Chapter 37 "Are you an angel?"

  November 1943, outskirts of Changde.

  Gunsmoke filled the air, artillery fire raged on, Japanese troops attacking the city were engaged in fierce fighting with Nationalist forces defending the outskirts of Changde.

  Several US P-51 Mustang fighter planes are diving and strafing Japanese troops.

  In a fighter plane, Lieutenant Kate saw the devils being beaten by herself, rolling over and howling, excitedly shouting loudly.

  On the National Army's position, Wen Gongtuan team leader Lao Fangzheng led Xiaoyu and other team members to transport ammunition to the position. Seeing the Allied planes bombing the Japanese army's position, the team members and the soldiers on the position shouted loudly at the planes in the sky: "Long live the Air Force brothers! Long live the Allies!"

  Anti-aircraft guns of the Japanese army fired at the fighter planes, shells bursting all around Kate's plane.

  Kate's plane was hit by a bullet on the right wing, and it caught fire. She desperately controlled the control stick, and the cockpit also burst into flames. The big fire burned around Kate, and she desperately shouted: "Oh my god, am I going to die? I'll never fly again!"

  The plane was hit again, a cannon shell pierced the cockpit and Kate's shoulder was struck by shrapnel, blood gushing out.

  The plane descended rapidly underground, Kate unfastened her seatbelt and opened the hatch.

  The plane, engulfed in flames and emitting black smoke, crashed into the forest on a distant mountain with a loud "boom", sending up thick black smoke. Meanwhile, a white parachute appeared in the sky, slowly descending like a dandelion.

  On the Japanese army's position, Iwai held up binoculars and watched as a parachute slowly descended. He put down his binoculars, drew his sword, and swung it in the direction of the parachute. Kuroda led a team of soldiers to charge in that direction immediately.

  At this time, Captain Guo's guerrilla team also discovered the parachute that was slowly falling.

  National Army Garrison

  In the barracks, Huang Xintian sat at a table, remolding a small Buddha with mud. Lao Cao, Lao Yang, Shuangzi, Zhou Guangren and other soldiers were all inspecting their weapons.

  Liu Canmou and Qin Zhiyong walked into the barracks, the two had just received a mission from the regimental headquarters to search for American pilots. As soon as everyone saw their expressions, they knew there was a new task, and they all stood up one after another.

  "Fall in!"

  The warriors picked up their guns and ran out of the barracks quickly, Huang Xintian put the pinched mud Buddha on the Buddha niche, picked up his gun and hunting knife, and followed them running out of the barracks.

  A battle to search for Allied pilots has begun...

  At this time, Lieutenant Kate was hanging upside down from a tree. He struggled to pull out his dagger and cut off the parachute's harness, and he also fell off the tree. A huge branch also fell with him, hitting his leg. Kate let out a miserable cry, he struggled to sit up, wanting to move the branch but couldn't.

  Kate glanced at her wound, which was still bleeding. She had to use a scarf and the belt on her flight suit to dress it simply, then lay down exhausted and gradually fell into a daze...

  After a long and arduous journey, Old Yang, Old Cao, and Zhou Guangren finally found the scattered wreckage of the plane in the mountains.

  Many trees around were charred and still smoking.

  Old Yang looked around and said: "The plane fell here, the pilot won't be too far away, let's go find him nearby."

  Zhou Guangren: "Let's go back and report to the squad leader first, just say we found the plane."

  Old Yang: "We were sent out to find American pilots, not planes."

  Zhou Guangren wiped the sweat from his forehead and grumbled: "In such a big mountain, finding one person is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

  Lao Cao: "Why don't you go back and report to Pai Zhang first? I'll go with Lao Yang to find the pilot."

  Old Yang: "Right! Old Cao, let's go."

  Old Yang and Old Cao threw down Zhou Guangren and walked forward.

  Zhou Guangren hastily followed behind, anxiously saying: "That... how can that be? I'm going back alone, what if I get lost?"

  Zhou Guangren hurriedly caught up with the two of them, and the three people continued walking deeper into the dense forest.

  The first to find Kate were Liu Xiaoxi and Xiao Wang. Kate was lying on the ground, unconscious, and the two looked at a piece of cloth on the back of her flight suit with the words "Foreigners come to China to assist in the war, military and civilians work together for rescue" written on it, and they nodded to each other.

