Hook nodded in understanding, his expression solemn as he spoke through the walkie-talkie to relay the orders. Everyone got ready, gathered all scattered weapons and equipnt, and set off again. No one turned on a flashlight, no one spoke; they all walked silently, moving like hungry wolves through the dense forest. Luo Zheng knew that the people of Hook Tribe had extraordinary eyesight and could see at night, which his own people couldn't, so he took out tactical night-vision goggles and put them on. He glanced at everyone; they all put on their tactical goggles too. Luo Zheng nodded and signaled everyone to follow the troop.
Three brothers were sent ahead by Luo Zheng to scout. Although the people of Hook were adept at jungle survival, they weren't familiar with special operations, and Luo Zheng didn't fully trust anyone but his own n. The team moved through the woods, casting long black shadows; their speed was not slow. Without realizing it, they had walked for about an hour and were physically exhausted, so they had to stop and rest.
People are not machines; they need rest to recover their strength. The team hid in a thickly wooded mountain ridge, each silent, taking out the dry rations they carried to chew on. Luo Zheng also found a place to sit and rest, taking a compressed biscuit from his backpack to eat.
Just a few bites in, a faint alert sounded from the earpiece: "Report, we've discovered a small enemy squad, ten n in total, well-equipped; it might be an enemy Special Team. They are moving towards the main force's resting area. Please give instructions."
"Oh? Let them co, and we'll take them down," Luo Zheng said sternly. Prey delivered right to the doorstep isn't sothing to pass up. He imdiately inford Hook, who was still eating, about the situation, and finally urged, "There aren't many enemies. Rush up and kill them as quickly as possible. We mustn't let them relay any information."
"Understood, how should we attack?" Hook asked eagerly.
"Let's decide based on the enemy's marching route," Luo Zheng replied coldly. Suddenly, his earpiece crackled to life with a brother's report; the enemy had stopped to rest, possibly due to the darkness making further progress undesirable. Luo Zheng frowned and pondered.
Hook, unaware of the situation, asked in surprise, "What happened?"
"The enemy has halted their advance and set up camp on the spot for reasons unknown. Select your best night infiltration warriors, about a hundred n, and carefully penetrate their camp. Kill them as quickly as possible. My n will assist you, and it's crucial to prevent them from transmitting any information. Withdraw imdiately after the attack."
"Understood, I'll send my Guard," Hook responded seriously and promptly passed orders through the walkie-talkie to mobilize his forces.
The Guard swiftly moved into action, carefully advancing. Luo Zheng imdiately instructed the three brothers via earpiece to keep their eyes on the target and to act quickly once the Guard engaged, taking out the communications operators to help eliminate the squad. The three brothers agreed cautiously in low voices.
The enemy was not nurous but troubleso; failure to eliminate them risked exposing everyone. A nearly thousand-strong force, even if flanking, would draw attention. Reluctantly, they had no choice but to attack. With orders given, Luo Zheng continued eating his compressed biscuit. If the Guard engaged and with the elent of surprise, there should be no trouble.
Soon, the sounds of grenade explosions echoed from the forest ahead, at least a dozen, mixed with gunfire, but it didn't end quickly. Luo Zheng frowned, puzzled. If they were a regular scouting unit, the hundred-man Guard's surprise attack shouldn't have t such resistance. Could they be elite troops? He urgently asked through the earpiece, "What's happening? Why is it taking so long?"
"The enemy is extrely difficult; the grenade attack only injured half. The other half is putting up fierce resistance. It'll take a few more minutes, but their communications operators have been taken out. These guys have video caras on their helts—it's likely they're elite," a brother's voice reported amidst the bursts of grenade explosions and bullets.
Luo Zheng was taken aback and glanced at Hook. Unexpectedly, the enemy had withstood the Guard's assault—it wasn't simple. His expression hard, he imdiately urged, "Quick, tell your n to use grenades to attack directly and finish the battle as fast as possible, or it could beco very problematic."
"Got it," Hook agreed sternly, promptly using the walkie-talkie to relay the order.
Soon, another series of explosions rang out, restoring the eerie silence of the prival forest. Estimating that the battle had ended, Luo Zheng promptly reached out to his brothers via earpiece, "Have them withdraw imdiately. Are you all okay? Report on the situation."
"Yes, we're fine. These guys were tough. We ambushed and took out half, but two got away, and we captured one who was wounded," a brother quickly replied.
"Two got away? Bring the injured back and be careful of those who fled tracking us down," Luo Zheng advised gravely. The fact that two managed to escape despite the Guard's ambush ant the enemy wasn't ordinary. He imdiately told Hook, "Two got away. Inform your forces to retreat quickly, don't pursue. Leave a squad behind to cover and watch for any tailing enemy."
"Two got away? What kind of ss did they make?" Hook responded angrily and imdiately scolded his units through the walkie-talkie. After cutting the comms, he looked at Luo Zheng, full of embarrassnt, and said, "These arrogant fools let two escape. Once we return, I'll deal with them properly."
"Arrogance leads to defeat, an age-old truth not to be taken lightly. When attacking, it's all about destroying the enemy with the sharpest force in the shortest ti. During forest skirmishes, grenades are most effective. After the first grenade barrage, they confronted the enemy with gunfire instead of continued grenade use—an invitation to disaster. You need to instill this battle philosophy firmly among your n; otherwise, you'll suffer dearly in the future," Luo Zheng warned sternly, having guessed the battle progression from the sounds of gunfire and explosions.
"Thank you for the reminder," Hook responded gratefully.
"Old friend, don't bla for being blunt. It's for everyone's benefit to minimize casualties where possible. The enemy's not only combat-capable but can call in aerial support at any ti. If engagents drag on, we will suffer," Luo Zheng explained, noting his tone had been harsh.
"I understand, don't hesitate to speak plainly. We're sworn brothers; I know you have my best interests at heart. Since I entrusted you with full command, I won't question your orders. You know my temperant by now; don't stand on ceremony with ," Hook sincerely replied.
Luo Zheng nodded, his expression serious, as he looked towards the night sky, saying, "Our people are definitely exposed. Enemy air support will arrive soon; have your n regroup quickly."
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