Mercenary's War

A week has passed.

During this week, Gao Yang slept with the gun, ate with the gun, used the bathroom with the gun, ran with the gun, did everything with the gun.

To cultivate a sense for the gun, Gao Yang did everything he could.

Of course, most of the time Gao Yang was either shooting with this gun or personally cleaning the gun barrel after shooting.

In seven days, about two thousand rounds were fired.

The best result was hitting seven targets in ten seconds, but this achievement only happened once, out of over two hundred attempts.

After three days of shooting, Gao Yang entered a period of stability, where he could consistently ensure hitting four out of ten shots, and on good days achieve five out of ten; six out of ten happened four times.

Now, Gao Yang’s stable state allows him to hit five out of ten.

Even if Gao Yang could achieve his best result of seven out of ten, he’s still far from winning the bet by a long shot.

Seven out of ten compared to ten out of ten differs by only three bullets, yet it’s a chasm that can’t be crossed; Gao Yang has reached his limit, with all his bodily functions at peak state, at best achieving seven out of ten.

Moreover, it’s not stable, it’s merely an occasional seven out of ten.

But the appointed time has arrived, meaning whatever level Gao Yang has achieved, he must go on stage today.

Success or failure doesn’t matter; after practicing for so long, expending so much energy, there has to be an end statement for everyone.

A statement for himself.

Unsure about the arrangements outside, Gao Yang lay in his bedroom on the bed he had been sleeping in, holding his rifle.

Placing the rifle on his chest, the barrel against his face, supporting the stock with his left hand, and repeatedly tapping the rifle’s receiver with his right hand, Gao Yang stared blankly at the ceiling with nothing on his mind.

Success or failure doesn’t matter anymore.

Proving oneself never mattered.

The important thing is to give himself a statement.

Failure is inevitable in the end; besides giving himself a statement, what else can be done?

But now, Gao Yang isn’t pondering over success or failure anymore; he simply waits silently for the start.

"Brother Yang, Brother Yang."

Cui Bo’s voice came from outside the door, Gao Yang turned over and sat up, saying somberly, "I’m here."

"Are you ready? Shall we go out now?"

"I’m coming."

Gao Yang got out of bed, slowly put on his boots, pulled the scarf over his head and around his neck, then put on his cap and placed his sunglasses in his shirt pocket, finally picking up the gun and heading to open the door.

Cui Bo and Phoenix were outside, only the two of them.

Gao Yang was extraordinarily calm, looked up at the sky, tested the wind with his hand, took a deep breath, and then said with a relaxed face, "Let’s go."

Phoenix hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "You’ve already done things others cannot accomplish; five out of ten is impossible for me. Regardless of the final outcome, you’ve proven yourself, and demonstrated the potential of Alexander’s gun; everything has reached its best!"

Gao Yang nodded with a smile, knowing Phoenix was attempting to alleviate his pressure, appreciating her efforts in speaking so much.

Cui Bo loudly said, "You’ll succeed. Even if it wasn’t possible during practice, doesn’t mean it’s impossible in real scenarios. Brother Yang, you can do it. I firmly believe you will succeed."

Phoenix glared angrily at Cui Bo, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately choosing to remain silent.

And Cui Bo, upon noticing Phoenix’s furious stare, smiled and said to her, "You don’t understand, you don’t understand him."

Phoenix pondered for a moment, then spoke to Gao Yang, "Alexander and Jack are entertaining guests, Yelena is already here; she’d like to see you after it’s over, and the people..."

Phoenix aimed to share trivial matters to ease Gao Yang’s pressure, but Gao Yang waved his hand and smiled, "No need to say those things now, not now."

Gao Yang advanced holding the gun, noticing many people, at least a hundred or more.

The turnout was far larger than anticipated, Gao Yang put on his sunglasses and kept moving forward.

The crowd parted spontaneously, Alexander wore a serious expression, Jack was also uneasy, while several middle-aged men next to them watched Gao Yang with smiles, showing great interest.

Alexander said seriously, "Let me introduce you, this is..."

Gao Yang raised his hand and replied gravely, "No need for introductions, the rules."

Gao Yang was already in optimal condition, uninterested in talking or socializing; he simply needed to head to the shooting position and start shooting.

Alexander quickly said, "There are three shooting opportunities. If unsuccessful, you must change target positions, but you can preview target positions in advance."

Standing beside Alexander was Max, who could have required shooters not to preview target positions, but he waived this right, demonstrating the gentlemanly conduct of allowing it. Although Max wasn’t known for magnanimity, he knew showing generosity embodies gentlemanly demeanor.

Securing victory, acting generously costs nothing.

Gao Yang merely listened to the rules, immediately proceeding to his shooting position, noticing Yelena along the way.

Yelena was with Glolov, and of course, Natalia was there too.

Glolov nodded slightly, Natalia waved a fist, while Yelena simply smiled gently, none advancing to speak with him.

A shooter needs calmness, not affection.

Gao Yang slightly nodded back, then laid down at the shooting spot, opened a box of bullets, and slowly loaded them one by one into the magazine.

After completing all preparations, Gao Yang didn’t wait long and softly said, "Ready to start."

With a soft beep, Gao Yang immediately began shooting; the first shot was pre-aimed, guaranteed to hit, but the subsequent shots tested his abilities.

Astonishing speed and precision, as Gao Yang fired round after round, Max’s smiling demeanor watching the display screen quickly shifted.

The first four shots all hit; Max, barely having time to feel surprise, began feeling fear.

But ten seconds would soon conclude, the result emerged, seven out of ten.

When faced with real testing, Gao Yang instantly demonstrated his best level.

Incredible exclamations arose, regretful sighs were softly uttered, none loud — shouting now wasn’t just an issue of impropriety.

Phoenix was extremely shocked, whispering, "Seven out of ten! Best performance!"

Cui Bo smiled, "I told you he’d make it; don’t you know? Brother Yang is a practical fighter; athletes are competitors, the riskier the scenario, the stronger the force, the greater the pressure, the better the performance."

Phoenix softly replied, "I understand, but everyone has insurmountable limits."

Cui Bo laughed, "Those are limits for others, not his limits; there’s still two more chances, keep watching."