The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
"Damn it! They beat us to it!" Wang Lei cursed under his breath, his face full of frustration. "Judging from these marks, they've been gone for no more than half an hour."
Zhang Mang didn't speak, but frowned and carefully observed the footprints on the ground.
Lu Chen squatted down, picked up a bit of ash, rubbed it between his fingers, and it was still warm. He then looked at the footprints; there were quite a few, at least four or five people, and they were quite deep, indicating that the other party was also fully armed.
"Their target is also point 2," Lu Chen concluded.
"What should we do, Brother Chen?" Wang Lei asked anxiously. "Should we chase after them and fight them, or take a detour?"
Chasing after them would likely result in an encounter halfway through, leading to a firefight in open terrain, which would benefit no one. Taking a detour would be too time-consuming; by the time they arrived, the enemy would have already established their positions.
"Chase." Lu Chen's answer was just one word.
"Chase?" Wang Lei and Zhang Mang were both stunned.
“Yes, chase them.” Lu Chen stood up, a ruthless glint in his eyes. “But not to engage them in a skirmish. We’ll follow behind them; they’ll be our best pathfinders. If there are any traps along the way, let them step on them first.”
That's a really cunning move!
Wang Lei and Zhang Mang exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of excitement in each other's eyes.
"I understand!" Wang Lei slapped his thigh. "Let them lead the way. Once they get there and fight the enemy who might already be there, we'll attack from behind and strike them in the heart!"
"Dream on," Zhang Mang poured cold water on the idea. "What if there's no one at point 2? They'll comfortably occupy the spot, and we'll just be throwing our lives away following behind them."
“So, we can’t follow too closely, but we also can’t let them find us.” Lu Chen pointed to the map. “It’s about an hour’s journey from here to Luanshi Mountain. We’ll keep a distance of about 500 meters. Zhang Mang.”
"What?" Zhang Mang looked up.
"Didn't you want to show off your skills before? Now's your chance." Lu Chen looked at him. "Your tracking and stealth abilities are pretty good, right? You're in charge of keeping watch up ahead and making sure they don't spot you. Can you do that?"
This was clearly a provocation, but it was precisely the most effective tactic against someone like Zhang Mang.
"Nonsense! Back in the day, I could track a leopard for three days and three nights in the mountains!" Zhang Mang thumped his chest, his arrogant expression returning. "Just you wait and see!"
After saying that, he slung the gun over his shoulder, and his entire demeanor changed. He was no longer the carefree troublemaker he once was, but rather like a leopard ready to hunt. He leaned slightly forward, his steps were extremely light, almost inaudible, and he disappeared into the woods ahead in a few flashes.
"Brother Chen, this guy..." Wang Lei stared in disbelief, "He's actually got some skills."
"Let's go, follow us." Lu Chen didn't say much, and quickly followed with Wang Lei.
For the next hour, the three of them put on a textbook chase.
Zhang Mang led the way, moving through the forest like a ghost, stopping every now and then to judge the movements of the group ahead by the slightest traces—a broken branch, a patch of trampled moss. He always maintained a perfect distance from them, neither losing them nor being detected.
Lu Chen and Wang Lei followed him a few dozen meters behind, adjusting their speed and direction according to the coded signals he left behind.
Lu Chen grew increasingly alarmed. Zhang Mang's tracking skills were not something one could learn in recruit camp; they were pure wilderness survival experience. Just who was this guy?
Soon, the terrain ahead began to become more complex. The towering trees gradually decreased, replaced by large areas of exposed rocks and low shrubs.
They have entered the outer perimeter of the rocky mountain.
Zhang Mang quietly retreated from the front and made a gesture to Lu Chen.
“They stopped,” he said in a low voice. “Right at the entrance to that valley, they seem to be discussing something.”
Lu Chen took out his binoculars, carefully poked his head out, and looked towards the entrance of the valley.
Five figures dressed in camouflage were huddled together, pointing at a map. Judging from the armbands on their arms, they belonged to Group Three.
The leader was tall and imposing. Lu Chen vaguely remembered him; he seemed to be the former vice-captain of the Tiger Team, and he was very capable.
They have clearly also discovered that this is the location of objective point number 2, and are studying offensive or defensive strategies.
"What should we do? They're about to go in," Wang Lei said anxiously.
“No rush.” Lu Chen put down his binoculars, a cold smile playing on his lips. “Let them in. This valley has only one entrance, which is where they are now. As long as we hold this position, they’ll be trapped.”
"You mean...we should ambush them here?" Wang Lei's eyes lit up.
“No.” Lu Chen shook his head. “We have too few people and insufficient firepower. If we ambush them here, we could be wiped out if they counterattack.”
His gaze swept over the steep rock walls on both sides of the valley.
"Wang Lei, come with me. Zhang Mang, you stay here and continue to monitor them. Remember, no matter what happens, you are absolutely not allowed to fire without my order." Lu Chen's tone was unusually serious.
"I know." Zhang Mang waved his hand impatiently, but his eyes were serious.
Lu Chen said no more, and quietly retreated with Wang Lei. Then, from the side, they began to climb up the stone wall on one side of the valley.
The rocks on this rocky mountain were severely weathered, with cracks and footholds everywhere. For two well-trained soldiers, climbing it by hand, though strenuous, wasn't too difficult.
Like geckos, the two clung tightly to the rock face, inching their way upwards.
After climbing for about fifty meters, Lu Chen found an excellent spot. It was a recessed stone platform, not very large, just big enough for two or three people, with a protruding rock in front serving as natural cover. From here, one could overlook the entire valley entrance and a large area inside the valley.
