The results were soon clarified; no flights were set to take off anymore. The most suitable flight wouldn't arrive until about three o'clock the next night. Military planes were definitely not an option, as they'd be seen as an invasion and shot down. After confirming the flight ti, Luo Zheng quickly shut off the transmitter to avoid satellite signals being captured by the Snow Bear and swiftly retreated with Shadow back into the crevice. They returned to the cave and chatted casually around the campfire with Snow Fox.
The team was rejuvenated after resting in the hot spring earlier, and none of them felt the urge to sleep. Before they knew it, dawn had broken. Shadow told Luo Zheng and Snow Fox to stay inside the cave as he went out for a bit. About half an hour later, he returned with two wild giant salamanders, making Luo Zheng's eyes light up with delight. "How did you get them? Are there more?" he exclaid in surprise.
"Yeah, there's an underground river not far from here with many more," Shadow replied indifferently. "Pass your helt; I'll use it as a pot for stew. I'm going to get more." With that, he took Luo Zheng's helt, which he'd been wearing since capturing it on the battlefield, and left.
Soon, Shadow returned, suspending the helt over the campfire to cook. With plenty of dry wood stored in the cave, they could indulge for a while. The salamander stew was quickly ready, and everyone carved sticks from their army knives, sprinkled so salt from the observation point spoils, and scooped it out to eat, tasting sweet, fragrant, and delicious.
A single helt of stew was not enough for the three of them. With nothing else to do, Shadow went out to catch another one to cook. It was best not to go outside before reinforcents arrived, to avoid arousing enemy suspicions. Smoke from the fire blew into the cave and dispersed uncertainly, but they didn't worry too much about exposure.
The trio lived leisurely, eating, sleeping, and cooking fish after waking up. Before they realized it, night had fallen. After filling their stomachs, Shadow suddenly stood up, looked at Luo Zheng, and said, "There's three hours until they arrive. I'm going to create so commotion at the base camp to divert the enemy's attention, so they don't spot our parachute drop. You stay here to et them, and Snow Fox should remain in the cave and wait."
"Alright, be careful." Luo Zheng, who knew Shadow's speed and had beco familiar with the surrounding terrain over two months, agreed confidently, knowing that no one in this snowfield could catch Shadow. With Shadow's diversion, the safety of the airborne reinforcents increased significantly.
"Make sure to take out the observation point, so we're not discovered," Shadow instructed.
"Got it," Luo Zheng agreed wholeheartedly, already knowing the exact location of the observation point, confident it posed no challenge to remove it at night. He glanced at Snow Fox and continued, "Just wait here, don't overthink it."
"With how I am, thinking won't help. Don't worry, I know my limits. Joining you is just excess baggage, nothing but a burden," Snow Fox said with a bitter smile.
Luo Zheng handed an AK-74M to Snow Fox, left her a magazine, checked his sniper rifle, took a pistol and army knife, grabbed the Night Vision Device, and walked out with Shadow. They climbed out of the crevice, flashlight in hand, carefully surveying the surroundings. Assured no danger was present, they quickly flipped out and continued observing from the snowy terrain, raising their sniper scopes to scan the area.
"No danger, take the flashlight. The Night Vision Device is enough for ," Luo Zheng said quietly.
"Alright, rember, no matter what happens, don't co looking for . I'll return at dawn," Shadow whispered. Seeing Luo Zheng nod in agreent, he bent over and sprinted forward, like a lone, hunting wolf, his steps firm and resolute.
Luo Zheng didn't move, continuing to monitor his surroundings and ensuring no one was sneaking up on him. Watching Shadow fade into the distance, he also equipped the Night Vision Device, picked up his weapon, and rushed in the opposite direction. Using the snow's reflection as guidance, Luo Zheng stealthily approached the observation point, pausing occasionally to inspect the area until he unknowingly reached the mountaintop.
Having visited here before, Luo Zheng advanced easily and cautiously under the cover of surrounding trees, observing the area vigilantly. In the silent forest, he resembled a prowling ghost, slowly nearing his target, holding his ear to the ground, but hearing nothing.
Luo Zheng was taken aback, baffled. He crept to the mouth of the cave and found it pitch-black inside—no lights, no people, no bodies from explosions—obviously abandoned. Surprised, he wondered why the enemy relinquished this observation point. Had they altered their defense plans?
After pondering for a while without any conclusions, Luo Zheng studied the surroundings ticulously. Assured no one had spotted him, he retraced his route cautiously, frequently glancing back to ensure he wasn't being trailed. He unknowingly reached the crevice again and hid behind a hillside, continuing to watch where he ca from.
The way back was eerily quiet, with no sign of life. Giant trees towered ominously, appearing like monstrous sentinels in the night. A seasoned survivor, Luo Zheng was unperturbed, looking up at the sky amid stars and a bright moon—a rare clear night. Realizing thirty minutes remained before the parachute drop, he steeled himself further and kept vigilant.
The snowfield was deathly quiet, everything seemingly halted. Distant dark mountains, trees standing sentinel, lifeless snow underfoot—a despair-inducing atmosphere perated, suffocating all beneath it.
Ti ticked away second by second; Luo Zheng lay behind the ridge, monitoring all around. No abnormalities erged. Though frighteningly silent, it reassured Luo Zheng that the enemy wasn't focused on this region—a blessing for him. Wondering about Shadow's progress—was the battle underway?—he hoped nothing unexpected would unfold.
Glancing at his watch, the agreed ti had arrived. Luo Zheng quickly activated the transmitter and said once satellite signals connected, "It's ; everything's in place, ready for the parachute drop."
"Understood, notifying them now. Expect drop in ten minutes," Lan Xing's voice resonated in his earpiece.
"Roger," responded Luo Zheng, his icy gaze ticulously scanning his surroundings, ensuring no detail escaped him. He casually shut the transmitter, preventing exposure.
Ti dripped away in the wait. Shortly, Luo Zheng spotted delicate white petals drifting across the sky—prominent in the night—and couldn't help but smile. They'd finally arrived; it was ti for a showdown with the enemy. Next up was the rescue mission; once his brothers were liberated, he'd have no worries.
With this thought, Luo Zheng's gaze sharpened further, scrutinizing his surroundings without relaxation.
User Comments
0 comments from readers