Huang Yuhua's fury silenced the entire team, turning them into a group of scolded schoolchildren who quickly returned to their positions, their discussions abruptly ceasing.
However, Huang Yuhua did not seem inclined to let the matter rest.
In the military, discipline was paramount. If this group of recruits were allowed to be noisy and unruly, the unit would be impossible to lead.
Thus, he furrowed his brow again and asked in a deep voice,
"Speak up! What were you arguing about? Are you proud of passing the test?"
Everyone knew Huang Yuhua was speaking sarcastically, so no one answered.
Seeing this, Huang Yuhua understood that asking wouldn't yield results. He directly looked at Han Lang.
"Your name is Han Lang, right? This matter started because of you. Why don't you tell me what happened!"
Han Lang remained silent.
Even though he was new to the army, he knew that if his superiors found out about this, he would likely face punishment.
But at that moment, Ma Long, worried about him being punished, stepped forward without warning.
"Report!"
Huang Yuhua was instantly drawn to him, his gaze shifting to Ma Long.
Ma Long continued,
"This has nothing to do with Han Lang! Zhao Wu was the one who taunted him first, which is why he proposed the bet. I ask for your clarification, Sergeant Huang!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Yuhua seemed unconcerned with the root cause of the disturbance. Instead, he asked with interest,
"A bet? Heh, the new recruits are already arguing after finishing their seclusion? I'm quite curious, what did you bet on?"
With the situation as it was, Ma Long dared not hide anything further and revealed the entire story.
This deepened Zhao Wu's resentment towards him.
However, after hearing the full account, Huang Yuhua did not immediately begin criticizing. Instead, he let out a contemptuous smile.
"Heh, interesting! Betting the championship of the new recruit arena right from the start. It seems you two are quite confident in yourselves!"
Seeing this, Zhao Wu and Han Lang hurriedly explained.
"Apologies, Sergeant! It was just a moment of youthful pride, we didn't..."
Before they could finish, Huang Yuhua interrupted them directly.
"Youthful pride? Confidence and goals are good things! I'm quite interested in this bet too! I'd like to participate in the outer betting!"
Seeing Huang Yuhua's approachable demeanor, everyone in the team breathed a sigh of relief.
"Really? Sergeant Huang! Who do you favor?"
"Yes, Sergeant Huang! If you participate too, we'll be even more enthusiastic! Haha"
"Haha..."
But just as everyone was shedding their tension and starting to chatter again, Huang Yuhua's expression changed once more.
"Enthusiastic about what! You bunch of rookies, are you already becoming lawless?"
Seeing Huang Yuhua's anger flare up again, the crowd once again quieted down sheepishly.
But Huang Yuhua's reprimand was not over.
"All of you remember this! In the army, we encourage healthy competition! But disregarding military discipline, undermining camaraderie, and even fanning the flames or enjoying the show from the sidelines are all unacceptable! Even though you, Han Lang, and you, Zhao Wu, performed well in this test, you cannot cause such a disturbance during formation! Therefore, after this matter is settled, you will both run thirty kilometers! A minor punishment! If you offend again, I don't care about your potential, I will not show leniency! Do you understand?"
Thirty kilometers was indeed a minor punishment for cultivators.
Although Han Lang and Zhao Wu did not take it to heart, they still felt a bit wronged by the undeserved punishment.
However, this was the military, and the matter had, to some extent, originated from them.
Therefore, they could only accept the punishment with bowed heads.
Seeing their good attitude, Huang Yuhua nodded with slight satisfaction. He then ordered the others,
"The rest of you, for failing to report and instead fanning the flames for the outer bets, you will all be punished collectively. After dismissal, everyone runs five kilometers! No exceptions!"
Upon hearing this sentence, a wave of grumbling swept through the crowd.
This only made Huang Yuhua more furious.
"What? Does anyone disagree? You can step forward and argue with me individually!"
The crowd immediately fell silent.
Everyone knew that the military was no place for reasoning.
A higher rank meant absolute authority!
Stepping forward to argue at this moment would only result in a more severe punishment!
Seeing no one object, Huang Yuhua, still somewhat annoyed, flipped open the document in his hand and solemnly announced,
"The new recruit seclusion period has ended. The new recruit arena challenge will commence in three days. Before then, you have a few things to do."
"First, prepare for washing and grooming, and maintain your military appearance. And remember from now on, in the special special forces, improper appearance and internal affairs will result in deductions of military merit! In severe cases, it will be treated as insulting the country and the military!"
"Second, internal affairs organization for thirty minutes, followed by assembly in formation in front of the dormitory building. Since our platoon had 22 qualified personnel, 8 people will be reassigned from other new recruit platoons to form a complete new recruit platoon. Therefore, after thirty minutes of internal affairs organization, everyone will assemble in formation in front of the dormitory building! After meeting your new comrades, you will all proceed to the base's treasure pavilion together!"
"Do you all understand?"
The crowd shouted in unison, "Understood!"
"Good! Dismissed!"
Upon hearing this command, the crowd immediately scattered, rushing out of the seclusion training area at the fastest possible speed and sprinting towards the dormitory building.
Han Lang was also rushing towards the dormitory building with Tang Geng and a few others, but before he could exert himself, he was suddenly pulled back by Huang Yuhua.
Han Lang looked at Huang Yuhua, puzzled, and saw his face filled with a strange smile. Then, he heard Huang Yuhua whisper in his ear,
"Regarding the arena championship, I favor you more! Go for it! Heh heh..."
Han Lang was surprised.
Although he didn't understand why Huang Yuhua favored him, time was tight, and he couldn't ask further. He simply said "Thank you" and quickly chased after Tang Geng and the others.
Tang Geng and the others were also puzzled as to why Huang Yuhua had singled out Han Lang. As Han Lang approached, they asked while running,
"Brother Han Lang, why did Sergeant Huang pull you aside alone? Do you know each other?"
Han Lang shook his head.
"I don't know. During the test, he looked at us unhappily for being late. Now he suddenly mentions the bet with Zhao Wu and says he favors me. I really can't figure out why!"
Hearing this, Tang Geng and the other two were even more surprised.
"He told you that?"
"Yes! Brother Tang Geng, can you analyze this for me? What does he mean by this?"
Tang Geng thought for a moment and then shook his head.
"I don't understand! I really can't guess the thoughts of these old hands in the special special forces!"
Before he could finish speaking, Ma Long followed up,
"I know about this!"
"You know?"
The three asked in unison.
Ma Long replied with a hint of pride,
"Heh heh, you guys don't know this. The special special forces are still a part of the military! Although military discipline is strict and cannot be challenged, the officers who lead the troops usually prefer those who are clever and strong, even if they are a bit rebellious! The obedient ones don't catch their eye!"
Hearing Ma Long's explanation, the three of them suddenly understood.
"So, even though Sergeant Huang punished Han Lang and Zhao Wu, he actually likes them more in his heart, right?"
Ma Long replied, "Exactly! And since he quietly said that to Young Master, it shows he has more goodwill towards Young Master than Zhao Wu. As for the specific reason, you'll have to ask him yourself!"
Hearing this, Han Lang felt a little proud, but he didn't show it on his face.
"Alright! Who cares! We should hurry back first!"
Saying that, he exerted himself again and, like an arrow released from a bow, dashed into the dormitory building.