bullyxtreme Chapter 1117 The thief never leaves empty-handed, he always returns laden with spoils.
Chapter 1117 The thief never leaves empty-handed, he always returns laden with spoils.
“You and Lu Mang are equally matched, neither of you is any better.”
"Bullshit!" Lu Ci said, "My Ruyi Jin is suitable for this kind of thing. Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. I've survived several major meat grinder battles, so I'm not some greenhorn."
“Alright, then it’s just you and me. The two of us can go. It’s all about quality, not quantity.” Zhang Huaiyi finally made the decision.
"Okay!"
"Then I'll leave it to you. Please be careful," Tian Jinzhong said, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Go ahead and investigate!" Li Yunlong laughed loudly. "I'm at the regimental headquarters, ready to reorganize the troops and load up the bullets! I'm just waiting for your good news. Once it's confirmed, I'll give that son of a bitch a good beating."
Afterwards, the two left the room and went to ask Monk Wei for details about the exact address of the prisoner-of-war camp and the surrounding terrain before preparing to set off.
Just as they left the village, Lü Ci moved as if to leap away, but Zhang Huaiyi pulled him back.
"what?"
"Put this on."
Zhang Huaiyi took out two pieces of yellow paper covered with cinnabar runes from his pocket and handed them to Lü Ci.
"What's this?" Lu Ci took it and looked at it, then exclaimed in surprise, "Divine Speed Armor Horse?! When did you learn to draw this?"
"I learned this when I came down the mountain. I can't rely on my senior brother for everything, can I?" Zhang Huaiyi said.
"This is a good thing!" Lu Ci recalled the scene when he and Lu Jin ran on the ground with the Divine Speed Armor, and Zhang Zhiwei said that he could do whatever he wanted, and then rode a crane and flew in the sky. He couldn't help but ask, "By the way, do you know how to draw that crane talisman?"
Zhang Huaiyi said, "The Crane Talisman flies in the sky, making it a big target. It's not as concealed as the Divine Speed Armor Horse, and its speed isn't much faster than the Divine Speed Armor Horse, while consuming much more Qi. It's not worth it."
“But he’s handsome!” Lu Ci said.
"I don't do these fancy things," Zhang Huaiyi said, waving his hand.
He is quite self-aware; he's not handsome, so all this fancy stuff is useless. Practicality is the key.
The two affixed their protective amulets, their figures blurring into two afterimages as they swiftly traversed the night. Before long, they arrived at the place Wei Dayong had described.
To avoid alerting the enemy, Lü Ci did not rush in. Instead, he placed his hand on the ground and used his Ruyi Force to conduct sound wave detection.
A series of powerful energies rippled outwards like waves.
These ripple-like forces possess the penetrating power of Ruyi Jin, just like an extension of his arm.
When they penetrate an object, they bounce back according to the object's outline, and Lü Ci can then discern the object's approximate outline and shape from this bounce.
After a moment, Lü Ci stood up and shook his head:
"It seems we didn't find that special group of Japanese soldiers; there was only a group of puppet troops inside."
"Monk Wei said that there were many Japanese pirates. With so many people, it's impossible for them all to hide their presence."
Zhang Huaiyi analyzed, "Then it must be because of the exposure that they have already moved away."
"They've moved? What a pity. But there's still a group of puppet soldiers here, Big Ears. How about we have a contest to see who can kill them all first?" Lu Ci licked his lips, eager to try.
Zhang Huaiyi rolled his eyes; he had no interest in playing such pointless games of brawling and fighting with Lü Ci.
"Don't forget who we are now. We are soldiers, not wandering knights. Even if we want to wipe them out, we should report to the organization first and follow unified command."
"Big Ears, you're getting a little too into character." Lu Ci pouted. He suddenly missed Senior Brother Zhang. If Senior Brother Zhang were here, he wouldn't feel so frustrated.
"Let's go back then."
Since he hadn't found his target, Lü Ci immediately felt disheartened.
"Don't panic, why are you in such a hurry to go back?"
Zhang Huaiyi stopped him, saying, "A thief should be a little cunning; he never leaves empty-handed. We've come all this way, how can we go back empty-handed? Aren't there still a group of puppet troops? Let's find out their troop deployment, weapons, and equipment, and bring back intelligence. If we can't take down those special Japanese pirates, we can take down this group of puppet troops! Our Independent Regiment recently suffered a defeat in Yangcun, and morale is low. We need a victory to boost morale and regain our fighting spirit!"
“You’ve thought of everything. Let’s go then,” Lü Ci said.
“You can handle this kind of thing,” Zhang Huaiyi said matter-of-factly. “Now that we’ve confirmed that there’s no Japanese pirate team there, feel free to use your Ruyi Force to investigate.”
