"Ten rings! Ten rings! Ten rings! Eight rings! Seven rings! Seven rings! Six rings! Five rings! Five rings! Five rings!"
"A total of seventy-three rings!"
The judge's face was full of astonishment, then turned to one of awe as he looked at Zhou Hao. Calculating the trajectory deviations and bullet timings? Even the top marksmen in the military would struggle to achieve this. Yet Zhou Hao made it happen!
When the final result was announced, Dong Aiguo broke into a smile. He alone understood how difficult this rule he had set truly was.
It wasn't his original idea; about ten years ago, shortly after he joined the military, the most legendary sharpshooter back then had once undergone the same test. That marksman had managed to score only sixty rings.
Zhou Hao's result now had completely exceeded his expectations. No way, he didn't believe Hao Jian could surpass Zhou Hao!
"Haha, kiddo, now you see how powerful your granddaddy is?!"
Jumping down from the shooting platform, Zhou Hao looked smugly at Hao Jian as he burst out laughing.
Hao Jian ignored Zhou Hao and turned to Dong Aiguo, speaking calmly.
Dong Aiguo nodded, though his eyes betrayed anticipation for Hao Jian's failure. The thought of soon being able to exact revenge on his enemy made him a little giddy.
Seeing Hao Jian dismiss him yet again, Zhou Hao's anger flared uncontrollably. However, noticing the cruel gleam in Dong Aiguo's eyes, he wisely kept his mouth shut and coldly sneered to himself, "Kid, let's see how long you last under Elder Dong's torment!"
Hao Jian turned to Secretary Zhang and smiled faintly before striding toward the shooting platform. Secretary Zhang wanted to say something but, noticing the glow of confident determination in Hao Jian's gaze, swallowed his words and let a smile bloom on his face.
Dong Aiguo's rule was notorious—a twisted challenge, some might say. It was clear he had set it up to torment Hao Jian and ensure his defeat. But would Hao Jian truly lose?
Secretary Zhang didn't believe someone like Hao Jian would fail this competition.
Stepping onto the platform, Hao Jian retrieved his handgun unhurriedly. Once everything was prepared, he spoke lightly, "Let's start."
With his signal, a new series of mobile targets started moving immediately. This time, however, the targets didn't take long to integrate their movements...
By the third minute of motion, brilliance flickered in Hao Jian's eyes. His arm swung decisively, sending a bullet bursting out from the black muzzle with a bang, striking the foremost moving target!
"Bang bang bang bang!"
A chain of shots rang out, the pace visibly faster than Zhou Hao's earlier performance. This technique was Hao Jian's own invention. Combining the force of his arm swing with the burst of bullets, he created a technique akin to sniper-level firepower!
The bullets fired from the Desert Eagle possessed destructive power that rivaled high-caliber sniper rifles. Add in Hao Jian's arm strength, and the impact was unmatched!
His bullets pierced through the bullseye of the first target, then the second, the third...
"Go ahead, check them."
After firing, Hao Jian casually tossed the handgun onto the platform and jumped down. With a faint smile, he looked toward the judge below.
As Hao Jian approached, Secretary Zhang appeared tense. If Hao Jian lost, Dong Aiguo wouldn't hesitate to dispose of him. Although Secretary Zhang hadn't been worried before, the stakes now made his palms sweaty.
Hao Jian gave a reassuring nod and turned away, quietly awaiting the judge's results.
"Ten rings! Ten rings! Ten rings! Ten rings! Ten rings! Ten rings..."
The judge called out ten consecutive ten-ring scores, his face pale with shock as he staggered toward Dong Aiguo. Saluting him nervously, the quivering voice echoed, "Hao Jian's score is one hundred rings! A perfect score!"
As the result sank in, Zhou Hao exclaimed instinctively. His face froze in disbelief as his gaze landed on Hao Jian, showing a glint of hidden awe.
Only those who've experienced this challenge could understand the difficulty of achieving what Hao Jian did. Zhou Hao, strong as he was, managed seventy-three rings, and yet, Hao Jian's perfect score? Incredible!
