Nightfall descended once again upon the desolate snowfield mountains, carrying an endless air of desolation and slaughter. The mountains and forests, covered in white snow, were as silent as death, devoid of even a single flying bird, suffocatingly still. The snow reflected the moonlight, casting a gray haze over the land. On a steep cliff, a giant stone was slowly moved, revealing a cave beneath. A head erged cautiously, observing the surroundings with eyes as cold as stars from beyond the Ninth Heaven.
The one who erged was Luo Zheng. During the day, exposure was too risky, making it inconvenient to travel. Luo Zheng had hidden inside the cave and slept all day. At night, he contacted Lan Xing and learned that small units had suddenly erged before dark and retreated far away. Luo Zheng estimated these were the remaining sentries. Since the sentries had withdrawn, it indicated the enemy had given up on surrounding surveillance or had other intentions.
No matter the reason for the enemy sentries' withdrawal, Luo Zheng knew he had to leave. He looked up at the night sky—no wind, no snow, and though visibility was low, it was a rare night for marching. Luo Zheng readied his backpack, shouldered his weapon, drew out Tiger Teeth as a climbing tool, and began climbing down the cliff.
The descent wasn't as steep below, but Luo Zheng dared not be careless. Slowly and cautiously, he made his way down, like a giant python, ensuring every step was solid. Fighting alone, with no one to watch over him, ant he couldn't afford any mishaps. Even a twisted ankle could cost him his life.
After climbing down the hundred-ter-high cliff for over an hour, Luo Zheng finally reached the bottom. He surveyed the area; the canyon stretched east and west, with a peak ahead shrouded in a gray haze, obscuring everything. Luo Zheng donned his Night Vision Device, inhaled deeply, allowing the frigid air to invigorate his mind. Loading bullets into his AK-74M, he moved forward.
The journey remained tranquil, free from danger. Luo Zheng quickened his pace towards the Snow Bear Base Camp, climbing mountains and traversing forests without rest. Unknowingly, he arrived at a mountain ridge, realizing dawn was nearing. A night of marching had exhausted him. Hungry and weary, Luo Zheng knew he couldn't continue, so he began searching for a place to rest.
All around were dense forests with a thick layer of white snow on the ground, terrifyingly silent. Luo Zheng crouched by a large tree, activated his signal device, and put on an earpiece. Once the satellite signal connected, he asked, "Can you hear ?"
"Brother-in-law, I knew you'd contact us. Please hold on; I'm locating you," Lan Xing exclaid excitedly.
Before long, the location was pinpointed, and Lan Xing continued amazed, "I didn't expect you reached this spot, about ten kiloters from the base camp. Be careful; our reconnaissance detected troop movents within a five-kiloter radius around the Snow Bear Base Camp. We're unsure of their intentions."
"Understood." Luo Zheng was inwardly alard. Being ten kiloters from the Snow Bear Base Camp was anticipated, but he hadn't expected Snow Bear to openly deploy forces, suggesting adjustnts to their Sky Net. Recalling the black smoke incident, he couldn't help but inquire, "Have you discovered the truth about the enemy's black smoke outpost?"
"No, not yet," Lan Xing quickly responded.
Luo Zheng wasn't aware this was the enemy's plan to lure him into the open. He beca sowhat expectant and, after so thought, continued, "Keep investigating. We must uncover the truth. If it's our people, it ans comrades are still fighting. I must find him; if it's for other reasons, I can't act rashly until it's clear."
"Understood. Director Wu shares the sa view. He stayed up all night and just lay down," Lan Xing replied.
"Is Captain Wu commanding the headquarters?" Luo Zheng asked surprised.
"Yes, pressure from above is imnse, and Director Wu couldn't bear it either. However, with him here, we're more confident. The information personnel from the first and third teams have been gathered to form a joint command center, personally directed by Director Wu. Our problem isn't significant, and now it's up to you," Lan Xing explained hastily.
"With Captain Wu personally in charge, I'm at ease." Luo Zheng exhaled, continuing, "Reconnoiter the area ahead of soon, and contact in the afternoon. I need to find a place to sleep."
"Understood," Lan Xing replied promptly.
Luo Zheng disconnected and shut off the signal device, surveying the area. Curiosity drove him to raise the sniper scope for observation. The direction of the Snow Bear Base Camp was all mountains and forests, the ground covered in white snow, showing no other colors and devoid of life. Just as Luo Zheng prepared to put away the sniper scope, he noticed abnormal movents ahead in the woods, surprisingly raising the scope for a thorough examination.
Very quickly, Luo Zheng discovered a patrol squad with wolfdogs in the dense forest far away. They panted white breaths and moved slowly, occasionally surveying the surroundings, carrying AK-74Ms, and gradually departed. Luo Zheng was startled, not expecting to encounter a patrol squad here, indicating this was clearly a patrol route. What to do?
Luo Zheng faced two choices: either find a place to rest and recover his strength or take advantage of the patrol squad's recent departure to push forward. With the patrol squad gone, the area ahead was temporarily safe—an optimal breakthrough opportunity. Yet, Luo Zheng, faced with exhaustion from marching all night, wasn't suited for travel.
The battlefield abhors hesitation, swiftly deciding after brief pondering, Luo Zheng raised the sniper scope to confirm surrounding safety, then charged swiftly downhill along the woods. Ten minutes later, Luo Zheng traversed the area the patrol squad had passed, finding a spot to observe.
It was eerily quiet without a soul in sight. Luo Zheng knew the danger increased the further he went forward, cautiously employing a strategy of breaking branches to bind with vines, dragging them along to smooth out footprints, leaving no trace for the enemy.
After advancing for about an hour, Luo Zheng couldn't proceed further. Physically exhausted, he hurriedly sought refuge at a hillside, crouching beneath a large tree amidst snow-piled shrubs. Wrapped in a white cloak, he blended into the environnt like a rock, undetectable from a distance, retrieving so rations to eat, replenishing his energy.
Half an hour later, Luo Zheng felt partially restored, fatigue crept in, but he dared not sleep. Lifting the sniper scope, he surveyed again. The surroundings were deathly quiet, apart from snow and trees, maintaining an eerie stillness that could drive one to despair as even the wind stalled, presenting a static world.
Such a still forest stirred illusions in Luo Zheng, akin to being enclosed within a sealed space devoid of enemies, war, life, except himself—an eerie sensation. Shaking his head to maintain clarity, Luo Zheng raised the sniper scope once more, spotting several black dots moving, startling him initially as a mirage. Blinking, he examined again, his expression instantaneously serious.
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