Night had fallen, and snowflakes drifted sparsely through the sky. The temperature plumted, yet nurous troops persisted in searching around the white snowfield mountains against the snowstorm. Occasionally, the wolfdogs barked irritably, flashlights swept around, and soldiers occasionally muttered curses under their breath. On this frigid night, everyone's mood beca agitated. If not for the upper command's strict orders, no one would want to perform this damn mountain search task.
Wu Jin arrived at the Fourth Squadron command center, calmly observing the scene on a large screen, feeling reassured. Enemy mountain searches indicated Luo Zheng hadn't been found. This was good news. As long as Luo Zheng successfully hid, Wu Jin believed no one would find him. Hong ihua stood beside him, having realized the sa, and her worried heart gradually eased. "Fortunately, Director Wu is calm," she said. "It seems the situation might still turn."
"It's not about my calmness but about my trust in that boy. He was born fit for the battlefield, unparalleled in grasping combat opportunities. No one can easily find him, so relax. There shouldn't be any trouble. He's likely hiding, and that cliff is the most probable spot," Wu Jin said in a deep voice.
"The cliff is steep, covered in ice and snow, slippery and hard to grip. Without ropes, there's no way down, and there's no place to hide. I asked earlier, and Lan Xing said the enemy had searched this cliff, so your deduction might not be accurate. Maybe he's already escaped," Hong ihua reminded him.
"No, I'm sure he's on the cliff. This kid's daring exceeds limits; there's nothing he won't do. The cliff is dangerous and easily exposed. We know it, and so do the enemies. Walking contrary to expectations might have unexpected results. Keep an eye on that cliff. No need to rush. I reckon he's probably hiding there, snoring away," Wu Jin confidently asserted, feeling reassured and smiling serenely.
Indeed, at that mont, Luo Zheng was snoring away. With enemies not finding his hiding spot, outside already pitch dark and snowing, there's no point rushing out. Particularly as Luo Zheng sensed continued enemy searches nearby, venturing out risked exposure, better to preserve strength.
By next morning, the wind stopped, snow ceased, and the sun erged.
Luo Zheng peered through cave crevices, gauging that enemies likely departed after thorough searches yielded no results. To ensure, Luo Zheng activated his signal device, put on his earpiece, and the device quickly linked with satellite signals.
Shortly after, a voice filled with concern called out, "Brother-in-law, are you alright?"
"All good. I'm fine. Pinpoint my location right away and check the surrounding enemy situation." Luo Zheng's heart leaped with joy upon satellite connection. With signals, managing intelligence wouldn't be an issue.
"You're indeed on the cliff. We doubted it when Director Wu ntioned it, but he knows you well. We've kept surveillance on your surroundings. All enemies withdrew southward early today. Not sure why. There's presently no sign of enemies near you, but don't rule out hidden sentries. Be cautious," Lan Xing hastily relayed.
"South?" Luo Zheng paused, bewildered, questioning, "Investigate right away to see what's happening? There's no reason for enemies to head south."
"Unclear. Director Wu instructed strict focus on your position, unable to manage other areas now. Hold on, I'll investigate imdiately," Lan Xing promptly assured.
To ensure signals weren't intercepted by enemies, Luo Zheng avoided maintaining communication, swiftly shutting off the signal device and checking his weapon, performing upkeep, loading bullets into magazines, packaging supplies, making final preparations for departure. Once ready, Luo Zheng reactivated the signal device, linking to the satellite.
"Brother-in-law, checked it. South one base had black smoke, seems it's ablaze. The base is extrely hidden, camouflaged in dense woods. Without black smoke, impossible to notice," Lan Xing's voice carried curiosity over the earpiece.
"Black smoke? Did soone sabotage that base? Report the situation to Director Wu right away and let him analyze. I can't remain on call long to avoid enemy signal detection. I need to move on. Will contact you later," Luo Zheng expressed surprise, mindful of Arctic Bear's skilled information warfare, aware of the need for caution.
Ending the call, Luo Zheng puzzledly shifted the boulder blocking the cave entrance, unsure why enemy bases smoked. Could his comrades still be battling? Who might it be? Strengthening resolve, Luo Zheng pondered, halting movents.
Considering combat capabilities, if soone escaped, the person must be Shadow. With Shadow's skills and thods, they'd easily contact ho—why no contact? If not comrades, who could it be?
The area was networked thoroughly in Sky Net; Luo Zheng doubted foreigners arrived, unbelievable the base self-ignited. If the blaze was indeed comrades, search forces lacked reason to proceed, unless it was a plot, a trap to lure exposure.
Contemplating, Luo Zheng hesitated. Day travel suited movent but risked exposure. If enemies had observation posts lurking nearby, going outside ant suicide. Stationing ant wasting ti. Venture or stay? Pause for thought and opted, to ensure safety, temporarily stay put.
In Snow Bear Base Camp conference room, a brigadier and several leaders assembled for a eting. Bloodsucker King glared discontentedly at Tang Tian. "It was your idea to lure enemies out, now one of our bases is exposed, yet no sight of enemies. Nightfall approaches, where are they? I suspect enemies are already sneaking near our camp, examining nearby."
"What do you an? Everyone agreed with my suggestion initially, and now you whine, acting unmanly? Provide a solution to catch them or shut your mouth." Tang Tian retorted unyielding.
"Stop arguing. Wolf King's idea was solid, advancing through retreat, yet our opponents proved more cunning—perhaps Bloodsucker King isn't wrong. Enemies have two possibilities: lingering in place or already infiltrated, beyond imaginings. We should activate backup plans," the brigadier dissatisfiedly interjected, a sense of worry rising.
"Do as you wish," Tang Tian said, defiant, believing Luo Zheng was still outside. But stirring discord wouldn't benefit, damaging apparent harmony wasn't useful.
"Since everyone's agreed, it's settled. Establish periter defenses five kiloters out from camp, covert and overt guards in action, focus satellite surveillance, setup observations. I'd like to see how they infiltrate," the brigadier declared fiercely.
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