"Surviving in the forest, everyone has seen plenty of life and death, and suffering, and everyone views death very lightly; death, to us, seed like a release. However, after the battle when we retreated, everyone had fought ruthlessly and were very grateful to you all. A few leaders discussed and decided to contact more people to join us. Many here have died tragically while building the base, forming a deep-seated enmity. With soone taking the lead, all will co over to help. What do you think?" Hook said seriously.
"Sure," Luo Zheng readily agreed. Having witnessed the combat capabilities of these people, Luo Zheng felt that having more people was better. This was originally their war. He was helping them, and while helping others, he was also completing his mission—a win-win situation. Why not do it?
Hook ran off, and soon, Luo Zheng saw about a dozen people running away and disappearing into the dense jungle, probably to find help. This primitive forest must be ho to many indigenous people. The Japanese research base's underground construction was no simple matter; it required many people to build. Many of them haven't returned; how many must have died? If everyone unites, they might indeed destroy the base, and he would also complete his mission. But was there enough ti?
After dark, everyone continued their journey with torches, and rain seed imminent. Luo Zheng was not annoyed but rather relieved. The rain would wash away their tracks, making it hard for the enemy to find them. As for thunderstorms, having been through one before, Luo Zheng no longer cared. With the right tactics, they could still kill the enemy.
About two hours later, everyone arrived at the bottom of a cliff. Hook ca over and said that the entrance was on the cliff. There was a gentle slope beneath the cliff covered with lush bushes. Everyone walked over and followed the slope to the top of the cliff, which was also relatively flat, large enough for several people to walk side by side.
The entrance was a natural stone crack large enough to accommodate two people entering side by side. The entrance was full of animal droppings. Everyone entered with torches—the passageway was dry, and the cave walls were made of hard stone. There was wind flowing, which relieved Luo Zheng completely. Where there's wind, there's air. It's a living cave, not a dead one, and everyone would be safe inside.
The passageway sloped downwards, and unknowingly a fork appeared. No one knew which way to go. Luo Zheng stepped forward, listened for a while, heard the sound of dripping water on the left and also felt the wind was stronger there, so he directed everyone to the left. After walking for about fifteen minutes, a huge cavern appeared in front, with stalactites hanging and stalagmites on the ground, and an underground river flowing through the cavern.
Luo Zheng observed that the cavern was easily fifteen ters high, wide as a basketball court, enough to accommodate everyone. It was unclear how deep it went inside, so he let everyone rest there. They lit several bonfires, arranged for people to stand guard, hunt, and collect firewood. When soone found fish in the river, they sharpened sticks to spear them.
"Let's find a place to rest," Lan Xue whispered.
They walked further inside and saw an open platform behind a large rock. Luo Zheng motioned for everyone to rest on the spot. Hook brought a large pile of dry wood over to help light the fire, and everyone began to rest. Luo Zheng watched the indigenous people laughing freely as they speared fish, and couldn't help feeling emotional. These indigenous people, living in harsh environnts, fought against the sky and the earth daily. Far from being pessimistic, they developed an optimistic personality, which was admirable.
Nearby, Snow Leopard was admiring a Japanese sword, looking very satisfied. Ghost Hand said discontentedly, "What are you showing off for? Next ti I get it, no one is allowed to fight for it."
"I promise I won't fight you for it," Snow Leopard smirked proudly, glanced at Mountain Eagle, and looked at Luo Zheng's knife, asking, "Ghost, bro, I rember you nad your knife, Dragon Tooth, right?"
"Hmm," Luo Zheng said noncommittally.
"The sword is a fine one, we have to admire these Japanese pirates for inheriting the craftsmanship of our ancestors. But, after all, it is a spoil of war, a Japanese sword. It would be better to rena it. Yours is called Dragon Tooth, mine is also called Dragon Tooth. Why not just call all the seized ones Dragon Tooth? Our team has always been naless, right? Let's just na it Dragon Tooth Team, captain, shall we?" Snow Leopard said with a smile.
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they all looked towards the captain, Lan Xue. Each team had an official designation and also a public na. This na isn't necessarily the designation, but it represents the team. After a mont's thought, Lan Xue looked at Luo Zheng and said, "The designation is given by the enemy, who nas themselves?"
"It's not exactly naming ourselves, right? It's a coincidence." Snow Leopard took over the conversation and said, "Look, Ghost captured a spoil of war and nad it Dragon Tooth. The spoil is from the enemy, and the na Dragon Tooth also arises due to the enemy, so using it as our team's na isn't unacceptable, is it?" He then looked towards Luo Zheng.
"Don't look at ," Luo Zheng said indifferently, taking out the Dragon Tooth. Its ancient blade and patterns exuded a profound sense of history. He pondered that this sword must be quite old, partially drawing it to reveal its dark blade that radiated a chilling aura, and its sharp edge emitted a thrilling murderous intent.
Dragon Tooth was sheathed again, and after a mont of contemplation, Luo Zheng said, "In our first encounter with the Japanese pirates, we ended in defeat, but it wasn't without gain. What next? Let's discuss it."
"Once their reinforcents arrive, we'll lure them out and ambush them halfway, eliminating the enemy's forces one by one. Once the timing is right, we'll burst in, destroy the base, complete the mission, and leave," Snow Leopard said cheerily, his casual deanor leaving everyone sowhat speechless. War wasn't that simple, was it?
Luo Zheng knew Snow Leopard's personality and said nothing. He looked towards Mountain Eagle, who was deep in thought, then towards the exceedingly astute Ghost Hand, finding him in contemplation as well, and thus he too closed his eyes to think. After a while, Lan Xue suddenly said, "Encircling them is one strategy, but it's slow to take effect and shouldn't be used unless absolutely necessary. Attacking is too dangerous, and it's uncertain how many of the enemy are poisoned this ti."
"Poisoned?" Luo Zheng was startled and then brightened, saying, "These natives are quite skilled at collecting poison. Is it possible to contaminate their drinking water?"
"Hard to say. These Japanese pirates would likely guard against that, and moreover, those who are building fortifications don't return. No one knows the underground situation; a rash attack would be suicidal," Lan Xue said softly, glancing at those who were cooking food over a fire, her expression easing a bit. Regardless, at least she didn't have to worry about logistics.
"With so many people living together, how do they handle sewage? I suspect the Japanese research personnel are underground, and they must resolve the disposal issues of their dostic and sewage water. Could there be so sewer pipes we don't know about? If we find the sewer pipes, maybe we can infiltrate through them," Luo Zheng said gravely, analyzing seriously.
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