The enemy was tailing us, and without the ability to strike back directly, dividing our forces to ensure the safety of the experts was the best choice. Luo Zheng had no other option, and Lan Xue was aware there was no other choice either. After consulting with one another and settling the matter, Luo Zheng imdiately gestured for the scholar to co over and asked in a low voice, "What's your mission?"
"My mission is to co over and support you, to follow your command unconditionally," the scholar said solemnly.
"Let's not mince words between brothers. I need your two squads to escort them out first. The remaining three squads will stay to coordinate actions with . Neither task is anything less than life-threatening. I hope everyone is ntally prepared," Luo Zheng said earnestly.
"Don't worry, as soldiers, dying for our country is an honor, a mission, and our responsibility. My brothers are all tough; none will shy away. Give the orders," the scholar said with a determined look on his face.
"From now on, you follow his command," Lan Xue pointed at Luo Zheng and said. As the team leader, Lan Xue had to clarify the command before leaving to avoid any confusion.
"Yes," the scholar responded solemnly, having no discomfort in following Luo Zheng's command.
"Go make arrangents; we don't have much ti," Luo Zheng said softly.
"I'll have the fourth and fifth squads escort everyone out first and keep the first, second, and third squads here," the scholar stated seriously. Luo Zheng, unfamiliar with these teams, rely nodded without objection. The scholar saluted and turned to jog away to find a few team leaders and assign the tasks.
"Be very careful," Lan Xue said, her concern apparent.
"You too," Luo Zheng reciprocated, and after glancing at Ghost Hand and the others, he continued, "You do their work and return as soon as possible. The injury can't afford any delay."
After exchanging a few words, Lan Xue saw Song Yun approaching with a solemn expression. She glared at Luo Zheng and walked away. Luo Zheng gave a wry smile helplessly and, out of politeness, promptly greeted her, asking, "Are you looking for ?"
"Yes, are you all right?" Song Yun asked with concern. Seeing Luo Zheng nod indifferently and showing no interest in speaking, her expression darkened. She didn't throw a tantrum or act spoiled like before but instead said with genuine concern, "Thank you for your hard work. If we make it back alive, I'll treat you to a al, all right?"
"No need, saving you is our duty. If there's nothing else, I need to get busy," Luo Zheng said indifferently, dismissing Song Yun's words. Seeing her bitter expression and realizing there was nothing else she wanted to say, he couldn't be bothered to dwell on it and walked toward the scholar and the others.
"How's it going?" Luo Zheng asked the scholar urgently. The Turul forces could arrive at any mont, so it was vital to put the procedures in place and formulate a plan, or no one would escape.
"Everything's ready, we can move out at any ti," the scholar reported hastily.
"Let's move," Luo Zheng ordered, his face stern.
"Yes," the scholar puffed out his chest, saluted, and then commanded, "Squads four and five, buck up, and off you go."
"Yes, we guarantee to complete the mission," two fit n declared with their chests puffed out and a solemn salute, with eyes fixed on Luo Zheng. Luo Zheng returned the salute, and once they lowered their hands, they hurried away with their team mbers, signaling the travel group composed of Military Research Institute mbers. They promptly got moving, and those who were unable to walk were placed on stretchers.
Lan Xue took Luo Zheng's equipnt. The weapon was useless without bullets, so he slung his military pack on his back—it was specially made by the Equipnt Team and could not be discarded, so he asked Lan Xue to take it back. He only kept two captured Japanese swords and a Tiger Teeth knife, quickly dressed in his combat uniform and bullet-resistant vest, put on clean spare socks, and donned a bulletproof helt.
"Be careful." Lan Xue, paying no mind to the ambiguous glances of those around, adjusted Luo Zheng's clothes with tenderness and the deanor of a wife sending her husband off on a long journey.
Not far away, Song Yun quietly watched this scene with a bitter expression, having co to understand many things. However, her gaze hardened with resolve. If before it was due to an oath, now, after experiencing so much, Song Yun realized she had truly fallen for Luo Zheng. Although her love was unrequited and dood to have no future, Song Yun did not care anymore.
Lan Xue turned and left. Luo Zheng watched everyone disappear into the woods, his mood heavy. He silently wished them safety and looked up at the sky. The sun blazed fiercely above, unknown birds sang joyfully, adding vitality to the forest, and the occasional roar of a fierce beast reminded Luo Zheng of the dangers that lay ahead.
"Scholar, how many snipers do we have in the three squads?" Luo Zheng asked with a grave look.
"I took a page from your book and ford a dedicated Sniper Team. I brought them with us this ti; there are a total of ten. Additionally, each of the other two squads has two snipers," the scholar hastily explained.
"Ah?" Luo Zheng was startled, then imdiately delighted, saying, "Great, gather around for a eting."
The three squad leaders and the scholar crouched in front of Luo Zheng, with the others standing nearby, forming a circle. Everyone listened intently as Luo Zheng picked up a few stones and laid them on the ground, pointing with the Tiger Teeth combat knife at one of the stones, "We have two objectives. First, to lure away the pursuers behind us, anticipated to number two thousand, widely dispersed—it can be said they are everywhere. Second, to destroy the enemy's den, which is right here."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces turned solemn. Wasn't this mission much too difficult? It harbored a great risk of death, yet no one voiced objections or showed fear, continuing to listen seriously.
"Our estimated position is here," Luo Zheng pointed to a spot and continued, "about two days' distance from the pursuer's den. The pursuers are a local warlord's ard forces who have kidnapped our country's Military Research Institute experts, challenging the dignity of our nation. They must be made to pay dearly. As soldiers, the nation's sharp weapons, it is our inescapable duty. Do you have the confidence?"
"Yes!" Everyone stood up and roared, their fighting spirit soaring.
"It's good to have confidence, but I can assure you, this mission has a very low chance of survival. I hope you're all ntally prepared," Luo Zheng said seriously. Seeing everyone's grave expressions and no trace of fear, he breathed a sigh of relief. This was a team with strong ntal fortitude, no doubt battle-hardened, not green recruits at least.
"Don't worry, brothers, we might not claim to be veterans of a hundred battles, but we've all seen combat and shed blood," the scholar said as the team's highest commander. If he didn't know the fighting power of his troops, it would be very troubleso. Sensing Luo Zheng's worries, he quickly reassured him to avoid any misjudgnt that could affect the overall combat performance.
"At present, we cannot directly attack the enemy's lair. We must divert the surrounding pursuers to lessen the pressure on the retreating troops. Listen to my commands—we'll charge and take the initiative, drawing all of the surrounding pursuers to us. Only by doing so can the retreating team be safe. But this would leave us in a desperate situation. Are you willing to join in one mad dash?" Luo Zheng stood up with a fervent look and challenged the group.
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