Everyone agreed that this made sense and didn't raise any further objections, since it would just an a couple more days of trekking, after all, ti was not of the essence, and the chance to launch a surprise attack on the Arctic Bear Country and let off so steam was appealing. With the plan set, everyone waited for Mountain Eagle to finish his al, then they promptly cleaned up, using their entrenching tools to dig a pit and bury the surrounding ash to camouflage the site.
Soon, they ford a loose skirmish line and moved forward cautiously, alert to the possibility of encountering Arctic Bear's patrol troops. They kept a sharp eye on the terrain ahead, their intense combat readiness barely concealed by the dark camouflage paint.
Mountain Eagle took the lead, about fifty ters ahead, while Luo Zheng covered the rear, calmly surveying the surroundings and maintaining vigilance. He occasionally communicated with the team via headset. After climbing a mountain peak, the group continued along the ridge. Trees canopied the sky, the ground was chilled, and decaying leaves released a foul stench. The path was difficult.
Fortunately, such terrain didn't extend too far. Two hours later, they passed through a spruce forest and ca to an open area, where they stopped by a stream to rest. Luo Zheng, seeing the water in the stream was clear and crystal-like, drank the little water left in his canteen and then refilled it in the stream, adding a Disinfection Pill to the bottle to kill any microscopic organisms and bacteria, preventing possible illness. Unable to purify or boil the water, Disinfection Pills were the best choice—a reliable product from the National Blade Equipnt Team.
Lan Xue followed Luo Zheng's lead and refilled her water too, sitting down next to him and whispered pensively, "Hey, according to the intelligence, there's a military camp about over a hundred and thirty kiloters away in a straight line from here. Those damn Russians had bullied our country during the war, nearly looting the Three Eastern Provinces bare, even taking the railway sleepers. I don't feel any pressure making a move on them; we just need to ensure we don't get exposed. If we do, it could cause a dispute between the two countries. We are soldiers, and for soldiers to enter another country signifies war."
"Yeah, I'm not afraid of being exposed, as long as we don't leave any traces. If we get captured, there's only one option—Glorious Bomb," Luo Zheng replied softly, looking at the others with hesitation in his face that quickly turned into resolve. For a soldier to die in the line of duty was not up for discussion.
"If I'm captured, I hope you'll be the one to do it, right here." Lan Xue pointed to her forehead, her expression resolute, indicating that a shot to the forehead would disfigure the face beyond recognition, avoiding any trouble afterward. Seeing Luo Zheng's grimace, she gave a bitter smile, "This is the battlefield, and there's no choice in the matter. If you get captured, I would do the sa and then join you afterwards."
The headset hadn't been switched off, so their quiet conversation was naturally overheard by the others. Everyone looked over with somber expressions, but their eyes held a resolute firmness. Ghost Hand said seriously, "Brothers, I'm ready to die for our country. The captain's right; if captured, you must do the honor. Better to die at your hands and rest easy than suffer at the enemy's rcy, why undergo that torture?"
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Luo Zheng interrupted, seeing the spread of gloomy sentint among the team, which was not a good sign. His gaze was piercing as it swept over his teammates, his voice calm and collected, "This mission is more difficult than any before, with stronger opponents, which is undeniable, but there's still a glimr of hope. United as brothers, we can cut through tal; no one is allowed to die before the mission is completed."
The group chuckled, not taking it too seriously, while Luo Zheng didn't know how else to motivate them. Checking his watch, he saw ten minutes had passed and whispered, "Alright, brothers, let's move out."
The team set off again, rapid marching, and by midday, they reached a mountain ridge. From there, they scanned the horizon—lush, verdant trees as far as the eye could see, endless undulating mountain ridges, and the high sun silently watching over the landscape.
"Enemy spotted up ahead," Mountain Eagle suddenly reported through the headset while leading the way.
Everyone was startled and quickly stopped, concealing themselves behind the surrounding trees, watching the front intently with the composure of a wild wolf waiting for the right mont to strike. Their faces were calm, and their guns were held level with their shoulders, silent.
Luo Zheng waited for a while, glanced at Lan Xue, and seeing the hand signal from Lan Xue, indicating for Luo Zheng to take command. As long as Luo Zheng was by her side, Lan Xue did not want to bother with anything, allowing Luo Zheng to fully display his abilities. Luo Zheng knew that Lan Xue was training his ability to adapt on the spot and his command skills. It had been like this for the year, and he did not decline, asking in a low voice, "Mountain Eagle, what's the situation, report in detail?"
"The number of enemies is unknown, they are resting in the woods a kiloter ahead," Mountain Eagle replied softly.
"Mountain Eagle, stand by, observe, everyone else, advance," Luo Zheng commanded in a low voice.
Upon hearing Luo Zheng's order, everyone left their cover, alternately providing cover as they rushed forward, crouching with guns held level, moving quickly like a pack of wolves ready to ambush. In a short ti, everyone reached Mountain Eagle's concealed position, scattered, and after finding their respective hiding spots, watched the front intently.
Luo Zheng hid behind a large tree and picked up binoculars to observe. Through the high-powered binoculars, the enemy's features were very clear. Judging by the national emblem and shoulder patches, they were regular troops from Arctic Bear Country. They were within the territory of Arctic Bear Country, so encountering regular Arctic Bear Country forces was expected. The troops seed to number about a platoon, equipped with single-soldier radios, making a fire to cook food, sitting together, and no sentries were in sight.
"They're regular Arctic Bear Country troops, take cover and stand by," Luo Zheng said softly and continued observing. He quickly spotted two possible locations that must be hiding scouts, only seven to eight hundred ters away. His expression beca serious as he said softly, "Scouts spotted ahead, seven hundred and fifty ters away, everyone stay put, rest, and replenish with dry food. We'll wait until these guys leave before moving."
"Yes," everyone replied softly, taking out their dry food to eat, occasionally checking on the enemy formation ahead with stern faces and sharp eyes. A faint killing intent was brewing around them.
An hour later, the enemy ahead started to move, retreating towards the northwest. Luo Zheng, after a mont's consideration, said, "This seems to be a patrol unit returning to camp. We'll follow behind them without being noticed. Brother Mountain Eagle, you continue to lead the way."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
The team set off again, Lan Xue intentionally lingered at the rear with Luo Zheng and said in a low voice, "A platoon is just dozens of people, why not surround and wipe them all out? What are you thinking?"
"Wiping them out is easy, but it would attract more pursuers, which is not to our advantage. Following them is safe, as they can clear the way for us. I'm thinking of ambushing their camp," Luo Zheng said seriously, his expression stern.
User Comments
0 comments from readers