  Xiao Wang removed the branches that were pressing on Kate's leg, Liu Xiaoxi brushed away the mud and leaves from Kate's face, Kate slowly opened her eyes, she looked at Liu Xiaoxi in shock and said weakly: "Where am I? Ah... are you an angel?"

  Liu Xiaoxi stretched out his hand to signal him not to make a sound. Little Wang went under the tree to pull down the parachute hanging on the tree, but the parachute was scratched by the branches. Little Wang pulled hard and finally pulled down the parachute, but a large piece of the parachute's fabric got stuck in the tree fork.

  Xiao Wang used fallen leaves to cover up the parachute. The two of them helped Kate get up and walked a few steps forward, but Kate fell to the ground again due to her leg injury. Xiao Wang had no choice but to carry Kate on his back, but Kate's long legs were dragging on the ground. Liu Xiaohui quickly picked up Kate's two legs, and the three of them struggled to move forward.

  The piece of parachute fabric on the tree branch was blown away by the wind, drifting far away, and slowly fell under the feet of Qiū Shū who was digging wild vegetables in the mountain. Qiū Shū picked up the white cloth, looked at it, and said with delight: "What a great piece of white cloth! It's so white and soft, perfect for making a new dress for my granddaughter."

  Seventh Uncle put the white cloth into the bamboo basket for wild vegetables and walked down the mountain with a smile.

  At this time, Old Yang and Old Cao were still searching forward in the dense forest, while Zhou Guangren was far behind.

  Old Yang stopped in his tracks: "Old Cao, let's head back."

  Lao Cao: "Why?"

  Lao Yang: "The second ghost is right, this is really like looking for a needle in the ocean. Let's go back and report to Liu Canmou and Pai Zhang, this way of searching won't work."

  The two turned back and walked away, seeing Zhou Guangren walking towards them from afar, panting and holding a tree branch. Old Cao whispered a few words in Old Yang's ear, and Old Yang smiled knowingly.

  Zhou Guangren walked with a big sweat on his head, whispering softly as he went: "Old Yang, Old Cao, wait for me!"

  Suddenly Old Yang and Old Cao came running over from front and back, Zhou Guangren was startled, stopped in his tracks: "What's wrong?"

  Old Cao panted and said: "Devil!"

  Old Yang and Old Cao rushed past Zhou Guangren's side, Zhou Guangren was so scared that he threw away his walking stick and ran even faster to the front of Old Yang and Old Cao. Suddenly, his foot slipped and he rolled down a slope. Old Yang and Old Cao hurriedly ran to the front of the slope and saw Zhou Guangren covered in mud sitting at the bottom of the slope, both of them couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.

  Zhou Guangren knew he had been cheated and was so angry that he couldn't speak: "You——you guys——"

  Old Yang: "Second Ghost, you're really running fast!" Old Yang gave orders in Japanese: "Attention!"

  Lao Cao also laughed: "I told you to stand at attention, how did you end up lying down?"

  Looking at Zhou Guangren's embarrassed face, the two of them burst out laughing together.

  Zhou Guangren climbed up the slope, Old Cao wanted to reach out and pull him up, but Zhou Guangren grumbled and pushed away Old Cao's outstretched hand, continuing on his way.

  Old Yang smiled: "This little stubborn temper."

  Lao Cao rushed towards Zhou Guangren's back, laughing and saying: "Second Ghost, have you forgotten how you and Lao Yang made me crawl all over the ground? This is called one report for another, haha!"

  Zhou Guangren couldn't help but laugh as he recalled the miserable state of the two at that time.

  Xiao Wang carried Kate on his back, while Liu Xiaoxi lifted his long legs from behind. The two of them walked in a deep and shallow manner, stumbling along.

  Xiao Wang was sweating profusely, panting heavily: "Can't do it anymore, take a break, can't carry it, this foreigner is so heavy! Heavier than our family's cow!"

  The two men put Kate down and Liu Xiaohui was also panting heavily.

  Kate suddenly wailed out in her coma: "I won't fly anymore, I'll never fly again..."

  Xiao Wang: "What's he yelling about? Why is he crying now?"

