Chapter 11: The Eighth Route Army Is Searching for Li Yunlong! New Developments on the Road!
A perfectly intact regiment suddenly disappeared—this was undoubtedly a major military incident.
The deputy commander took the telegram and glanced at it, his expression darkening.
“Deputy Chief of Staff, what’s your take?” the deputy commander asked with a slight frown, his voice low and serious.
The deputy chief of staff pondered for a moment before speaking: “Li Yunlong was born to lead troops in battle. He’s endlessly resourceful in combat and never one to suffer losses quietly.”
“If things had gone wrong, Li Yunlong would have been the first to lead his team to retreat. He would never gamble with the lives of the soldiers in the New First Regiment.”
“So, I don’t believe the New First Regiment would have been completely wiped out.”
“But the New First Regiment has gone missing…” The deputy commander took a deep breath and murmured, “Moreover, they were facing the elite Sakata Regiment this time.”
“You know how formidable the Sakata Regiment is!”
The deputy chief of staff shook his head but maintained his stance: “I admit, the Sakata Regiment is indeed strong.”
“However, that doesn’t mean Li Yunlong’s New First Regiment would be annihilated.”
“Li Yunlong knows the enemy’s strength; he’s not reckless.”
“So, I believe it’s more likely that the New First Regiment was scattered!”
“Hopefully…” The deputy commander steadied himself and sighed helplessly. “Li Yunlong is truly a headache—disobeying orders on the battlefield, and now missing!”
He then looked up at the deputy chief of staff and said, “Chief of Staff, arrange for people to search for Li Yunlong and the New First Regiment!”
“No matter what, we must find Li Yunlong—alive or dead!”
“Understood!” The deputy chief of staff immediately took the orders.
Thus, the Eighth Route Army began the search for Li Yunlong and the New First Regiment.
...
While the 129th Division and the Eighth Route Army’s frontline command started their search, Li Yunlong was leading the soldiers of the New First Regiment on a rapid march toward Jin Sui Town.
Along the way, Li Yunlong’s unit ambushed several groups of Japanese soldiers, mostly relying on surprise attacks.
Even when encountering unexpected skirmishes, Li Yunlong quickly took control of the situation, turning the fight in their favor.
As a result, the New First Regiment suffered minimal casualties and even managed to gain some spoils.
What initially seemed like a declining regiment was gradually regaining its strength.
Li Yunlong even acquired a warhorse, which he rode, freeing his legs entirely.
Mounted on the horse, Li Yunlong led from the front.
The soldiers of the New First Regiment followed closely behind in neat formation.
From a distance, anyone would think this was a regiment of elite and battle-hardened troops.
As they pressed on, gunfire suddenly echoed from afar.
Li Yunlong instinctively turned toward the sound, but it was too distant to discern the situation.
“This road is far from peaceful—another round of gunfire,” Li Yunlong commented casually. “In these chaotic times, conflict is everywhere.”
Beside him, Zhang Dabiao showed no particular reaction, or perhaps he was simply accustomed to this way of life.
Living on the front lines of a battlefield in such turbulent times, it would be strange not to hear gunshots each day.
“Commander, should we go check it out?” Zhang Dabiao asked, holding a map. “According to this, there are no villages within ten miles.”
“So, there can’t be any other military units nearby.”
“This gunfire is a bit suspicious.”
“Of course we’re going,” Li Yunlong grinned. “We still have dozens of kilometers to Jin Sui Town, so there’s no rush.”
“If something’s happening, we might as well see if we can profit from it.”
“The New First Regiment has prospered this far because it likes to jump into the fray!”
“Hahaha… Commander’s right!” Zhang Dabiao laughed. “As you say, it’s a sin not to take advantage of a good opportunity.”
With that, Li Yunlong and his men headed toward the source of the gunfire.
...
Meanwhile, about three miles from the main force of the New First Regiment, a Japanese squad of roughly two hundred soldiers was besieging a group of people dressed in various garments.
These people wore predominantly tattered linen clothes, and some were even wrapped in animal skins.
Their attire clearly marked them as bandits.
The Japanese squad leader, Koichi Yamashita, was directing his troops.
“Imperial warriors, charge forward!” Yamashita shouted. “These bandits from Qingfeng Village dare to defy our imperial army. This time, we will annihilate them completely and make them pay for their ignorance and foolishness!”
The Japanese soldiers responded with fierce zeal, charging as if fueled by adrenaline.
Faced with such relentless foes, the bandits of Qingfeng Village fought desperately, but their situation was dire.
At this critical moment, Li Yunlong and the New First Regiment arrived, appearing right behind the Japanese squad.
Li Yunlong observed the battlefield through binoculars and noticed that the surrounded group was dressed as bandits.
Frowning at the scene, Zhang Dabiao smirked and said, “Looks like the Japanese are wiping out bandits.”
“Either the Japanese are after the bandits’ loot, or the bandits provoked them.”
“A single Japanese squad is overwhelming for these bandits.”
“Seems like these bandits won’t last much longer.”
Li Yunlong said nothing, continuing to scrutinize the situation.
Suddenly, among the bandits, Li Yunlong spotted a familiar figure…
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No-prize guessing game: Can you guess who it is next? The clever reader surely knows.
This book has been signed; the big explosion is coming.
If this chapter reaches over 20 requests for updates and more than 5 donations [currently pitifully none, no one’s even fueling it with love, desperately begging for support], there will be ten updates tomorrow... plenty of stock, begging for data support.