself, Luo Zheng, captain of the first squad. Please introduce yourselves with your names and special skills too. We'll be sharing the pot from now on." Luo Zheng said calmly, looking at everyone with a satisfied smile. Having run back from just now's route and displayed impressive shooting skills, everyone's military abilities were quite commendable.

"Zhou Gang, sniper," a lean man was the first to speak up.

"Liu Xun, sniper," said a tall and robust man.

Luo Zheng looked at him in surprise. Such a big and burly man could also be a sniper, he couldn't help but smile, nodded, and looked at the other three. A fierce warrior continued, "Zhang Bin, sniper."

"Wu Yuan, sniper."

"Meng Zhu, sniper."

The remaining two people also gave a brief self-introduction. Luo Zheng was stunned after hearing everyone's introduction—all snipers. Then he laughed excitedly, saying, "That's fantastic, I didn't expect us all to be from the same profession. Snipers, huh? That fits really well with our team's name. It seems that it's destined. I don't know your sniping skills yet, but over the next week, you'll train with me. The training will cover the two categories you just competed in. Any problems with that?"

"None," the five simultaneously shouted. As elite Special Forces, they were well aware of the elements of the competition. If they really trained in those two categories, it would undoubtedly unleash their full potential. Of course, there were risks of overtraining causing problems, but everyone didn't mind and were filled with confidence.

"Good. We get up at 5:30 every morning. Except for half an hour for each meal and rest, all other time will be spent training. Within a week, if anyone can't handle it, they may request to drop out. There will be an assessment after one week. If anyone can't keep up with my speed and tempo, they're out as well," Luo Zheng said sternly, his demeanor serious. The battlefield was no place for games, and fighting the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group required utmost seriousness. Luo Zheng did not intend to bring anyone's body back; if they couldn't meet the requirements, he wouldn't take them to the battlefield.

"Yes!" all five answered in unison, seeing Luo Zheng's piercing gaze as if it could penetrate their thoughts, they were startled and felt tremendous pressure. Being dropped from the first squad would be a huge blow to their honor, which mattered above all. The group exchanged looks and nodded resolutely to one another.

Pressure was the best catalyst, Luo Zheng looked at everyone satisfied and smiled, leading them into rigorous training, sharing his sniper expertise with no reservations.

┅┅.

From afar, the team leader watched this scene from his office window and smiled. After Luo Zheng led the training, he closed the curtains and excitedly called Lan Xue on her private number. He recounted all that had happened today in detail. He concluded, "Didn't expect that, everybody chosen turned out to be snipers. Of course, they're not as skilled as your team, but they're noteworthy in our division. A sniper team called Ghost Team, really looking forward to it."

"I don't really like the name; it's kind of sinister, not robust enough, unlike our division's emphatic name. But he didn't object?" Lan Xue said coldly on the other end, her tone calm.

The team leader was used to Lan Xue's way of speaking and laughed, "That kid probably doesn't even know about the nickname Ghost. He looked quite surprised, but he didn't object. Anyway, I think the name is quite suitable—it matches their squad characteristics. Imagine, those snipers moving unpredictably on the battlefield, isn't that just like ghosts?"

"As long as he didn't object, I don't mind. They will depart in a week. The procedures have already been processed through official channels; you should receive the orders soon. There is too little information on this operation, too many variables. Regarding the weapons, make sure to meet their needs," Lan Xue instructed.

"Don't worry," the team leader readily agreed, then asked quietly, "Can you give me an idea of our chances? I really hope Ghost Team doesn't fail on their first mission. It would dent their confidence and affect me too. Don't forget, I appointed that kid under considerable pressure from all sides for your sake."

"Thank you," Lan Xue said solemnly.

The team leader was somewhat unaccustomed to Lan Xue's tone and chuckled awkwardly, then heard her continue, "I won't hide it from you, we have no certainty about this operation because the enemy is unknown. We have to adapt as things evolve, but rest assured, I will make sure to bring your Ghost Team back safe."

"With you there, I'm relieved," the team leader thought of Lan Xue's formidable capabilities and the elite squad she would bring, he felt at ease.

Lan Xue herself wasn't very confident internally. Although her side was powerful, the opponent was also formidable. Having clashed many times with evenly split outcomes and without sufficient intelligence, the battle would be tough. Still, she concealed this pressure for the future's sake. Knowing she had no better choice but to forge ahead, even if it meant severe losses, thinking of Luo Zheng, her anxious heart stabilized somewhat.

"If it really comes to it, let the drug runners go and attack their base directly," the team leader kindly suggested, "Also, is your intelligence reliable? Can you really locate their base? What if someone is setting you up?"