The exchange of hostages by waterway would not work because the tour group, inexperienced in combat, would be cramd into one boat. Should Balang disregard the safety of the elderly and jump off to escape, Turul would undoubtedly shoot the mbers of the tour group without hesitation. The logic for taking the land route was the sa, and, moreover, that route would be subjected to endless pursuit. Without solving this issue, the hostage exchange would be a joke.
Everyone fell into deep thought, and after a while, Luo Zheng's expression darkened as he spoke, "The only plan for now is for to take two hostages over. As long as the hostages are under my control, they won't shoot the tour group mbers and the hostage exchange can proceed smoothly."
"No, that's too dangerous," Lan Xue said without hesitation.
Luo Zheng looked at Lan Xue with a bitter smile, his eyes clear and resolute. Everyone knew that Luo Zheng's proposal was the best. They looked at Luo Zheng and finally at Lan Xue. Ghost Hand's expression turned serious as he said sternly, "Vice-captain, we can't do this mission without you; I'll take the hostages over."
Ghost Hand referred to himself formally, rather than as 'buddy' as he usually did, which showed his determination. Lan Xue looked at Ghost Hand, her expression turned cold and she said, "Stop arguing, we'll go with this plan, but I will be the one to execute it. I'm the captain, and you all have to listen to . This is an order."
"This?" Military orders were as heavy as mountains; in the face of such orders, no one dared to disobey. Everyone then turned their gaze to Luo Zheng.
After pondering for a mont, Luo Zheng said with a cold, bitter smile, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Rember, they specifically asked to see by na? The purpose of the kidnapping is . If I don't show up, who can guarantee that the mastermind behind this won't take a cold shot? After all, once the hostage exchange is completed, the mastermind would have no chance, but if I appear, seeing the chance to capture , he wouldn't act rashly; at least he would wait until after the exchange to make a move."
Everyone, being astute, imdiately understood the truth in Luo Zheng's words. Lan Xue, naturally, also understood the rationale, but the thought of Luo Zheng facing danger troubled her deeply. Luo Zheng understood Lan Xue's feelings, looked at her seriously, and said, "You are the captain and must lead everyone back. I am the vice-captain, the most suitable person. Moreover, they want . To ensure that the tour group returns without fail, I am the one who must go."
After hearing Luo Zheng's analysis, everyone showed a grave expression. Lan Xue understood that what Luo Zheng said made a lot of sense. Looking at Luo Zheng with a sorrowful expression and tender eyes, Luo Zheng could feel Lan Xue's deep love and concern. He gave a wry smile and said, reassuringly strong, "If the plan is sound, there shouldn't necessarily be danger. Don't worry."
"This ti is different from before; venturing into unknown enemy territory alone is perilous. However, you are right. We are soldiers, and a soldier's duty is to complete the mission. Go, and co back alive. Don't leave alone in this world," Lan Xue said emotionally, expressing her love and hope without minding others like Ghost Hand nearby.
Luo Zheng looked lovingly at Lan Xue for a mont, morizing her features, his expression gradually growing resolute. The uncertainty of life and death from this mission weighed on him. As a soldier, Luo Zheng was clear on his duties. He had to go, even if it ant death. Thinking this, Luo Zheng took a deep breath in; the cold, moist air filled his lungs, clearing his mind a lot. He then cald down and pointed towards the mountains on both sides, saying, "I've observed that this is the highest point; we must take it. Ghost Hand and Snow Leopard, co with to assist the mbers of the tour group."
"Yes!" Ghost Hand and the others solemnly agreed, looking at Luo Zheng with admiration in their eyes. Knowing it was a life-threatening situation but still resolutely unreluctant, such breadth of spirit and bearing commanded respect.
"What happens after rescuing the people?" Lan Xue asked earnestly, facing the situation directly since there was no choice, striving to perfect the plan as a team leader. Lan Xue was very clear about this.
"We'll return along the river. No matter what happens, you all must retreat to the boat as quickly as possible. Even if I die, if you want revenge, you have to wait until we've taken the tourists back," Luo Zheng said with a stern face, earnestly instructing in an unmistakable tone, yet a tragic aura filled his voice, resembling the bitter cold of the river in the verse of 'The wind is dreary, the Yi River cold'."
Everyone could feel Luo Zheng's readiness to face death, and their expressions grew solemn; but no one said much. Soldiers see the mission as their sacred duty, and even if they knew it ant death, they would not hesitate. Everyone silently checked their equipnt, a tragic stance emanating naturally. No one spoke, but they all secretly vowed not to give up on Luo Zheng and to return after accomplishing the mission, even if it ant piercing the heavens, at all costs.
Luo Zheng knew everyone's thoughts, but did not urge otherwise. Sharing life and death was not just talk; he would co back himself. Guessing that it was almost ti, he then said, "Let's move."
Mountain Eagle stood up, leapt ashore, and ran toward a hillside, like a wounded leopard, with a resolute murderous aura. Lan Xue no longer hid her emotions and, in front of everyone, embraced Luo Zheng—the first and a weighty ti. No one mocked, turning their faces away, eyes reddening.
"Take care," Lan Xue whispered in Luo Zheng's ear, her lips pressing against his cheek, carrying endless hope and love. Then they separated, and she turned and hurried away, not daring to look back, a clear tear rolling down her eye. This mission was a matter of life and death, and no one knew what might happen next. They could only prepare for the worst.
"Depart," Luo Zheng said as Lan Xue's figure disappeared into the woods.
The boat surged forward swiftly, rushing out of the branch and onto the main river, where several boats were lined up. Luo Zheng quickly made a covert combat gesture, and everyone crouched in the cabin, steering the boat forward a distance before stopping, without turning off the engine.
Luo Zheng turned on the walkie-talkie and coldly said, "Send a boat over." anwhile, he quickly lay down on the deck to aim at the forward area, searching for suspicious individuals, but it was impossible to identify any based on their attire.
Soon, soone piloted a wooden boat towards them, and as they neared, Luo Zheng signaled the person to jump into the water and swim back. The person, alert, didn't hesitate and dove into the water, swimming back agilely and swiftly, clearly proficient in swimming. Luo Zheng observed the slowly approaching wooden boat, clearly empty, with no hidden compartnts.
"Could there be a remote-controlled bomb on the boat? Let's send the hostage first," Ghost Hand suggested.
Luo Zheng, seeing nothing suspicious on the boat but finding the suggestion reasonable, returned to the cabin, carried the elderly woman onto the wooden boat. Throughout this process, no one fired a shot, but Luo Zheng remained cautious, signaling Ghost Hand and the others not to act rashly. He crouched down and ticulously inspected the boat to guard against any remote-controlled bombs.
User Comments
0 comments from readers