359: Chapter 358 Night Raven - Light Cavalry

"Are you the strongest?"

The young soldier narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in his gaze, and said: "What do you mean?"

"I just wanted to confirm."

Wang Shuo spread his hands and said: "I don't mean anything else by it."

Seeing the sincerity in Wang Shuo's eyes, the dangerous glint in the young soldier's eyes receded slightly: "I thought you were going to say I wasn't qualified."

"I'm not that bored."

Wang Shuo rolled his eyes. Had this guy been reading too many face-slapping novels?

He asked again: "Are you, or aren't you?"

The young soldier hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head slightly: "No."

He then added: "But I'm enough to deal with you. As long as you defeat me, all of us will follow your orders without a single word of complaint."

"I told you, I didn't ask if you were the strongest to show off..."

Wang Shuo wanted to explain, feeling a bit helpless, but seeing the skeptical expressions on everyone's faces, he finally gave up.

"Forget it, when do we start?"

The young soldier stared at Wang Shuo and said in a deep voice: "I won't take advantage of you. You pick the time, you pick the place."

"I pick?"

Wang Shuo looked up, checked the time, and said: "Then let's do it now. The location will be your training ground."

"Now?"

The young soldier frowned and said: "I can give you time to prepare."

"No need."

Wang Shuo shook his head lightly and said: "It will be over in a few minutes; there's no need to drag it out."

The soldier didn't expect Wang Shuo to be so straightforward. He was slightly stunned, then said: "It won't even take a few minutes. I'll hold back and try to end the fight within a minute."

"Very good."

Wang Shuo nodded in satisfaction: "You all head back to the training base now. I'll go get my equipment, and we'll meet in half an hour. Instructor Duan, is that okay?"

Instructor Duan, who had not interrupted until now, frowned slightly and asked: "Boss Wang, the combat techniques Xiao Long uses are not ordinary. Have you really decided?"

Wang Shuo didn't know the difference between ordinary and non-ordinary combat techniques, but he nodded upon hearing this: "It's decided. And while we're at it, I'll let you see the first piece of equipment I've provided for you."

"Is it protective gear?"

"It's a type of protective gear, I suppose. The range of protection is just a bit larger."

Wang Shuo nodded.

Instructor Duan shook his head slightly. Wang Shuo still didn't understand the gravity of the words 'not ordinary.' In the military, once something is labeled 'not ordinary,' it's no longer a standard combat technique, but a true killing technique. People who train in these techniques have only one goal—to kill the target swiftly, decisively, and accurately.

There is no room for compromise.

For this reason, all the techniques they learned were aimed at vital points, intended to kill with a single blow.

Even though this was just a spar and Xiao Long wouldn't be carrying a Weapon, even using just his fists and feet, given the attack power Xiao Long had displayed, it was still possible for Wang Shuo to get injured even while wearing protective gear.

He looked at the resolute Xiao Long beside him, swept a glance at the others who were showing anticipation, and then cast his gaze toward Wang Shuo, who seemed to have made up his mind.

There was no room for turning back. Instructor Duan finally said:

"Everyone, fall in!"

Everyone perked up, quickly formed lines, and looked at Instructor Duan standing in front.

Instructor Duan scanned the group and said coldly:

"Run forward, pace of 15 kilometers per hour. Get back to the training base within half an hour!"

"Yes!"

A neat and loud response.

Everyone set off, the whole team quickly picking up speed until they were sprinting.

Seeing the team move away, Wang Shuo showed a hint of satisfaction.

These people were all elites. He didn't know where Instructor Duan had found them. If he couldn't subdue them and get them to work for him sincerely, it would be a real pity.

Instructor Duan also watched the departing team, silent for a long while, before saying: "Boss Wang, actually, even if you didn't risk yourself, I have ways to make them obey orders."

"I know."

Wang Shuo smiled and said: "But that's not what I want. Isn't it faster and more effective to just beat them into submission?"

Instructor Duan nodded slightly.

Soldiers, especially these young, hot-blooded, elite soldiers, have always admired strength.

Therefore, there was no better way than to knock them down. Not convinced? Then beat them again; they'll be convinced eventually.

It's just... that's very hard to do.

"By the way, Instructor Duan, they've all run off, how are you getting back?"

Wang Shuo suddenly remembered something and turned to ask.

Instructor Duan looked at the departing team and said calmly: "I'll take a car back."

...

Half an hour later.

