The morning sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled down, landing on the vast prival forest as if draping a layer of golden light over the endless green. The birds and beasts in the canopy gradually quieted down, and the faint breeze stirred the leaves weakly, letting the sunlight spill through the gaps between them onto the ground in dazzling, mottled patterns. It was extraordinarily enchanting, yet at the open area of a canyon entrance, a grim killing aura hung in the air. Countless regular army soldiers stood in strict formation, completely shattering the fresh, natural, and peaceful atmosphere of the forest.
On both sides of the trench lying across the canyon entrance, Luo Zheng and Jackson faced each other, both feeling a surge of emotion. Once, they had been lifesavers to one another, comrades-in-arms who fought shoulder to shoulder; yet at this mont, they had beco mortal enemies. Public hatred had turned into private vendetta. Who could make sense of the affairs of this world?
"My father was killed by you, wasn't he?" Jackson said coldly, a chilling ferocity glinting in his eyes.
"And my n were captured by your design, weren't they?" Luo Zheng shot back coldly.
The two of them both thought of everything that had passed—the恩 and the怨, the rights and wrongs—who could really say what was what? Luo Zheng only asked that he be worthy of heaven and earth; each ti he had only struck back in self-defense. His expression grew more resolute, and a thick fighting spirit flickered in his eyes as he barked, "If you don't start trouble, I won't hit back. If you do, then we et life or death on the battlefield. You want war? Then war it is."
"Good." Jackson's eyes turned frosty as he shouted back, not to be outdone, "My army is at your doorstep. Do you really think a bunch of terrorists can match my superior combat power? What are you going to use to fight ?"
"Psychological warfare doesn't work on . Put away your little tricks." Luo Zheng sneered icily, too lazy to bullshit with him. He pointed at the prisoners behind him and shouted, "Their lives hang on a single thought of yours. Do you want them alive or not? If not, they'll make pretty good human shields later. Make your choice."
"What do you want?" Jackson certainly did not dare say in front of his n that he didn't care about the prisoners. If he said that out loud, mutiny would be inevitable. Jackson wasn't stupid; he swallowed his fury and demanded, "Let them go, and I'll give you a quick death."
"That's all you've got at the negotiating table? Makes look down on you. I'll lay it out: if I don't see my people within three hours, every single prisoner here gets buried with them. Rember, not one less. One of them injured, ten pay with their lives. One killed, everyone here pays with theirs. I don't mind infiltrating your country again and wiping out your entire family." Luo Zheng shouted, boundless killing intent surging to the sky and locking firmly onto Jackson.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Jackson yelled, but he suddenly understood Luo Zheng's intent—hostages for hostages. What a brilliant rescue plan. He instantly realized why Luo Zheng had left Sam Country to co fight here, and a trace of respect rose in his heart. A pity they were enemies. If he could have such a man as a friend in this life, it would be worth it.
Luo Zheng did not answer Jackson's question. He raised his hand to glance at his watch, then shouted, "It's now exactly eight a.m. If I don't see my people by eleven on the dot, then get ready to collect their bodies. The situation here has already been sent via satellite back to your country. I'm sure many people have seen it. So, are you going to attack now, or wait until your country makes a decision?"
"You—" Jackson hadn't expected Luo Zheng to play this card; his face changed drastically. If the situation here was transmitted back ho, this was no longer sothing he could decide on his own. If it hadn't been sent back, then killing the prisoners would just be killing them—file a casualty report, call it death in the line of duty. But now that it had been sent ho, he'd be nailed with a charge of poor command. So many n taken prisoner—who would take the fall for that? Only him.
At that thought, new hatred piled atop the old. Jackson angrily gripped his sidearm, but as he caught sight of the mocking cold smile on Luo Zheng's face, a flash of clarity shot through his mind. He forced himself not to draw the gun. He scanned the surroundings warily, then slowly lowered his hand. His face darkened as he glared at Luo Zheng, grinding his teeth so hard they creaked, his whole body trembling with rage. He said nothing, just turned and hurried away, his retreating back carrying a touch of bleak desolation.
"Lan Xing, send the satellite video and the conversation just now to the President of Sam. Rember to edit my words so the enemy can't seize on anything. Just say I'm the terrorist Aladdin." Luo Zheng stared coldly at Jackson's departing figure as he spoke into his earpiece.
"Understood." Lan Xing responded quickly.
Luo Zheng pulled back into the trench behind them and ca to Hook's side, speaking in a low voice, "The enemy probably won't make a move within the next three hours. Get word to your n imdiately to use the ti to repair the fortifications. They have satellite radar; it's hard to hide anything from them anyway, so we might as well focus on repairs. Also, arrange for so food to be brought up."
"Got it." Hook agreed readily and called it in over the Single Soldier Radio.
"You were pretty domineering just now. Will this really work?" Captain Li asked worriedly.
"I don't know if it'll work. If Sam Country doesn't release our people, we'll spread the truth about what's happening here to the entire world and see how they respond. Once the prisoners' families learn the truth, they'll definitely pressure the ruling party. As long as it causes trouble for Sam Country, I don't mind." Luo Zheng said seriously.
"True. If Sam Country is determined to kill Ghost Hand and the others, then even handing over the prisoners won't matter. But Sam Country has always claid it never compromises with any terrorists. I'm worried they'll stall for ti by quibbling. When that happens, will you really do it?" Captain Li pressed, curious.
"What do you think?" Luo Zheng countered. Seeing the curiosity on Captain Li's face, he continued, "This is a battlefield; there's no room for gas. Once spoken, it must be carried out, otherwise it's not enough to deter the enemy. Killing prisoners to save our brothers—so what if I bear a monstrous infamy? I'll shoulder it alone."
"Bullshit. If anyone's shouldering it, we all are. You think you're the only one who gets to play the hero? No way. I just wanted to gauge your resolve and how you do things. Now I've got the asure of you. You're getting more and more ruthless and decisive—kinda got the style of a full general." Captain Li said disgruntledly.
"If the enemy compromises, they'll definitely reinforce again. Who knows how long this battle will drag on? Being surrounded here isn't a long-term solution. I want to hand the fight here over to you to command. I'll take Shadow, the Drunkard, and Snow Fox to maneuver behind them and raid their rear. What do you think?" Luo Zheng suddenly switched to Mandarin and asked earnestly.
"When do you move out?" Captain Li didn't decline. He knew very well that Luo Zheng's tactic would benefit this war, so he didn't object and asked curiously.
"Rescue our people first. We'll talk after the brothers are here." Luo Zheng said, thinking it over. He saw the enemy begin to pull back and frowned in surprise. He quickly raised his sniper scope for a look and saw enemy forces withdrawing on a large scale back into the trees. Their tactical intent was unclear, and he couldn't help asking, "What are they trying to do?"
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