Chapter 88: Spreading Wildfire Sparks

The north wind was like a knife, cutting the face with a stinging pain. Li Ping'an led the Flying Eagle Team through the Linhai Xueyuan, leaving a shallow trail of footprints behind, which were soon covered by fresh snow.

Instructor, where are we heading this time? Er Gazi rubbed his frozen, reddened hands and asked, exhaling white vapor.

Li Ping'an spread out the map, his finger pointing to a spot marked with a red circle: first, we go to seize the Little Devils' Epidemic Prevention Water Supply Department. It is said that unsavory activities are carried out inside.

Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei's parting instructions still rang in his ears: "Ping'an, on this sortie you must not only harass the Little Devils but also tie down their forces, buying our base some breathing room."

Thinking of that, Li Ping'an's gaze grew even more resolute. He knew this operation concerned the very survival of the entire Anti-Japanese United Front.

Three days later, they reached the outside of the so‑called Epidemic Prevention Water Supply Department. The place was heavily fortified, with high walls, an electric grid, and a sentinel tower mounting machine guns, looking even tighter than an Arsenal.

Good fellows, this setup is bigger than the Little Devils' command post. A team member muttered softly, "There must be something fishy inside."

Li Ping'an raised the Telescope and examined for a while, his brows furrowing tighter. He saw many Japanese Soldiers in white coats coming and going, and numerous Chinese civilians being forced inside, never to emerge.

We'll act tonight. Li Ping'an made up his mind, "I always feel something's going on in there."

In the dead of night, the wind and snow intensified. That was actually a boon for the Flying Eagle Team—the howling wind could mask their movements, and the heavy snow could hide their tracks.

Li Ping'an led the members silently to the base of the wall. Two members produced a special device and deftly cut a hole in the electric grid.

Remember, our primary task is reconnaissance. Li Ping'an lowered his voice, "If we find crucial evidence, take it, but try not to stir up a snake by trampling the grass."

But they soon discovered the horror here far exceeded their imagination. In a laboratory, they witnessed a scene too gruesome to bear: Chinese compatriots bound to operating tables, their bodies riddled with all kinds of tubes, undergoing live experiments.

Those damned bastards! Er Gazi gritted his teeth, his fists clenching with a crackling sound.

Li Ping'an's face turned ashen: "Change the plan. Take all this evidence away, then seize this place for me!"

The members suppressed their anger and split up to work. Some gathered documents, some placed explosives, others took sentinel duty.

Just as they were preparing to withdraw, a mishap occurred. A member accidentally triggered the alarm, and the warning siren blared instantly.

Retreat! Quick retreat! Li Ping'an decided instantly.

But it was already too late. A large force of Japanese Soldiers surged from all directions, encircling them tightly.

Instructor, what do we do? Er Gazi asked, sweating profusely.

Li Ping'an glanced around, his eyes suddenly brightening: "Follow me!"

He led the members into a building, climbing the stairs upward. He had already scouted the terrain; the building was a high ground, easy to defend and hard to assault.

Secure a good position, prepare for battle! Li Ping'an ordered, "Er Gazi, take two men to the roof and blast a way out with explosives."

The fierce gunfight erupted. The Flying Eagle members, relying on superb marksmanship and terrain, repelled wave after wave of attacks. Yet the Japanese Soldiers kept gathering, and their ammunition was visibly running low.

Instructor, we're running out of ammo! a member shouted.

At that moment, a huge blast rang from the roof—Er Gazi and his team had successfully blown open an escape route.

Retreat! Alternate cover fire! Li Ping'an ordered.

The members fired while withdrawing, finally bursting through the roof opening. Before leaving, Li Ping'an personally detonated the remaining explosives.

In the soaring flames, that vile laboratory turned into a ruin.

Unfortunately, they couldn't bring all the data out. After escaping, a member lamented.

That's enough. Li Ping'an patted his backpack, saying the material was sufficient to let the whole world know what the Little Devils were up to.

In the following months, the Flying Eagle Team swept through Dongbei like a whirlwind. One day they'd seize an Arsenal, the next they'd bomb a stretch of railway, the day after they'd strike a transport convoy.

Their tactics were flexible and ever‑changing, sometimes breaking into small units, sometimes regrouping, leaving the Little Devils unable to defend.

On one occasion, they learned a crucial arms transport convoy would cross a certain road. Li Ping'an decided to trap them like a turtle in a jar.