When the team members entered the training base courtyard, Instructor Duan was already waiting there.

Without letting the team members rest, Instructor Duan said flatly:

"Fall in."

Two neat lines formed.

Instructor Duan looked at the soldiers before him, who were trying hard to catch their breath but hadn't slowed down much more than usual. A hint of a smile flashed across his face, then he returned to his cold demeanor and said: "Not bad."

10 kilometers, arrived in half an hour without heavy loads, and still able to maintain basic formation; it was indeed not bad.

"Xiao Long."

The young soldier stepped out of line.

"There is combat gear on the first floor that I prepared earlier. Go put it on."

The training facilities at the base were basically complete, and essential equipment like combat gear naturally wouldn't be missing.

"Me?"

Xiao Long pointed at himself in surprise and said: "Instructor, aren't you mistaken? Me, wearing protective gear? And at the level of combat gear?"

"That's right."

Although Instructor Duan was also a bit puzzled, he said flatly: "This was specifically requested by Boss Wang. You don't have to wear it, but this spar will end right here, and it's not to be mentioned again."

"Despicable."

Xiao Long clenched his fists.

Without another word, Xiao Long walked into the building with a gloomy expression. A few minutes later, when Xiao Long reappeared, he was already wearing heavy combat gear.

Chest protector, shoulder pads, upper arm guards, elbow pads, forearm guards, thigh guards, knee pads, shin guards.

Basically, except for not wearing a helmet, all other protective gear was complete. He walked with a bit more heaviness, looking quite imposing.

But everyone knew that protective gear had its advantages as well as its limitations.

Especially for experts, the weight and structure of the protective gear would greatly affect speed and agility, and might even make some techniques impossible to use, having a huge impact on combat effectiveness.

This was why Xiao Long called Wang Shuo despicable.

Compared to facing a battle openly and failing, using underhanded little tricks and then failing all the same was even more contemptible.

Xiao Long's expression returned to calm, and he stood quietly in place, waiting for Wang Shuo to appear.

The other soldiers also watched quietly; the silent team felt as oppressive as a beast about to explode.

And just when the atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme, heavy footsteps came from behind them.

Xiao Long lifted his head slightly and looked in the direction the sound was coming from. A hint of anger had just appeared on his calm face, but it immediately froze, then turned into astonishment.

It wasn't just him; all the soldiers who turned around stared blankly at the black figure walking in from the doorway. Even Instructor Duan was stunned in place.

Until the black figure walked step by step to the front of the team.

"This is..."

Xiao Long looked at the black figure standing opposite him, who was half a head taller than him, his eyes widened, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.

The bad premonition became reality the next moment. Wang Shuo's voice came from under the black figure's helmet:

"I'm ready, let's begin."

"Is this... what you called full-body armor?"

Xiao Long asked with a dry voice.

"Yes."

The black figure seemed to want to nod, but was blocked by the helmet, then said: "Let me introduce it. Fully enclosed Powered Exoskeleton armor, or 'Full Armor' for short."

What the hell kind of 'Full Armor' is that.

Xiao Long's mouth twitched. Damn it, why is this not what he had imagined?

Full-body armor, shouldn't it look like the gear he was wearing? When did it become this style?

Exoskeleton?

Xiao Long pondered to himself.

"Are we fighting or not?"

Seeing Xiao Long standing still for a long time, Wang Shuo asked.

Xiao Long lowered his head slightly.

Everyone had heard the commotion when Wang Shuo walked in just now; that was the sound only something extremely heavy could make.

And this Boss Wang hadn't moved from his spot since he came in. He figured that even with the Exoskeleton's support, moving such heavy armor must require quite a bit of effort.

This wasn't strange.

He had only worn combat gear and had already sacrificed part of his speed and agility; there was no reason the other party wouldn't pay a price for such huge full-body armor.

In that case...

"Fight."

Xiao Long said in a low voice.

Giving up was never an option for him. No matter how difficult, he would find a way to overcome it. In the military, the squad leader had never taught them what giving up meant; there was only moving forward, forward, and forward again, until they collapsed.

"Forward..."

Xiao Long murmured in a low voice, took a step forward, and a look of excitement appeared in his eyes.

Yes, that was the feeling, that nervous, trembling feeling.

The squad leader had said, this was the feeling of Berserker genes taking effect.

Soldiers in this state would produce enough adrenaline to support their state of complete explosion.

