ebookland Chapter 329: Flames Shoot to the Sky, Joint Strangulation by Japanese Agents and Bandits
Chapter 329: Flames Shoot to the Sky, Joint Strangulation by Japanese Agents and Bandits
Just as Lu Shaotang was in a dilemma, Kazuya Uesugi and Muraki Kito stood halfway up a mountain two kilometers from the camp, their high-powered binoculars trained steadily on the main gate of the militia camp. At that gate, a group of people stood facing each other with torches, a tense situation. The moonlight cast a long shadow over their figures.
A glint of excitement flashed in Uesugi Kazuya's eyes, and he eagerly asked Muto Muraki for instructions: "Muto-kun, I think now is the best time to catch the 'Netherworld' team and the Military Intelligence Bureau agents in one fell swoop."
Muto Muraki slowly removed the binoculars from his eyes, a sinister sneer on his face. "Ueyama-kun, your thoughts coincide with mine. However, the 'Nether' team and the military have always been cunning. We can't let our guard down." He squatted down, spread the map on the ground, and turned on his flashlight, examining it carefully in the dim light. Then, he tapped the map lightly. "There's a hidden path from here to the militia camp. We can send an elite team to circumvent it and catch them off guard."
Uesugi Kazuya nodded slightly. "Kito-kun is indeed very thoughtful. However, I have a secret weapon." He turned to Zhu Erba and said, "Zhu-san, have your men bring over our Empire of Japan's Type 97 90mm mortar and two boxes of ammunition."
Although Zhu Erba was filled with reluctance, he dared not lash out in front of the Japanese. He could only wave his hand and call on a few of his bandits to carry the Type 97 90mm mortar and two boxes of ammunition. Along the way, the bandits grumbled quietly: "This thing is really heavy. I don't know what the Japanese are up to."
Kazuya Uesugi walked over to the mortar, gently stroking it with his hand, a smug look on his face. "Kito-kun, with this, even the cunning 'Nether' squad won't be able to withstand our fire. Let's set up the mortar on this secluded hillside and fire a few rounds at the torch-lit crowd gathered at the militia camp's gate. Once they're stunned, we'll send our elite squad through that small path and we'll definitely wipe them out in one fell swoop."
A glint of approval flashed in Muto Muraki's eyes. "Uesugi-kun, this is a brilliant plan. However, to ensure it's foolproof, we'll need to send a small force to conduct a feint attack from the front during the mortar bombardment. This will distract them and prevent them from focusing on the flanking units."
Uesugi Kazuya nodded in agreement, and then Kitamura Ki began to deploy: "I will personally lead the elite team to make a detour through the small road, and Uesugi-kun will lead the others to make a feint attack from the front." After that, he turned and walked towards Zhu Erba: "Mr. Zhu, I know that you used to be an artilleryman in the Northeast Army, so you and your men will be responsible for operating the mortars and make sure the strikes are accurate." Zhu Erba was furious, but he didn't dare to disobey, so he could only agree reluctantly.
Zhu Erba was filled with frustration, his face turning pale and blue. He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, "What do these little devils think of me? They just throw me away after using me, and let me control this damn thing!" But he could only nod and say, "Okay, Mr. Muto, don't worry, I will definitely use this mortar well." But when he turned around and faced his men, Zhu Erba's face turned sour, he spat and cursed, "Fuck you, everyone, cheer up and don't make any mistakes, otherwise no one will suffer any consequences!"
A subtle sneer played on Mutomura's lips, his eyes filled with disdain and wariness for Zhu Erba. He leaned in close to Zhu Erba and said with a forced smile, "Zhu-san, we've all seen your performance. If this mortar fires well, you'll be rich and powerful. If it doesn't..." He deliberately dragged out his words, his eyes instantly turning icy cold. Zhu Erba felt a chill run down his spine and nodded in agreement.
Muto Muraki led his elite squad stealthily along the winding mountain roads, the surroundings so quiet that only the occasional chirping of insects and the gentle clatter of footsteps could be heard. His eyes were fixed fixed on the horizon, his MP-34 submachine gun at the ready. Moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting patches of light and shadow that loomed over their figures. Meanwhile, Uesugi Kazuya and another team, alternating frontal cover, had stalked into the brush not far from the camp, quietly awaiting their opportunity to attack. Muto Muraki glanced at his watch, the seconds ticking away, each tick a ticking sound that pricked at his taut nerves.
