Lei Zhengyang didn't pursue the sniper, realizing he'd underestimated these intruders. He signaled Wu Xiaomin to radio the squads, urging utmost caution.
He wasn't alone anymore. Dozens of soldiers relied on him. As their commander, he had to shield them, not lead them into peril.
"Cover each other and advance," Lei ordered. "Third Uncle, I'll take point. You bring up the rear. These guys aren't pushovers." Even without his warning, the earlier gunfire had shown the enemy's caliber—beyond the special forces' ability to handle alone. Their strength lay in numbers.
Lei, Wu Xiaomin, the foreign woman Annie, and the soldiers moved forward warily. Lei wasn't worried about his squad—with him leading, no enemy was too strong. The other squads, however, relied on their numbers and month-long familiarity with the terrain. They'd scoured these dozens of kilometers and wouldn't get lost, but the threat remained. These opponents were brutally formidable.
Lei considered recalling everyone but held back. Bloodshed might forge faster growth. Some would die, but survivors would emerge stronger. Gains always demanded losses—nothing came free.
Miles away, Saber Team clashed with their deadliest foe: Lian Si's crew.
As a globally feared unit, Saber Team was no stranger to Lian Si. Years ago, he'd faced Knife's Charm in combat, nearly dying. Bedridden for half a year, he survived, but Knife remained the most awe-inspiring—and terrifying—force he'd ever encountered.
To his relief, Knife wasn't here. Lian Si didn't take Knife's disciples seriously.
Three hundred million dollars was tempting, but causing Knife trouble—killing a few of his men—was just as appealing. Spotting Cold Wind, Lian Si ordered a full assault, sidelining the couriers to focus on crushing the Saber squad.
Bullets whizzed, grenades exploded one after another, and smoke billowed skyward. Cold Wind hadn't anticipated such ferocious foes. The frontal clash had barely begun, and one teammate was already wounded. Juggling command and protecting Hua Yunyue, he was stretched thin.
"Let Knife know I'm the sky's eagle!" Lian Si roared venomously. "He'll pay for crossing me—in blood!" His machine gun sprayed wildly. Rolling forward three meters, his bald henchman instantly took his former position.
Cold Wind signaled retreat with two fingers. The enemy's strength exceeded the squad's expectations. He needed to request backup from Knife. One-on-one, he feared no one, but the odds were grim.
Hua Yunyue, dagger in hand, crouched in a thicket, her eyes cold as she tracked shadows below. In a flash, she leaped like a fox, her blade slicing a gunman's throat before he could react.
The gunman's scream cut short as his body slumped. Bullets rained down, riddling his corpse into a sieve, though Hua Yunyue had already vanished.
Lian Si flashed two fingers to his bald ally, tapping backward. The bald man nodded, leading another gunman to flank her.
Despite his bulk, the bald man moved like a raging buffalo, trailed by a wiry gunman wielding a machine gun with deadly precision. Covering his partner, the gunman fired at potential hiding spots, leaves scattering amid relentless gunfire.
Hua Yunyue, wielding Knife's fierce true qi, was a fiery force despite her gender. But a misstep snapped a dry twig, alerting the duo. The wiry gunman, without turning, fired instantly.
A master marksman, he shot in a mere second. Hua Yunyue rolled, a bullet grazing her arm, leaving a bloody streak. Her uniform stained red, pain searing, she was wounded.
No time to hesitate—the duo pounced. Facing the bald man, Hua Yunyue knew the gunman was the real threat. His uncanny aim was a constant danger unless neutralized.
Flinging a handful of dirt, she darted out. Gunfire erupted, splintering a tree. She switched cover, but her position was exposed, her advantage gone.
"Coordinates 456! Senior Sister, save me or I'm done!" she gasped.
The bald man and gunman advanced cautiously, wary of Hua Yunyue's skill and potential for a desperate strike, giving her a fleeting chance to call for help.
Miles away, Wu Xiaomin's blood ran cold, hearing the frantic call and distant gunfire through her comms. Spreading the map, she pinpointed coordinates 456. "Zhengyang, five miles right—Yunyue's in danger. We need to rescue her. Saber Team's under attack."
"Saber Team?" Qiuping scoffed. "They're the military's best. Under attack? Your junior sister's pulling your leg."
Lei, however, recalled a vague memory of Hua Yunyue's death. Uncertain but cautious, he couldn't ignore it. This trap was his plan, and Saber Team was part of it—he couldn't let them die.
"Third Uncle, take Fifth Squad and move right," Lei ordered. "I'm heading to support them now."
Wu pointed at Annie, hands bound, sitting on the ground. "What about her?"
"Watch her," Lei said coldly. "If she tries to escape, kill her." No trace of chivalry remained. Without Annie, Hua Yunyue wouldn't be in peril. Sparing her was mercy enough—if she misbehaved, he'd show none.
With a murderous declaration, Lei leaped, vanishing into the jungle. Annie stood, gazing after him, sighing, "Such a heartless man. Not my type." Turning, she batted her eyes at Qiuping. "Hey, handsome, got any water? I'm parched."
Wu's hand cracked across her face. "Shut it! Speak again, and I'll treat it as escape—then I shoot."
Annie clammed up, her flirty glances ceasing. She saw Wu meant business. Lei had entrusted her to Wu for a reason—women showed no mercy to each other.
Qiuping caught another glare, inwardly groaning. I didn't say anything—why glare at me? Knowing Wu was pissed, he stayed quiet, barking, "Everyone, regroup! Shift direction, search right. Four-man teams, stay sharp."
Hua Yunyue was in deep trouble. Drawing two enemies' fire had helped Saber Team, but now she was pinned. Exhaling, she knew every escape route had a gun trained on her. She shed her jacket, propping it on a makeshift cross.
Footsteps closed in. Hua Yunyue acted, tossing the jacket as a decoy. Gunfire erupted, and she slipped out the other side, her dagger flashing like lightning. Fueled by crisis, her potential surged, true qi empowering the blade. It plunged into the wiry gunman's neck.
His eyes bulged as he collapsed, never imagining his end.
Hua Yunyue gave the bald man no time to aim. Bracing against a sapling, she vaulted upward. A shot rang out, a bullet striking her leg. Luckily, it was his last round.
The gun clicked empty. The bald man tossed it, charging forward. Hua Yunyue rose, their killing intent clashing. He hadn't expected a woman, his eyes glinting with lust. Licking his thick lips, he eyed her like a feast, practically drooling.
Bloodied and disheveled, Hua Yunyue's jacket was gone, her shirt and vest torn, exposing patches of pale skin. Her icy demeanor made her a captivating masterpiece.
Her leg and arm bled, but she didn't waver. Knife's teachings rang clear: in despair, face danger head-on for a chance at survival. The bald man, twice her size and radiating menace, didn't scare her. Instead, her body surged with the thrill of battle.
Grinning wickedly, he lunged like a bear on a lamb, utterly unrestrained.