This was a capability that warriors from all other countries did not possess, and it was the key that had supported their predecessors all along the way.

Seemingly sensing something, Instructor Duan Chengwu, who had been observing the towering armor, retracted his gaze and turned it back to Xiao Long, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.

"This guy has actually already touched the threshold."

He muttered to himself. No one else noticed this faint sound, but Wang Shuo did, right as he turned his gaze toward Instructor Duan Chengwu, wondering what the other man's words meant...

"Now is the time!"

Xiao Long, who was directly in front, suddenly took a step forward and charged madly toward Wang Shuo.

Wearing the clumsy armor, his speed had not decreased in the slightest. Relying solely on the strength of his physical body, he delivered a strike as if boosted by an Exoskeleton like Hans!

It was an elbow strike, aimed straight at Wang Shuo's face.

Although Xiao Long was acting madly, he still cautiously observed every part of Wang Shuo, ultimately deciding to attack the most vulnerable spot: the helmet visor.

The glass-made visor could not withstand an attack from the elbow guard at all, and he himself would not let his movements be distorted by pain.

More importantly, Wang Shuo's momentary distraction might lead to an inability to operate the heavy armor in time to react. Once the glass shattered, it would surely cause the untrained Wang Shuo to panic, at which point he could take the opportunity to expand his advantage or even directly secure victory.

Xiao Long had calculated everything, but he missed one point, which was... inside the armor in front of him, there wasn't just Wang Shuo, and this armor was not simply a non-Powered Exoskeleton.

Inside this armor... was the existence of Ling!

"Bang."

At the critical moment, one of Wang Shuo's arms quickly lifted to block in front, colliding with Xiao Long's elbow strike and emitting a dull thud.

Xiao Long felt pain, and without time to be surprised at why Wang Shuo reacted so quickly, he was about to pull back and retreat, only to see Wang Shuo's other arm already raised, striking heavily against his chest with lightning speed.

"Thud."

Amidst everyone's incredulous gazes, Xiao Long flew backward four or five meters, crashing heavily onto the ground, and lay motionless.

"Xiao Long."

A soldier shouted out, and another soldier hurriedly ran from the ranks to Xiao Long's side, helping him up and checking him carefully, then reported loudly: "Instructor, Xiao Long is fine, he just fainted."

Everyone then collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Shuo also breathed a sigh of relief. His momentary distraction had only lasted an instant, and with the helmet as a cover, he hadn't expected that Xiao Long would still manage to seize the opportunity.

Fortunately, he might get distracted, but Ling would not.

It was also fortunate that before coming, he had already had Ling set the output power of the Night Crow to the minimum state.

That strike just now had more thrust than damage; although Xiao Long appeared to have flown quite far, he was actually fine.

Instructor Duan Chengwu looked at Wang Shuo on the field, a glimmer of light appearing in his eyes, and then said indifferently: "Xiao Long is unconscious, Mr. Wang wins."

No one spoke; everyone turned their gaze toward Wang Shuo, their eyes full of vigilance.

Wang Shuo felt a bit awkward. After all, this was caused by his own mistake. According to the original plan, he should have traded blows with Xiao Long for several rounds before defeating him, not sent him flying four or five meters with one hit, causing him to faint directly.

Shrugging his hands, Wang Shuo met everyone's gaze and said: "I tried my best to hold back, really."

The soldiers did not speak, still staring at Wang Shuo.

"Mr. Wang."

Instructor Duan Chengwu cast his gaze on Wang Shuo: "According to the agreement, they will unconditionally obey your commands from now on. You can give them orders now."

"Like this?"

Wang Shuo was surprised. He raised his hands, gently turned the helmet, and after a slight click, lifted both hands to take the helmet off.

His handsome face reappeared in everyone's eyes.

For some reason, seeing Wang Shuo appear with their own eyes, everyone felt a great weight lifted off their hearts.

"Form up."

One of the soldiers who had just stepped out to check on Xiao Long's injuries carried Xiao Long to the side of the formation, set him down, returned to the front of the formation, and said loudly: "Mr. Wang, Captain Li Liancai of the Ruian Security Co., Ltd. Special Security Squad reporting to you."

This feeling was very novel. Wang Shuo imitated Instructor Duan Chengwu's manner, nodded gently, and said: "Return to the ranks."

"Yes."

Captain Li Liancai saluted and returned to the team.

