Chapter 76: Chang Ning Brings Up The Rear
The serene atmosphere in the jungle was broken by the roar of the helicopter’s engine, as the pilot found a flat landing spot and maneuvered the airplane into a low hover before descending.
Everyone from Rookie A Team filed out of the cabin, with Chang Ning at the front of the team, kneeling on one knee with his rifle, observing the surroundings before raising his right hand to start signaling with hand gestures.
Seeing Chang Ning’s hand signals, Qiang Zi and Xiao Zhuang from the Assault Team stepped forward from the team to take Chang Ning’s position; they were Assault Specialists responsible for clearing the way and vigilance, while the others deployed in tactical formation and followed closely behind.
After seeing Rookie A Team disappear into the depths of the jungle, the pilot controlled the airplane to take off into the air, and soon it was gone from the sky.
The group arrived at the pre-designated assembly point and immediately contacted Gao Zhong Dui via radio: “Rookie A Team calling, please respond. Rookie A Team calling, please respond. We have arrived at the designated mission location, requesting next instructions, over.”
A burst of static came through the headphones first, followed by Gao Zhong Dui’s voice.
“Rookie A Team, you need to reach Control Point B before nightfall tomorrow, awaiting further instructions.
Note that this is your comprehensive assessment for this phase; those who fail will be eliminated.
Clear? Over.”
“Rookie A Team copies, over.”
Chang Ning turned off the radio, hung the headphones on it, repeated Gao Zhong Dui’s words to the group, then quietly looked at Geng Jihui.
This was someone else’s expertise; he was still a novice at commanding and combat. Geng Jihui was a top graduate from the command academy.
Geng Jihui pulled out the map to confirm the next mission location.
“Chang Ning, are you sure you didn’t hear wrong?”
“How could I joke with everyone at a time like this!”
Chang Ning said.
Seeing something was wrong, everyone gathered around except for the Assault Team who needed to maintain vigilance.
Looking at the map, they all showed incredulous expressions; the distance from their current position to the next mission location was over 90 kilometers as the crow flies.
That was the straight-line distance; with the complex terrain in the mountains, they didn’t know how many detours they would have to take.
“It’s now 23:38; in this season, nightfall is generally around 18:00, which means we have to reach Control Point B within 18 hours.
Xiao Geng, come up with a plan.”
Chang Ning smiled bitterly; what had to come had finally arrived.
If he were to complete this mission alone, he could barely manage it, but leading a team made the difficulty far greater.
He had to take care of the teammates so they wouldn’t be eliminated, which meant more concerns and wasted time.
Before Geng Jihui could speak, Ostrich started venting: “Based on those Old Birds’ behavior standards, they’re definitely going to set traps along our route.
I think Gao Zhong Dui and the others never intended for us to complete the mission; they just want to eliminate us all.”
“Enough, save your breath and stamina. We’ll know if we can do it only after trying.”
Chang Ning told Ostrich to stop talking; he was waiting for Geng Jihui to come up with a plan.
Although on the surface, due to his highest military rank, he was the captain of Rookie A Team and formed the Command Group with Geng Jihui, he was really just a hands-off boss; without systematically studying command and combat, Chang Ning truly didn’t dare to command blindly.
Therefore, Chang Ning spent more time with the Assault Team as the team leader.
“We have no idea what’s ahead; we’re completely in the dark, so in this situation, we can only take it one step at a time.”
Geng Jihui was also at a loss right now; without intelligence, he had no good methods.
“Everyone, travel light.”
Things had come to this; telling everyone to give the Old Birds the boot and return to their respective squadrons wasn’t realistic, so they had no choice but to grit their teeth and push on.
Chang Ning actually knew what was ahead, but he couldn’t say it. The original plot didn’t detail this assessment process, only mentioning a few key operations.
“Give me your food and some essential living supplies; I didn’t bring much for this assessment.”
It wasn’t actual combat, so Chang Ning hadn’t brought extra weapons or ammunition. With his load bearing capacity, carrying all the supplies for everyone wouldn’t affect advancing or fighting.
“Alright, everyone give your stuff to Chang Ning.”
Having spent so much time with Chang Ning day in and day out, the teammates had some understanding of his strength; Geng Jihui didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately revised the order.
In these barren mountains and wilds, who wouldn’t want to eat something good instead of bugs?
Seeing everyone ready, Chang Ning ordered to depart; the Assault Team cleared the way ahead, and the group rapidly inserted toward the mission location.
Gao Zhong Dui had long set up checkpoints on all the key mountain roads; the instructors had even brought in military dogs to deal with the rookies.
All passing vehicles were strictly inspected; in the past, rookies participating in selection had tried hitchhiking, but after too many times, they had experience with it.
On the mountain, Xiao Zhuang gently parted the branches and leaves, revealing his camouflage paint-covered cheeks. He and Qiang Zi picked up binoculars and began observing.
Qiang Zi even cursed: “Damn! It’s a dragnet! The mission is hard enough, and now they set up checkpoints to block us; the Old Birds want to kill us!”
“Tell me about it.”
Xiao Zhuang smiled bitterly.
“This is Assault Team; checkpoint discovered ahead. Total of ten people and one military dog.”
Qiang Zi transmitted the intelligence back to the Command Group via radio.
“Command Group copies; you two continue observing, over.”
Geng Jihui pulled out the map but said nothing. Everyone quietly awaited his instructions.