  Liu Xiaoxi hurriedly held Kate's head in her arms, stroking his hair, and cooed like a child: "Don't cry, don't cry..."

  Kate also tightly hugged Liu Xiaohui and slowly calmed down.

  At this moment, Kuroda led Japanese soldiers searching along the mountain road, and Qi Shu came running towards them excitedly.

  Japanese soldiers with bayonets charged forward and surrounded Qiūn.

  Seventh Uncle saw Hei Tian, hastily bowed and smiled: "Ta Jun, I am from Hexi Village, you don't recognize me?"

  "Hei Tian looked at Qi Shu carefully, nodded and asked in Chinese: 'What are you doing on the mountain?'"

  Seventh Uncle stretched out his bamboo basket, sneering: "There's nothing to eat at home, dig some wild vegetables."

  Kuroda's eyes landed on the parachute fabric in the bamboo basket, and he picked it up to examine it carefully. Suddenly, he drew his military sword and held it against Qiū Shū's neck, staring straight at him: "This, where did it come from?"

  Seventh Uncle was scared, he pointed randomly behind him and stuttered: "Th-th-that mountain over there."

  Kuroda: "You, lead the way!"

  Seventh Uncle was busy and bowed: "Hey! Hey!"

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao walked ahead along the mountain path, while Zhou Guangren followed behind them from a distance, leaning on his wooden staff.

  Old Cao: "Second Ghost, hurry up and leave!"

  Zhou Guangren panted heavily like a horse: "Can't walk anymore."

  Old Cao: "Just now you little rascal ran faster than a rabbit, what's wrong with you now?"

  Old Yang laughed: "Just now was scared by the devils."

  Old Cao burst out laughing, but suddenly Old Yang stretched out his hand to cover his mouth, staring in surprise at the front. Old Cao followed Old Yang's line of sight and saw a group of Japanese soldiers carrying the Rising Sun flag walking towards them from afar.

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao turned around and ran. Zhou Guangren walked with a big sweat on his head, suddenly saw Lao Yang and Lao Cao running towards him one after another, couldn't help but be shocked, but quickly calmed down, sneered coldly.

  Old Cao panted and said: "Devil!"

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao rushed past Zhou Guangren's side again at high speed.

  Zhou Guangren looked at the backs of the two people and shook his head helplessly: "Is this interesting?"

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao turned around and ran back, one covering Zhou Guangren's mouth and the other hugging his waist, and without saying a word, they dragged him down the hill together.

  Qī shū led Hēi Tián and the Japanese soldier along the mountain path over here.

  Lao Yang, Lao Cao and Zhou Guangren were hiding in the bushes at the foot of the mountain. Lao Yang was still covering Zhou Guangren's mouth tightly, while Zhou Guangren was struggling with all his might. Suddenly, a sun flag appeared on the top of the slope, and Zhou Guangren immediately stopped struggling in fright.

  The sound of Japanese military boots treading on the dirt road grew fainter, and as it did, the three men slowly lifted their heads. Old Yang released his hand from covering Zhou Guangren's mouth, and Zhou Guangren let out a long breath, saying with gratitude: "Thanks to both of you..."

  The old Yang looked at the departing Japanese soldier and said thoughtfully: "It seems that we are not the only ones who are searching for a needle in the ocean."

  At this time, Kate woke up and saw Liu Xiaoxi using a belt and tree branches to fix his injured leg.

  Liu Xiaoxi: "Little Wang, go find Captain Guo and the others quickly."

  Xiao Wang: "Good!"

  Xiao Wang stood up and ran two steps before running back, saying anxiously: "There are devils!"

  Liu Xiaoxi stood up and looked over, discovering a group of Japanese soldiers walking in this direction.

  Kate saw danger approaching from the expressions of the two men. He pulled out his pistol, struggled to get up, but fell down powerlessly again.

  Liu Xiaoxi resolutely pushed Xiao Wang down beside Kate and covered the two with some dry leaves and branches.

  Liu Xiaoxi: "Don't let the devils come over, you all hide here and don't move, I'll go lure them away."

  Xiao Wang sat up and stubbornly said: "I'll go lure the devils away!"

  Liu Xiaoxi didn't hesitate, pushed down Xiao Wang and said firmly: "I'm more familiar with this place than you!"

