Chapter 2: The Barefoot Man Fears No One

Hu Hao had just asked if the transfer to the Southwest Combat Zone was official. Zhang Liangqiang smirked, telling him he’d find out soon enough.

“Don’t make me wait,” Hu Hao said with a smile. “Tell me now—is it for real?”

“Heh, I’d rather not have you crying just yet. Save the tears for later,” Zhang Liangqiang replied, looking down on him.

“Zhang Liangqiang, don’t push it. Tell him the truth right now—is it real?” A girl stood up from the front of the class, glaring back at Zhang Liangqiang.

Even in her anger, her delicate features were striking. Dressed in her summer service uniform, she looked both slender and elegant. This was Liang Wanyu.

“What’s it to you?” Zhang Liangqiang asked, caught off guard by her intervention.

“I’m asking if it’s true. Have you no shame? We’ve been classmates for years—how could you do this? Everyone knows the Southwest is on the brink of war, and you’re actively trying to ruin him?” Liang Wanyu’s voice was sharp with disapproval.

“Because I felt like it!” Zhang Liangqiang snapped. At this point, several students in the room began casting disdainful looks his way.

“You… let me tell you something, Zhang Liangqiang. In my eyes, you’re nothing but a petty coward. You could chase me for three hundred years, and I still wouldn’t give you the time of day,” Liang Wanyu spat.

“Ha! Well, Lady Liang, have you finally developed feelings for this loser?” Zhang Liangqiang pointed a finger at Hu Hao.

“I haven’t ‘fallen’ for anyone. He’s just a fool!” she retorted.

“Get your hand out of my face,” Hu Hao interjected, staring at Zhang Liangqiang. “Point at me again and I’ll snap it off.”

“You? You want to end up in a coma again?” Zhang Liangqiang snarled.

“You want your balls crushed again?” Hu Hao shot back instantly.

The classroom erupted in laughter.

“Why, you—!” Zhang Liangqiang swung a fist toward Hu Hao’s face. Hu Hao slipped the punch with a quick sidestep and buried a counter-punch deep into Zhang Liangqiang’s midsection. Zhang Liangqiang doubled over immediately, gagging and clutching his stomach.

“What do you think you’re doing?” “Back off!” The lackeys following Zhang Liangqiang surged forward, pointing and shouting at Hu Hao.

“Step up if you want to die. You’re all talk,” Hu Hao said, his face full of contempt. He reached out, grabbed Zhang Liangqiang by the collar, and hauled him up. “Did you really send me to the Southwest? The 87th Division?”

“Hmph!” Zhang Liangqiang didn’t answer, merely grunting through the pain.

“Fine. I’ll let you slide for a second. But if they announce I’m going to the 87th, I’m going to make your life a living hell.” Hu Hao let go. He wanted to finish him then and there, but he didn’t want to look like the aggressor if the rumors turned out to be false.

“Just you wait!” Zhang Liangqiang hissed.

“You’re an idiot, aren’t you? Heh.” Hu Hao chuckled and sat back down.

Liang Wanyu watched Hu Hao with a flicker of surprise. She had expected a mindless brawl, but something about him felt different—steadier, sharper. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what had changed. When Hu Hao sat down without even glancing at her, she felt a twinge of annoyance and turned back to her desk.

Hu Hao ignored the girls whispering around her. He was busy thinking. Tuition at the Royal Command Academy was free, but the trade-off was a mandatory five-year service contract before one could resign. He had originally planned to spend those years quietly and then travel this world to see how it differed from Earth.

He hadn’t expected to be dropped straight into a meat grinder.

“Hey, what’s on your mind?” Mo Qin, sitting next to him, nudged him.

“Nothing. Do you know where you’re headed?” Hu Hao asked.

“No idea, still waiting for the word. Man, Hao-zi… aren’t you a bit of a dunce? We told you Liang Wanyu isn’t for people like us. Word is she’s going straight to the General Staff’s office in the capital. Even Zhang Liangqiang couldn’t pull a plum assignment like that. You should’ve known your place. We tried to warn you for years, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look at the mess you’re in,” Mo Qin sighed.

He knew Zhang Liangqiang wasn’t bluffing. In a world where family connections dictated destiny, Zhang had the power to rewrite a commoner’s future with a single phone call.

“Ha, that’s all in the past now. Why dwell on it?” Hu Hao said with a wry smile.