He didn't doubt the credibility of the score, given this judge was from their own ranks. Surely their own wouldn't favor an outsider, right?
Seeing Hao Jian's exceptional skills, Zhou Hao even felt an urge to befriend him. But remembering that Hao Jian had killed his leader's son, that sliver of admiration was soon replaced by irrepressible fury.
Only they—Dong Aiguo's soldiers—knew their leader's true character. Outwardly, Dong Aiguo projected authority and fear, but spent time with him and you'd discover his approachable nature.
He cared deeply for his men. To them, Dong Aiguo was someone deserving of respect!
"Your skills are remarkable. At least this time, you've won..."
Dong Aiguo was someone who could admit defeat gracefully. Hao Jian won fair and square, no excuses. However, this victory only fueled Dong Aiguo's hatred further. Hao Jian's win had pushed his revenge for his son farther out of reach.
"But don't think you'll keep winning. The next challenge will be even harder!" Dong Aiguo snorted coldly before turning and walking out.
As Dong Aiguo left, his men hurried after him—clearly, they were headed to the next competition venue.
"Haha, Hao Jian, keep going! Show that old man what true skill looks like!"
Watching Dong Aiguo's expression, Secretary Zhang couldn't help but laugh. That old man had often embarrassed him before the minister, but now Hao Jian had finally set things straight!
"The next competition is running! Ten kilometers. The fastest wins! This time, three others will race against you!"
At a track and field area, Dong Aiguo turned to Hao Jian as he approached, snorting disdainfully before pointing toward the track in the distance, saying, "This track is two kilometers per lap. You'll need to complete five laps in total!"
"Another straightforward rule,"
Hearing Dong Aiguo explain, Hao Jian smiled lightly and said to Secretary Zhang, "If I win again, will the old man's face be a sight to behold?"
"Haha, that's just how Elder Dong is! You just go for it. No pressure. When the minister gets involved, I'd like to see the old man try breaking his word!"
Secretary Zhang patted Hao Jian's shoulder, signaling no need to fret, the final sentence spoken in a soft voice only the two of them could hear.
"You mean the old man intervened?"
Surprised by Zhang's words, Hao Jian queried in a lowered tone.
"Why else would Dong Aiguo be so wary of me? Though I am the minister's secretary, without his direct backing, Dong Aiguo would hardly fear me." Secretary Zhang shook his head and replied, "Just focus on winning. The minister won't tolerate losing you as his assistant!"
"Haha, I told you. I won't lose!"
Hao Jian laughed heartily before leaping off the viewing stage. His feet made precise taps mid-air to neutralize the force, landing smoothly and flawlessly.
Witnessing Hao Jian's casual display of skill, the Special Forces soldiers' pupils contracted in amazement as they muttered under their breath.
"You three, step forward!"
Dong Aiguo wasn't startled, only twitching an eyelid. He already knew Hao Jian's capabilities. Though most of it was derived from files, he nonetheless understood Hao Jian thoroughly.
To Dong Aiguo, Hao Jian excelled in missions or combat, but in formal competitions, perhaps his talent wouldn't measure up. And surely, among Dong Aiguo's troops, someone could beat Hao Jian?!
At his command, three towering soldiers, each roughly two meters tall, stepped forward, saluted him crisply, then leapt down in unison.
Unlike Hao Jian's graceful descent, they landed heavily, bending to cushion their momentum.
"I'm Cheng Yi, and these are my brothers Cheng Er and Cheng San."
The tallest soldier spoke gruffly after landing. Once introduced, they fell silent, each assuming starting stances—an action mirrored perfectly by the other two brothers.
"Triplets? That's rare!"
Seeing their identical appearance, Hao Jian chuckled softly. Since they weren't speaking, he saw no reason to strike up a conversation—it would only make things awkward.
"You three better not lose, or I'll deal with you myself!"
Before the race began, Dong Aiguo stepped forward, barking threateningly at the brothers.
"Haha! Don't worry, Sir! We three brothers have yet to lose when it comes to running!"