Chapter 65: So Easy (1)

  Li Ying and Tang San stared at him blankly, as if they had just discovered that Yang Ke was also quite good at pretending. Yang Ke comfortably swallowed the last mouthful of food, then looked up at the two of them and asked in surprise: "What's wrong, aren't you hungry? Don't waste it, eat quickly! If not, I'll pack it away."

  Li Ying suddenly smiled slightly and sat down, taking the plate of roasted duck from the table and starting to pack it into her bag. Tang San Shao didn't know what "packing" meant, but seeing Li Ying start packing food into her own bag, he immediately understood Yang Jie's meaning and quickly poured a plate of fried peanuts on the table into his own bag, without even looking at the devils surrounding them.

  Li Ying smiled, and the devils were immediately stunned. Although she couldn't conquer the city with one smile, several little devils found it hard to resist her charm.

  The devils were puzzled, ordinary people who saw them were afraid of getting hurt, even students were extremely frightened. But these three were fine, not at all like that. They looked at each other strangely and started eating the hot pot with tofu and cabbage as if they were competing in a contest.

  "What's your job?" a Japanese squad leader finally couldn't help but ask.

  Yang Jie raised his hand to stop Tang San Shao, indicating that they should continue eating. He slowly turned around and asked, "Do you understand Chinese?"

  The devil nodded. "Do you have eyes?"

  The devil nodded again. "Your, can't see what we're doing?" Yang Jiong said, Li Ying had already held back a big laugh, Tang San Shao also stopped his chopsticks, "Your, delicious, huh?"

  "Ah Kua!" The Japanese squad leader shouted loudly, "You, you're dead! Dead!" He raised his hand to stab Yang Wei.

  Yang Jie gently grasped the devil's gun, "Yours, slowly, let's go out and talk?" He easily removed the bayonet from the devil's rifle, leaving the devil stunned. With one hand holding the gun barrel and the other holding the devil's bayonet, still gripping his own school bag, "Two gentlemen, let's go, don't forget your bags, those are gifts."

  Like an adult leading a child, Yang Jie casually pulled the ghostly class leader out of the room. Shou Shang was having tea with Old Hu in the second-floor hall when he suddenly saw this scene and couldn't help but laugh and get angry at the same time. He stood up abruptly and shouted: "Halt! What kind of work are you doing?"

  "What's with your eyes?" Yang Yi asked calmly.

  "Ah!" Shou's IQ was higher than his subordinates, and he immediately understood the meaning behind Yang's words. He raised his hand to draw his saber.

  "Slow down." Yang Jie raised his hand to block the old Hu's covert action, "Shou Shang, after all, is on Chinese territory. Let's go outside and talk, I don't want you to cause trouble here. Go!" After finishing speaking, the Japanese squad leader surprisingly followed him downstairs obediently.

  Shou didn't know that the Japanese squad leader was reluctant to part with his gun, and once Yang grabbed it, the Japanese squad leader would be no match for him. He could only obey. Infuriated, Shou waved his hand and led the Japanese downstairs onto the main street.

  The cold wind made Shou shiver, but what really made him tremble was the sight of the building's exterior, where a group of burly men with guns were standing guard. Although they wore tattered clothes and looked like ordinary northern Chinese peasants, their vigilant movements suggested that they were seasoned veterans. He knew that this small town wasn't particularly important, except for having a water-land terminal and a bridge over the Jiuma River, which was why an imperial army squad had been dispatched to garrison it. Most of these soldiers had little combat experience, with some having only fired a few shots on the shooting range before being hastily sent to the Chinese battlefield. Compared to frontline troops, they were barely capable of intimidating ordinary civilians, let alone seasoned warriors like Shou, who couldn't help but feel a cold smile in his heart.

  Shou Shang's heart was bitter, not just because of this. The position of the small team leader was also obtained through the connection with his fellow countrymen, and it was only a few days since he took office that he encountered these enemies. Alas! Why did I have to choose this day to knock on the bamboo pole?!

  Forcing himself to remain calm, Shou looked at Yang Jiong, seeing him slowly putting the bayonet back onto Sergeant Xiao Ye's rifle, as if he was teaching his own soldiers a lesson. Without any guard, he turned around and faced Shou with an icy stare, as if the sword had pierced through Shou's heart. Cold sweat began to seep from his forehead.

