Chapter 62

  When the team stopped in a courtyard, the members' work could be temporarily settled. As for what this base was used for, how medical experts treated them, and not having to worry about it, it wasn't their job scope. Moreover, one of the principles of being on guard duty is not to ask about things outside of your work. The team members' combat boots trudged through the muddy ground, splashing mud everywhere as they walked into a room to rest. Local personnel brought over a thermos of tea for the team members to warm up. This country loves tea, and wealthy families naturally have better tea leaves. Poor families mostly drink coarse tea with thick stems and leaves. So here, you can tell a family's economic situation by their tea. Shao Hui took one look at the tea color, which was as dull as the city's sunset, and guessed it wasn't good tea. He took a sip, feeling the coarseness burn his throat, but it was still hot water that could drive away the day's fatigue from traveling far. He picked up the earthen cup and drank it all in one gulp. His body started to feel warm. After sitting down and drinking some tea for a while, the host invited the team members to have dinner together. The team members followed him into a stone house with only a few roughly made wooden tables and chairs, but they were arranged in a long row like a Western-style banquet. After everyone sat down, food was quickly served - several bowls of rice, some scattered onions, potatoes, and a bit of mutton, plus some tea water to make up the feast for tonight. Although it wasn't sumptuous, it was the best food the host could offer. During dinner, a thin local man held up his teacup and thanked them repeatedly. The team members stood up and sincerely thanked him back. There was no wine, the food was simple, and the banquet proceeded quickly - in less than twenty minutes, it had already ended. Here, there wasn't even a TV. The team members hastily washed their faces, took off their bulletproof vests, and went to bed to rest. They needed to recharge for the fatigue and possible unexpected events on tomorrow's return journey. Coming here smoothly didn't mean they would be smooth on the way back. It was just that they remembered Su Yue Song's reminder in their minds. The whole night, they were in a state of being half asleep and half awake.

  Two flowers bloom, each representing a branch. When the sun sets and the moon rises, Takar becomes a completely desolate dead city. There are no streetlights or household lights. From a distance, it seems as if there was never a city here. The government army and the local armed forces coexist without interfering with each other. At night, there are no more nocturnal attackers. Without them, there would be no sudden explosions. The nighttime attackers are very frightening. They often drive out in a pickup truck with a mortar gun in the back. When they approach their target, they fire one shot and immediately leave, waiting for another day to fight. This is similar to how Zuo Ming harasses his girlfriend. In Basera, if a city's night is even without explosions, it would be incredibly quiet. Fortunately, an old building still faintly reveals a glimmer of light, like the darkness indicating that this is where human society resides.

  The windows facing the street in this room have fallen curtains. The pale light is scattered in every corner. The curtains isolate the darkness and light outside. Inside, it was filled with thick smoke, shrouding the five people on the chairs, as if waiting for something. Each of them smoked silently, not saying a word. Dead silence.

  Knock knock. Suddenly, a faint knocking sound came from outside. Come in. After getting permission, the door opened gently. A puff of cigarette smoke immediately escaped through the gap and out the door.

  General, I've found out clearly. The group that came last night were Chinese soldiers. They escorted several machines to the factory in the south and will be staying there tonight. The newcomer took off his hat and reported respectfully.

  Someone nodded slightly, with a very small amplitude and through the thick fog. But the newcomer's eyes were very sharp. He immediately turned around, opened the door and walked out. Then carefully closed the door. The house was quiet again.

  After a while, someone broke the silence: My suggestion is to cancel tonight's action. The other party is Chinese. Our nation has never had conflicts with China. Moreover, China is very friendly to various countries. We have no need and no reason to fight the Chinese.

  I agree with General Su's opinion. Another person took over the conversation and said: Although killing eight ethnic minority soldiers is not a problem, we must have a focus and be targeted. The Chinese army has never had any grudges against us, and we cannot take the initiative to become enemies with them. Moreover, he paused for a moment, the combat effectiveness of the Chinese people is very strong.

  You're afraid of them, are you? A person next to him poked his head out and lit a cigarette. Any army in the world that comes to Takar City must surrender to us. Our team is like other countries' armies, basically all boasting about their combat power. If you're afraid, then don't bother. I'll send Himalayan Giant Belly to bring back their heads and hang them on the square, that's it.

  I'm not afraid, you know that. The opponent didn't have any expression. The number of alien soldiers who died at my hands is countless. This time it was just a small squad of eight people. As for fighting me, I haven't even put them in my sights yet. I just think we don't need to kill them.

  The voice had just fallen, and a person in the distance was sucking on a cigar. After the cigarette head flashed and dimmed, he brutally pressed the remaining half of the cigarette into the ashtray. Then, he slowly spat out a thick smoke from his mouth: "It's not necessary. You've forgotten how much our nation has been bullied by foreign tribes over the years. How many of our compatriots have died at their hands? Have you forgotten the purpose of our alliance with Red Snow when we first formed it? It's not worth it. So many foreign soldiers are trampling on our land and people. Do they feel like it's worth it? And, you say they sneak in secretly at night. Is that friendly?" His words were very harsh, but his tone was extremely calm, making the listener feel chilled to the bone.

  Then let's fight. Now send someone over. The battle can be settled in five minutes. If we don't make a decision, we'll argue all night and still have no result. Another person chimed in.

  Right. But can't hurt those who are our own people in the base. Catch them and ask clearly before saying anything. If they have private dealings with outsiders, deal with them according to the rules.

  Cough...cough... Several coughs echoed inside the house. The rest of the people immediately fell silent.

  The cough continued. The voice began to have phlegm. After stopping, the man felt around and poured over a teapot, gulping down several mouthfuls of water. Finally, he suppressed the cough and phlegm together. He put down the teapot and paused for a moment before speaking slowly: General Babu, are you afraid?

  I'm Babu with a puzzled face. The old general just said that the one who didn't want to fight wasn't me.

  I didn't mean that. The old general picked up the teapot again. You sent a giant belly assault team to kill eight soldiers. What's in your heart isn't fear, what is it?

  Oh, the old general was talking about this matter. That's easy to handle. This time, no need to draw lots or send a giant belly. I'll personally bring ten people and bring back the heads of these eight people for you. Babu said, pressing his hands on the table, stood up and walked out of the room.

  No matter which country's people, as long as he is a soldier, must be killed and cannot be released, otherwise, if this precedent is opened, there will be next time, if so, our dignity in Takar will be gone, the old general said slowly.

  What Babu said about the lottery was not what it seemed. The Red Snow organization had detained a group of foreigners, including soldiers, adventurers, and merchants who came to make a fortune from war. After being caught and thrown into the dungeon, each would be assigned a number. These numbers were jumbled together to form the lottery that the four men were to draw. Of course, the old general wouldn't directly participate in the hunt. The standard for winning or losing was based on the weight of the prisoners corresponding to the four numbers. It was twisted - whoever caught the lightest one would be the winner. So what they brought back were not always four living people, but rather several blood-soaked skeletons with exposed bones. This was also known as "human sticks". To them, these people had already ceased to be human from the moment they were captured. What difference was there between a dead person and a skeleton?

  Autumn night. The sky is full of stars. A wide and broad silver river is galloping freely. Occasionally, waves rise up to form constellations.

  People are heartbroken... Not because love has ended. But because when everything is over. Love still remains.

  Wow, several teammates who hadn't fallen asleep yet exclaimed in unison. Who would have thought that Zuo Ming had become a philosopher after his breakup? His sleep talk is so philosophical. Wang Jianbin sighed with emotion.