Three minutes later, the battlefield was cleared, and everyone disguised the scene to create the illusion of a deadly infighting. It was uncertain if this would fool the Arctic Bear Military, but hastily, everyone evacuated and plunged into the vast darkness of the forest. Using night vision devices, they marched rapidly. The sound of gunfire had persisted for so long that it was unknown if the Arctic Bear Military was in pursuit. Not daring to take any chances, they fought off sleepiness and pressed on with gritted teeth.
In the middle of the night, it began to rain again, making the darkness even more profound and the night sky much blacker. With no paths on the ground and thankfully wearing blast-proof shoes, they didn't have to worry about thorns, spikes, or snakes and scorpions on the ground—just step on them and forge a path. When higher bushes blocked the way, they pulled out Japanese swords and chopped them down directly.
Doing this could easily leave traces that would expose their whereabouts, but they had no choice. At dawn, drones and satellites would beco powerful tracking tools. Without trying to get as far away as possible, escape would be impossible. Around 5 a.m., they arrived at a canyon and rested under a recessed stone cliff.
The recess in the stone cliff provided shelter from the wind and rain and also hid them from satellites and drones overhead. Still before dawn, everyone found a spot to doze off. After continuous combat and marching, their nerves were highly strained and no one could withstand it any longer. Knowing that everyone was exhausted and feeling relatively better himself, Luo Zheng let the others rest and took up the duty of standing guard. In this wilderness, besides the Arctic Bear Military, there were wild beasts, natural climate changes, and more—they absolutely couldn't be careless.
Just after six o'clock, as the sky grew brighter and all was quiet, Luo Zheng, seeing everyone deeply asleep, did not wake them. He continued to ditate, using the inherited Breathing Skill to rest. About an hour later, a roaring sound approached, startling Luo Zheng, who opened his eyes to see an airplane streaking across the sky. He dashed out from under the stone cliff and looked up to see a drone whizzing past.
"Phew," Luo Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the cover of the stone cliff, or else they might have been discovered. However, the appearance of the drone ant that the Arctic Bear Military must be close by. They had to make haste.
Luo Zheng quickly woke everyone up, and after a brief pack-up, they moved along the canyon, eating dry food while walking. About an hour later, suddenly, they saw a drone flying over. They imdiately took cover on the spot, hiding under dense trees or lying in thick bushes, staying still until the drone had passed. Then they got up and increased their marching pace.
The whole way, they didn't speak, their faces solemn. By noon, they had erged from the woods to see a series of rolling hills stretching out before them—unending, yet barren of trees or even tall bushes. Only low weeds grew, offering little concealnt.
"What should we do?" Ghost Hand asked, looking at the hills ahead, his voice low and grave.
Everyone understood what Ghost Hand was implying. Without the cover of trees, they would be completely exposed to satellites or drones, with nowhere to hide. However, if they wanted to continue their mission, they had to traverse these hills. They all bowed their heads in thought until Luo Zheng suddenly spoke, "According to Levsky's confession, going west from here to cross the border and over the snow-capped mountains will take another week. The problem is, it takes at least three days and nights to reach the border from here, and the tifra for crossing the mountains is unknown. If we go on foot, it may take a month. Contact headquarters."
Lan Xue put down her pack, took out a satellite phone from within, swiftly attached the battery, and switched it on. With modern informationized surveillance capabilities, a satellite phone with its battery installed could be remotely monitored even when turned off or remotely switched on to eavesdrop on conversations. Thus, carrying the phone without its battery was basic common sense.
The satellite phone booted up quickly and located a dostic satellite signal. Lan Xue thoughtfully dialed the office number for Wu Jin. When the call connected, she recounted the recent events in detail. While Wu Jin listened, he directed his information personnel to track the location of Lan Xue and the others. When Lan Xue had finished speaking, Wu Jin glanced at the satellite surveillance video turned toward him by the information staff, his expression changed, and he urgently said, "Not good, armies are encircling you from the southeast and north, only a day's distance away, you must evacuate quickly."
"What?" Lan Xue exclaid in surprise, promptly alerting everyone, "Headquarters has monitored forces approaching from the southeast and north, about a day's travel from us."
"I'm afraid it won't even take a day, once the Arctic Bear soldiers pinpoint our exact location, they will surely send fighter jets or helicopters. Ask headquarters if they have any ans of supporting us," Luo Zheng said, his face turning cold as concern grew within him.
Lan Xue relayed Luo Zheng's words, and Wu Jin imdiately had the information personnel analyze the situation. A few minutes later, Wu Jin spoke with a solemn tone, "Heading south is towards our defense line, but it has been sealed by the Arctic Bear Military. Even if we send Special Forces to support you, it would take three days to reach you, and planes can't get there. Everything still depends on you."
"Three days?" Lan Xue's expression beca grave, her cool gaze filled with worry. She thought for a mont, then pressed the speakerphone and looked at everyone, "Headquarters says it will take three days for the support Special Forces to arrive. What are your thoughts?"
"It seems we only have to head west. However, once exposed, the Arctic Bear's Special Forces and even the Snow Bear Special Warfare Team will be hot on our trail," Luo Zheng analyzed with a somber face. Suddenly, sothing occurred to him and he quickly continued, "I rember that about thirty degrees to the southwest is a lawless zone."
The so-called lawless zone referred to the triangular area where Huaxia Country, Arctic Bear Country, and another country t. This region's climate was harsh and uninhabited, which inadvertently made it an area neglected by all three countries. It could be used to make an escape. Moreover, after being kidnapped and forced to parachute by the leader of the Wild Wolf rcenary Group, the Wolf King, Luo Zheng had previously navigated back to his country from that area and encountered Special Forces under attack, leading everyone to fight off the Arctic Bear in that region. Hence, he was relatively familiar with the terrain.
When Luo Zheng ntioned the lawless zone, everyone naturally thought of this incident, and their heavy expressions eased slightly, all turning to look at him. After a mont of thought, Luo Zheng spoke earnestly, "Since the other three directions all have pursuing forces, heading west likely does too, but they haven't appeared yet. They might even be the Arctic Bear Military's area of focused surveillance. Once discovered, they'd just parachute in troops. So, we are heading southwest."
"Won't we be discovered just the sa?" Mountain Eagle reminded him.
"Yes, no matter which direction we take, we will be discovered. We can only choose a relatively advantageous route," Luo Zheng said with a trace of helplessness, yet his eyes fird with resolve.
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