So, I'm being used as an illegal worker for you?!
Lu Ci was so angry he laughed. He had volunteered to come along this time because he wanted to vent his anger on those Japanese pirates and strange people. He had been working as a radar operator at the brigade headquarters for a while now, rarely going out to fight actual guerrilla warfare, and he was itching for a fight.
Unexpectedly, after arriving, not only did they fail to find the group of Japanese pirates, but they also had to do this dirty and tiring work of gathering intelligence.
If he weren't outmatched by this big-eared thief, he would have given him a good beating!
Even so, Lü Ci still obediently squatted down and used his Ruyi Force to thoroughly investigate the surrounding situation.
After finding out the truth, a hint of joy suddenly appeared on his face.
Zhang Huaiyi noticed and quickly asked, "What did you find?"
"I've found something good!" Lü Ci said with a smile.
Upon hearing "good stuff," Zhang Huaiyi immediately perked up: "What good stuff?"
"So many horses! There's a battalion of cavalry stationed in the town not far ahead," Lu Ci said.
"A battalion of cavalry? That must have hundreds of horses, right?" Zhang Huaiyi's eyes lit up. "The elite of the Japanese pirates?"
Lu Ci shook his head: "It doesn't seem like it. I've dealt with the Japanese quite a few times. They're all short, but their overall military quality is quite high. They're short but capable. The people in those cavalry camps aren't short at all, but their formation is very scattered. They haven't even set up a decent sentry post. They don't seem like well-trained, regular Japanese pirates."
“If they’re not Japanese pirates, then they’re just collaborators and traitors!” Zhang Huaiyi said with certainty.
"How could a traitor manage to get into a fully-organized cavalry battalion? Are the Japanese pirates really that powerful?" Lu Ci asked, somewhat puzzled.
“It’s not necessarily because they are wealthy and powerful,” Zhang Huaiyi analyzed. “It’s more likely that they were spending a fortune to buy a horse’s bones. The Japanese pirates treated those traitors who surrendered first quite well on the surface, wanting to set an example.”
"Such fine horses and such fine guns, it's such a waste that they've fallen into the hands of a bunch of traitors. What do you think, should we..." Lu Ci hadn't finished speaking.
Zhang Huaiyi interrupted him without hesitation: "Of course we need to. We have to take all of these."
Seeing the gleam in his eyes, Lü Ci teased, "You get really excited when it comes to making money!"
"If this isn't exciting, what is?" Zhang Huaiyi urged eagerly. "Come on, let's go and investigate carefully." "Looks like I've come here specifically to do your hard labor," Lü Ci complained.
To ensure everything went smoothly, the two then split up and went deep into the enemy camp to investigate.
Lu Ci used his Ruyi Force to investigate the detailed terrain around him and the enemy's hidden firing positions.
Zhang Huaiyi went to investigate the enemy's specific unit number and firepower.
A short while later, the two met again.
Zhang Huaiyi said in a low voice, "I've investigated thoroughly. The troops stationed here are the Eighth Mixed Brigade of the puppet army. These guys were originally a local security regiment, and their combat strength wasn't even second-rate! Ever since they became traitors to the Japanese, they've actually set up a cavalry battalion! These good horses have become useless under their command!"
Lu Ci nodded and said, "I have also thoroughly investigated the surrounding terrain and its fortifications. I can draw them out when I get back."
Zhang Huaiyi nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "How are your drawing skills? How do they compare to your senior brother's?"
Lu Ci said, "Brother Zhang's calligraphy and painting belong to the school of artistic conception, emphasizing meaning over form, while I am a pure realist, merely capturing the form but lacking the spirit..."
"Alright, alright, just shut up!" Zhang Huaiyi interrupted him irritably. "Your senior brother isn't here, you don't need to keep trying to flatter him like this."
“This isn’t flattery, it’s the absolute truth,” Lü Ci said solemnly.
Zhang Huaiyi was too lazy to argue with his senior brother. He waved his hand and said, "Since you're a realist, I'm relieved. Let's go back and get some people!"
Immediately, the two donned their superhuman speed armor and swiftly returned to the regimental headquarters, reporting the news to Li Yunlong.
Upon hearing that there were several hundred military horses, Li Yunlong's eyes instantly lit up, practically glowing with greed!
"Damn it! I've never seen so much good stuff in my life. Well done, Huaiyi! Well done, Brother Lü!"
Li Yunlong was overjoyed and immediately summoned Kong Jie and others to discuss the battle plan overnight.
The group immediately agreed and decided to devour this piece of fatty meat that was presented to them.
"Use a battalion to wipe him out! March fifty kilometers, launch a surprise attack! If all goes well, the battle can be over in two hours!" Li Yunlong waved his hand, setting the tone.
