Chapter 212 - 192: The Inviolable Backbone

Chapter 212: Chapter 192: The Inviolable Backbone

"The spies are here! Don’t let them get away! Open fire!"

The Civilian Militia Captain leading the group showed no fear, immediately ordering the militia to open fire.

Instantly, a cacophony of gunfire erupted from all kinds of weapons. There were decent ones, like Zhou Mancang’s Type 53 carbine, and shoddy ones, like old Chiang Kai-shek rifles with completely worn-out rifling. Basically, anything that could shoot, shot. Plumes of gray smoke rose here and there—the telltale sign of black powder muskets. The acrid smell of gunpowder choked the air, drifting far across the mountain forest on the wind.

"Ouch!"

Takaichi Koinu cried out in pain. He’d been shot in the leg amidst the wild volley. Robe Sanae glanced at Takaichi, then, without a backward look, continued charging the militiamen. Their weapons generally had a slow rate of fire. This was his only chance.

Chen the Seventh, who had fallen to the rear, was in the middle of reloading when a figure sprinted past. Without a second thought, he launched himself forward in a flying tackle, knocking the man to the ground. But Robe Sanae was a skilled combatant. He rolled and sprang nimbly to his feet, raising the pistol in his hand and pulling the trigger at Chen the Seventh.

Chen the Seventh’s heart sank. ’It’s over. I’m going to die. What will happen to my children?’

CLICK—!

But as he pulled the trigger, the gun didn’t fire. It had jammed at the critical moment. Robe’s expression shifted. He drew a dagger with a reverse grip and slashed at Chen the Seventh’s neck.

BANG—!

A gunshot cracked nearby. A bullet tore straight through Robe’s chest. He stared in disbelief at Zhou Mancang, who now stood beside him holding the rifle. ’Me? A high-level spy, killed by a mere militiaman?’

Strength rapidly drained from his body. Robe swayed and collapsed onto the snow, the dagger falling from his hand beside Chen the Seventh. Blood gushed from the bullet wound, melting the snow around him into a crimson pit.

"Hahaha, great job! You two are heroes!"

"Old Qi! Mancang! That was amazing!"

The other militiamen rushed over, praising the two excitedly. But one of them was still limp with shock, while the other, having just killed a man for the first time, felt sick to his stomach, his head buzzing.

Takaichi Koinu, wounded and abandoned by Robe, saw the PLA soldiers nearly upon him. In despair, he raised his pistol, intending to take his own life. But for some reason, the man who was always so confident, so ready to die for his Emperor, hesitated. In the end, the PLA soldiers tackled him and pinned him in the snow, the trigger on his pistol still unpulled.

"Hahaha! Comrade Wendong, one spy dead, one wounded! The mission’s a success! I’m Tang Er, and I thank you for your help!"

After he spoke, the officer exchanged a meaningful glance with Chen Baoguo. The two of them rushed forward, hoisted Zhao Wendong up by his arms, and as more soldiers swarmed in, they all began tossing him into the air. Every face was alight with the joy of victory.

After being tossed a dozen or more times, Zhao Wendong finally landed, his legs feeling like jelly. By then, the main party had regrouped—some escorting Takaichi, others carrying Robe’s body. Zhao Wendong’s eyes immediately found his cousin, Zhou Mancang, and Chen the Seventh, who were surrounded by a crowd.

"Haha, Comrade Wendong, these are the two militia heroes who killed the spy just now. These two..."

Before the officer could finish, Zhao Wendong walked up with a smile and embraced Zhou Mancang.

"Are you okay, cousin?"

"I’m fine. Perfectly fine. Just... a little nauseous."

"Yeah, that’s normal. You get used to it."

Zhou Mancang froze. ’Do you even hear yourself, cousin?’ he thought. ’I just killed a spy, and you’re talking like you’ve done it a dozen times.’

Zhao Wendong turned to Chen the Seventh, but before he could speak, Xiaojin swooped down from the sky and landed on his shoulder. The eagle’s sharp eyes stared intently at Chen the Seventh. It cocked its head, studying the man as if trying to place a vaguely familiar face.

Chen the Seventh stared right back at Xiaojin. ’My plump little rabbit... My family went hungry to feed that thing, all so we could use it as bait to catch a hawk or something. And then this feathered thief just came and snatched it away!’

Seeing the man and the eagle locked in a staring contest, Zhao Wendong had to suppress a laugh. He fed Xiaojin a strip of meat and sent it back into the air, breaking their standoff.

"Brother Old Qi, my apologies. I only found out later that Xiaojin was the one who snatched your rabbit."

"Ah, it’s nothing. I caught him, didn’t I? So we’re even."

Chen the Seventh scratched his head with a good-natured, slightly embarrassed smile.

Spirits were high on the journey back. Everyone was invigorated, and they broke into song. Their voices echoed through the deep mountains, lingering long after. Zhao Wendong gazed out at the vast, wild forest. ’The people of this land know how to defend their home,’ he thought. ’These soldiers and civilians beside me... they are the unbreakable backbone of this country.’

At the foot of the mountain, Wei Dongliang and Director Tang kept checking their watches. The sun was beginning to set, and darkness would fall soon. Once night came, Zhao Wendong’s eagle would lose its advantage, and the risk of being ambushed by the spies would increase dramatically. They wanted to catch the spies as soon as possible, but they also didn’t want any casualties. The New Year was just around the corner; they couldn’t bear to see another family struck by tragedy.

"Dongliang, you don’t think... anything’s happened to them, do you?"

"Of course not, Director Tang. We sent so many people up there. They’ll be fine. At worst, they’ll have to pull back for the night and resume the search tomorrow."

"Sigh... I just wish this could be over sooner. We’re burning through a lot of supplies every day. And with the New Year almost here... Damn those spies. This year has been hard enough, with food shortages everywhere. Can’t they just let people have a peaceful New Year for once?"

"Look! I think that’s them coming out now!"

Jiang Weimin, who was standing beside them, suddenly pointed toward Dahei Mountain with a delighted cry. There, in the sun’s fading glow, a group of people emerged from the forest and strode quickly in their direction. The leaders and staff who had remained behind couldn’t help but quicken their pace to meet them.