Zhu Erba and his bandit minions set up mortars on the hillside. Zhu Erba looked at the mortars, feeling helpless and worried. Although he had served as an artilleryman in the Northeast Army, he was still unsure about the Japanese threat and the upcoming battle.
"Listen up, everyone! We're all in this together, tied to the same path. Do as I say. If anything goes wrong, we've all experienced the Japanese's cruelty!" Zhu Erba shouted to his men. The bandits nodded nervously. He began to observe the distance through a telescope and adjust the artillery parameters, while the other bandits frantically prepared their shells.
This side of the camp
Lei Tao and the others were still locked in a stalemate with Lu Shaotang. Suddenly, a burst of intense gunfire came from the front, and everyone turned to look. Lu Shaotang's face changed, and he secretly rejoiced, thinking that his reinforcements had arrived: "Hmph, just wait, my people are here, let's see what you can do..."
Before he could finish his words, the sharp whistling of artillery shells suddenly pierced the tense atmosphere in the distance. Lei Tao was startled. With years of combat experience, he instantly realized the danger and shouted, "Artillery attack! Scatter and hide!" Without hesitation, he threw Meng Xiaoyu behind the bunker next to the gate and protected her with his body.
Xu Keming also reacted extremely quickly. When he heard the deadly whistling sound, he immediately shouted at the top of his voice: "Be careful to hide and avoid the shelling!" Before he finished speaking, he exerted force with his legs, and his body bounced up like a cheetah, drawing an arc in the air. With a tactical roll, he jumped accurately behind a sandbag shelter inside the gate.
Hearing the shouts, the crowd scattered in all directions. Some crouched down, dodging left and right as they ran towards the nearby houses; others rolled on the ground and hid behind the boulders on the side of the road.
A shell landed precisely near Lu Shaotang and several other security guards, who had no time to evade it, and exploded with a resounding bang. The impact of the shell whipped up a cloud of dust and debris, like a miniature storm rising from the very ground. Lu Shaotang and the other security guards beside him felt like they were being toyed around by an invisible giant hand before this terrifying shockwave. Their bodies were instantly thrown overboard, tumbling and twisting uncontrollably through the air like puppets with their strings cut, before crashing heavily to the dusty and rubble-covered ground with a dull, startling thud.
Lei Tao tightly protected Meng Xiaoyu. The blast from the exploding shells hit his back like a sledgehammer, making his ears buzz. He endured the discomfort and shouted between explosions, "Everyone, find cover! Don't panic!"
Before anyone could recover, several shells whistled through the air. One shell struck the pile of supplies in the center of the camp, instantly igniting the food and fodder, sending flames shooting into the sky. Another shell landed near the makeshift medical tent, overturning it and sending the wounded screaming for help. Another shell tore down the wall surrounding the well, sending water spilling out.
For a moment, the entire camp was ablaze, with explosions and screams mingling like hell on earth. Broken limbs and debris were everywhere, and blood stained the ground red, mixing with the flying dust to form a shocking bloody mud.
Lei Tao tightly protected Meng Xiaoyu, feeling the heat waves from the exploding shells. He gritted his teeth, his anger burning like a flame, wishing he could rush to the enemy mortar position and cut those damned attackers into pieces.
Lei Tao quickly scanned the chaotic camp. He saw tents overturned, supplies scattered everywhere, some militiamen injured and lying on the ground, and some looking for cover. He shouted at the soldiers of the security regiment: "You bunch of idiots, you let people use you as guns. See, your squadron leader was killed in the explosion. This is retribution!" He turned to Xu Keming and shouted: "Brother Xu, this is obviously a long-planned attack by enemy spies. They must have a backup plan. You, the Military Control Commission, are responsible for the rear defense to prevent them from making a roundabout attack from behind. I will lead my men to meet the enemy head-on and destroy their mortar positions!"
Xu Keming hid behind the sandbags and stuck half of his head out to respond: "Okay, Captain Lei, don't worry, leave the rear to us! Be careful in the front, the enemy's firepower is fierce, be sure to pay attention to safety!" After that, he quickly turned around and gave orders to the Military Intelligence Bureau agents behind him: "Group One, follow me to guard the right side, Group Two, go to the left side, and focus on preventing the enemy from making a detour! Without my order, you are not allowed to fire without authorization, and pay attention to prevent artillery fire!" The Military Intelligence Bureau agents acted quickly, each rushing to the designated position, relying on the terrain to build a simple defense line, with the black muzzles of their guns vigilantly aimed at the rear of the camp.