Chapter 115: Special Forces!

Once the order for the seven mixed brigades to launch their offensive was issued, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao remained at the command center, pacing back and forth with a furrowed brow, incessantly scrutinizing the shifting dynamics of the battlefield.

Every few minutes, he would anxiously check the progress of each unit, his eyes revealing a deep concern for the state of the conflict, while simultaneously asking his staff whether reinforcements from Li Jian’s 64th Division were required.

Although these mixed brigades were equipped with a multitude of advanced weaponry and, guided by Jiang Baibai’s theory of firepower superiority, were furnished with extensive rocket launchers and various levels of support arms, this was their first true test in live combat against the highly capable Japanese forces.

The scales of victory had yet to tip; they could only wait for the outcome.

Each time he questioned his operations officers, Wang Xiao’s gaze was so intense, as if he were trying to read every detail of the battle from their eyes.

"Report: the 1st Mixed Brigade is engaged in a fierce struggle with a Japanese battalion."

A flicker of worry crossed Wang Xiao’s eyes.

"The 2nd Mixed Brigade is progressing smoothly; they have destroyed the Japanese 2nd Battalion’s command post and are currently mopping up the remaining enemy forces."

Upon hearing this, a rare look of satisfaction appeared on Wang Xiao’s face.

"The other units have encountered stubborn resistance from the Japanese."

"But overall, our forces have essentially achieved a strategic encirclement of the enemy and are currently executing a tactical advance."

"Furthermore, the 64th Division, led by Li Jian, is positioned as the central reserve, ready to provide support to any sector of the battlefield," the staff officer stated firmly. Wang Xiao’s expression gradually relaxed, the restlessness in his eyes subsiding.

After hearing these reports, Wang Xiao took a deep breath, as if to suppress his inner tension.

Clearly, under the weight of such superior force, even the elite Japanese units would find it difficult to resist.

At this moment, he seemed to think of something; his expression softened as he asked, "How is Division Commander Li Jian? I haven’t seen him since the battle began."

The staff officer paused slightly before answering, a wry smile of admiration crossing his face: "Reporting to the Chief of Staff, Division Commander Li Jian has already headed to the 2nd Mixed Brigade." Wang Xiao’s lips curled into a faint smile upon hearing this.

During the fighting within Chengyun City, the 2nd Mixed Brigade faced tenacious resistance from the Japanese 2nd Battalion.

The city, bordering the South Manchuria Railway Company building and the Chengyun train station, had become the focal point of the conflict.

Although the Chengyun Army had done its best to evacuate nearby residents to minimize casualties, the Japanese deliberately fired into civilian areas to distract the Chengyun forces, inevitably leading to civilian losses.

This behavior deeply enraged the commanders of the Chengyun Army; their fury was written plainly on their faces, their eyes burning with resolve.

As the battle pushed toward the train station and the entrance to the Railway Company building, the Japanese resistance intensified.

Facing the Railway Company building, constructed of nearly indestructible volcanic rock, the Chengyun Army found that even large-caliber shells could not cause substantial damage.

This structure, acting like a massive fortress, had proven to be a hard nut to crack. To make matters worse, the Japanese had cunningly detained many local civilians as hostages—a piece of news that shocked and infuriated everyone who heard it.

Brigade Chief of Staff Li Zhentian, upon hearing this, looked livid, his fists clenched tight. "Utterly deranged! These Japanese aren't even fit to be called human!"

His voice was filled with loathing for the Japanese and sympathy for the civilians. Beside him, Brigade Commander Li Changsheng wore an equally complex expression, his brow furrowed and his mouth twitching as he struggled to contain his internal rage.

"Damn it! Why didn't the locals listen to our warnings? Didn't we notify them that a battle was imminent?"

Li Zhentian’s face betrayed a sense of helplessness. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "But Brigade Commander, we must understand that these local civilians have families to provide for."

His voice carried a note of gentleness, attempting to make Li Changsheng understand.

"It is the season for replanting crops; to stop working means their grain harvest for next year would not be guaranteed."

He paused, his eyes filled with profound sympathy. "Of course, among them, there are surely those willing to act as traitors to protect the Japanese. It is simply that we have yet to identify them specifically."

Hearing this, the fury on Li Changsheng’s face only deepened, his brows knitting together as a look of resolve flashed in his eyes. "Then what are we to do now? We can’t just stand by and do nothing."

His voice was thick with urgency and frustration; as a soldier, the sense of powerlessness in the face of the situation made him exceptionally anxious.

Just then, an operations staff officer broke the oppressive atmosphere with a solemn report: "Report to the Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff: Division Commander Li has arrived at the front-line sector."

Immediately following, Li Jian stepped in with an air of unquestionable authority. His face was stern, his eyes sharp as blades. "Why has the offensive stalled?"

His words were like a heavy hammer, making hearts tremble.

"Do you realize that for every second the command decision is delayed, soldiers are dying? Can you bear the consequences of that?" His voice carried a suffocating pressure that made it impossible to meet his gaze.

Facing Li Jian’s interrogation, Li Changsheng lowered his head, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes; he knew that any rebuttal would be futile.

Only after Li Jian’s emotions had slightly settled did he report gravely, "Division Commander Li, the Japanese have taken many hostages." His voice trembled slightly. "Most of them are local farmers, which makes it difficult for us to launch an attack."

Hearing this, Li Jian’s face grew even darker, yet it revealed a sliver of decisiveness. "Fortunately, I have already dispatched special forces to infiltrate the enemy's rear, or today’s battle would truly have been impossible to carry out."

"Special forces?" Everyone present could not help but show looks of astonishment.

Before they could react, a thunderous explosion suddenly erupted from inside the Railway Company building!

Immediately afterward, dozens of local villagers, escorted by several special operations soldiers, successfully escaped through a side door.

The sight brought a wave of relief to everyone, but immediately following, several blood-soaked Japanese soldiers began shouting while pulling the pins on their grenades, seemingly determined to fight the special forces to the death. At this moment, the tension on the battlefield reached its peak.

At the critical juncture before the grenades could detonate, a burly, dark-skinned monk moved with lightning speed, delivering a fierce kick that sent them flying back into the building.

The explosion followed, thick dust and smoke billowed over the battlefield, and then, everything fell into silence.