Green mountains, blue sky and white clouds were rare to see together in the autumn season. However, in the suburbs of S City, there was a place where one could see them. What made the place even more popular was a precipitous mountain in the vicinity. Steep and challenging, no ordinary person could easily climb up to its peak. Today, Daisy took her soldiers to have a try at the mountain. All soldiers were armed to the teeth under the Colonel's request. They picked the most dangerous trail and started their way toward the top. Soldiers were divided into groups, with each team consisting of five. The team that got to the top of the mountain first would win the contest. Not only the soldiers' determination, but also their team spirit would be tested.
"Colonel, which team do you estimate would get to the top first?" Mark looked at the mountain peak through a telescope.
"Intelligence plays a more vital role than physical ability in this contest. In my opinion, every team has its chance to win. All our soldiers are almost at the same level in terms of strength and technique." Daisy wore a camouflaging uniform. The heat was merciless and she had taken off her hat to fan herself with it. Her other hand was angled on her forehead to shield her eyes from the glaring rays of the sun. She paid attention to the moving figures walking along the rugged trail.
"That's true, Colonel. Do you think they can successfully go through the narrow pass once they get to it?" asked Mark worriedly. He wouldn't have been troubled over it if the soldiers weren't so equipped. The pass was too narrow and only allowed one person to pass through at a time. So what about the weapons and facilities that the soldiers carried with them?
"It will test their wisdom. The rules cannot be changed, but humans can always find loopholes within them. I didn't command them to carry the equipment on their back the entire way. Do you understand?" Daisy turned and glanced at Mark. He was still a naive boy who didn't dare break the rules. Fortunately, not everyone was as simple-hearted as him.
"Yes! Why didn't I think of that?" Mark grimaced. He admitted he was a bit slow-witted.
"You wouldn't be who you are if you had thought of it." Daisy shook her head, flashing him a lenient smile. She took the telescope to watch the ongoing contest on the mountain.
The soldiers were here for field training. In addition to the physical training aimed at strengthening their combat ability, another skill they needed to develop was their ability to cope with unexpected accidents. The mountain trails leading to the top were steep, uneven and could not be hiked easily. They needed to cooperate with teammates.
Mark's lip curled with displeasure at Daisy's perception of him. Since she was the boss, he dared not refute the statement. He subdued his discontentment in secret.
The soldiers hiked along the trail. It was walk-able at first: although the path was rocky, they could find a cleft to step into. But the higher they went, the rougher the trek became. The trail finally gave way to the precipitous cliff. The soldiers stopped walking and climbed with their hands and feet. They were physically trained every month. But for the first time, the soldiers were training in the tough wilderness. As they dug holes with their daggers for their feet to latch onto, they also had to be on alert for any falling stones that were triggered by their comrades' upward climb. Truth be told, Daisy was worried about the soldiers as well. However, she had faith in their capabilities. The wilderness training was novel to them and rife with unanticipated challenges they hadn't experienced before. But they were soldiers after all, who must forge ahead to strengthen their abilities. It would help them become invincible fighters.
The air in autumn was dry. Aside from the scorching heat from the sun, the soldiers suffered from cracked lips. They had brought along water canisters but didn't even have time to drink the water. Their hands were forced to clutch onto the cliff.
They gained distance inch by inch, but it was harder to move as time went by. Their limbs felt heavy, as though rocks hung onto them. Every inch of progress in the elevation seemed to cost them all their energy. None of them, however, was willing to give up. This was the critical test of their determination. They were soldiers with iron resolution. As far as they were concerned, the contest was a dare to them.
The narrow pass was the last hurdle. Although it was hard, some lean soldiers could pass it by carrying the equipment on their backs. The opening was just wide enough for a person of medium built. Those with a broader built, however, found it extremely difficult to pass and thus were detained. But they didn't concede. With Colonel Ouyang, nicknamed as Devil Drillmaster, as their training leader, each one of them had gained extensive training. The restricted passageway was a minor complication. They would pass through as long as they had weapons, strength and determination - even if they lost some time and energy.
