The vast night sky was filled with torrential rain, the strong wind howling as it tore through the tall trees of the forest. Bean-sized raindrops pelted down, landing on faces, causing pain. Luo Zheng led the way with a flashlight, occasionally turning back to check on the team behind. Along the journey, the dical team gritted their teeth and persevered, yet their pained expressions were clear, the journey was truly arduous. This made Luo Zheng's eyes narrow with worry.
They had already been trudging through the rain and darkness for over two hours. Luo Zheng estimated they had covered less than ten kiloters. This was already the result of everyone pushing themselves to the limit. As they moved forward, their pace slowed. Seeing everyone's strained faces as they persisted, Luo Zheng had no choice but to slow down a bit. When a doctor collapsed, those nearby quickly helped him up, whispering sothing.
To survive, this dical team had tapped into their potential, but they were at their limit. Continuing at this pace would likely result in half of them collapsing along the way, making matters worse. Luo Zheng simply slowed the pace further, cutting so branches to use as walking sticks for those in need.
Around an hour later, the torrential rain gradually stopped, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and continued forward under the flashlights' glow. Ghost Hand fell back to the rear of the group, deep in thought with a complicated expression. A female military doctor in her thirties was too exhausted to keep up and slowly lagged behind. Ghost Hand glanced at her and went up to support her.
"Are you Gui Li?" the female military doctor suddenly asked softly.
"Who are you?" Ghost Hand asked in surprise, staring at her.
"Wei Yuan. I'm a good friend of your fiancée. We were under the sa ntor, Dr. Zhong Hai. I was supposed to accompany Dr. Zhong on that field trip, but I had a headache that day, so Yu Xin went along. Don't worry, we've done many such trips over the past three years, and Hariri often makes use of us to win over surrounding tribes. We've always returned safely. No need to worry," the military doctor sincerely reassured him.
"Thank you. Did they ntion where they went?" Ghost Hand asked anxiously.
"No, they never say. We only find out after they return," the female military doctor quickly explained.
"Tired? Hang in there a bit longer. It will be dawn soon. Once we put so distance between us and the enemy, even if they catch up, it'll be too late. Once we reach Basto's territory, Hariri will only be able to fu helplessly. We'll be halfway to safety," Ghost Hand encouraged, seeing that she was utterly exhausted, and handed her a branch for support.
She accepted it gratefully, "Yu Xin often talked about your past stories with . She misses you a lot and thought she would never see you again in this lifeti. She'll be happy to know you ca. You haven't married these past three years, have you?"
"No ti," Ghost Hand replied with a bitter smile.
"Good, not being married ans the two of you still have a chance to be together, otherwise it would be painful," the military doctor exhaled deeply, quickening her pace as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Ghost Hand stopped to watch the group ahead, feeling heavy-hearted. He looked toward Luo Zheng, who was leading them, silently praying for a safe return, then rejoined the team and continued forward.
Ti passed by the minute, the group moved forward without rest. Finally, daylight began to break. As the sun rose, there wasn't a hint of joy among them. Daylight ant the enemy would begin their pursuit, potentially catching up at any mont. Everyone looked solemnly at Luo Zheng leading the way.
Luo Zheng glanced up at the rising sun, took a deep breath, feeling its warmth, and exhaled the anxiety in his heart. Checking his watch, it was already past six in the morning. They had been marching for almost five hours, covering just under thirty kiloters with more than half the journey left. At the enemy's pursuit speed, they would likely catch up. What should be done?
At this mont, Ghost Hand ran up and said, "Give the grenades and bullets. I'll stay behind to hold off the enemies. Without slowing their pace, no one will make it."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Luo Zheng asked seriously, aware that Ghost Hand's words were not unfounded.
"There will likely be many enemies. I can't hold them off for too long, but delaying them for an hour or two should be possible. There's still over twenty kiloters ahead. Under intense pursuit, the enemies would only need over three hours to reach here. The dical team, in its current condition, can only travel ten kiloters in three hours, while the enemy could cover that distance in just two. If I can delay them for two hours, it gives the team two more hours to travel," Ghost Hand analyzed with a grave expression.
"That ans the team must use the two hours you buy them to cover ten kiloters. You're also not guaranteed to hold them for two hours, which ans we have just over four hours to cover twenty kiloters. I'm not sure they can manage that," Luo Zheng said worriedly.
"Let's do what we can and leave the rest to fate," Ghost Hand replied, also resigned.
"Everyone is tired. Should we stop to eat sothing before continuing?" Zhang Hao asked as he slowly approached.
"We can't stop. If we stop, our muscles will relax and we'll be even more reluctant to move. We can slow down a bit and eat while walking, but we must not stop. The enemy can catch up in about three hours, while we have over twenty kiloters to go. If we stop, we won't escape," Luo Zheng said loudly to the group. Despite their fatigue, he couldn't show any rcy.
No one answered, they continued onward. Their pace slowed again, as they took out rations to eat while enduring the pain and pushing forward with clenched teeth. Luo Zheng glanced at the rising sun, exhaled deeply, and made a decision, calling out to Madela: "Madela!"
"Present," Madela said, jogging up while still holding Luo Zheng's sniper rifle.
"I want to ask if you would stay to impede the enemy's pursuit. What are your thoughts?" Luo Zheng asked sincerely.
"No problem," Madela agreed readily, understanding the situation. Staying behind to slow the enemy's pursuit was the best option; otherwise, they couldn't escape.
"Alright, I'll owe you for this. Engage them while retreating, and don't push too hard. If things go south, run," Luo Zheng said gratefully to Madela, who nodded in understanding. Luo Zheng then turned to Ghost Hand and said, "Leave all the ammo here for you. Set so traps, don't push too hard, keep it together, and don't do anything foolish."
"Don't worry, I know what to do," Ghost Hand replied hastily.
"Go," Luo Zheng said, handing over his weapons and ammo to Ghost Hand and Madela with a solemn expression.
"Take care," the two said, saluting before turning to leave.
At this mont, Zhang Hao watched the scene excitedly and shouted, "Everyone sees that? Keep biting the bullet and move faster."
They all watched Ghost Hand and Madela going back to hold off the enemies, feeling grateful within their hearts, which renewed their strength as they quickened their pace forward.
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