This time we'll try something fresh. Li smiled at the members, "let's set a minefield for them."

They buried numerous homemade mines on the road and took positions on the slopes on both sides.

When the transport convoy entered the ambush zone, Li Ping'an gave the order, and the mines detonated in succession, instantly sending men and horses sprawling.

The members opened fire together, bullets raining down like raindrops.

The battle ended quickly. The Flying Eagle Team suffered no casualties yet captured a large cache of weapons and equipment.

Now the comrades at the base have weapons to use! Er Gazi said happily.

The most spectacular battle was by the Songhua Jiang. They learned the Japanese Soldiers were building a crucial crossing there to facilitate troop movement.

We can't let them succeed. Li Ping'an studied the map; if that crossing were completed, our operational range would be restricted.

But the crossing was heavily defended; a frontal assault was impossible. Li Ping'an devised a bold plan: a combined water‑land attack.

He sent part of the team to infiltrate underwater and sabotage the construction, while another part created chaos on the shore to draw enemy attention; he himself led a few sharpshooters to hold the high ground and provide fire support.

On the night of the operation, the moon was dark and the wind high. The underwater squad slipped silently into the river and quickly located the critical construction points.

Detonate! At Li Ping'an's command, a massive water column erupted on the river surface, pulverizing the construction facilities.

The shore team simultaneously launched a feint, drawing the defending troops over. By the time the Japanese Soldiers realized the trap, the Flying Eagle Team had vanished.

Such operations repeated, leaving the Japanese Soldiers in a frenzy. The originally planned massive sweep kept being postponed, their forces tied down everywhere.

Baka! These Anti-Japanese United Front fighters are like flies, impossible to eradicate! a Japanese Army officer raged at the meeting.

What they never imagined was that the trouble was caused by just a small squad of a dozen‑plus men.

The Flying Eagle Team's reputation quickly spread throughout Dongbei. The common folk secretly called them "Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals," and the Little Devils were terrified, even some bandit militias proactively sought to cooperate with them.

Instructor Li Jiaoguan, a group of bandits wants to see you, saying they wish to surrender. One day, a Sentinel brought an unexpected letter.

Li Ping'an pondered for a moment: "If we bring them over, we must search them."

They arrived as a band of Dongbei bandits, led by a hulking man with a full beard covering his cheeks.

We've long admired Instructor Li's great name! the hulking man clasped his fists, "Although we are outlaws, we are still Chinese. We are willing to follow you to fight the Japanese Soldiers!"

Li Ping'an sized him up: "Fighting the Japanese Soldiers isn't a dinner party; it's a real sword‑and‑gun trade. Can you endure this hardship?"

We can! the hulking man replied resolutely, "It's better than being stabbed in the spine by civilians!"

Li Ping'an nodded, then turned the conversation: "Joining the Flying Eagle Team isn't that easy. You must pass a rigorous test first."

He instructed the hulking man to take his men to report to Political Commissar Zhou Zhengwei for screening and training. The Flying Eagle Team isn't open to anyone; you need solid skill and absolute loyalty.

Later it was said that of that band of bandits, only three ultimately passed the test, the others being assigned to other units.

Such days passed one by one, the Flying Eagle Team's operations not only effectively restrained Japanese Soldiers troops, but also bought precious rest and reorganization time for the Anti-Japanese Allied Army. The base area was consolidated and developed, and troops were replenished.

More importantly, the laboratory evidence they brought back was transmitted abroad through underground channels, causing an uproar. The Japanese atrocities were exposed, putting Japan on the defensive internationally.

Li Jiaoguan, Yan'an is sending praise again! The Signalman came running excitedly; the telegram was for Zhou Zhengwei, the chief said you fought well, giving face to the Chinese people!

The team members cheered joyfully, and Li Ping'an also showed a relieved smile. But he knew the toughest test was still ahead.

Sure enough, the Japanese Soldiers began massing heavy troops, specifically to deal with the Flying Eagle Team. They drew elite units from the Kwantung Army, formed a Special Action Team, and swore to annihilate this small detachment that kept giving them headaches.

A more intense showdown was about to begin. Li Ping'an stood on the hill, gazing at the endless mountains in the distance, his eyes resolute.

Come on, let the Little Devils see what a true Chinese soldier is!

In the wind and snow, the Flying Eagle Team's flag snapped in the breeze, as if responding to his oath.