Soldiers from each team scattered in different parts of the procession, with some in the front and some falling behind. It was impossible for any team to reach the top in their entirety. There were others who had attempted to climb paths of their own that they thought would be more convenient, but only succeeded in proving their foolishness. None of them could find a new way to the top. The wasted time meant they were left much far behind.
The clock ticked away. Daisy got more anxious as each second passed by. She had noticed how some of the soldiers were in danger. They carelessly blundered while trying to step on a secured rock, almost falling off the cliff. Fortunately, their teammates offered timely help and took hold of them in time. Scared out of her breath, Daisy was relieved to see that. Team spirit was exactly what she wanted her soldiers to learn.
Today's training didn't compare to the training she had received at JC Military Academy. These soldiers were big boys serving in the ranks. They didn't need to be trained according to the same standards. Their aims were different; they weren't training to become top elite force members. Finally, she saw a red victory banner being hoisted at the peak of the mountain. The first soldier had reached the top. Daisy's eyes welled up with tears. She was touched by their courage. They had not only defeated others and the hardships of this training, they had also transcended themselves.
Colonel, they made it!" Mark yelled and elated. But his smile froze at the sight of Daisy's red eyes. He looked at her in surprise, wondering what had caused them.
"As long as we have the resolution to do it, there is nothing we can't do. Our soldiers have progressed leaps and bounds today. They've reached a new milestone." Daisy flashed a brilliant smile in relief. If we could surpass our own misgivings, the difficulties meant nothing and success could be within our reach.
The soldiers who stood like giants in the midst of the clouds, acknowledged Daisy at the top of their voices. Their deafening cheers echoed in the valley. They celebrated their success as well as their invincible spirits. A small smile tugged Daisy's mouth as she watched them. It was rare for the soldiers to see their aloof colonel smile. Although young, these soldiers were respectful. They were willing to spend their precious youth training to forge themselves into tough fighters. Their lives were different to those of other youngsters who gaily spent their time playing video games, hanging out with girlfriends and getting spoiled by the love of their parents. Only blood and sweat were what these soldiers had experienced.
Daisy liked hanging out with them. They reminded her of herself, when she was a young ambitious soldier. Her forgotten youth came to life around them. She was inspired by their energy and could always draw the inspiration she needed to drive forward, toward her next higher destination.
In contrast to the harsh training the soldiers had gone through under the unforgiving sun, the upper-class elites led a different life. Edward, as one of them, basked in the cool air of his office. Duke arrived at FX International Group when the working hours had only just begun. Pushing open the doors to Edward's office, Duke startled him. Edward had just started his work. It surprised him to see Duke in his office at such an early hour.
Please don't tell me you have been waiting outside my door, Duke." Edward paused his work as Duke came in. He stood up, walked toward the sofa and threw himself onto it.
"Will you feel sorry for me if I say yes?" Duke walked straight toward the refrigerator and grabbed a drink. He gulped it down in a flash.
"Nope," Edward replied shortly. He wouldn't feel sorry for Duke even if he had been kept waiting outside the whole day.
"A man of no mercy! No, I'm not that stupid." Duke too sank into the sofa comfortably. The cold air in the office relieved him of the heat from his drive earlier.
"So tell me, what happened? How did Belinda get hurt?" Edward stared at Duke, perplexed. Belinda was perfectly fine when they had a meal the other day.
"Oh, God. Don't talk to me about it. I'm the one to blame. We had a quarrel. I was so mad at her, I drove off and left her alone on the beach. She wouldn't have gotten hurt if I had stayed and kept her company. It was all my fault." Belinda's injuries had left Duke with unspoken remorse. It was fortunate that he had returned in time. He wondered what could've happened if he hadn't come back in time. The consequences of it would have been a nightmare he couldn't afford to accept.