Beyond the Zenith

Just as Regiment 425 had only managed to learn Han Qingyu’s ranking, Regiment 439 had only managed to find out that their best recruit this batch was a B- after a rough inquiry of their own.

The specific results for each individual remained unknown. They would have to wait until the Only Witness Legion finished testing the recruits from all six of its armies before the data could be compiled and sent to each regiment.

Some of the more anxious recruits had gone to ask, but the only answer they received was that it would take another two or three days. In the meantime, the recruits were only required to do morning drills to maintain their fitness and were free to roam for the rest of the time.

The Azure Coalition’s way of managing people could feel discomfiting. During training, they crammed every second with pressure and reminders that one could die in battle at any moment, but once let loose, as long as one didn’t break military regulations, they truly left one alone. The recruits started feeling bizarrely like some carefree loafers with roofs over their heads and food on their table.

This probably had to do with the fact that they could die at any time.

“If we didn’t give you some time to zone out and forget about it, you’d all go insane,” Lao Jian told Han Qingyu and Wen Jifei, having not yet left the base despite his earlier claims.

In truth, this visit was not just to see Han Qingyu, but also because Zhang Dao’an wanted to treat him to dinner. According to Lao Jian, he and Zhang Dao’an weren’t particularly close. After all, he was usually stationed in the field, and Zhang Dao’an hadn’t become an instructor yet when he’d been a recruit himself.

Yet Zhang Dao’an had suddenly invited him to dinner and told him to bring along Han Qingyu and Wen Jifei.

“Basically, Instructor Zhang probably wants to treat Little Qing to dinner. He likely feels awkward doing it himself because of his position as head instructor, so he invited me first,” Lao Jian concluded, then turned to Wen Jifei and added, “You’re just tagging along.”

The reason Zhang Dao’an wanted to treat Han Qingyu to dinner had nothing to do with the A-rank result. It was because of the phone call from Old Miao, the depot chief of Supply Depot 700.

That was the first call Zhang Dao’an had received from someone in the Red Erasers in seven years, and from the one person who had once treated him like a little brother no less.

Old Miao’s tone on the phone had been stiff and cold.

Zhang Dao’an had listened silently the whole time. Only at the very end did he work up the courage to choke out, “Brother Miao.”

The other end went silent for a long moment, then hung up.

Even so, Zhang Dao’an was grateful to Han Qingyu.

“Buy a couple bottles of something decent to bring along,” Lao Jian said, turning to leave.

Han Qingyu tugged on his shirt and held out his hand. “I have no money.”

Recruits earned the right to shop on base after finishing the first half of training, but they hadn’t received any pay yet.

As Lao Jian stared at him, he couldn’t help but feel aggrieved. He pulled both pockets inside out and said bitterly, “Get lost. I don’t have any money either. I don’t have a single cent left. I’m drowning in debt.”

Han Qingyu was silent.

Fortunately, Wen Jifei had money. He had brought over two thousand yuan with him and hadn’t spent a single cent of it.

After Lao Jian left, the two of them called the rest of Dormitory 11 and headed out together.

The Azure Coalition’s living quarters sold all manner of things. There were the latest cassette tapes of the trendiest pop stars, books by popular authors, gaming consoles, clothes, and lipstick in the newest styles. Some of the goods couldn’t even be found on the open market.

“These prices are insane,” Wen Jifei remarked, standing outside the shop and holding up the two bottles of top-shelf baijiu he’d just bought to inspect them against the light, looking like he actually knew what he was doing. “They’re real. These prices are probably only possible because there’s no tax and zero markup. Aside from the whole dying thing, this place isn’t all that bad.”

As he said this, the members of Dormitory 11 were wandering through the base’s shopping district, sneaking glances at female team leaders in skirts. Every veteran was called “team leader” around here, as that was the safest bet for honorifics.

“Halt!” a woman called out as they passed a bar. “Yeah, I’m talking to you, newbies. Stay right there.”

Woman or not, a veteran was still a veteran. As the lowest rung of the Azure Coalition’s food chain, they quickly stood at attention and lined up.

“Team Leader, what’s going on?” Yang Qingbai asked cautiously.

“None of your business,” the woman replied.

A group of about seven or eight female soldiers sat outside the bar. They huddled together, whispering and nudging each other, then burst out laughing.

Finally, one of them asked, “Do you remember us?”

“Yes!” Dormitory 11 answered without hesitation.

In truth, they didn’t. If they had said so, though, they would probably be done for.

“And what exactly do you remember about us?”

“I...”

“Say it.”

