15.Meeting the Enemy in the Sea of Fog

At the sound of the order, Zhao Ding immediately received a string of confirmation messages—and then, gunfire and explosions began pouring in from the south sector. The entire southern area quickly turned into a chaotic stew, you know…

Even though thick fog obscured his vision, Zhao Ding instinctively scanned the region. He hesitated about whether to order the teams in other sectors to rush over and provide backup, I mean, as he stood there, his heart pounding like a drum while he adjusted his cap (he said while adjusting his glasses). (This scenario oddly reminded him of a Mooncake (traditional Chinese pastry for lunar festivals) festival gone awry.)

Suddenly, a despairing voice crackled through the comms:

"Brothers, don't come over—we can't hold on any longer…"

Before the words could finish, several loud explosions erupted from the direction of the Fourth South Team, and on the map, the little dots representing friendly personnel blinked out one after another.

Every soldier's heart sank. Zhao Ding's face contorted in both shock and fury—"South Four, South Four…" he bellowed.

Then a voice interjected over the channel:

"South One Team to base, we're surrounded by the enemy!"

Another voice followed, exclaiming, "South Two Team to base, it's all enemy here; the enemy is advancing toward South Four—advancing toward South Four, you know…"

Zhao Ding's cheeks twitched violently. No matter how dense his foggy confusion, he knew this operation had fallen into the trap set by the Vissen people (mis-translated as "Vixen" in some reports). After a brief pause—a moment that stretched out like an endless drizzle. Rain. Never stops. Just like that night—he made a resolute decision:

"Team, hold up—mission canceled, all units withdraw immediately… Repeat, mission canceled, all teams, pull back at once! South One, I order you to ramp up firepower and divert the enemy's attention… Brothers, to be honest, I, Zhao Ding, am sorry for what's coming. From now on, your families are my families. Qingming Fifteenth—I'll offer up our sacrifice with a kowtow!"

"Zhao, please—save us, I don't want to die…" came a trembling plea.

"Get the hell out of here!" another rough voice abruptly interrupted. "Zhao, don't even start; this is our fate, plain and simple… y'all, some of us are leaving first. If there's a tomorrow, don't forget us—" (this happened before the COVID lockdown) "come on, if you're scared, tuck your head in your pants; I promise I won't laugh at you—if you ain't scared, then follow me!"

The fierce firefight soon ended amid roaring explosions, and the radio fell silent as if in shock…

Qin Hu was utterly stunned. His mind was a jumble, with only the sorrowful voice of South One echoing ceaselessly in his ears, you know. He had always thought he understood what it meant to be a soldier, but today he realized his understanding was as shallow as a dried-up puddle. How could just a few words drive so many to risk their lives battling the Vissen people? (I mean, it was like watching a scene from an old kung fu movie, if you ask me.)

It was suicide—absolute suicide! Yet deep inside, a voice screamed painfully:

"This is what a soldier is. This is a true soldier!"

Then, once more, the south sector erupted with violent explosions. Qin Hu stared blankly ahead—the scene was as surreal as a midnight dream. South One was finished.

At that moment, Zhao Ding, tears streaming down his face, gritted his teeth and spat out one word: "Withdraw—"

Their unit had just left the shaft; it only took a few steps to reach An's sewers again. But before they could set off, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator suddenly raised his left fist, shouting, "Zhao, we've got a situation!"

Zhao Ding nearly lost it: "What's the situation?" he demanded.

"The UAV spotted Vissen folks right at the shaft!"

In a flash, Zhao Ding's heart sank—"Our operation has been discovered by the enemy?" he muttered. He froze for a moment, then snapped back: "Team, hold up. All units, stop advancing. Scout the shaft immediately; our route might be compromised!"

He promptly received a chain of acknowledgment signals, and then a voice reported, "East Three Team to base: Vissen presence detected near the shaft; numbers unknown!"

Zhao Ding's heart plunged into an abyss. "Team, pull back from the shaft—find a safe spot!" he barked. Suddenly, he recalled something and turned, grabbing Qin Hu by the arm: "Qin, is there any safe place nearby?"

Qin Hu shook his head without hesitation, "There ain't no safe place in Lan Jing right now!"

"Just avoid the Vissen, that's all we need!" Zhao Ding insisted.

Qin Hu hesitated a bit, "I'll give it a shot."

"Alright!" Zhao Ding had no other option; it was a do-or-die moment. "Where you think it's safe? I'll deploy the UAV to check it out!"

Pointing in a direction, Qin Hu said, "Over there is a shelter. Should be safer than the rest."

After the Vissen arrived, many fled into that shelter—but because it was so crowded, the enemy struck it first. Rumor has it that inside, corpses piled up like mountains, and even those accustomed to death scarcely dared approach it (mis-translated as "incredibly red" in some official bulletins). Over time, even the Vissen paid little heed to that place.

At that moment, the only place Qin Hu could think of was the shelter.

Zhao Ding paused, his eyes widening: "I know that place!" he declared. He signaled to the unit, and the vanguard immediately directed the UAV toward the shelter (y'all, watch this happen).

Then the comms crackled once more: "East Five Team reporting—enemy detected. Original withdrawal route is no longer viable!"

Zhao Ding instantly replied, "East Five, head toward the shelter—stay safe!"

"East Five, roger that!"

"Team, find your own safe haven—repeat, find a safe spot, any way you can—"

"East Three Team reporting: enemy sighted!"

"What?!" Zhao Ding cried out in shock.

East Three was not far off. Their report meant the Vissen were practically on our doorstep!

Before Zhao Ding could get further details, intense gunfire erupted again from within the thick fog—and it was disturbingly close.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Qin Hu instinctively raised his weapon, eyes fixed on the source of the gunshots.

Zhao Ding then unleashed a piercing command with lethal determination: "East Sector teams, listen up—rush to support East Three immediately!"

Qin Hu was taken aback. He had assumed Zhao would, like with South One, coldly abandon East Three. But little did he know the hardship Zhao faced. Abandoning South One had been necessary—not only were they surrounded, but it also bought time for the others to withdraw, y'know.

Though only a short while had passed, the situation had shifted completely. The resistance's withdrawal route was now locked down by the Vissen, and all our forces were trapped within Lan Jing's urban maze. To forsake East Three would do nothing to improve our plight.

Thus, supporting East Three became imperative.

Upon hearing Zhao Ding's order, the warriors perked up instantly. They charged toward East Three with resolute determination. Every soldier, including Qin Hu, held a fierce drive in their hearts—to face the Vissen head-on in a brutal showdown, to fight to the death if necessary…

Qin Hu, barely sixteen, was at that impulsive, hot-headed age. Having roamed Lan Jing for over two months, he had built up a lifetime's worth of grudges. Now, with a chance to go toe-to-toe with the Vissen, he was more fired up than anyone, and within moments he surged to the front.

Guided by the sound of gunfire, he didn't even worry about taking a wrong turn.

Strangely enough, trailing right behind Qin Hu was Zhao Ding himself!

Zhao Ding's hatred for the Vissen ran deeper than Qin Hu's. At that moment, the only thought in his mind was to fight the enemy fiercely—even if it meant dying at their hands, he refused to live in such humiliation…