Chapter 66: In Truth, I Am Still a High School Student

Chen Meng made his way to the instructors’ exclusive training area behind the shooting range. Pushing the door open, he found a training ground as large as ten basketball courts. The decor here was much like that of the students’ side, but with far fewer people.

He saw two rows of racks, upon which were displayed various common firearms: rifles, submachine guns, sniper rifles, Gatlings, rocket launchers, and even man-portable missiles. Approaching one of the racks, he noticed a woman in tight pants loading bullets into a sniper rifle.

"Are you new here?" she glanced at Chen Meng and asked.

"Yes, I’m a part-time instructor at the range. I heard there were firearms back here and wanted to try them out," Chen Meng replied honestly. "Are you an instructor here too?"

"My name is Zhang Ya. I’m a counselor at Jiangzhou University and also a senior instructor at the range," the woman replied coolly. "Judging by your age, if you’re already a part-time instructor here, your marksmanship must be quite impressive."

Chen Meng was a bit surprised—he hadn’t expected her to be a counselor at Jiangzhou University. Although counselors weren’t necessarily teachers, anyone who could hold such a position there was at least a Second-Tier Divine Body.

"I just have a bit of talent in this area. By the way, my name is Chen Meng," he said modestly, picking up a sniper rifle as he spoke.

Noticing his unfamiliarity, Zhang Ya considered for a moment, then explained, "This sniper rifle is an entry-level model from the Wind God series, the same type used by law enforcement. It’s classified as a C-grade weapon, but with special ammunition, it can even take down a Third-Tier Divine Body. You seem a little inexperienced—watch my technique."

With that, Zhang Ya swiftly assembled the rifle, loaded the bullets, and, raising her hands, fired a shot at a distant target.

Bang!

A single gunshot rang out, and a new bullet hole appeared dead center on the target.

Near the target, a man shouted in alarm, "Damn it, who’s shooting? Can’t you see someone’s over here..."

As he turned and saw it was Zhang Ya, his tone changed instantly, "Zhang Ya, go ahead and keep shooting. Didn’t bother me at all."

Chen Meng was speechless. This guy was clearly the sycophantic type.

Imitating Zhang Ya, Chen Meng began to assemble the sniper rifle, loaded the bullets, but instead of firing, he disassembled it again. Repeating the process three times, his speed improved with each attempt, earning an approving nod from Zhang Ya.

"You can try firing now," Zhang Ya said, just as Chen Meng intended.

He raised the rifle, aimed at the target, and fired. The shot landed on the target but was far off the mark—he was just testing the rifle’s recoil. The second shot, however, struck the bullseye, as did the third and fourth.

"Very good," Zhang Ya praised. "Handguns are the foundation—mastering them makes all these easier."

Chen Meng felt the same. After firing a few more shots, he was completely comfortable with the weapon. He then picked up a submachine gun, finding it even easier, and proceeded to test the other firearms as well.

"A man-portable missile?" Chen Meng’s excitement grew as he eyed the last weapon. He remembered the cultists had used such a weapon to blast Wu Tengkong into the air. Although it hadn’t killed him, it had caused him significant trouble.

"The more powerful the weapon, the more complicated it is to use. These man-portable missiles are only useful in group battles—one-on-one, you’d be dead before you could even fire," Zhang Ya said calmly. "Still, their power is considerable; even a Fourth-Tier Divine Body could lose half their body if hit directly. I’ll show you how to launch one since it’s your first time, but the range only provides dummy missiles—the real thing is much more dangerous."

Chen Meng understood. While the other weapons were one thing, if they handed out real missiles, the entire range would be in ruins.

It took Chen Meng about ten minutes to master the operation of the missile launcher. It was quite simple, but for someone of his level, it was still too early to wield such a weapon. The recoil alone meant he would need to become a Divine Body before he could handle it.

"Thank you, Zhang Ya," Chen Meng said gratefully. Without her, his training wouldn’t have gone nearly as smoothly.

"Which university are you from?" Zhang Ya asked, after some thought. She realized Chen Meng wasn’t a Divine Body yet, and with his marksmanship, he should have already earned a promotion serum.

"Actually, I’m still a high school student," Chen Meng admitted, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"A high school student?" Zhang Ya was stunned. "And you’re already a part-time instructor here? The range doesn’t have low standards for instructors."

"I’ve killed First and Second-Tier Divine Bodies—with a handgun," Chen Meng replied with a helpless shrug. Zhang Ya drew in a sharp breath, realizing she had underestimated him.

...

Chen Meng left afterward, but not before exchanging contact information with Zhang Ya. Making the acquaintance of a counselor from Jiangzhou University would give him something to brag about to Mo Xiaoyi.

Monday, 8 p.m.

This was the time Lu Guang and the others were scheduled to set out. That evening, Chen Meng skipped his tutoring and waited at school until 7:20, when Han Hao arrived in a law enforcement vehicle.

"Come on, get in," Han Hao said coolly.

Chen Meng paused and joked, "Captain Han, isn’t this using an official vehicle for personal errands?"

Han Hao chuckled, "My monthly salary is just over ten thousand—after food and expenses, supporting my elderly parents, and buying Divine Body gear, I can’t afford a car."

Chen Meng was speechless. He hadn’t expected even a law enforcement captain to be so strapped for cash. But he knew the Bureau calculated merit points, which could be exchanged for goods. That was probably why their salaries were so low—most people in the Bureau were in it for the merit.

The car sped out of Jiangzhou City. At an intersection outside the city, Han Hao parked and got out.

"We’ll wait here. This is the main route to the Wilds."

Chen Meng nodded. To reach the Wilds, unless you went by boat, you had to take a flying vehicle, and those weren’t easy to come by.

The only flying car factory in Jiangzhou—where his father worked—produced vehicles that were sold to law enforcement agencies and the Wilds. It was said that in the Wilds, flying cars were practically consumables.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, a battered minivan approached, so run-down even its bumper was about to fall off. Chen Meng was momentarily confused by the sight.