Just then, one of the women signaled to a server and ordered two more bottles of beer. Han Qingyu noticed a long scar running along her forearm as her sleeve slipped down.

“We remember that on the day we first arrived, while we were on the truck looking around, Team Leader waved hello to us,” Han Qingyu called out loudly.

The women exchanged glances. “They actually remember.”

“Yeah, hah.” They wore satisfied smiles. “Get over here. You, and you. It was just you two back then, right?”

Han Qingyu and Wen Jifei obediently walked over and stood before them.

“Which one of you is the A-rank recruit?” one woman asked.

Han Qingyu said, “I am.”

“Hm, at least you’re honest.” The woman nodded slowly, then suddenly reached out with a grin and... pinched his cheek. “You’ll remember us better now, right? We’re about to head back to the front. Don’t forget us. Also, stay alive. Next time we meet, we won’t bully you like this.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Han Qingyu answered reflexively.

“Yes? Yes, what?” she pressed. “That we can’t bully you anymore?”

“Yes, we’ll stay alive,” Han Qingyu answered like a soldier. “You too, all of you Big Sisters... We’ll meet again.”

The women fell quiet for a long while, then nodded. “Alright. You, all of you, make the 425th proud. When you make a name for yourselves, we’ll get to brag that we once pinched your face.”

The one with the brightest smile and the scar on her forearm even reached out and gently smoothed Han Qingyu’s cheek, the way an older sister would with a younger brother.

A truck pulled up nearby. The women set down their beer bottles, grabbed their simple bags from behind their seats, and tossed them onto the truck bed. Hopping up with swift, practiced movements, they stood at the tailgate and waved goodbye.

It turned out that “about to head back” meant they were leaving immediately.

***

On the way back to the dormitory, Hu Haipeng pulled Han Qingyu aside once again. They were heading in what looked like the direction of Regiment Commander Li’s office.

“Someone from above is here to present your medal. When you see the old gentleman, remember to address him as Army Commander,” Hu Haipeng briefed along the way.

Army Commander. That was a very important person. Born and raised in a small village, Han Qingyu was naturally rather startled at this news. “Our Ninth Army Commander?”

“Yes, the former one, though. He retired three years ago. He mostly handles ceremonial duties now.” Hu Haipeng paused, then reminded once more, “Mind your manners. The former army commander carries a lot of respect in the Ninth Army. Practically every officer in active leadership was someone he promoted.”

Han Qingyu nodded quickly.

“You can enter on your own.” Hu Haipeng waved and turned to leave. “I need to go pack.”

Right, Instructor Hu is heading to the front, Han Qingyu thought as he watched him disappear down the stairwell.

Then, turning back around, he knocked on the door and called out, “Reporting.”

Li Wangqiang answered, “Come in.”

Han Qingyu pushed the door open, entered, and saluted. Inside were three people: Regiment Commander Li, the regiment lead advisor, and an older man with gray at his temples, a straight back, and a kind face.

“Good day, Army Commander.”

“Good day.”

Former Army Commander Shen Fengting nodded, squinting as he approached. He examined Han Qingyu closely, eyeing him from head to toe, then toe to head, several times over, before finally giving an approving nod.

The award ceremony was stripped down to the bare minimum in this private setting. A Silver Azure Guardian Medal was pinned to his chest. Regiment Commander Li and the regiment lead advisor eyed it with barely concealed envy. Only Han Qingyu himself didn’t yet understand the true meaning and value tied to the medal’s rank.

“A-rank integration level. Not to mention, the first recruit in twenty years to enlist already carrying a Silver Azure Guardian Medal,” the former army commander said. “Not bad, young man. Have a seat.”

Han Qingyu didn’t dare move.

“The army commander said sit, so sit,” Li Wangqiang said from beside him.

“Thank you, Army Commander.” Only then did Han Qingyu take his seat.

“Relax. It’s just a casual chat.” The former army commander’s manner was warm and approachable. “Think of me as a family elder. Where are you from?”

“Yuejiang Province. Fenglong Valley,” Han Qingyu answered honestly.

The former army commander nodded. “Ah, a village boy.”

“That’s right. He’s an honest kid,” Regiment Commander Li added.

“That’s good. I like honest kids.” Shen Fengting turned back to Han Qingyu, studied him for a moment more, then asked, “How old are you? Did you go to school? Were you married back at home?”

“Nineteen. I finished high school before coming here. Not married,” Han Qingyu answered carefully.

“Oh, what about a girlfriend? Are you seeing anyone?”

“No, sir.”

“Good, good.” Shen Fengting paused, then added with sincere warmth, “The thing is, I have a granddaughter who’s about your age.”