Luo Zheng had never expected the scholar to be the one to co to the rescue. His spirits lifted, he glanced at the people around him and said, "Admire my ass. If I had any real skill, I wouldn't have been surrounded by a bunch of bandits and nearly lost my life. Lucky you guys showed up. The sniper's not bad, actually managed to lock onto the bandit leader. Sha they didn't shoot and let the bastard get away."
"Ah? That was the leader?" the other side exclaid in surprise, their face a picture of regret as they awkwardly explained, "I thought it was just a small fry leading the team. Since they didn't shoot, I let them off the hook. If I'd known it was the big boss, I would have taken the chance to nail him. What a pity."
"Forget it, we'll talk about it next ti," Luo Zheng said helplessly.
"Alright," the other party quickly agreed, feeling a sudden closeness to Luo Zheng, and said with a laugh, "What now?"
Instead of imdiately answering the question, Luo Zheng turned to look behind him. In the gorge, Turul had taken his n to hide on the opposite hillside's forest. With the day approaching noon, it was ti for lunch, and he guessed that the bastard would settle for a full al before fighting again. His face darkened as he said, "Retreat."
"Yes, sir." In the battlefield, those of lower rank follow the orders of those with higher rank without hesitation. This person imdiately obeyed, not bothering to question Luo Zheng's rank. Given the title of Squad Leader, it must be significant. Without questioning Luo Zheng's command, they chose to comply without hesitation.
Everyone quickly retreated. As they ran, Luo Zheng kept pondering Turul's situation. In the fight that had just happened, he hadn't seen any Japanese pirates or assassins. Could they all have been killed? That seed possible. Also, with Turul commanding nearly five thousand troops, at most half would stay to guard their base, leaving the other half to pursue them. What was he going to do with so many enemies?
With deep concerns in mind, everyone briskly ran ahead, catching up with Lan Xue and the others. They continued forward, surrounded by quite a few people. Luo Zheng didn't ask about the specifics, instead continuing to ponder their next move. Lan Xue, also worried about being overheard, didn't say much, sticking close to Luo Zheng. Feeling a deep sense of security, as if she had found her mainstay, this feeling gave Lan Xue imnse peace of mind and comfort.
Before they knew it, the group had made it to a hillside and joined up with others. Seeing both Mountain Eagle and Snow Leopard injured, Luo Zheng's expression grew dark, and he hurried over to check on them. When Mountain Eagle and Snow Leopard saw Luo Zheng return unhard, they were overjoyed and said nonchalantly, "Brother, it's good you're back, good you're back," their tiger-like eyes slightly moist.
"Are you guys okay?" Luo Zheng asked, concerned. Both of them shook their heads, not wanting Luo Zheng to worry. Luo Zheng could easily see what they were thinking, but he didn't call them out on it, instead smiling and saying, "Good to hear that."
"Brother." A familiar voice ca from the side.
Upon hearing it, Luo Zheng knew it was the scholar. Surprised, he turned his head to look and was excited to see him standing there. He got up, saying with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be the one coming to support us. You...?"
"I've been transferred to the Southwest Military Region," the scholar revealed Luo Zheng's confusion, then straightened his face, gave a solemn salute, and announced, "Squad Leader of the Special Warfare Team of the Southwest Military Region, at your service. Please issue your instructions."
"Instructions? You're kidding , right? Your rank is higher than mine, your position more important. , give you orders? Are you trying to make look foolish?" said Luo Zheng with a laugh, the feeling of camaraderie deeply warming his heart, and a sense of reassurance inexplicably washing over him.
The scholar, too, felt at ease, but still spoke earnestly, "Before coming here, I was ordered to coordinate with your activities. By the way, which one of you is the leader?"
Luo Zheng nodded toward Lan Xue, who was talking to Lin Shulin. Realizing she was a woman, the Scholar dared not take her lightly; anyone who could be on Luo Zheng's team was definitely not simple, a point he firmly believed. He quickly ran over to salute, and after Lan Xue returned the salute, she said, "I know about your situation, having fought alongside Ghost. You are brothers in life and death, thank you all."
"It's my honor," the Scholar hurriedly replied, not daring to overstep.
Lan Xue gestured to the Scholar that she had business to discuss with Turul, signalling him to go to Luo Zheng. The Scholar understood, saluted, and left towards Luo Zheng. However, he noticed Luo Zheng was talking in a low voice with soone else on the side. Assuming it was important, he did not disturb them but imdiately gave the order to be on alert to prevent surprise attacks. Seeing that there were many injured, including people from the travel group, he ordered his own n to chop branches and vines to make stretchers.
Mountain Eagle and Snow Leopard each held a knife and sighed with emotion. They both recognized the origin of the knives at a glance and were surprised to learn that Luo Zheng not only encountered ninjas but had also killed two of them. Filled with curiosity about what happened after Luo Zheng had left, they knew now was not the ti to ask.
Luo Zheng gathered the situation from Ghost Hand after they had separated, learning that a couple thousand ard warlords had chased them down like a carpet descending from the sky. Many had been killed by them, but eventually, they ran out of ammunition and provisions, forcing them to split up to divert the pursuers. Luo Zheng asked for more details and concluded that there were no Japanese pirates or assassins among Turul's pursuers, which secretly relieved him. He went over to Mountain Eagle and inquired in detail about what had happened there.
After taking control of the situation, Lan Xue ca over and motioned for Luo Zheng to step aside, then said softly, "The enemy is strong, and they will surely pursue us. This is no place to stay for long, but our manpower here is far from adequate. Three experts have a fever and can't walk, two have sprained ankles and also can't walk, though they have been given rudintary treatnt. What do you think?"
"We must split our forces," Luo Zheng's expression turned grave as he spoke earnestly.
"What?" Lan Xue looked at Luo Zheng with surprise, not expecting to split forces again, but also clearly recognizing that he was right. The priority was to divide the team. After thinking for a mont, she asked, "I agree to split our forces, but how do we do it?"
"We have two main tasks: one is rescue, and the other is to destroy this ard warlord group, the forr being our priority. Therefore, we must ensure the experts' safety on their return. Moreover, Ghost Hand and the others are no longer capable of fighting; they must go back for treatnt, or they'll suffer lasting harm," Luo Zheng explained softly, his expression becoming more solemn.
Lan Xue nodded in agreent, and Luo Zheng continued, "The Scholar brought fifty people here, let's divide the tasks. You take twenty to escort them back first, I'll stay to cover the rear and complete the remaining mission."
"Absolutely not," Lan Xue opposed without hesitation.
"Xue Er!" Luo Zheng called out urgently.
Lan Xue looked at Luo Zheng with deep affection, and her resolute heart suddenly crumbled. After pondering, she knew his proposal was the best under the circumstances. She smiled bitterly, looking at Luo Zheng tenderly and said softly, "Do you know, these past few days we've been apart, I've been worried about you every mont? I dread this kind of day."
"I understand, and how could I feel any differently? But don't forget that we are soldiers," Luo Zheng replied with deep affection, his tone becoming resolute as he continued, "The mission is our life. We can die, but we must complete the mission. Please don't worry about , okay? Have you forgotten that I am a lucky general? Moreover, your burden is no less than mine; you, too, need to take care of yourself and not cause concern."
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