Twilight cos late in the high plateau rift valley. The crimson sun slowly descends, while the horizon is awash in red clouds. Thousands of rays of light pierce through the clouds, adding a hint of alien beauty to the plateau region. The reddish-brown rocks and soil reflect a charming glow on the layered piles of hills. Occasionally, a few birds returning to their nests can be seen in the vast sky.
On a slope at the forest's edge, Luo Zheng holds a sniper scope, observing ahead. Standing beside him are Ghost Hand and Madela, while nearly a hundred n brought by Bar vigilantly guard the surroundings. Their expressions are cautious. After a day of forced march, everyone arrived at this hillside grove. Just ahead is the Harriri Tribe's cavern, where the dical team was once detained. The camp remains, and there are still people patrolling, which strikes Luo Zheng as puzzling.
"These bastards are still here. No matter what, we should charge down and slaughter them," Ghost Hand calmly suggests, with a murderous air in his words.
"Don't rush. We must understand Harriri's true intentions. If it were , after suffering a defeat and the hostages escaping, there's no reason to stay here. If staying, I'd deploy a heavy guard, but there are only about one to two hundred people here. What's going on?" Luo Zheng murmurs confusedly.
"Perhaps they're on guard against the Basto Tribe, serving as a warning," Ghost Hand analyzes.
"That's not impossible. You're right. Erging from here and following the ridge forward, one can reach their valley. This is a forward outpost. Leaving people here makes sense. But with a major enemy looming, shouldn't they leave more behind?" Luo Zheng remarks with suspicion.
"Hard to say. They don't know our identities or that we rescued people and might return. Perhaps they've underestimated us?" Ghost Hand casually speculates without clear understanding of Harriri's real motives.
These words, however, remind Luo Zheng. After observing carefully again, he says: "It's possible, but we must ascertain whether Harriri's troops stationed here are only the ones outside. If there are hidden soldiers inside the cave, it becos troubleso."
"That's simple. After dark, I'll sneak over to check. Anyway, the sky is about to darken, and everyone should rest a bit, regain strength, then act once night falls," Ghost Hand nonchalantly proposes.
"He might not act," Luo Zheng whispers, glancing at Bar who is approaching.
Ghost Hand nods insightfully, saying nothing more. A good tactic requires a good team for coordination. Without Bar deploying troops, the three of them may struggle. Ghost Hand muses for a mont and then whispers: "Brother, keep using your eloquent tongue to urge him to send troops."
"I'll try," Luo Zheng whispers, seeing Bar arrive, and switches to the international language courteously saying: "You've seen the enemy's situation, right? Less than two hundred people outside, with a cave below. Unknown if there are hidden troops inside. If so, the cave is spacious enough to hide over three hundred. We have to pass through here to reach Harriri. Detouring requires a long walk. The sky is about to darken, making it difficult to continue marching. But without securing this place, it'll be hard to withdraw later. What's your take?"
"Against their two hundred, I only brought a hundred. Absolutely not. Darkness doesn't matter. We'll wait here until the opportunity you ntioned arises. Unless your people act first and create an opportunity, mine won't budge," Bar resolutely replies.
"Alright then," Luo Zheng doesn't insist, as they pre-agreed on this, not forcing it. Seeing Ghost Hand wanting to speak, he throws an eye gesture, Ghost Hand chooses silence, and Luo Zheng continues to Bar: "After dark, I'll send soone to probe. You don't have to act, just watch. These few n below are enough for us three."
"You three alone?" Bar dismissively says, but rembering the information gathered, these three did indeed face Harriri's n head-on and killed hundreds. The source is true and reliable, or Bar wouldn't agree to cooperate. He hesitantly looks at Luo Zheng, asking: "What's your plan?"
"Don't know yet," Luo Zheng smiles indifferently.
"Where does your confidence co from?" Bar says sowhat irritatedly.
"You'll know when the ti cos. If there are hidden troops in the cave, the attacking tactics will differ. I must confirm the intelligence to act. Acting blindly equals courting death," Luo Zheng says earnestly, gazing ahead with a cold, intense battle intent.
"Alright, my n will rest and eat sothing, waiting to watch your performance," Bar remarks, seeing Luo Zheng not object, he orders his n. Soon, the troops split into two groups: one resting, the other keeping alert.
Luo Zheng observes this scene, gaining further understanding of Bar's cautious nature, says nothing, and eats so dry rations, finding a spot to rest. Ti is still early, with support troops yet to arrive, acting during the day isn't ideal. Luo Zheng is also in no rush.
As ti ticks away, dusk fully envelops the sky. Ghost Hand suddenly opens his slightly shut eyes, flashing a glint, his peaceful face turns cold, whispering beside the ditating Luo Zheng: "It's ti to act."
"Alright, be careful. I'll cover you, keep the communication open," Luo Zheng earnestly states.
"Understood," Ghost Hand replies, serious, nodding, glances at Madela awakening beside him, grabs his weapon and rushes down the mountainside, maneuvering under the faint night light, vanishing into the forest in a blink.
Luo Zheng also rises, finding a large forked tree, with the fork at chest height, perfect for setting up the sniper rifle. The distance to the enemy camp is about two kiloters. This distance poses no problem for Luo Zheng; the last attack on the enemy camp was also from this distance, where Luo Zheng gained experience.
"Are you going to act?" Bar asks, running over questioningly, asuring the distance, doubly curious about Luo Zheng setting up the sniper rifle, eyes full of disdain; how could he possibly hit targets from such a far distance? But he doesn't voice it.
Luo Zheng is indifferent to explaining. If possible, he'd obviously prefer advancing about five hundred ters, but he knows Bar won't allow him out of sight. Luo Zheng subtly smiles, saying: "You just sit back and enjoy the show."
"Alright, I'm truly looking forward," Bar nonchalantly laughs, with a hint of mockery, not optimistic about Luo Zheng's impending action. Three against nearly two hundred, Bar hasn't witnessed it firsthand, still finding it hard to accept this reality.
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