  This time, a total of thirty soldiers were brought out. There were also ten sentries in each of the two watchtowers at both ends of the village. But now, all he could see was the dozen or so people who followed him up to the second floor. The other soldiers had vanished without a trace!

  The ones who were truly frightened to the point of not daring to breathe loudly for several nights in a row were the owners of those small hotels that received these special warfare team members. As soon as the devils appeared in front of the Shunfeng Hotel, the clever owners immediately discovered that the eyes of these unfamiliar guests had become bright, like wolves staring at prey, but also seemed to be restrained by an invisible rope. The air in the small shop was a bit strange, quiet to the point where even the mischievous little kid hid in the owner's wife's arms, not moving at all. The owner signaled for his wife to take the child and hide in the back, while he served them with a trembling heart, but a young man who looked very kind smiled at the owner, "Owner, you can also go to the back, this is the meal money, and the extra will be considered as consolation money."

  The boss forced a smile, but his face didn't show any joy. He awkwardly retreated upstairs and hid behind the window to secretly peek.

  It was as if they had received an order, and three people walked out of their store in a calm and unhurried manner, slowly approaching the two devils guarding the entrance of Shunfeng Wine House. One of them even picked up a paper ticket from the ground and flicked it, as if they were really going to enter the wine house to drink. But the boss knew that something was about to happen, and he hastily stopped his wife who wanted to come over and take a look, "Go, take Xiaohai away, this isn't something for you to see."

  As expected, one of the three actually saluted the devils and approached them. The two devils smiled and pointed at their tattered cotton-padded jackets, shaking their heads as if to stop them from entering. But the first two were already very close to the devils, and before the boss could understand what was happening, the devils had collapsed to the ground, their necks bleeding onto the snow-covered doorstep. The last one looked back and waved at the small store, and suddenly more than a dozen people emerged from it, armed with submachine guns. Of course, the boss recognized them as submachine guns, because he was a veteran himself.

  Facing the person who solved the ghost's problem without even understanding what was going on, the boss was very respectful. However, what happened next made him stay up all night in shock. Because from the hotel's cotton door curtain, not long after, people started to be dragged out, corpses, ghosts' corpses. The cotton door curtain was like a layer connecting the underworld, every time it was lifted, a corpse would be pulled out, and the person pulling seemed very experienced, gently as if taking care of their own children, as if afraid of hurting their hands and feet, and even slightly lifting them when crossing the threshold.

  But the boss knew that was absolutely a corpse. Because the blood between their necks was still dripping, sprinkling on the snowy ground, forming a red line. There were twenty-six in total, including the two at the door. The boss saw the corpses arranged at the door, like white-cut chickens with their necks cut off, sold by restaurants during holidays, tilted their heads, and the spilled blood stained the white snow red, then turned black.

  A peasant emerged from the wine shop, with dirty wool rolled up on his hat. He stood there for a moment, and the boss upstairs shuddered because he saw that man's gaze had penetrated through the window paper and seen him, absolutely seen himself. The light in those eyes was like sunlight, making it impossible to look directly at them. The boss knew this person must be the one, so he quietly sat down and peeked through a gap between the wooden boards under the window. He saw that man make a gesture with his hand, and immediately someone left.

  It's towards the direction of the bridgehead sentry post. The boss can see clearly that the soldiers are leaving in all directions, and people standing around everywhere. From these actions, it seems that the boss has returned to his old self. "We're no match for them!" the boss muttered to himself. "We're just a bunch of good-for-nothings! Alas, we who were once soldiers aren't afraid of death, but now all the officials have run away with their tails between their legs! The flag has fallen and everyone has scattered!"

  Then he saw Shou on the ghost child, hated and scolded, "Get rid of this damn thing, a scourge to women."

  Shou Shang could not help but glance at Yang Guang, and involuntarily shifted his gaze to his soldiers. Only one old soldier could barely maintain a calm demeanor, while the others hung their heads in shame, their hands trembling, and their legs shaking. Their guns were slung carelessly, not daring to point them at the enemy, fearing they would provoke them and bring about their own demise. These untrained soldiers were nothing more than civilians dressed in military uniforms.

