First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 179
Chapter 179: Kafa
Kafa
The weather grew colder as another winter approached.
Lian Sheng and Zhao Zhuoluo's injuries had fully healed.
One might call it a blessing in disguise - when they had previously breached the security passage, they had nearly pushed their bodies to the limit. Later, when the two underwent muscle recovery therapy, their bodies seemed tempered, gaining noticeably increased strength.
Zhao Zhuoluo claimed not to feel much difference, but the change was more apparent in Lian Sheng. This showed in her explosive power during long jump, high jump and sprint training. Her performance kept improving, already breaking her personal records.
Every time she clenched her fist, everyone found it somewhat terrifying.
They were still afraid Lian Sheng might turn into a muscular Barbie doll. There was a vast difference in performance potential between a girl who looked like she needed protection and one who looked like she could punch the air out of your lungs.
And wouldn't it be better if she remained their mascot? They were starting to forget what "delicate and fragile" even meant.
Perhaps because Lian Sheng was naturally small-boned, combined with her training methods, her muscles tended to be long and lean rather than explosively exaggerated. In clothes, she still maintained that slender, delicate appearance.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger seemed to be planning to leave the 29th District after their departure. Liliana had never been stationed there to begin with - Hundred Meter Flying Dagger had purely been sent back to handle matters.
Before their departure, Hundred Meter Flying Dagger remembered to assign them a reliable veteran to lead them to Kafa.
He even seriously consulted the traditional calendar, picking a sunny, auspicious day to send Lian Sheng's group off.
The Sixth Army didn't have many detailed regulations. While training demanded absolute seriousness and discipline, they didn't interfere much with personal interests during downtime.
—This meant they could bring whatever snacks they wanted!
It was like a dream come true. Fang Jianchen had already declared he could die without regrets.
Moreover, this time the military department required them to bring their own necessary daily supplies to reduce expenses. Meaning Kafa wouldn't be providing them with such items.
Quite unusual.
Since Lin Lie was still around, she packed Lian Sheng's luggage for her. Lian Sheng felt completely at ease, simply carrying her suitcase onto the aircraft.
All reservists were being deployed to Kafa's 12th District for pre-combat training.
Ji Ban went with them first, while his mech remained at the Sixth Army for repairs.
Lin Lie never mentioned returning, still staying behind. After all, this was a military base, the Sixth Army's main garrison, where information was more readily available, and they happened to be short on top-tier talent.
Lian Sheng didn't feel right urging her to return - she believed Lin Lie had her own considerations.
When they arrived at the 12th District, local time in Kafa was exactly noon.
Lian Sheng's group had worn thermal underwear beneath their uniforms, only realizing upon boarding that daytime temperatures in Kafa reached 30°C. As they prepared to land, everyone started an impromptu strip show in the cabin.
The instructor leaned against the doorway, reminding them: "Listen up. In Kafa's 12th District, don't force interactions with the locals. If they clearly show they don't welcome you, keep your distance."
Lian Sheng looked up and asked: "Why?"
Instructor: "Because they're not very friendly toward the military."
"No way?" Fang Jianchen felt chills, "Another 36th District?"
"Not quite, it's different," the lead instructor said. "They've been at war here too long - most national funding goes to military expenses. Plus Kafa has lost its independence, so the locals hate war, and by extension hate soldiers."
The group understood.
...But soldiers were innocent too!
Their landing site wasn't even a proper airfield, more like a randomly designated open space without any treatment or construction.
Just from peering out the windows during descent, they'd already begun sensing Kafa's uniqueness.
This was so... different from what they'd imagined.
After landing, the instructor urged them to disembark quickly, saying they had much to do today and needed to hurry.
The group walked out, relying solely on their own two legs to traverse the streets.
Ji Ban looked around hesitantly: "Is this the main urban area already?"
Lu Mingyuan said: "Judging by pedestrian flow, it should be. After all, Kafa's 12th District is a unified combat zone - the population isn't dense enough for outlying areas to sustain this level of activity."
There were indeed many people, but the architectural style differed greatly from the Alliance's norms.
Mechanical products were scarce, infrastructure lagging. Rather than a city, it resembled a collection of temporary settlements.
The living standards here probably couldn't even compare to the 36th District, with society still maintaining labor-intensive production methods.
Lian Sheng only cared about two things when shopping: food and clothing.
Food and clothes here weren't expensive, indicating low living costs and abundant resources. Even without sufficient technological support, daily necessities were fully available.