Instructor Duan Chengwu pushed his wheelchair to arrive in front of Wang Shuo, looked up at the increasingly towering Wang Shuo, and asked: "Mr. Wang, is this the equipment you mentioned?"

"It is."

Wang Shuo did not deny it.

"That strike just now probably wasn't its strongest level, right?"

Instructor Duan asked thoughtfully: "What level can it reach?"

"About ten percent."

Wang Shuo estimated and replied: "Any lower and it wouldn't be able to guarantee its normal movement."

"Ten percent?"

A flash of sharpness appeared in Instructor Duan Chengwu's eyes: "Mr. Wang, can we see what it looks like at full output?"

"No."

Wang Shuo shook his head slightly, and looking at everyone's disappointed expressions, explained helplessly: "My body doesn't allow it, but I can try the ninety percent high-output mode for you."

As he spoke, Wang Shuo put his helmet back on.

Looking at the cement brick wall used for testing a dozen meters away, Wang Shuo's indifferent voice came from under the helmet: "Ling, high-power mode, ninety percent output, initiate."

The next moment, everyone felt a blur before their eyes. Wang Shuo's figure had already appeared in front of the cement brick wall, the dust under his feet splashing due to the sudden stop, pattering against the wall surface.

Before the dust had settled, everyone saw Wang Shuo lift his arm and punch out!

"Crash."

Bricks scattered, and dust flew everywhere.

When everyone could see the situation clearly, they all widened their eyes in disbelief.

One of Wang Shuo's arms was embedded up to the shoulder in the cement brick wall, and his whole body was pressed against the cement brick wall.

Seemingly sensing everyone's gaze, Wang Shuo paused, then braced his other hand against the cement brick wall and gently pulled his arm out.

Behind him, on that cement brick wall, a bowl-sized hole had appeared out of thin air.

In the silent plaza, faint sounds of gasping appeared.

Everyone looked down at the unconscious Xiao Long lying on the ground, revealing expressions of relief.

Mr. Wang had not lied; he had indeed tried his best to hold back. If that strike just now had landed on Xiao Long, he wouldn't have just flown away; he would have been directly pierced through.

Pierced through by an arm.

Instructor Duan Chengwu's eyes narrowed slightly, and looking at Wang Shuo, who had returned to his side, he revealed a hint of shock.

He reached out to gently touch the outer surface of the armor, feeling the frosted texture between his fingers; even as composed as he was, he felt a hint of uncertainty.

"Mr. Wang, is this really equipment for us?"

"Of course."

Wang Shuo nodded matter-of-factly: "This thing was originally built for you. Didn't you say so, Instructor Duan? Our team members might encounter some dangerous missions; with this thing, at the very least, they will have more chances to survive."

Instructor Duan Chengwu shook his head and smiled bitterly. He had indeed said that, and it was indeed prepared for that goal, but even so, this surprise was a bit too big.

This wasn't increasing the chances of survival; this was simply not giving the opponent a chance to survive.

Instructor Duan Chengwu could not imagine what kind of scene it would be if the thirty-something people in front of him all wore this thing and appeared on the battlefield.

Looking at the others again, Instructor Duan Chengwu discovered that the light in the soldiers' eyes had, without knowing when, transformed into another complex aggregate of emotions.

There was burning intensity, excitement, astonishment, and a tiny bit of... anticipation.

He knew, this was a sure win.

Wang Shuo had successfully planted his own shadow in these people's hearts, and had done far better than he had.

Taking a breath, Instructor Duan Chengwu asked: "Mr. Wang, what is its name?"

"Because it is very fast, but its strength is not very outstanding, I envisioned it as a reconnaissance-type armor for night operations, so I called it Night Crow."

Wang Shuo stated his concept: "As for the type name, I haven't thought of one yet."

"Night Crow."

Instructor Duan Chengwu repeated it.

"Report."

Wang Shuo turned his head to look. The person speaking was Captain Li Liancai, and he couldn't help but ask with some surprise: "Captain Li, what is it?"

"Mr. Wang, I have an idea."

Captain Li Liancai took a deep breath and said: "We can classify the types according to ancient military branches. For example, the set of armor you are wearing now, with its high speed, weaker strength, and night operation capability, belongs to the scout type. I have a very suitable name for it."

Wang Shuo signaled for him to continue.

A hint of excitement appeared in Captain Li Liancai's eyes as he said: "Light Cavalry."

"Night Crow · Light Cavalry!"