  A true soldier is not his uniform, but his military soul. Shou Shang suddenly remembered this sentence, foolishly raised his head to gaze at the sky, a few large snowflakes floated on his face, making him suddenly wake up with a start.

  Xiao Ye's gun was less than a foot away from Yang Guang, and Shou Shang's heart skipped a beat. "Xiao Ye, take action! You stupid pig!"

  Ono's squad leader indeed wanted to take action, but he just couldn't control his movements, almost as if it was an instinctual fear. Ever since Yang Wei re-sharpened his bayonet for him, his heart had been in disarray. Seeing Shou's gaze, Ono finally found a bit of encouragement, took a deep breath, gripped the steel gun tightly with both hands, and suddenly stepped forward. But the foot that stepped forward unexpectedly went soft, half-kneeling on the ground, his body stumbled, and he fell to the ground.

  Ono himself didn't understand why he was so afraid, just didn't dare to make a move on this person who was within arm's reach.

  Yang Jie stood there, motionless, coldly staring at Shou Shang.

  "I surrender." Shou Ang was really unable to withstand Yang Wei's oppression and said in a low voice.

  "What?" This was also completely beyond Yang Kang's expectations, because in the early days of the war of resistance, a ghost like Shou who surrendered without a fight had never been heard of before, and neither had such a cowardly ghost.

  "I surrender!" Shou said loudly, "Put down your weapons, you're not even warriors, there's no need to die for this uniform. Neither am I."

  Toshio gave himself a sufficient reason and then put down his weapon. The devils began to lay down their guns one by one. Yang Jue later learned that Toshio and the others were not even considered part of the regular army, but were simply civilians who had been forcibly conscripted into the military.

  Shou was just a small grocery store owner, living a peaceful life with his wife and children, never thinking he would end up in China.

  Fight to feed the fight, train in battle. It's probably their fate that was decided before they came.

  "Take it away!" Yang Jiong waved his hand and led the way towards the town entrance.

  Shou Shang only truly understood how formidable these people were when he passed by the bridgehead checkpoint. The checkpoint had already been replaced with their own people, and the only heavy machine gun had been taken apart and was being disassembled into components. Looking at the person's skilled movements, even an old mechanic would feel inferior.

  Leaving Liushilu Town, six miles away, there is a large bayonet pit ahead. The troops stopped, and Shou knew that the time had come to know the result.

  "Captain," a very familiar voice sounded, Shou turned his head to look, ah?! That extremely despicable and fawning Hu Zhangzong, who was as gentle as a small pug, was actually standing together with this fearsome captain, and they seemed to be quite familiar? Oh?! And those insignificant little partners, like ants, were also standing here, each of them had been so lowly and without dignity, being ordered around by him, yet they were all standing here! That Hu, wasn't he the one who was slapped in the face by me just yesterday? That little lame girl, her skin was still smooth, unfortunately she was ruined by that knife-scarred guy. Knife-scarred guy? Wait a minute, wouldn't he also be part of their group?! Shou turned his head to look around, but didn't see him, this group of fearsome Chinese people, were actually able to put on such an act!

  What? Mr. Hu's men are asking to kill us? You! Don't you know how to treat prisoners of war? There are international treaties, aren't there? No way, I have to... Oh no, that person is coming over.

  "Shou Shang," Yang Jie walked to the front of Shou Shang, "As a victim, you cannot choose your own destiny, coming to China is not your choice; but as a soldier, you can choose your actions and restrain those under your command. But I'm very sorry, you didn't! What you did will be remembered in our hearts, when you go to hell, don't forget your sins!"

  "No!" someone shouted loudly, but it was immediately swallowed up by the cold wind.

  "Wait for me." A man was running over in the wind and snow, with a large bundle on his back. "It's Old Master Lang," said Hu Zhanggui softly to Yang Wei, "Old Master Lang used to be a soldier too, during the Battle of the Great Wall he was hit by the enemy's cannon and injured his leg, then he returned home and opened a small shop."

  Yang Jie made a quick gesture towards the warriors who were executing their tasks and strode forward.

