Before long, all the reinforcents assembled into formation, forming several phalanxes, exuding an invisible aura of murderous intent in the glow of bonfires under the night sky. It felt like an army of thousands, stirring a strong sense of battle intent to boiling, sharp eyes staring ahead, unusually bright in the night. Hook and his subordinate officers saw the bloodthirsty reinforcents, shocked at what they witnessed, finally understanding what a division of wolves and tigers ant, seeing a glimpse of hope for victory.
At the front of the phalanx, Li Wu, Shadow, Snow Fox, Drunkard, Scholar, Farr, Gardener, Monk, and Mountain Eagle from the Fourth Squadron stood tall, eyes fixed ahead at Luo Zheng standing there. At this mont, Lan Xue, accompanied by three others, stepped back into the phalanx, joining the Mountain Eagle Team. Though many present had higher military ranks than Luo Zheng, none doubted his command.
It could be said that Luo Zheng's status as frontline commander was not only appointed from above but truly earned through deeds, with nobody questioning his leadership. On the battlefield, everyone entrusted their lives to Luo Zheng without hesitation. Luo Zheng passionately looked at everyone, many were brothers who had survived life and death battles together, their combat prowess beyond doubt. With such a powerhouse at hand, even if faced with Pot Cover Head, he had confidence in overcoming.
"Brothers, this is the battlefield, surrounded by enemies you can't imagine, the world's top special forces, advancing regular armies, ard helicopters, and missiles. We have only our legs and the guns in our hands. Yet, I am confident I can lead you to defeat the enemy. What about you?" Luo Zheng shouted passionately.
"Yes!" Everyone growled low, a surge of murderous intent erupted as if dispersing the night sky, deeply shaking Hook and others by the bonfire nearby, causing them to step back two paces as if unable to withstand the formidable presence.
Three bonfires blazed fiercely, crackling and illuminating the canyon. The reinforcents stood solemnly in the canyon, uniformly looking directly at Luo Zheng, eyes full of fervor and anticipation. Luo Zheng, seeing the morale, smiled satisfied, enthusiastically said, "Everyone, you've been exhausted along the way, take a rest first and prepare for battle. At daybreak, we will go kill the enemy. Good n fight the enemy; military rits earned on the battlefield. Now, let Hook speak."
"Bang!" Everyone stood at attention, held their heads high and chests out, movents synchronized, the endless battle intent filling the night sky spreading far. Hook and others nearby felt an inexplicable pressure, expressions subtly changing as they looked at the reinforcents, their brows slightly furrowing, secretly impressed.
Luo Zheng glanced at Hook, who imdiately jogged over, gratefully saying, "Everyone, I am Hook, the Clan Leader. I sincerely thank you on behalf of myself and all tribespeople for your arrival. The accommodations are arranged, food will be brought shortly. The conditions are simple; I ask for your understanding. Please follow ."
Everyone glanced at Hook but did not move, instead looking at Luo Zheng. Luo Zheng's expression turned serious as he commanded, "We are here to fight, not to enjoy comfort. Therefore, I expect everyone not to complain about the harsh conditions. Follow my orders, troops into the caves for rest, each unit proceeding in order."
"Yes!" Everyone shouted in unison.
Hook imdiately summoned his subordinate officers, leading everyone towards the caves. The inside of the caves branched out into many tunnels, so not very deep, resembling natural chambers suitable for accommodating everyone. The caves were filled with dry straw, bonfires burning, and jugs of clear water provided, all arranged and prepared over the past two days. Upon entering, the warmth of the cave was palpable, everyone comfortably seating themselves on the straw, quietly discussing everything around them.
The key military officers were called by Luo Zheng to a larger cavern for a eting. The cavern over ten ters high, roughly the size of a basketball court, the jagged stones on the ceiling originally hanging down had been knocked down, appearing relatively flat. Torches lined the walls, a bonfire burning on the ground, bright and warm. In the center of the cavern laid a relatively flat boulder, surrounded by wooden stumps for seating, on which so locally sourced wild fruits were placed, unattractive but sweet.
Everyone, unceremoniously, grabbed and ate, with Hook and several officers accompanying. To facilitate communication and avoid misunderstandings, Luo Zheng requested everyone speak in an international common language, introducing them briefly, only ntioning codenas, nothing else. Hook understood the rules and didn't ask further.
When introducing the three beside Captain Li, Luo Zheng, not knowing them, looked a bit awkwardly at Captain Li, who continued, saying, "These are the three squad leaders from our team, Wind Wolf, Hua Bao, and Mountain Eagle."
Luo Zheng montarily froze, realizing Li Wu was the captain, acting as the political commissar and deputy chief for this mission, a fact Luo Zheng had learned from Lan Xing early on. Although Captain Li personally led the team, other officers were needed for command assistance; these three must be squad leaders. Judging by their codenas, Luo Zheng could roughly guess each one's capabilities, but in front of Hook, it was inappropriate to inquire further, nodding at the three in acknowledgnt, who reciprocated likewise.
After introductions, everyone looked toward Luo Zheng, who also glanced around, secretly taking a deep breath, suppressing his excitent before gesturing to the surface of the boulder pre-marked with charcoal sketches. "This is the approximate terrain map of the surroundings. The enemy is directly south; we are at the rear. The enemy's main force positioned here," he said, pointing to the location of Hook Tribe's valley.
Following Luo Zheng's gestures, everyone looked as he continued to explain, "The current situation is as follows: four days ago, we destroyed the enemy's logistics base, obliterating their vast supplies and radar, rendering them temporarily incapable of launching an attack. Occupying this valley undisputed. Based on pieceal intelligence and analysis, it's estimated the valley hosts around five hundred enemy troops. Another five hundred have been drawn away in batches, searching east and west for the Hook Tribe's ard forces, specific locations unknown, changing daily. Most importantly, over ten small teams conducting reconnaissance, each likely to eliminate five special forces teams," looking at Captain Li.
"That formidable?" Captain Li looked at Luo Zheng in surprise. No one would lie at such etings. Captain Li trusted Luo Zheng's character, knowing he wouldn't speak without purpose, his expression turning solemn. Others familiar with Luo Zheng also focused intently, waiting for his response.
"What's their background?" Shadow queried, looking at Luo Zheng inquisitively.
"Could it be?" Mountain Eagle seed to understand, looking at Luo Zheng in shock.
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