Kong Jie immediately volunteered to take command of the battle.
Li Yunlong was immediately displeased. He felt that Kong Jie's position as deputy regimental commander was only temporary and that he would eventually be transferred by the brigade commander. If he were to lead men into battle, wouldn't Kong Jie then demand a share of the captured horses and equipment when he left?
Kong Jie was also unwilling, glaring at him: "We're brothers from the same class, and we've known each other for so many years. How can you, Li Yunlong, try to hoard something good for yourself?!"
"So what if we're in the same class? Even brothers need to keep clear accounts."
……
Zhang Huaiyi, Lü Ci, Tian Jinzhong, and the others stood aside, exchanging glances, all somewhat speechless.
These hundreds of horses haven't even been brought back yet, not even a single horsehair, so how did they start arguing over the unequal distribution of profits?
The three watched as the two grown men argued and bickered like children for a long time. In the end, Li Yunlong finally persuaded Kong Jie by a combination of coaxing, deception, and coercion, and forcibly took control of the ownership of the hundreds of horses.
After they had discussed it, Li Yunlong turned to Lü Ci and chuckled, "Brother Lü, I know you're from the brigade headquarters. Your brigade headquarters is a big and powerful organization, what good stuff haven't you seen? You... you wouldn't want to share this little thing with your older brother, would you?"
"No, no!" Lü Ci immediately waved his hands repeatedly.
He had seen Li Yunlong and Kong Jie arguing earlier, and how Li Yunlong was so possessive of his food.
If I dared to say I wanted a piece of the pie too, who knows what kind of nagging this Commander Li would give me.
Li Yunlong was overjoyed: "Excellent! Brother Lü is truly righteous! No wonder you come from a prominent family, you're so straightforward in your actions!"
Then, Li Yunlong looked at Zhang Huaiyi and said, "Huaiyi, didn't we just transfer some men to form a special reinforced company? This mission in Wanjia Town will be led by you. It's a good opportunity to use these traitors as practice for the brothers and get them to work together!"
“Sure!” Zhang Huaiyi was very interested in making money and readily accepted the task.
Speed is of the essence in war. That very night, Zhang Huaiyi, Lü Ci, Tian Jinzhong, and others set off under cover of darkness.
The Independent Regiment's base was only about 50 li (approximately 25 kilometers) from Wanjia Town. For those elite veterans who were used to long-distance raids, this distance was almost instantaneous.
Outside Wanjia Town, under the thick darkness of night.
A crisp gunshot shattered the tranquility of the sky! Immediately afterward, a bright orange flash illuminated the night.
Gunfire continued unabated, and in the darkness, a group of gray figures rapidly approached.
But before the puppet troops could even fire a few shots from the outer bunkers, the puppet army machine gunners inside were turned into a pile of mud by several sudden, invisible purple forces!
At the forefront of the Night Raiders, Lü Ci charged ahead, listening to the whistling of gunfire and smelling the long-lost scent of gunpowder. A grin spread across Lü Ci's face, and in the firelight, his white teeth looked particularly terrifying.
The entire town of Wanjia was instantly plunged into chaos and bloodshed.
…………
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Independent Regiment.
Early in the morning, the newly appointed political commissar Zhao Gang noticed something amiss while inspecting the troops. He immediately went to Li Yunlong and questioned him about what had happened in the regiment and why it was being kept from him.
Li Yunlong laughed and said, "That's right, I'll have them do some side jobs, they'll be back before dawn."
"Side hustle? What side hustle? Please explain yourself clearly!" Zhao Gang frowned.
"A batch of military horses arrived in Wanjia Town, and I sent the First Battalion to bring them back. It's that simple!" Li Yunlong said casually.
"Wanjia Town? Leading horses? There are no horses there, only the cavalry battalion of the 8th Mixed Brigade of the puppet army!" Zhao Gang quickly realized and said, "You're going to launch a surprise attack?"
Li Yunlong nodded.
Zhao Gang frowned and said, "The enemy situation there is very complicated! How could you make such a decision on your own? You said it was a side job, but this is clearly an unauthorized troop deployment for a major combat operation. This is a serious violation of discipline!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately became unhappy, glared at Zhao Gang, and started arguing with him.
Just as the argument was getting heated, a series of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from outside.
The two people who were arguing were stunned for a moment, and then immediately ran out of the yard to see what was going on.
In the dim light of dawn, Zhang Huaiyi and his men, leading a densely packed troop of military horses, returned to the regimental headquarters in a grand procession!
The two men, who had been arguing fiercely just moments before, immediately stopped when they saw the hundreds of tall horses. Li Yunlong even excitedly picked up Zhao Gang and spun him around a few times, leaving Zhao Gang completely bewildered. (End of Chapter)