Chapter 287 The Last Spark of the Third Battalion The swamp under the night sky was colder than ever.

The smell of rotting vegetation, mixed with the lingering scent of gunpowder, filled my nostrils, leaving a bitter and astringent taste.

Gao Kai and Li Si, like two wild beasts that had just escaped from a trap, covered in mud and broken grass, tumbled and crawled out of the area covered by fire.

Behind them, flares soared into the sky and gunfire erupted from the No. 2 Battalion's camp, but they couldn't care less.

"Thump!"

Gao Kai's legs gave way, and he fell heavily into the muddy water, the cold liquid instantly soaking through his training uniform.

His mind was buzzing, filled with the images of Su An's two crisp gunshots and the hillside where Su An was hiding being completely engulfed by the firepower of the Second Battalion.

"Gao Kai! Get up! Don't lie there!" Veteran Li Si was in no better shape than him; he had twisted his leg in the roll and limped over to grab him.

Gao Kai's body felt like it was filled with lead, his eyes were empty, and he didn't budge no matter how Li Si dragged him.

"Why did I get up?" he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse like a broken gong. "We lost, it's all my fault, Li Si... we all lost... Teacher Su, she..."

He couldn't continue. The thought of that possible outcome made his heart feel like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, causing him unbearable pain.

Li Si froze, fully aware that Gao Kai was blaming himself.

He blamed himself for underestimating the enemy and for leading his comrades into the enemy's trap.

He felt even more guilty, knowing that under that level of firepower, the chances of survival were extremely slim.

But now is not the time for sadness.

"Even if we lose, we have to live! As long as we're not hit by bullets, we're still soldiers of the Third Battalion!" Li Si gritted his teeth and forcefully pulled Gao Kai out of the mud. "We have to find Liu Landi and the others! They're in the reserves, they must still be alive!"

Just then, a slight rustling sound came from the bushes to the side.

"Who?!" Li Si and Gao Kai, like startled birds, instantly raised their guns.

"Don't shoot! It's us!" a low female voice called out. Then, Wang Xiaoya poked half her head out, her face covered in mud.

Liu Landi emerged from behind the bushes with the remaining seven team members, each of them bearing an expression of unease.

When the two groups met, there was no joy of surviving a disaster, only a deathly silence.

All eyes were on Gao Kai and Li Si.

Finally, Liu Landi broke the silence. Her voice was a little strained, but she forced herself to remain calm: "Where's Su An? I can't reach her on the walkie-talkie."

Gao Kai took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and said with difficulty, "We... have also lost contact."

The next second, Gao Kai suddenly opened his eyes, pushed away Li Si who was supporting him, and turned to rush back, "Teacher Su, everything will be alright, I'm going to check that hillside!"

"Gao Kai! Are you crazy!" Liu Landi rushed forward and spread her arms to block him.

"Get out of my way!" Gao Kai couldn't hear anything anymore. His reason had been consumed by self-blame, and he only had one thought in his mind: to confirm Su An's safety with his own eyes.

"I won't let you!" Liu Landi blocked his way, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "What's the point of you going back now? The Second Battalion's guns are all aimed at that spot! You're just going to your death!"

"I'll go even if it means my death!" Gao Kai roared. "Winning or losing doesn't matter! So what if the exercise is canceled?! All I care about is her safety! Don't you understand?!"

This man, who had been as proud as a peacock in the gun workshop, was now completely devastated.

"Gao Kai, calm down!" Li Si also came up and pulled him back. "Liu Landi is right, we can't afford to lose any more people!"

“Yes, Gao Kai…” Wang Xiaoya and the other team members also gathered around. They were equally heartbroken, but reason told them that rushing back now would be futile.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Gao Kai struggled desperately, feeling like he was being driven crazy by this sense of powerlessness.

"Smack!"

A crisp slap echoed through the silent swamp, leaving everyone stunned.

Gao Kai was stunned by the blow, his face burning with pain. He stared at the woman in front of him in disbelief.

Liu Landi, a girl who usually seemed quiet and reserved, actually slapped him hard across the face.

Her chest heaved violently, but her eyes remained unusually firm.

"You think you're the only one who's upset?! If Su An were in trouble, I'd want to rush up and fight those bastards in the Second Battalion more than anyone else!"

She paused, took a deep breath, and looked around at the demoralized crowd.

"But what's the use of crying? What's the use of acting impulsively? Is it fair to throw yourself into this mess?"

A series of questions instantly silenced the noisy scene.

Liu Landi's gaze returned to Gao Kai, her tone softening slightly, but still carrying immense weight: "Gao Kai, think carefully about why Su An wanted us to split into three groups? Why did she have me lead seven people as a reserve force?"

Gao Kai's body trembled, and a sliver of clarity seemed to be injected into his chaotic mind.

Liu Landi pointed to herself, then to the team members behind her: "She anticipated that something unexpected might happen! She separated us to prevent the enemy from wiping us out in one fell swoop! She was preserving a lifeline for our Third Battalion! Now, there are seven of us here, plus you and Li Si. The nine of us are the only hope for the Third Battalion right now!"

She pointed in the direction of Battalion No. 2, "Now, the enemy is in the open, celebrating their 'victory'. They think we've been decimated, or even wiped out! They never dream that right under their noses, there's still a force like ours!"

"The enemy is in the open, while we are in the shadows! We haven't lost this battle yet! We can still fight!"