Chen Jinzhao stood at the front of the formation with his hands behind his back.
Initially, there was a clamor of noise within the ranks, but upon seeing Chen Jinzhao standing at the forefront, the atmosphere seemed to become suppressed.
These men promptly fell silent, awaiting Chen Jinzhao's address.
Time trickled by.
Chen Jinzhao still hadn't spoken. The oppressive aura emanating from him grew stronger, causing the new recruits to avert their gazes, daring not to look directly at Chen Jinzhao.
Even Yang Qin Hu felt a sliver of pressure.
And so it went.
For a full ten minutes!
The nerves of everyone in the formation were stretched to their absolute limit, with beads of sweat the size of soybeans forming on their foreheads.
Now, they all realized that Chen Jinzhao might be from a prominent family, but he also possessed genuine skill, making them hesitant to make any rash movements.
Finally.
Chen Jinzhao spoke.
"Everyone!"
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am your Chief Instructor, Chen Jinzhao. I am 26 years old and hail from Ninghai, Jiangnan. I have five years of military service and was discharged for three years due to unforeseen circumstances."
"I know many of you are displeased with me, believing I am not worthy to be your Chief Instructor!"
"But—"
"I was once a member of the Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit. I have shed blood for my country. The Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit flourished under my and my brothers' leadership, becoming one of the top two special operations units globally! In comparison, you yourselves ask, what basis do you have for pride? The current Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit is not what it once was. What right do you have to look down on others?"
"The glory of the Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit was not created by you; it was earned by my brothers and me with our blood and lives!"
With these words spoken.
More than half of the team members felt remorse, realizing they had been mistaken.
However.
A small portion still remained unconvinced.
They believed Chen Jinzhao was merely leveraging the past glory of the Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit for his own gain.
If the Candle Dragon Special Operations Unit was a unit with a glorious history, then seniority should not be disregarded; this was an insult to the unit!
Their true belief was that the virtuous should lead.
Chen Jinzhao was naturally aware of their thoughts. After a pause, he said, "Of course, I know many of you still harbor reservations about me, feeling I am too young to be Chief Instructor. Therefore, I will give you an opportunity. If any of you can defeat me, I will personally request to relinquish my post as Chief Instructor of the Candle Dragon!"
"Who will step forward?"
"I will stand here, awaiting your challenge!"
As his words fell.
Indeed, many were stirred, eager to challenge Chen Jinzhao.
If they could win, they would achieve renown throughout the three armies!
This was a scenario every passionate man had fantasized about!
However, they were all cautious, unwilling to be the first to step forward, fearing Chen Jinzhao's retribution.
Chen Jinzhao smiled faintly, "You're worried I'll seek revenge later? Rest assured, I am not that kind of person, nor would I stoop to such actions. Rather, if you dare not challenge me, I will be very disappointed."
Candle Dragon does not foster the weak!
Everyone must possess the iron will to overthrow oppression! Everyone a dragon, that is the true iron army!
After a brief silence.
A twenty-year-old man stepped out from the formation, his gaze resolute, and said, "Report, Instructor. Chu Li Guo wishes to challenge you!"
"Granted!"
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
He finally saw a glimpse of their past selves in these men.
This was a good start!
Chu Li Guo glanced around, then at Chen Jinzhao's military uniform, and inquired, "Shouldn't Instructor change into casual attire? And then, should we move to a different location for a formal duel?"
"No need, right here," Chen Jinzhao replied.
"You make the first move."
Chu Li Guo was momentarily stunned, standing still.
Chen Jinzhao frowned and said in a low voice, "I told you to make the first move. This is an order!"
Chu Li Guo jolted and immediately threw a punch.
His footwork was steady, and his strength and speed were both highly imposing. He was one of the few experts among the new recruits. Based on Chen Jinzhao's estimation, Chu Li Guo should have reached C-class level.
He was indeed a promising talent.
As Chu Li Guo approached, a smile curved Chen Jinzhao's lips. He reached out and grabbed Chu Li Guo's palm. With a twist of his wrist, he exerted force, causing Chu Li Guo's face to change drastically as he was sent flying backward!
Swish!
The entire drill ground instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Chu Li Guo's strength ranked him within the top ten among these men, yet he was defeated by Chen Jinzhao in a single move!
This was terrifying!
Some new recruits who had been contemplating fighting Chen Jinzhao had a flicker in their eyes and ultimately abandoned their plans to challenge him. Their strength was not much different from Chu Li Guo's, meaning they too would likely not last a single move against Chen Jinzhao.
A challenge would only lead to self-humiliation.
Chu Li Guo, covered in dust, got up from the ground. Chen Jinzhao's move had shattered his pride. He said with deep shame, "Instructor, I accept my defeat wholeheartedly and will no longer have any objections."
"Good, rejoin the ranks."
With Chen Jinzhao's permission, Chu Li Guo let out a sigh of relief.
Chen Jinzhao's gaze swept across each face in the formation, asking, "Does anyone else wish to challenge me?"
The formation remained silent.
Shangguan Yu An secretly glanced at Chen Jinzhao, noticing how much the man had changed since those days. If it were him back then, he would have found ways to torment these new recruits, to temper their will.
Indeed.
People change, and Chen Jinzhao was no exception.
"Wait!"
A low shout came from the front of the formation.
Everyone looked towards the speaker, who was none other than Deputy Instructor Yang Qin Hu.
The new recruits also became excited. During their training, they had already witnessed Yang Qin Hu's formidable prowess. They respected Yang Qin Hu more as their Chief Instructor, which was why they had resisted Chen Jinzhao's arrival.
If Yang Qin Hu could defeat Chen Jinzhao, the situation would reach a perfect conclusion.
Shangguan Yu An's brows furrowed slightly, but then quickly relaxed.
She believed in Chen Jinzhao.
Yang Qin Hu stepped out from the formation under everyone's gaze and stood before Chen Jinzhao, his eyes sharp as he asked, "Instructor Chen, you just said that if anyone could defeat you, you would relinquish your position as Chief Instructor. Does that promise still stand?"
"A gentleman's word is his bond," Chen Jinzhao nodded.
Yang Qin Hu let out a hearty laugh, "Good, then I, Yang Qin Hu, will challenge Instructor Chen today. I hope Instructor Chen will grant me his guidance!"
Chen Jinzhao smiled and accepted.
"If that is the case, then let us have a more formal duel for everyone to witness," Yang Qin Hu proposed, and Chen Jinzhao did not refuse.
This also made the mood of the Candle Dragon team members incredibly excited.
As far as they knew, Yang Qin Hu was a quasi-A-class warrior. Due to his unknown combat record, he had not been ranked on the world's individual combat list. However, those familiar with Yang Qin Hu knew that he had also been called the "Living Yama" by his enemies!
A battle of epic proportions was about to begin.