  After she finished speaking, she pulled out a handgun and ran far away. Kate looked at Liu Xiaohui's back in surprise.

  Liu Xiaoxi hid behind a tree and saw the Japanese army approaching the hiding place of Xiao Wang and Kate, it was Kuroda's team. Liu Xiaoxi raised his gun and fired, with a gunshot, a Japanese soldier walking in front fell down, Liu Xiaoxi quickly ran in another direction.

  Kuroda and his soldiers turned around and chased after Liu Xiaohui.

  Lao Yang, Lao Cao and Zhou Guangren lay in the bushes, panting heavily, when they heard the gunfire, all three of them suddenly sat up.

  Old Yang: "Something's up! Quick!"

  Old Yang said, taking down the submachine gun and running towards the direction of the gunshot. Old Cao and Zhou Guangren also took down their submachine guns and closely followed behind Old Yang.

  Xiao Wang and Kate listened as the Japanese soldiers ran far away, then slowly got up. Xiao Wang helped Kate to walk into the dense forest with difficulty.

  Liu Xiaoxi ran while shooting backwards, soon exhausting her bullets. The Japanese soldiers closed in, and Liu Xiaoxi was suddenly tripped by a tree root and fell to the ground. As she tried to get up, several gleaming bayonets were thrust into her face...

  Lao Yang, Lao Cao and Zhou Guangren hid behind the bushes and witnessed this scene. Zhou Guangren saw his loved one fall into the hands of the devils, his heart was like a knife cut, he suddenly stood up, wanting to rush over, but was firmly pressed down by Lao Yang and Lao Cao.

  Lao Yang said in a low voice: "Second Ghost, you rush over like this, can't save her, and will kill her."

  "What's to be done? Two brothers, think of a solution quickly!"

  Old Yang: "Old Cao, you go report to the squad leader, I'll stay here with Er Guizi to keep an eye on them."

  Old Cao responded with a grunt and walked away with his hands behind his back.

  Several Japanese soldiers dragged Liu Xiaoxi from the ground, tied her to a large tree, and Kuroda whipped her mercilessly with a rattan stick. Liu Xiaoxi was beaten all over her body.

  The other Japanese soldiers sat in the bushes resting. Qiū uncle stood by nervously.

  Lao Yang and Zhou Guangren crouched behind a clump of trees, the sound of bamboo sticks striking Liu Xiaoxi's body came from afar, each strike making Zhou Guangren shudder as if it was hitting his heart, he covered his face and sobbed quietly.

  Old Yang gently patted Zhou Guangren's back.

  Xiao Wang supported Kate as she walked with difficulty, when suddenly rapid footsteps came from the front, both of them were startled, Xiao Wang raised his gun and aimed forward, Kate also drew her pistol.

  A few people emerged from the cluster of trees in front, and Little Wang took a closer look to recognize that it was Captain Guo and more than ten team members.

  Xiao Wang hurriedly shouted: "Captain Guo!"

  Guo team leader and others also saw Little Wang, hurriedly ran over, Little Wang with a crying tone: "Quick! Go save Little Xi sister quickly!"

  Captain Guo glanced at Kate beside him and said to the two team members beside him, "You escort the pilot back to the camp, the rest follow me!"

  Two team members took Kate from Xiaowang's hands, and Captain Guo pulled out a shotgun and ran forward with the team members.

  Kate shouted at Captain Guo's back: "You must bring my angel back!"

  Captain Guo ignored him because he didn't know what he was saying.

  Lao Cao ran while learning the call of the bush warbler, and soon heard the same password from nearby. He ran in the direction of the sound and quickly found his team.

  At this moment, Kuroda was already sweating profusely. He handed the cane to Qiū Shū: "You, beat her and ask which direction the flying knight went."

  Qī shū bù gǎn qù jiē, Hēi Tián bǎ téng tiáo yìng sā dào Qī Shū de shǒu lǐ.

  Translation:

  Seventh Uncle didn't dare to go and receive it, Hei Tian forced the rattan stick into Seventh Uncle's hand.

  Seventh Uncle still stood there motionless, Kuroda drew his sword halfway: "Faster!"

  Seventh Uncle took the rattan stick with a trembling hand, walked to Liu Xiaoxi's face and cried: "Child, what does the imperial army want to know, just say it..."