“Attention!” someone shouted from the front. The class snapped to their feet as a Brigadier General entered, followed by several officers carrying stacks of documents.

“Students, today is your final day at this academy. I imagine you’re all anxious to hear your postings,” the General began. The room went silent. “Before we proceed, I have two special announcements. First, Cadet Liang Wanyu!”

“Present!” Liang Wanyu stood tall.

“You have been selected as the valedictorian for the graduation ceremony this afternoon. You will give the address on behalf of the class,” the General said with a nod.

“Yes, sir!”

“Additionally, Cadet Zhang Liangqiang has also been named an outstanding graduate. The Principal will personally present your diplomas this afternoon and commission you both with the rank of Captain.”

“Yes, sir!” Zhang Liangqiang shouted, his chest puffing out with pride.

“Very well. Now, for the assignments. Liang Wanyu!”

“Present!” “Assigned to the General Staff Office.” “Yes, sir!”

“Zhang Liangqiang!” “Present!” “Assigned to the 19th Army Headquarters, Northeast Combat Zone.” “Yes, sir!” Zhang answered loudly. Everyone knew his grandfather was the commander of the 19th Army.

“Zhao Xiang! Commissioned as First Lieutenant, assigned to the 21st Army, Central Combat Zone.”

The list went on. Name after name was called for staff positions across the various regions—but not a single person was assigned to the Southwest. Finally, only Hu Hao remained. Every head in the room turned to look at him.

“Hu Hao!”

“Present!”

“Commissioned as First Lieutenant. Assigned to the Northwest Combat Zone, 27th Army, 87th Division, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Company, 3rd Platoon… as Platoon Leader.” The General paused, looking at Hu Hao at the back of the room.

“Yes, sir!” Hu Hao replied firmly. He marched forward to collect his commission, his diploma, and his new rank insignias.

“Hu Hao,” the General called out as the young man turned to leave.

“Sir?” Hu Hao stopped.

“Keep your head down and stay safe. The 87th has already moved to the front lines to establish defensive positions. You are to report to the 27th Army Headquarters first; they will provide transport to the front.” The General’s voice held a trace of pity.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, General.” Hu Hao saluted and turned away.

The classroom hummed with whispers. No one expected a graduate to be sent straight into a combat deployment before the ink on their diploma was even dry. In the Empire’s hierarchy, Royal Command Academy graduates were elite assets, usually groomed in safe staff positions until they reached the rank of Colonel. Sending one to lead a platoon in the mud was unheard of.

As Hu Hao walked back to his seat, Zhang Liangqiang was practically vibrating with malicious glee. Hu Hao stopped for a brief moment beside him, then kept walking.

“Haha! Try and fight me now!” Zhang Liangqiang crowed. He had expected Hu Hao to explode, but the calm silence only made him bolder.

“Alright, students, take your seats. Use this time to say your goodbyes. We’ll see you at the ceremony this afternoon,” the General concluded before exiting.

The moment the door closed, Zhang Liangqiang sauntered over. “Surprised?”

“Zhang Liangqiang!” Liang Wanyu called out from behind, her voice dripping with anger.

“What? I’m a man of my word. I said I’d send him to the front, and he’s going to the front,” Zhang ignored her, focusing on Hu Hao.

“Hao-zi, just let it go,” Dong Qipeng whispered, grabbing Hu Hao’s arm as he started to stand.

“Let go,” Hu Hao said calmly. He stepped out into the aisle.

“What, you want to fight? I suggest you worry about how to survive the battlefield without wetting yourself. Actually, go ahead and wet yourself—at least you’d be alive to feel it!” Zhang mocked.

“Heh. Zhang Liangqiang, are you actually stupid?” Hu Hao asked with a grin.

“What did you say? You’ve clearly lost your mind from fear,” Zhang laughed.

“Have you never heard the saying: ‘A wise man doesn’t stand under a falling wall’?” Hu Hao asked. (Note: A Chinese idiom implying one should avoid known danger).

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Zhang frowned. The phrase didn’t exist on Planet Yuanling.

“It means…” Hu Hao stepped closer, a sharp glint in his eyes. “That I’m a man with nothing to lose. And a barefoot man doesn’t fear one wearing shoes.”

“Tch—”

“Aaaaagh!“

Before Zhang could finish his sneer, his legs clamped together and he let out a strangled wail, collapsing to the floor in a heap.