Under the heavy sky, several military transport vehicles sped down the muddy road, the sound of raindrops incessantly pounding against the tarps mixed with the hum of engines and distant thunder, creating a chaotic symphony of disaster.
Dozens of new recruits sat silently inside the vehicles, their bodies swaying slightly with the bumps of the ride. Slanting rain poured through the open back flaps, soaking their collars.
Instructor Hong sat at the front, pulling out black raincoats from a burlap sack and passing them around.
"The eight villages affected by the disaster are spread far apart. Some are on the eastern side of Mount Jinnan, others to the south, and some are hidden deep in mountain valleys. Our vehicles can't reach them. After a while, we'll have to rely on you all to continue on foot."
"The furthest village is in a very remote area. The roads are treacherous, and with the rain, plus the constant threat of aftershocks, if this were a regular rescue team, it would take nearly 48 hours just to travel from the mountain base to the village."
"The golden rescue time for mudslides is 72 hours. By the time the rescue teams arrive, there won't be much time left for saving lives. But you're different. After undergoing multiple extreme training sessions, you can make it through this section of the road in 24 hours, even under these extreme conditions."
Instructor Hong pulled out a map of Mount Jinnan, spreading it on the ground and shining a flashlight over it as he crouched down, marking the map with a pen.
"After our discussion, we've finalized the initial rescue plan. We'll divide all the instructors and you recruits into eight teams, each assigned to a different village. The five villages outside the mountain range aren't too difficult to handle, but the three villages deep within Mount Jinnan are more challenging. Let's label them as Village 1, 2, and 3."
"Village 1, as I just mentioned, is located in the heart of Mount Jinnan. To reach it, we'll need to cross the entire mountain range in the shortest time possible under extreme conditions. This is the most difficult mission."
"To speed up the crossing, the rescue team can't be too large, but it can't be too small either, or there won't be enough people when we reach the village. So, I've preliminarily selected some people for Team 1's mission."
Instructor Hong's gaze swept over the recruits, his tone serious as he spoke.
"Lin QiYe, you're the first. You'll lead Team 1 for the rescue mission to Village 1."
"Understood."
Lin QiYe, standing among the crowd, nodded without hesitation.
His presence in the rescue team wasn't surprising. As the top performer in extreme training, crossing a mountain range under harsh conditions was no challenge for him. With the help of his Miracle Field, he could locate the trapped people in the village quickly and accelerate the rescue efforts.
"Next is Bai Li Tu Ming, Shen Qingzhu, Molly, Deng Wei, Li Jia, Li Liang, Wen Qingqing..."
Instructor Hong continued calling out names. With Lin QiYe, Team 1 would consist of eight recruits, plus Instructor Hong himself, making a total of nine people.
The personnel selection was no coincidence. Bai Li Tu Ming, with his versatility, could adapt to almost any situation. Shen Qingzhu's strength and speed in climbing mountains made her an ideal candidate. Molly's seismic abilities were useful for dealing with difficult terrain, and the three—Deng Wei, Li Jia, and Li Liang—whose abilities were centered around strength, were crucial for rescue tasks. Wen Qingqing's healing skills were essential for treating any injured personnel.
As for Cao Yuan, he wasn't included in this team. His abilities were less suited for rescue operations, and the other two villages inside the mountain range also needed help.
After announcing the teams for the other seven villages, Instructor Hong handed out the Star Knives for defense. A few months ago, the weapon warehouse had mysteriously emptied out, but they had since restocked, with increased security measures around the warehouse.
"This isn't just a drill, training, or assessment... This is a real disaster!" Instructor Hong's voice grew solemn, cutting through the rain. "I expect every single one of you to be fully alert and give it your all!"
"Every second we waste could mean the loss of a life. In three days, you will take the oath to become Night Watchmen. I hope you can lay the foundation for that honor with your own hands in this rescue mission!"
At the Disaster Site, Village 7, Mount Jinnan:
The collapsed mountain and mudslides buried what was once a peaceful village, leaving behind shattered homes scattered like shells on the sand, half-buried under thick soil and rocks. Only a few three-story buildings were still partially visible, their cracked walls and pillars sticking out in chaotic disarray.
A man, covered in mud, staggered through the rain, carrying a bamboo basket filled with mushrooms soaked by the downpour. His cracked lips trembled as he muttered in disbelief, staring at the destroyed village in front of him.
This was the place he had grown up in—no one knew it better than he did. He could recognize the fragments of the walls scattered on the ground, quickly discerning which house they came from, which roof tile had once been his family's.
Dragging his bloodied right leg, he tried to quicken his pace, heading toward the small house in his memory, his eyes full of urgency.
"No... no! Xiao Fang... Dad... Mom... wait for me! I'm coming back, I'm coming right now!"
Suddenly, his right foot lost its footing, and he fell to the ground. The mushrooms spilled from the basket, but he didn't look at them. He ripped the basket off his back and gritted his teeth, running forward again.
Finally, he reached a white house, half-buried in debris.
"No, no, no..." His body began to tremble uncontrollably. Tears mixed with rainwater slid down his cheeks as he frantically threw himself onto the pile of mud and rocks, digging with his hands.
"It's okay! I'm here! I'm coming to save you! It's okay... it's okay!!"
Sharp rocks cut through his palms, blood dripping onto the dark brown earth, but he didn't seem to feel the pain. His hands kept digging wildly.
His expression started to lose control, his voice trembling.
"It's okay... it's okay... Damn it!! Damn!! Why...!" His fists pounded the ground in frustration, his anguished cries echoing through the rain. "Who's coming... who will save us..."
Vroom—!!
A low engine sound came from afar, like the roar of a beast. The blinding lights cut through the dark earth, illuminating the wreckage of the village.
The man looked up in shock. A convoy of military green vehicles, like iron beasts, broke through the heavy rain, speeding toward him.
Before the vehicles had even stopped, shadowy figures in black military raincoats leapt from the back of the trucks, their boots splashing in the muddy puddles. They moved with incredible speed, charging toward the wreckage!
The leader of the group inhaled deeply, almost shouting with a booming voice that drowned out the torrential downpour, reverberating across the ruined village.
"Soldiers of the Great Xia Army are here! Reaper, retreat! Survivors... will live!!"