  Liu Xiaoxi gritted her teeth and turned her head to one side. Hei Tian yelled at Qi Shu: "Hit!"

  Qī shū was still hesitating, Hei Tian drew out his military knife and placed it on Qī shū's neck. Qī shū trembled and raised the rattan stick, lightly hitting Liú Xiǎo Xī's body.

  Kuroda put the sword back in its scabbard, rushed to Qiū Shū's front, angrily snatched the rattan stick, kicked Qiū Shū to the ground and beat him severely. Qiū Shū rolled on the ground, screaming in agony.

  Lao Yang and Zhou Guangren finally waited for Lao Cao, but when they saw that he had only brought one squad of soldiers, Zhou Guangren became anxious again: "How come there are so few people? Where is the platoon leader?"

  Lao Cao: "Director Liu and Team Leader will lead two squads in a frontal assault. We'll attack from here."

  Old Yang nodded: "That's good!"

  Hei Tian grabbed Qi Shu's collar and dragged him in front of Liu Xiao Xi, sneering at Qi Shu: "You, rip her clothes open!"

  Seventh Uncle shook his head in terror: "Can't... can't..."

  The Japanese soldiers burst out laughing loudly, and Kuroda slapped Qiūjié several times again, scolding in Japanese: "Useless old man, can't even do this?"

  Seventh Uncle knelt on the ground and kept kowtowing to Hei Tian: "No, no, this is a sin..."

  Kuroda kicked the seventh uncle to the ground and rushed in front of Liu Xiaoxi, grabbing her collar, just about to tear it open. Suddenly, gunfire erupted, and Liu Canmou and Qin Zhiyong led a team of scouts to charge forward, firing their submachine guns fiercely at the enemy. The Japanese were caught off guard, and before they could even get up, they were mowed down in droves. Kuroda hastily retreated to one side, lying on the ground, directing his soldiers to fire.

  Seventh Uncle was so scared that he hugged his head and crawled into the bushes.

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao led a group of soldiers to sneak up on the enemy, Zhou Guangren rushed forward, suddenly a gunshot rang out, Zhou Guangren's right arm was hit by a bullet, Lao Yang quickly hugged Zhou Guangren and rolled behind a large tree.

  Old Yang turned back and shouted at the soldiers behind him: "Get down quickly, the devils' snipers are here!"

  Lao Cao also hastily hid behind a tree, and the soldiers behind him all lay down on the ground.

  Old Cao shouted loudly at Old Yang: "Where is it?"

  Old Yang pointed at a giant tree in front and shouted to Old Cao: "It's probably on the tree!"

  Old Yang stretched out one finger, then a second, and Old Cao looked at him knowingly. When Old Yang stretched out a third finger, the two of them stood up from behind the big tree together, holding submachine guns and fiercely sweeping the dense treetop above. Leaves and branches were knocked down in profusion, and soon a rifle fell from the tree, followed by a Japanese soldier. Old Yang shouted loudly to the soldiers behind him: "Brothers! Charge!"

  Zhou Guangren has led the charge out first, and the soldiers are closely following Old Yang and Old Cao to charge forward.

  Old Yang ran under the tree, picked up the rifle that had fallen from the tree, removed the scope on top and put it in his pocket.

  Liu Canmou and Qin Zhiyong commanded the soldiers to rush to the big tree where Liu Xiaohui was tied up, firing at the enemy.

  The Japanese soldiers were beaten back one after another. Zhou Guangren had already rushed to the big tree, untied Liu Xiaoxi's ropes and carried her on his back as they retreated.

  Kuroda was about to shoot Liu Xiaohui when the flank suddenly remembered the sound of gunfire, and Old Cao and Old Yang led the soldiers in a charge, causing Kuroda to hastily respond.

  Qin Zhiyong had just finished loading the submachine gun and was about to change magazines when Kuroda suddenly rushed out from behind a tree, holding a military sword and pouncing on Qin Zhiyong. Qin Zhiyong hastily threw away the submachine gun and picked up a Type 38 rifle from beside a Japanese corpse, facing off against Kuroda.

  At this moment, both of them have recognized each other, it can be said that they are sworn enemies, and their eyes are especially red...