Strongest Soldier King Chapter 329 329: Going separate ways

"Whoosh!" Luo Zheng pulled the trigger.

The shell casing ejected from the chamber with a crisp sound. The bullet spun in the barrel, howling out with a breath-taking scream, carrying Luo Zheng's anger and murderous intent sky-high, tearing through space and cutting a dark energy wave through the night, like a fierce beast from ancient tis opening its jaws to devour everything, terrifying and eerie.

It was a shot that seed to co out of nowhere, utterly unexpected yet infused with all of Luo Zheng's heart and effort. No one could evade this lethal bullet. The target didn't even have a chance to dodge as the bullet pierced into the left side of the brain instantly, the imnse kinetic force turning the brain into mush, and erging out the right side, lifting a chunk of skull.

Through the sniper scope, Luo Zheng saw the target's head explode like a smashed waterlon, and smiled coldly. He moved the gun muzzle and quickly aid at the Jackal. As for the other person responsible for observation, Luo Zheng thought he was less dangerous without the Jackal. The principle of sniping on the battlefield: kill the commander first, then the most dangerous target.

The Jackal was restlessly circling the corpse while the other man quickly dove for cover. Without hesitation, the sniper rifle emanating the aura of Death God locked onto the Jackal's head. When the Jackal paused to lick the corpse's hand, a sneer of disdain crossed Luo Zheng's impassive, steely face, "Beasts will always be beasts."

"Whoosh!" Luo Zheng channeled his killing intent into the bullet. It howled out, once again tearing through the night sky with a horrifying roar, knocking the Jackal to the ground. The bullet viciously penetrated, creating a bloody cavity and exiting from the other side, silencing the Jackal instantly.

After taking that shot, Luo Zheng decisively pulled back and crawled to the other side. His original position was soon struck by sniper fire, with three bullets in a triangular pattern, creating three impact craters on the ground. Luo Zheng had anticipated this and was unperturbed. He quickly crawled to another side, gaining a higher vantage point and locking onto the target again.

Through the sniper scope, Luo Zheng saw the target had left the original spot and was sprinting away, his shadow stretching out long in the night. The target's speed was astonishingly fast. Luo Zheng tried to aim but couldn't lock on. Within a few breaths, the target disappeared around a bend in the mountainside, vanishing from view.

Without confirming whether the other had escaped, Luo Zheng dared not let his guard down. He grabbed his rifle and rushed down the mountainside, circling up and over a ridge, then climbing another peak, only to find the target had already fled, disappearing into a thicket. Reluctantly, he abandoned the chase and turned back.

Luo Zheng approached the target's corpse, glanced at the Jackal, and crouched down to examine the body. He discovered a tattoo on the back of the neck, a lifelike wolf's head with bared fangs that sent chills down one's spine. He quickly searched the body and, aside from a sniper rifle, so bullets, a bottle of water, and so dry food, found nothing else. The gun was an SVD sniper rifle, just like his, so he picked up the enemy's weapon and emptied it of ammunition.

Under the moonlight, Luo Zheng ran swiftly through the valley. After about half an hour, his earpiece transmitted a voice. It was Lan Xue speaking, "Is it you?"

"It's ," Luo Zheng quickly replied to avoid friendly fire. Soon, a figure stood up on the hillside in front, waving, a silhouette as familiar as could be. Luo Zheng rushed over quickly.

"Are you all right?" Lan Xue asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Two snipers, one Jackal, one got away. This is a nice rifle; keep it as a spare," Luo Zheng said as he handed over the captured SVD sniper rifle and the bullets to Lan Xue.

Lan Xue was not polite either, and after taking it to check, said, "Everyone is waiting for you on the mountain top, let's go."

The two quickly arrived at the mountain top, where the flat ground was filled with people, the very ones who had retreated. Seeing Luo Zheng return, everyone stood up to greet him. Luo Zheng gestured for everyone to sit down and talk, and briefly explained the situation, adding finally, "The enemy probably followed the route we ca in on, and we should be able to encounter Tu Country's team along this way. It seems they have retreated as well."

"It makes sense. Our movents must have been exposed. What do we do next?" Batsu asked.

"We need to keep moving forward. What about you?" Luo Zheng, keenly sensing a shift in Batsu's emotions, looked at him with a face full of surprise and doubt.

"Us?" Batsu's face turned bitter, and after pondering for a mont, he said sowhat awkwardly, "We have no chance left in this competition. One dead, the seriously injured are also in bad shape—they need urgent dical attention or they could be in life-threatening danger at any mont. The two with minor injuries also have significantly reduced combat effectiveness. Following you would just slow you down. After discussing amongst ourselves and calling ho, we've decided to forfeit the competition."

According to the competition rules, teams were allowed to forfeit. Since all participants were elites from their countries, it was regrettable to lose anyone. Major countries could afford it with reserves of talent to spare, but smaller nations like Ba Country couldn't afford such losses. Luo Zheng understood and nodded without persuasion, and after a mont's thought, he suggested, "If you've already made your choice, I recomnd you retreat imdiately to the edge of the mountains and call the competition center to have a helicopter co rescue you."

"Thank you. It has been an honor to fight alongside you. I am grateful again for your lifesaving help and hope the friendship between our two countries lasts forever. Take care," Batsu gratefully said.

"You too. Stay alive," Luo Zheng said with so emotion.

Without hesitation, Batsu gave his teammates a look, and with an unspoken agreent, they stood up, took their gear, and headed out of the mountains. Under the moonlight, their long shapes cast a desolate and lonely silhouette. Failure was a harsh reality for soldiers, but in the interest of their comrades' lives, they had conceded their pursuit of honor, inspiring both admiration and sorrow.

"If we also co to this, what would you choose?" Lan Xue said with low spirits, watching Ba Country's team gradually recede into the distance.

"I won't let everyone co to this point," Luo Zheng said with a determined gaze, exuding confidence that shone brilliantly in the moonlight. This natural leadership instantly infected everyone, lifting their spirits, and they smiled understandingly. Luo Zheng looked up at the sky and continued, "It will be dawn soon. Wolf King must be aware of what's happened here and will be on guard. Going over rashly would be like walking into death, but we must also move."

"Where to?" Lan Xue said in agreent.

"The mountains are my ho," Luo Zheng stood up, his spirit uncontainable, as he pointed ahead and said, "The map shows that the terrain over there is complex, perfect for hiding. But Wolf King would also expect that. The other side has gentler terrain and is closer to Wolf King's headquarters. We'll go there. What do you all think?"

"Yes!" Everyone responded in a low voice, their morale soaring. The look in their eyes was full of fervent combat intent toward Luo Zheng. In that mont, everyone was completely captivated by Luo Zheng, their blood running hot, fearless.