Logically, the atmosphere should be relaxed. But seeing them, the locals weren't very welcoming. The mood felt tense.
"What's going on here?" Cheng Ze reached out to touch a hanging blue cloth nearby. "Temporary roadside tents? I haven't seen shops like this in years."
Instructor: "Don't underestimate this place - they just haven't had the chance to build a proper city. All their military technology is cutting-edge. Many of the Alliance's advanced tech products were actually developed here."
Fang Jianchen: "They develop things they don't even use themselves? Domestic sales alone could generate significant income. More importantly, it could improve residents' quality of life."
The instructor looked at him fondly: "This is a unified combat zone, kid. You don't understand what that means yet, but you will."
In a warzone, especially in this technological era, any infrastructure built would more likely be quickly destroyed.
Just like the 36th District.
Rather than watching physical assets be repeatedly demolished, it made more sense to abandon them entirely, opting for the more stable, lower-cost alternative of human labor.
The instructor led them through the streets. To familiarize them with Kafa's transportation routes, local customs, evacuation paths and emergency protocols - everything they'd need to survive here - they walked all the way to their destination.
It was a concrete building. Next to a food market, with suspicious black stains on the ground and strong odors.
Clothes hung from the second-floor balcony, clearly showing someone lived there - at least one female resident.
Everyone expected the instructor to keep walking, but he stopped firmly before the building.
Lian Sheng exclaimed: "We're staying in a civilian home?"
"Mhm. Their base is full, so they're temporarily housing you here." The instructor rolled up his sleeves. "Quickly now! Everyone help clean! You'll be responsible for the areas where you'll live. Friendly reminder - it's humid here. If you don't clean thoroughly, expect mosquitoes and cockroaches."
The group cried out: "No way?!"
Instructor: "Don't underestimate insects. One dirty area can plague the whole team. I'll inspect thoroughly after cleaning - don't think you can fool me. Understood?"
They weren't entirely convinced.
So much for friendly exchanges - this was the reality?
Instructor: "Alright, Lian Sheng, pick your room first."
Lian Sheng: "Third floor."
Instructor smiled: "Go ahead."
Lian Sheng carried her bag up to put away her things, then found a broom to start cleaning.
Everyone worked vigorously.
The place seemed long uninhabited. Spiderwebs clung to corners, floors bore stubborn stains.
The instructor demanded they wipe every crevice spotless with towels.
With so much to do, the instructor finally selected several students to accompany him on a group shopping trip for daily necessities.
Upon returning, he directed them to clean the area in front of the building, including part of the adjacent market.
They nearly cried. Really.
"Before joining the military, I never imagined it'd be this hard. No, it's the Alliance that's terrible. Either mining or sweeping - what kind of life is this?"
"Truly... unique."
The instructor sat nearby eating lunch alone, dismissing their complaints: "What's this? Expect me to clean your rooms for you? Grown men can't survive without maids? Think you're princesses or something?"
Lian Sheng thought: Yes, she was.
After 5 PM, temperatures plummeted suddenly as winds picked up, sending everyone back to their rooms for warmer clothes.
By 8 PM, it grew colder still. The instructor chased them back to add another layer.
They finally felt winter's familiar bite.
Kafa's day-night temperature differences were extreme. The slightest misstep could lead to heatstroke or colds - constant vigilance was required.
At 9 PM, they still hadn't eaten.
The instructor finished inspections with a group of students, nodding approvingly.
Lian Sheng approached: "Instructor, what about dinner?"
"The instructor is exhausted just managing you all, and you want me to handle meals too? Don't get your hopes up." The instructor sighed. "You'll need to find your own food - this is basic social interaction. You can't rely on instructors for everything, my little lords."
The group: "..."
The group: "..."
Had they known earlier, they could've prepared. But military training had always handled their basic needs - the sudden change was hard to adjust to.
"Sleep. You won't feel hungry when asleep." The instructor shooed them away. "Good cleaning today. Maintain this standard daily. Tomorrow I'll take you to report in."
The utterly irresponsible instructor returned to his room and crawled into bed.
Lian Sheng glanced downstairs.
Since their arrival, the original residents seemed to have stayed hidden in their rooms.
Lian Sheng pushed open her door - as the only female, she had a single room - to find Ji Ban, Zhao Zhuoluo and four others kneeling neatly on her prepared floor bedding.
Before them lay an array of ingredients and a simple pot. Quite clever - they'd already boiled water.
They looked at her innocently: "Are you ready to eat?"
Lian Sheng: "..."
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