The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 316: Return Crisis and Clues to the Netherworld

Like a meteor streaking through the heavens, Lei Tao, piloting his F-35B fighter jet, streaked towards Chongqing at full speed. The fighter's wings sliced ​​through the air like blades, emitting a dull yet powerful roar that perfectly reflected his eagerness. After careful consideration, and to avoid further trouble, Lei Tao landed the F-35B precisely in a secluded valley basin near Dazhuhe Town, west of Chongqing.

After safely parking the fighter, Lei Tao deftly opened the cockpit shield and swiftly leaped out. He quickly changed into his prepared business casual clothes and swiftly stowed the fighter and other equipment into the mysterious Bagua gyroscope space. After doing all this, he glanced around cautiously and took a deep breath, knowing that his top priority was to reunite with the "Netherworld" team as soon as possible.

The mountain path twisted and turned, like a dormant giant python, coiled beneath Lei Tao's feet. The surroundings were oppressively quiet, the air seemingly frozen. Occasionally, the sharp and abrupt calls of unknown birds added to the tense atmosphere, and Lei Tao's footsteps were particularly clear in the silence.

As he walked, Lei Tao suddenly felt his foot slip, losing his balance and falling uncontrollably forward. Startled, he instinctively reached out to grab something, but only grabbed air. In the nick of time, he glimpsed a deep pit ahead, half-hidden by dead branches and fallen leaves, with sharp wooden stakes looming in the pits.

Lei Tao exerted force, twisting his waist and abdomen. With a flick of his right hand, he mentally retrieved a bayonet from the Bagua spinning top and thrust it fiercely into the trunk of a nearby tree. The bayonet's sharp edge instantly sank into the trunk, and the powerful reaction force gave his leaning body some support. His arm trembled slightly from the impact, and his knuckles were numb from the shock, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

The moment he regained his balance, Lei Tao's eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, trying to find the cause of his sudden loss of balance. He saw a thick layer of fallen leaves covering the ground beneath his feet. Beneath the leaves lay several stones that had been moved, clearly a trap set by someone to cause passersby to stumble.

He pulled the bayonet out of the tree trunk with force, bringing up a piece of wood chips. He took a deep breath to calm the panting caused by the intense movement just now, and then he put the bayonet into the space of the Bagua Gyroscope.

He calmed himself down and looked around, and found that there were many similar traps nearby. Some were very hidden, and some had some clues. It seemed that this forest was not as peaceful as it seemed.

Before he could recover, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. He was instantly alert, his nerves tense once more, and he quickly ducked behind a sturdy tree. He saw several suspicious-looking individuals approaching him. The leader had a ferocious face, a pistol strapped to his waist, and a menacing expression, clearly no pushover. Lei Tao mused to himself that these individuals were most likely bandits taking advantage of the situation. If he engaged them, it would be a hassle to deal with them. Furthermore, he didn't know whether the traps were set by them or by local hunters. In this complex environment, he had to proceed with extreme caution.

Lei Tao hid behind a tree, not daring to breathe, his eyes fixed on the men walking towards him. He saw the bandits searching for something as they walked, muttering from time to time, "Where is that iron bird hiding? The boss said there's a huge reward for finding it."

Just then, a skinny bandit, seemingly on the lookout for something, quickly approached the tree where Lei Tao was hiding. Lei Tao pulled out an M1911 pistol, loaded it, and engaged the safety with one hand, ready to fight at any moment. The bandit approached, and Lei Tao could even hear his heavy breathing. Suddenly, the bandit stepped on the edge of a hidden trap and fell forward, letting out a terrified scream.

The other bandits heard the noise and gathered around, shouting, "What's going on?" "You idiot, don't you watch where you walk?" The bandit leader, with a face full of flesh, scolded impatiently, "Stop arguing and get him out!"

While the bandits were in chaos, Lei Tao quietly retreated, intending to bypass them. But after taking a few steps, he heard the bandit leader shout, "Something's wrong, there must be someone nearby, search for them!" Then, a chaotic sound of footsteps came chasing in his direction.

Lei Tao quickened his pace, weaving through the forest. Suddenly, he spotted a cave ahead. Without a second thought, he dodged inside. The cave was filled with a pungent, damp smell, and the faint sound of dripping water. As soon as Lei Tao had hidden, the bandits chased him to the cave entrance.

"They can't get far. They might be hiding nearby. Search them carefully!" the bandit leader's voice rang out from outside the cave. Lei Tao held his breath, gripped his bayonet tightly, and stared intently at the cave entrance.

A bandit cautiously entered the cave, torch in hand, illuminating the dim space. Lei Tao clung to the cave wall, not daring to breathe. The bandit approached step by step. Lei Tao could see the nervous expression on his face and could feel his own pounding heartbeat. Just as the bandit was about to discover him, a strange rustling sound suddenly came from the depths of the cave. It sounded like some huge, unknown creature slowly wriggling, or like countless insects crawling frantically, a terrifying sound.

The bandit shuddered with fear and quickly turned and ran towards the cave entrance, shouting, "There's...there's something!" The other bandits heard the shouting and panicked. The bandit leader cursed, "You cowards! Don't panic, go in and take a look!" But his voice was also trembling.

Taking advantage of the bandits' hesitation at the cave entrance, Lei Tao quickly snapped the safety on his M1911 pistol and neatly tucked it into the custom-made holster at his waist. After a quick scan of the cave to confirm he hadn't left anything behind, he crouched down and, with slow but nimble steps, slipped out through another exit.

As soon as he entered the forest, Lei Tao broke into a run like an arrow. Mist filled the air, casting shadows over the trees. He knew time was running out, and the bandits could catch up at any moment, so he didn't dare to pause.

A massive tree fell across the road ahead, blocking his path. Without hesitation, Lei Tao pushed off the ground with his left foot as he neared the tree, using the momentum to leap high into the air. He placed his hands precisely on the trunk, pushed hard, and glided lightly over it, landing steadily on the ground before continuing his mad dash forward.

He hadn't run far when a raging mountain stream stretched before him. Though narrow, the current was swift, and beneath it lay jagged rocks. Lei Tao didn't slow down at all. As he neared the stream's edge, he took a deep breath, thrust his legs together, and leaped high like a cheetah. In mid-air, he leaned forward slightly, swinging his arms rapidly for balance. Just as he was about to hit the other side, he tapped his toes on a protruding rock, leveraging his momentum once more to successfully leap across the stream.

Finally, with all his might, he reached the top. Standing there, looking down at the scene before him, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Through layers of mist and dense foliage, the outline of Dazhuhe Town loomed. Lei Tao breathed a sigh of relief and headed down the mountain toward the town.

At noon, as the sun poured down, Lei Tao arrived at Dazhuhe Town. The town was bustling with people, the air brimming with life. Street stalls were densely packed, overflowing with colorful goods. At the cloth vendors, fabrics swayed gently in the breeze; at the snack stalls, steam rose and the aroma filled the air. The vendors' cries echoed in the air, creating a bustling atmosphere.

But Lei Tao had no interest in appreciating the bustling scene. His eyes were filled with unconcealed anxiety and vigilance, and he hurried through the crowd. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, constantly scanning the surroundings, leaving no corner untouched, searching for more information. After searching for a while, Lei Tao finally found a small, unassuming teahouse on the street. He ordered a bowl of tea and quietly sat down in a corner. He lowered his head slightly, seemingly sipping his tea leisurely, but in fact, his peripheral vision was quietly observing the surroundings. Just then, the hushed conversation of two large men at the next table caught his attention like a magnet.