The evening glow of dusk spread over the vast forest plains, adding a touch of tranquility to the blood-stained canyon, while the intense aura of hostility was slightly diluted by the breeze. Captives had all been gathered together, each with a faded gray face, devoid of any will to resist. Weapons and ammunition were still being collected, and from ti to ti, the sound of laughter and shouts of victory echoed, bringing so life to the grim battlefield.
Luo Zheng scanned the battlefield calmly, slowly retracting his gaze. He took a deep breath and softly said, "Brothers, you've been running all night and are exhausted—you need rest. I'm in better shape and faster than you, so I need to stay and observe the enemy's situation to find clues. If Ghost Hand weren't involved, I wouldn't leave him behind either. Let's not debate this matter anymore. Once you return, be ready for combat orders at any ti."
Everyone exchanged glances, their faces startled, finally looking towards Lan Xue. Apart from Lan Xue, Luo Zheng held the highest position here, and no one dared to oppose Luo Zheng's orders. Even when spoken in a consultative tone, they were still orders, and disobeying orders on the battlefield was a capital offense. However, no one felt at ease leaving Luo Zheng alone on the battlefield, so they pinned their hopes on Lan Xue, hoping she could persuade Luo Zheng.
But no one knew Luo Zheng better than Lan Xue did. She knew that once Luo Zheng had made a decision, no one could change it, especially since it involved Ghost Hand. Opposing it would hurt Ghost Hand's feelings, and soone indeed needed to stay behind for reconnaissance. No one was more suitable than Luo Zheng, so Lan Xue had no grounds to object. After thinking it over, she said, "Let's go with this decision."
Seeing Lan Xue support Luo Zheng's decision, everyone chose to comply. Ghost Hand looked gratefully at Luo Zheng and Lan Xue, hesitating to speak. Luo Zheng patted Ghost Hand on the shoulder and asked with concern, "We're brothers, so there's no need for polite words. If you weren't involved, I alone would suffice. Can your body handle it?"
"Even if I can't handle it, I must. I am not only a soldier but also a man. Let do what both a soldier and a man should do. If I cannot save her, I will not rest in peace." Ghost Hand's expression turned solemn and earnest, his face as resolute as iron, and his eyes filled with determination and worry.
Luo Zheng patted Ghost Hand on the shoulder again without saying anything further. A soldier must take responsibility, and even more so, a man. Ghost Hand was both a soldier and a man; certain things must be done, even if it ans betting one's life. Luo Zheng agreed with Ghost Hand's decision.
Everyone else also deeply understood Ghost Hand's mindset and offered their respect. Snow Leopard punched Ghost Hand in the chest and raised a thumb without saying anything, letting everything remain unsaid, before looking towards Luo Zheng and earnestly stating, "We are brothers through life and death, his business is my business, can I stay?"
"And ," Mountain Eagle said seriously, stepping forward two steps.
"And ." All the mbers of the Mountain Eagle Team stepped forward two steps each, puffed out their chests, their eyes expectantly looking towards Luo Zheng, hoping to be chosen to stay.
"What are you looking at? It's not like we're drinking or eating, what's there to fight over? Everyone fall back." Luo Zheng's expression turned stern, and he reproachfully reprimanded, but inside, he was overwheld with emotion—such good brothers indeed. Luo Zheng looked at Ghost Hand, then shifted his gaze to Lan Xue, his expression gradually softening as he said affectionately, "Rest assured, I won't be in any trouble. You take them and withdraw first, and once you arrive, arrange for everyone to return to the embassy imdiately."
"Okay." Lan Xue also wanted to stay but knew she couldn't; soone had to set an example. As an officer, if she didn't withdraw, who would? Silently supporting Luo Zheng's decision, she buried her endless worry and love deep in her heart and forced a smile, "You be careful too."
"Okay." Luo Zheng nodded seriously, smiling gratefully. With a lover like this for support, what more could one wish for? Luo Zheng looked at everyone, thought for a mont, and continued, "All of you stay sharp. These people may not be trustworthy, don't suffer any losses. If they dare to break their promise or act against us, don't hesitate, understand?"
"Yes." Everyone puffed out their chests and solemnly agreed, their gazes becoming sharp.
After chatting for a while, Bar hurriedly approached with so people, and his followers carried a few bullet belts, all of 12.7mm caliber bullets. Bar said excitedly, "These were unexpectedly discovered, about a hundred rounds, all here. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Great, thank you." Luo Zheng was overjoyed. With these bullets, his sniper rifle wouldn't just be a decoration. Taking the bullets, he tossed them to Mountain Eagle and said, "Help disassemble them one by one."
"Got it." Mountain Eagle agreed readily and rallied so people to start disassembling them.
Luo Zheng continued to look at Bar, "Get two decent rifles, two hundred bullets, and are there any pistols?"
"Yes, I will arrange it imdiately." Bar agreed readily, whispering a few instructions to soone beside him, instructing them to take action. Then he looked at Luo Zheng and continued, "The battlefield has been cleared, we can set off at any ti, what do you think?"
"My people will go with you, return to your tribe first. I won't be going. Furthermore, take care of my people. At most three days; if you want to continue fighting after three days, it'll be up to you; if not, so be it." Luo Zheng said seriously, looking firmly at Bar.
"Rest assured, fighting with you is exhilarating. Why not continue? Three days of rest is enough; I can gather two thousand troops. Combined with those here, three thousand troops. Is that sufficient? Hariri has a regular army of five thousand, if necessary, over ten thousand troops can be mobilized." Bar replied seriously.
Luo Zheng knew so of Hariri's combat potential but was uncertain. After hearing Bar's words, he pondered for a mont. After a while, with a complex expression, Luo Zheng looked at Bar and continued, "With your combat strength, you may not be able to take Hariri. Even if you do, it would be mutual destruction, which is not beneficial for you. We need more allies. You can establish contact with other tribes around. How to negotiate is up to you, I won't be involved. I just need to rescue people; everything else is yours."
"Understood." Bar fully agreed, his eyes lighting up. As an old rival of the Hariri tribe, Bar naturally knew Hariri's strength and understood that on his own, it would be impossible to decisively defeat Hariri. The task was too great, which wouldn't align with the interests of his tribe, so he naturally wouldn't oppose Luo Zheng's suggestion.
"After going back, imdiately arrange for my people to the embassy, ensuring everyone's safety." Luo Zheng's expression turned stern, giving serious instructions, his tiger-like eyes slightly narrowing, closely watching Bar, ready to change his decision at the slightest anomaly.
"Rest assured, I pledge with my life to absolutely return everyone intact." Bar fully pledged, thumping his chest without the slightest hesitation.
"Once everything's ready, let's set out. I also have to leave." Seeing that Bar didn't seem to be lying, Luo Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing people bringing weapons and ammunition over, knowing it was almost ti, he earnestly instructed.
"What are you going to do? Do you need to send soone to assist?" Bar asked inquisitively and with suspicion.
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