Everyone in Rookie A Team could see they couldn’t bypass this checkpoint.
From the map, this was the only exit to the mission location. Other routes either had cliffs or swift-flowing rivers; by the time they reached the mission location, it would be too late.
“Looks like we have to force our way through.” Chang Ning said.
“How do we do that? We all know it’s a must-pass route, so the Old Birds definitely have defenses.
The checkpoint has only ten people and one military dog on the surface; who knows how many are ambushing in the shadows. We’re just a small team; we can’t take them.”
Ostrich said worriedly.
“Not necessarily; even you think we won’t assault the checkpoint, so the Old Birds will think the same.
We’ll catch them off guard; we still have a chance of winning.
What do you think, Xiao Geng?” Chang Ning said.
“I think it’s feasible, and for 90 kilometers of mountain road, walking on foot is nowhere near as fast as driving.”
Clearly, Geng Jihui had his eye on the Mengshi Off-road Vehicle parked by the checkpoint.
“Then let’s do it!”
Chang Ning extended his right fist, and the others followed, clenching their fists together.
“Rookie A Team~”
“Beat the Old Birds~”
This time, Chang Ning acted as the vanguard, positioned at the front. His task was to open the situation and quickly solve the obstacles.
“Gunshots?
The rookies are here after all!”
Hui Lang stood up, grabbed his rifle, and led the instructor team out of the tent toward the checkpoint.
That place was actually just a trap; Gao Zhong Dui’s mission for the rookies ensured they couldn’t complete it on foot.
If the rookies used their brains, they would definitely find a vehicle.
The checkpoint had few people and a vehicle, obviously prepared by the instructors, just waiting for the rookies to walk into it.
As engagement began, the soldiers at the checkpoint could rely on favorable terrain to block Rookie A Team’s attack.
As the team’s strongest firepower point, Chang Ning continuously delivered effective suppression fire, leading the others to advance bit by bit.
“Chang Ning, can you speed up the advance? The gunshots will alert the Old Birds, and they’ll come to reinforce.”
Geng Jihui said.
“Have Ostrich step it up; the resistance here is very stubborn.”
Rookie A Team worked together and successfully eliminated the soldiers at the checkpoint, then happily arrived at the Mengshi Off-road Vehicle.
“That’s more like it; if we really ran on two legs, we’d be exhausted to death.”
Ostrich laughed and hugged his rifle as he opened the car door and climbed into the back seat, finding a comfortable spot.
“Don’t just stand there; hurry up and go.”
Seeing no one else getting in, he urged again.
“Let’s go; I estimate the Old Birds are almost here.”
Geng Jihui sat in the driver’s seat and skillfully started the vehicle.
The vehicle’s body was pelted by marker rounds, clanging loudly.
“We can’t drive out; the Old Birds are here.”
Chang Ning and the Assault Team opened the doors and quickly dismounted, rolling to the ground to return fire.
With the complex mountain road, flooring it in the vehicle wouldn’t get them out and might send them tumbling down the steep slopes on either side.
“Rookies, you’ve fallen for it; give up resistance and come back with us.”
Hui Lang shouted loudly.
“Hui Lang, don’t dream on; unless you personally eliminate us.
Getting us to quit ourselves is impossible!”
Seeing someone on the other side trying to rush over, Chang Ning quickly fired a short burst. That Old Bird immediately showed red smoke; he was “killed.”
“Everyone, don’t act rashly; Chang Ning has good marksmanship.
Miao Lang, you’re up!”
“Yes!”
Miao Lang grabbed his sniper rifle and left cover, searching for a suitable firing position.
“Xiao Geng, I’ll cover the rear; you all go first.”
Chang Ning said via radio.
“Chang Ning, we go together!”
It was Xiao Zhuang speaking; Xi Wa had just been eliminated, and he didn’t want Chang Ning eliminated too.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be eliminated. The Old Birds definitely set up more than one checkpoint; you won’t get far by vehicle, and I’ll catch up.”
“Good, we’ll assemble outside the Armed Police border defense squadron three kilometers ahead.”
Geng Jihui decisively agreed to Chang Ning’s suggestion and set the assembly point.
“Hui Lang, they’re escaping! Chang Ning stayed behind to cover.”
Miao Lang had just reached the sniper position when he saw Geng Jihui turn the vehicle around to retreat, immediately contacting Hui Lang. With Gao Zhong Dui not on site, Gray Wolf Mada was the commander.
“Got it; we’ll create an opportunity for you here—take out Chang Ning!”
With a marksman like Chang Ning blocking the way, they didn’t dare to force through.
They had no choice but to have the sniper try to take out Chang Ning; the road was long, and eliminating him here was worth a little time.
“Understood.”
Miao Lang peered through the optical sight, locking tightly on the boulder.
Behind the boulder was Chang Ning; this was the best sniper position Miao Lang could find, with open field of vision—as long as Chang Ning tried to escape, he was confident he could take him out.
If Chang Ning didn’t escape, Hui Lang and the others would close in step by step, and Chang Ning would be eliminated eventually.
Right now, Chang Ning was a turtle in a jar, with no way out.
“Chang Ning, your mission is done; your teammates have retreated. You can come out now.
You’ll be eliminated anyway, so why waste the effort?”
Hui Lang deliberately shouted loudly to draw Chang Ning’s attention while using hand signals to deploy forces for an encirclement.
“Hui Lang, we’ve spent enough time together; you know my temperament.
Surrender? Impossible!”
