At dusk, the southwest frontier of the nation's border.
A head encircled with a halo of grass peeked from an inconspicuous corner atop a mountain, its cold gaze searching for something. The face, covered in camouflage paint, wore an indifferent expression toward life and death, swiftly retracting back. Shortly after, a SVD sniper rifle emerged, the sniper scope fixed over the eye to continue observation, resembling a wild wolf concealed in the dark, stalking its prey. Not long after, the figure retracted and remained still.
The chilly wind swept over the semi-desertified mountain peaks, stirring up a sky full of yellow sand as the dried grass twirled upwards. Dark clouds loomed overhead, the temperature abruptly dropped, adding a hue of solemnity to the desolate wilderness with the first rain of autumn imminent. Several mountain eagles screamed, their cries filled with defiance and pride, darted into the clouds and swiftly disappeared.
The undulating ridges opened up into a relatively gentle mountainside, fluttering with a glaring red flag. Beside the red flag was a cluster of low barracks—the location of an ancient path outpost along the border of the Huaxia Country's Northwest, below which lay a gorge, the only ancient path connecting the east and west within several hundred miles. This path was bustling in ancient times and was a golden route for smugglers; in today's peaceful times, deserted and barren, only this inconspicuous outpost stood guard silently, preventing illegal crossings.
The outpost had only one squad of men. Apart from someone on watch in the lookout tower at the square, the others were holed up inside their rooms preparing dinner. The desolate outpost led a monotonous life, aside from cooking, standing guard, patrolling; the only entertainment left was counting ants and chasing wild rabbits. Those stationed at the border outpost had largely abandoned their dreams and hopes, merely waiting to retire and go home.
Squad Leader Wu Kai was a veteran, from north of Ji, with a generous and righteous nature, and he was beloved by his comrades. If nothing significant happened, he would retire in six months. In this desolate wilderness, where even a bird was rarely seen, what achievements could he make? Without military merits, promotion was but a luxury.
"The rain is about to start, this damned weather, why couldn't it rain gold instead?" Hai Zi, you're the deputy squad leader. Go take a look, and bring a raincoat. Luo Zheng, that stinky kid, should be almost back. It's his first time to the center to collect supplies; don't get lost or be carried off by a wild wolf, that would be the Northwest Army's biggest joke. I can't lose face like that," Wu Kai said while kneading dough, not at all seeming like the highest commander at the outpost.
"Got it," replied a soldier who was tending the fire, tossing a piece of firewood down before standing up, towering at nearly 1.8 meters tall, his face lean and his body robust, his uniform clean and neatly pressed. Though stationed at a distant frontier, the soldier's spirit hadn't waned.
"Sergeant, do you even know Luo Zheng? Despite being new here, when he gets tough, not to mention wolves, even tigers would steer clear. Could it be the legendary inherited martial arts skills he possesses?" said another soldier jovially.
"Never mind what it is, that's his personal business. We all have our secrets. I warn you, if he doesn't wish to speak, don't pry; it only leads to embarrassment. There's time aplenty. If Brother Luo Zheng wants to tell, he will," Squad Leader Wu Kai added, "Zhu Zi, you've got half a year until discharge, right? What plans do you have for returning home?"
"Go back to farming, of course. Didn't learn much else in the army, but did get stronger. Seems like farming is most suitable for me," Zhu Zi said casually, a trace of bitterness flashing in his eyes. Who among the soldiers didn't want a spectacular feat? Who was content to return to obscurity?
Wu Kai said nothing more, the kitchen fell silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.
"Bang!" A crisp gunshot rang out.
"Where's that gunshot from?" Everyone was alarmed, immediately setting aside their tasks to look at Squad Leader Wu Kai.
"It's a Type 95, 5.8mm caliber automatic rifle," Squad Leader Wu Kai, with ears perked up, exclaimed, his expression suddenly changed, shouting, "Not good, it's our standard-issue automatic rifle, there's trouble! Everyone, follow my command, move through the back door, grab your gear and hold positions, do not leave the barracks, and watch out for snipers." As an experienced member of the outpost, although Wu Kai hadn't engaged in combat, he had heard plenty of passed-down experiences and sensed that something was terribly wrong.
Everyone complied, rushing toward the back of the kitchen which connected to the armory. Normally, soldiers kept their weapons with them at all times. However, this mealtime, after years of incident-free duty at the outpost, they had relaxed their vigilance enough to store their weapons collectively during cooking—a fatal oversight.
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"Bring the target over," the team leader ordered coldly.