  When Shou saw Old Master Lang, his anger grew even more. Old Master Lang was a man who always acted like a grandson, not to mention when he saw the imperial army, even when he saw those who did things for the imperial army with a knife in their face, they were all low and humble like a grandson. What's going on today? I heard that Old Master Lang's woman is very beautiful, Shou originally planned to go see her in two days, but... suddenly felt a heat in his heart, followed by a wave of pain spreading out, as if someone had taken away all his strength, his legs softened and he fell down. How did Old Master Lang's humble smile turn into that look? This was the last scene Shou saw before falling to the ground, dead.

  Mr. Lang's smile had really changed, it was a smile with a sense of relief and hope. He tightly grasped Yang Wei's hand, "Heroes! You are real heroes! I, Lang Yuku, may have been a soldier for a few days, but I know you are the true brave warriors who fight against the devils. I," he took off the big package on his back, "I don't have any other intention, these are all the cured meat and good wine that my store can offer. I know being a soldier is hard too, just a little thought, a little wish, I'm useless, good brothers, please kill more devils for me. Alas, I was scared stupid by the devils, only today did I wake up to reality, isn't life just about achieving something? Watching you brothers kill devils, I..."

  He turned his head and saw Hu Zhanggui, his face shocked, "I... you... Hu Zhanggui? You... originally..., no, ah, you chat, I'm leaving."

  "Hahaha," Hu the shopkeeper burst out laughing, "Boss Lang, what are you afraid of? I'm just like you, newly arrived. These heroes killed Japanese devils in my wine house, can't I come take a look? Treat them to some food and drink? It's perfect timing, they have something to attend to and need to leave first. Boss Lang, since you're also here, why don't we work together to help these heroes deal with the Japanese devils' corpses?"

  Yang Jiong was delighted in his heart, this Hu Zhanggui is indeed a character.

  The boss was a straightforward person and agreed immediately, nodding his head and saying, "Alright, no problem."

  "We two will take our leave first. We'll meet again someday. Oh, and it's not convenient for us to bring these devils' guns with us, would you two mind hiding them?" Yang Jiong said, having someone pick up Boss Lang's large package, they prepared to set off.

  "Alas, heroes, I," Old Lang said somewhat incoherently, "can't I use these guns to shoot the devils? After all, I'm also a veteran, although I'm disabled, but I couldn't just watch the devils bully my neighbors. As the saying goes, 'a good dog protects its three neighbors'."

  "Let's go." Yang Jie smiled and led his troops towards Dukou Town in the face of strong winds and heavy snow.

  At dusk, three miles away from Doukou Town, Yang Jie ordered the troops to occupy a small village. The village had long been deserted, with only the bare branches of jujube trees creaking in the wind, and the snowflakes were getting bigger, the accumulated snow on the ground was already thick enough to reach the ankle, and it was difficult for people to walk in some areas.

  "Let the warriors start a fire and heat up some food. We'll set off in 15 minutes," Yang Wei commanded simply, "Li Ying, do we have any contact here?"

  "There is. It's a spare, can't be easily opened." Li Ying meant that this contact point couldn't be used yet.

  "I have." Tang San Shao had been following Yang Wei's side, heard this, immediately said, seeing Yang Wei nodding in agreement, "Xiao Jun,"

  "Here." A robust young man walked in, "Third Master,"

  "Call him Paichang," Tang San smiled slightly, "Xiao Jun, go to the front of Dongkou Town and find Liu Mangzi who sells roasted flatbread. Ask him to ask around about Teng Qian Xiu Zi's situation."

  "Yes." Xiao Jun turned and left.

  Li Ying took the roasted * from the fire tongue and handed it to Yang Xun, then continued roasting the remaining few. Nan Wei Ren leaned against the wall on one side, closed his eyes and fell fast asleep. He could fall asleep quickly, having specially asked people for advice on how to quickly fall asleep, and after training a few times, he actually succeeded in doing so.

  The fragrance of Fen wine, lightly and faintly spread throughout the small room, followed Yang Jiong's side, Hu Yi greedily licked his lips, and with a flourish, he took over the tea pot, taking a big sip of warm wine, instantly feeling a hot flow dispelling the cold air from his whole body.