"Drunkard Big Brother, you clearly knew that Snow Fox Brother can't hold his liquor, so why did you press him to drink? Were you purposely getting him drunk? Tell , what do you need from ?" Luo Zheng glanced at the slumbering Snow Fox and asked with a smile.
"You're pretty sharp, kid, to have noticed that," the Drunkard said with an indifferent laugh. "I do have sothing for you. This guy insisted on tagging along. He was getting in the way of our talk, so I had no choice but to knock him out with drink. You were out there fighting in the snowy fields a few days ago, weren't you? Your body must have accumulated a lot of coldness from the snow and ice, which could cause hidden injuries if left unattended for too long. Drink a little more and you'll be fine."
"Thanks for the concern, but you wouldn't have co just to deliver alcohol, right?" Luo Zheng laughed.
"Would you die if you weren't this clever?" the Drunkard teased, then waved his hand when he saw Luo Zheng about to retort, "Alright, I know you want to say 'not being smart could actually get killed' or sothing like that. Let's not talk about such ominous things now that we're out of the battlefield. It's an old soldier's habit. Captain Wu told you're going back to compete in the World Special Forces Competition. That's the real hunting ground, where the only thing is slaughter. Oh, and betrayal. Aren't you afraid?"
"Have you participated before?" Luo Zheng asked in return.
The Drunkard's expression changed suddenly, followed by a touch of desolation. He spoke bitterly, "Yes, my best buddy died in my arms. Will you do a favor?" With that, the Drunkard looked at Luo Zheng, his eyes tinged with red full of hope.
"Is it to take down your enemy? Speak up. Who is it? Anyone who dares to kill one of us is not only your enemy but mine as well. I'll help with no second thoughts." Luo Zheng's expression turned serious as he spoke earnestly.
"Good brother, Lan Xue is outwardly tough but inwardly tender and acts with integrity. Ghost Hand, Snow Leopard, and Mountain Eagle are all vigilant, but not flexible enough. You, kiddo, are full of tricks. I've learned about the battle you fought the other day. Your tactical command was as unpredictable as an antelope hanging by its horns, leaving no trace. You managed to lead our group of Special Forces to overturn the Snow Bear Special Forces. I believe you'll find a way to avenge . Here, let's drink to that," said the Drunkard, sowhat excitedly.
"No, no, another cup and I'll definitely pass out. Let's talk serious matters, who's the enemy?" Luo Zheng hurriedly said.
A flash of unnoticeable appreciation passed through the Drunkard's eyes as he put down his cup, and laughed, "For the mission, without letting external factors interfere, I really didn't misjudge you. I'll tell you, the enemy is Sam Country and Japan."
"Eh? What happened?" Luo Zheng asked in surprise.
"Alas." The Drunkard sighed and his expression darkened, as he fell into painful recollection. Luo Zheng didn't interrupt him, waiting patiently. After a while, the Drunkard, with a look of anger and grief, said, "The Japanese team showed friendliness to us, deceived us into trusting them, and once they got ahold of our operational route, they quietly sold us out to Sam Country. We were ambushed and, at the critical mont, Japan suddenly turned their guns on us and attacked."
"So that's what happened, those bastards." Luo Zheng burst out angrily, then, upon reflection, he beca puzzled and asked, "Can you form teams in the competition? Isn't it that only one squad cos out on top? If you team up, how is the victory calculated?"
"The intelligence you have mastered is correct, it's a small team that triumphs, and so teams with no chance of winning ally themselves with stronger teams. Of course, there are backroom deals going on, varying in specifics. The teams without a shot at the championship beco vassals to the others, which is beneficial for them in three ways: firstly, they can gain so profit, secondly, they can observe and learn the Special Warfare Skills of the strong teams at close range, and thirdly, they can foster good relations with the country. Why wouldn't they do it?" the Drunkard said seriously as he explained.
"That's possible?" Luo Zheng looked at the Drunkard in surprise, feeling that this was less like a competition and more like a rcenary battleground driven by fa and fortune, he said with a wry smile, "If more than a dozen teams join forces, wouldn't they be invincible? What's the point for the rest of the teams then? Is this even allowed?"
"Of course not, but who can really control what happens on the battlefield? In the face of interests, people turn a blind eye. On the other hand, it's also a contest between nations, a showcase of strength. If you lose, anyone dares to bully your country in the future, but if you win, your country gains respect and status. This type of competition has escalated to the height of national dignity and prestige; it must not be taken lightly," the Drunkard solemnly advised.
"A hunting ground for the powerful, a paradise of carnage. Aside from our own, we can't trust anyone else, right?" Luo Zheng asked with a shocked expression as he looked at the Drunkard.
"It's good that you realize this. Apart from national dignity, reputation, and status, the competition also displays the special operation weapons of countries around the world. Good weapons bring in a huge number of orders, which is also where the charm of the competition lies. As for counter-terrorism, that's just a ruse. Under this pretense, the armies of various countries can operate in the target country without repercussions. Rember one thing, on the field of competition, interests override everything; it's definitely not just about victory. With your intelligence and insight, I believe you will understand," the Drunkard seriously admonished.
"Okay, I'll rember that," Luo Zheng said earnestly. The experience gained through risking one's life surely had its reasons and couldn't be taken lightly. He began to seriously prepare for the competition three months later. At this mont, Luo Zheng realized that the competition was much more complex than he had imagined. Not only was it a battlefield of slaughter, but it was also an arena of fa and fortune, where the killing beca less pure and many uncontrollable factors erged.
"Don't worry too much; you're helping take revenge, and in exchange, I'll teach you the Life-taking Needle Skill, but you must promise not to teach it to a second person," the Drunkard comforted, his expression turning exceedingly solemn.
"Okay," Luo Zheng, who had witnessed the Drunkard's Life-taking Needle Skill, capable of killing invisibly, a superb tactic for survival on the battlefield, agreed eagerly, his eyes full of gratitude as he looked at the Drunkard.
"You, lad, are knowledgeable about acupoint striking, so you should be familiar with the human body's acupoints and ridians, right?" the Drunkard looked at Luo Zheng, who confidently nodded. The Drunkard smiled and continued, "Then it will be easier for you. You just need to learn the needle techniques. Throwing needles is quite difficult, but I'll teach you anyway. How well you learn it is up to you." Saying so, he took out a silver needle and carefully placed it on the table in front of him.
Following that, the Drunkard seriously taught Luo Zheng the Life-taking Array. It wasn't complicated; he mainly introduced which acupoints, when punctured, would cause what effects and what would happen at various depths of insertion. Luo Zheng knew the locations of the acupoints and ridians and found it easy to learn. Soon, he realized that this technique was sowhat similar to the principle of acupoint striking, the difference being in the weapon used: one was a fist, and the other, a silver needle.
Two hours later, when the Drunkard saw that Luo Zheng had almost grasped it, he began to explain the flying needle technique. Simply put, it was about using silver needles as hidden weapons. The needles were light and couldn't be thrown far; this required certain skills and wrist strength. Luo Zheng, not lacking in wrist strength, concentrated on learning the techniques.
When he had taught him enough, the Drunkard grabbed four silver needles between his fingers and with a flash, sent them sailing to stick evenly onto a distant wooden board. Luo Zheng's eyes widened in amazent. The Drunkard picked up a bottle of liquor and walked outside, saying as he went, "I've taught you all I can; how much you learn is up to you. Make sure you co back alive."
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