"Great spot!" Wang Lei exclaimed excitedly, lying on the stone platform. "This is practically a natural sniping position! If they pass underneath, they'll be sitting ducks!"
"Lower the rope." Lu Chen took out a climbing rope from his backpack, secured it to the rock, and then lowered it down.
This was left for Zhang Mang.
After doing all this, the two lay in ambush on the stone platform, keeping a close watch on the movements at the valley entrance with their binoculars.
Before long, the three teams at the valley entrance seemed to have finished their discussion and began their operation. They split into two groups, with three people leading the attack and two providing fire support from the rear, cautiously advancing into the valley.
Their movements were very precise, and their formation was well maintained; they were clearly well-trained.
Lu Chen and Wang Lei waited patiently.
Time passed slowly, the sun gradually set in the west, and the light in the valley began to dim.
Just then, a gunshot rang out from deep within the valley!
"Bang!"
The crisp sound of gunfire echoed through the valley, startling a flock of birds into flight.
"They've started fighting!" Wang Lei's spirits lifted.
Lu Chen immediately raised his binoculars.
Suddenly, a burst of intense fire erupted from behind a cluster of boulders in the middle of the valley. The three main attackers from the third group were instantly pinned down by the overwhelming firepower, unable to raise their heads. One of them appeared to have been shot and lay motionless on the ground.
"There really are still people in the valley!" Wang Lei cursed. "Those bastards got here even before us!"
Upon seeing this, the two members of the third team responsible for support immediately began to retaliate, attempting to suppress the enemy's firepower and cover their teammates' retreat.
Gunfire erupted in the valley, bullets scattering sparks as they struck the rocks.
An unexpected battle broke out.
The mysterious team in the valley clearly had the advantage of terrain and firepower. The three groups were forced to retreat, and soon a second wounded soldier appeared.
"Retreat! Retreat now!" the team leader shouted over the radio.
The remaining three men, dragging and pulling the wounded man, began to retreat towards the valley entrance.
The team in the valley did not pursue them, but merely drove them away with firepower. Their objective seemed not to be to annihilate the enemy, but rather to hold the valley.
"Brother Chen, should we make a move?" Wang Lei was already getting impatient.
The three groups are currently in retreat and their morale is low, making it a good opportunity to strike.
"Wait a little longer." Lu Chen's gaze, however, went beyond the two sides engaged in combat and was cast towards a more distant place.
He always felt that things weren't that simple.
The three groups retreated in disarray to the valley entrance, where they unexpectedly encountered Zhang Mang, who had stayed behind.
Zhang Mang did not fire his gun. Instead, he quickly retreated to the bottom of the rope and then climbed up as fast as a monkey.
"Damn, that scared me!" he cursed as soon as he arrived. "I almost bumped into it. What do we do now? They're going to get away."
"Let them run." Lu Chen's eyes remained fixed on the depths of the valley.
After driving away the three groups, the mysterious team stopped firing, and the valley returned to calm as if nothing had happened.
But the unease in Lu Chen's heart grew stronger and stronger.
Everything went too smoothly.
Everything went too smoothly. It was as if someone had written a script in advance.
First, a map was used to lure everyone here. Then, the two teams fought each other, one was defeated, and the other occupied the valley.
This looks like...
"Bait." Lu Chen uttered two words softly.
"What bait?" Neither Wang Lei nor Zhang Mang heard clearly.
Just then, something unexpected happened!
On the other side of the valley, on the cliff opposite Lu Chen and his group, several pieces of canvas disguised as rocks were suddenly ripped off, revealing dark gun barrels behind them.
Not just one place, but five or six!
A complete combat team had been lying in ambush there all along!
They have always been like venomous snakes, lurking in the darkness, waiting for the best opportunity to hunt.
And now, the time has come.
"Fire!"
At a command, a crisscrossing network of fire instantly formed, and bullets rained down on the "mysterious team" in the middle of the valley, who had just won a battle and were relaxing!
The team was completely unprepared and was instantly stunned. They had just gone through a battle, and their ammunition and energy were depleted. Now, they were subjected to a devastating attack from the flank and high ground, leaving them with almost no chance to fight back.
Screams and cries for help echoed throughout the valley.
The gunfire stopped in less than a minute.
In the valley, the team that was just moments ago so invincible had been completely wiped out, and blue smoke, signifying elimination, rose from their ranks.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!
This is the real "oriole in disguise"!
Wang Lei and Zhang Mang were dumbfounded, a chill running down their spines.
If they had acted rashly and rushed down to seize the valley, they would be the ones emitting blue smoke now.
"Damn... these guys are too cunning..." Wang Lei finally managed to utter a sentence after a long while.
Lu Chen's expression, however, was extremely solemn.
He recognized the tactical hand signals of the "Yellow Bird" team, and he also recognized the captain who was giving the orders.
Even though they were far apart, he would never admit his mistake.
It's Qin Feng.
Dragon Team!
They also chose point 2-, and arrived there before everyone else, setting up an inescapable trap.
Just as Lu Chen was shaken, he suddenly felt as if he was being watched.
He suddenly turned his head and looked in Qin Feng's direction through his binoculars.
On the cliff, Qin Feng was also looking in his direction with binoculars.
Their eyes met.
A cold smile curled at the corner of Qin Feng's lips. He slowly raised his hand and made a throat-slitting gesture in Lu Chen's direction.
Provocation! Blatant provocation!
"He's spotted us!" Zhang Mang whispered.
Lu Chen knew without him saying it.
Their location has been exposed.
The next second, several of Qin Feng's teammates had already turned their guns and aimed them at the stone platform where they were.
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