Chapter 14: The Dawn of Defiance

Three hundred troops had been dispatched, along with weapons and other ammunition, all prepared and ready for battle. The strategy had been meticulously planned. Chen, together with his men, was about to enter the battlefield. For the first time in his life, he would directly lead the Jiang Hai troops.

Night had fallen, and the moon was hidden behind clouds. Soldiers were seen preparing, gearing up for combat.

"Report, sir. All weapons have been prepared, and Team Two is ready to carry out the mission," said a soldier to his superior.

"Good, then instruct your men to rest tonight. Tomorrow, the battle begins, and they must be prepared to fight with full stamina because this is no ordinary battle—there may be casualties," the commander responded.

"Understood, sir," replied the soldier sharply, saluting before leaving the room.

The man sat down, placing his beret on the table. He let out a deep sigh, rubbing his eyes with his hands. His thoughts drifted to the reality that this was not just another battle. This time, they would face death head-on. Ready or not, death was at their doorstep, waiting to claim them at any moment.

"Commander Chen?" called someone from the doorway, knocking on the open door. The voice startled Chen, prompting him to stand upright and greet the neatly dressed man adorned with ranks on his chest.

"Calm yourself, Chen. Sit down," the man said, motioning for Chen to return to his chair. It seemed the high-ranking officer understood the young strategist's anxious state.

"How is your plan? Have all your troops been prepared?" asked the officer, standing firmly before him.

"Everything is set according to the plan. Tomorrow, ready or not, we will fight to reclaim Nanking from the Nippon forces and free the people suffering under their torment," Chen replied, pulling out a map and beginning to explain the strategy he had devised. The officer nodded in understanding, showing confidence in Chen's detailed explanation and trust in the strategy's potential success.

As the night deepened, Chen stood silently, gazing at the empty sky devoid of stars. Live or die—tomorrow was inevitable. He surrendered himself to the universe, closing his eyes in an attempt to rest. He knew the battle ahead would demand every ounce of his strength.

In another dimly lit room, two men sat conversing over cups of coffee and tea on the table before them.

"I want Ryota to be deployed in tomorrow’s battle. I’ve heard the Chinese forces will attack with a new tactic led by a fresh but reportedly skilled combat leader," said one of the men, his tone commanding.

"Understood, sir. Ryota Yamazaki will join the air battle tomorrow. I believe he can handle this situation. He’s not only skilled in piloting but also adept at devising battle strategies," the other replied, his deep voice punctuated by a drag of his cigarette.

"We must not let their new mission push us into retreat," the commander said firmly, his gaze fixed on the window.

Meanwhile, in a chaotic room filled with cries and groans of the wounded, Fen sat quietly, staring at the empty sky.

"I know you're awake right now, Chen. Today, many lives have been lost. I’ve seen more than 20 people die because of this war. I pray that when you return, you’ll be safe and successful in reclaiming our homeland. Without you, I feel like I could fall apart. Even now, enemy soldiers are beginning to target our camp. I fear they’ll seize this land and harm those sheltered in this emergency tent," she murmured softly, her eyes never leaving the sky as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Doctor Fen?" a nurse’s gentle voice called, snapping Fen out of her thoughts.

"Yura, what is it?" Fen asked, quickly wiping away her tears.

"Is something troubling you, Doctor? Why are you crying? Is there a problem?" Yura asked, sitting beside Fen and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"No, it’s just... my heart aches from everything that happened today," Fen said, forcing a smile to mask her pain.

"You’re the strongest doctor I’ve ever known. You’re resilient, and I believe you can get through all of this. As long as we stand united, we can endure even these darkest days," Yura encouraged, enveloping Fen in a warm embrace.

"Thank you. Your words bring me peace," Fen replied, looking gratefully at the kind nurse.

"It’s my duty, Doctor, and ours as a team, to support and strengthen one another," Yura said.

"Then go and rest. Tomorrow, you must be ready to care for the patients again," Fen urged.

"Of course, Doctor. Good night."

"Good night."

Today had been Fen’s most harrowing day. The casualties of war continued to mount, with blood staining the floors and the toll of torture and abductions rising sharply. War brought nothing but catastrophe to a nation; peace would always be the better option. Fen prayed fervently for a better tomorrow.

But for Chen and his troops, tomorrow would bring their most intense battle yet, where life and death would hang in the balance.

As the sun rose in the east, the cheerful chirping of birds accompanied the sight of Chinese soldiers readying themselves for the assault against the Nihon troops. Ammunition and bombs had been carefully prepared, and Chen led his troops with a determined spirit.

"No mercy. No surrender. Today, we take back our land from them, and we rescue our suffering brothers and sisters," Chen declared, his voice unwavering as it ignited the soldiers’ fighting spirit.

"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison, their voices resolute.

"We fight to the last drop of blood. There’s no turning back until this land is ours again," Chen proclaimed, bolstering their morale.

Amid life’s bitterness, surrendering without a fight was the worst choice. Fighting to the death was now the only way to reclaim their land and dignity.

Elsewhere, in a Nanking headquarters, Japanese soldiers prepared to defend their occupied territory. Air units were being deployed to secure Nanking’s skies against an inevitable assault.

"Ryota," a commanding officer called sharply.

"Yes, sir," Ryota Yamazaki replied, saluting the superior.

"Today, I appoint you as leader of the airborne unit that will guard Nanking and its surrounding skies. I’m confident they’ll attempt a surprise attack. Don’t let your guard down, and lead your team effectively," the commander ordered.

"Understood, sir. I’ll dedicate everything to this mission, even my life," Ryota replied firmly, earning a satisfied smile from the commander.

For Ryota, this was his first high-stakes mission overseeing Nanking. Whatever happened, he knew he had to perform his duty to the best of his ability. Here’s a captivating conclusion:

As the dawn broke, painting the horizon with hues of gold, the world held its breath. On one side, Chen and his troops stood resolute, ready to reclaim their land and restore the freedom that had been stolen from them. On the other, Ryota and his men braced themselves to defend their hold on Nanking, determined to crush any uprising that threatened their grip.

For Fen, each passing moment carried a weight of despair and hope. The cries of the wounded and the prayers of the desperate resonated through her heart. Yet, she held on, believing in Chen’s promise of freedom.

This was not just a battle of weapons and strategies. It was a clash of convictions, a struggle where humanity itself hung in the balance. Death was certain for some, but victory carried the hope of a brighter future for others.

The world seemed to pause, as if granting one last moment of peace before the storm. When the first gunshot echoed, it signaled not just the start of a battle but the beginning of a story that would change lives forever, a story of courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of those who dared to fight for freedom.

Would Chen’s determination and Fen’s prayers be enough to break the chains of oppression? Or would Ryota’s prowess crush the rebellion before it could even take flight? The answer lay ahead, on the blood-stained battlefield where history would be rewritten, one moment at a time.