Chapter 94

Night fell, stars and moon obscured. Li Ping'an led the eighteen newly trained members crouching in the bushes beside the mountain road; in the distance, the faint rumble of car engines could be heard.

They're here. Li Ping'an lowered his voice, acting according to the plan. Remember, this is your graduation assessment—only success is allowed, no failure!

The members dared not breathe, their eyes gleaming with excitement and tension in the darkness. This was their first real combat after three months of devilish training, each clenching their fists.

Er Gazi edged up to Li Ping'an and whispered, "Instructor, this commotion is no small thing—I hear at least five vehicles."

Li Ping'an nodded, raised his night-vision telescope for a closer look. Suddenly he frowned: something's off. Intelligence said only three vehicles, but there are at least six. And listen—there's the sound of an armored vehicle.

The members instantly grew tense. A new recruit whispered, "Instructor, should we withdraw?"

Li Ping'an snorted, there's no such word as "withdraw" in the Flying Eagle Team's dictionary. Since they've come, we can't return empty-handed. Change the plan—focus on the lead and rear vehicles to trap the convoy.

He quickly adjusted deployment: the sniper team took the high ground, focusing on the armored vehicle. The demolition squad laid trip mines on the road, ready to blast the rear vehicle the moment the lead vehicle hit a mine. The assault squad would follow me to handle the middle vehicles.

The members moved swiftly, silently taking their positions. By now the convoy was visible—indeed six vehicles, one of them an armored transport.

"Well damn, this just got big." Er Gazi smacked his lips, wondering what precious cargo the little devils were hauling.

Li Ping'an didn't respond, his full attention fixed on the convoy. When the lead vehicle entered the mine zone, he gave the decisive order: Detonate!

With a tremendous bang, the lead vehicle was blown sky-high. Almost simultaneously, the rear exploded, destroying the last vehicle.

At Li Ping'an's command, the sniper opened fire first, precisely hitting the armored vehicle's observation port. The assault squad surged forward like a tiger descending the mountain, throwing themselves at the middle vehicles.

But just then, something went wrong. The rear door of the armored vehicle suddenly flung open, and more than twenty fully armed Japanese soldiers jumped out, quickly forming a defensive formation.

We've been duped! This is bait! Li Ping'an instantly realized, shouting for everyone to pay attention—the enemy is a Special Forces unit!

Gunfire erupted intensely. Though the new members were well trained, this being their first real combat, they appeared somewhat flustered facing the sudden situation.

A member exposed his position while reloading, instantly pinned down by fire unable to raise his head. "Cover!" Li Ping'an bellowed, rolling over to his side and returning fire with his rifle.

"Don't panic! Do as we trained!" Li Ping'an shouted while shooting and directing, the sniper team suppressing the left, the demolition squad throwing smoke grenades to the right flank, and the assault squad following me forward!

Under Li Ping'an's command, the members gradually steadied their footing. The member skilled with traps, thinking quickly, used the wire he carried to set a tripwire, instantly tripping three of the charging Japanese soldiers.

"Nice!" Li Ping'an praised, "Keep it up like this! Let them taste our strength!"

The fight stalled. The Japanese Special Forces were indeed well trained, their tactics smoothly coordinated. But the Flying Eagle members, using more flexible tactics and terrain advantage, gradually gained the upper hand.

"Instructor, their commander is behind the armored vehicle!" the sniper suddenly reported.

Li Ping'an's eyes flashed: "Er Gazi, take two men and sneak around from the left flank. Everyone else, provide covering fire!"

Under heavy covering fire, Er Gazi's squad successfully flanked the armored vehicle's side. After a fierce exchange, the Japanese commander was hit and fell.

With their leader gone, the Japanese fell into chaos. The Flying Eagle team seized the moment to launch a total assault, soon annihilating the enemy.

"Hurry and clear the battlefield!" Li Ping'an ordered, "Stay alert, watch for reinforcements!"

The members swiftly gathered weapons and ammunition. When they opened the transport vehicle's cargo hold, everyone was stunned—it was packed with new weapons, equipment, and medicine.

"We've struck it rich!" Er Gazi excitedly rubbed his hands, "So much good stuff!"

Li Ping'an, however, frowned: "Withdraw quickly! Such a commotion will bring Japanese reinforcements in no time!"

Sure enough, engine sounds came from afar. Li Ping'an made a snap decision: the demolition squad would destroy the remaining vehicles, while the others took what they could carry and executed the third withdrawal plan.

The members acted swiftly. When the Japanese reinforcements arrived, they saw only wreckage and burning vehicles.

Returning to the temporary outpost, as they tallied the spoils, every member beamed with joy. This time they not only captured a Japanese Special Forces squad but also seized a large quantity of urgently needed supplies.

"Instructor, we've made a major contribution this time!" one member exclaimed excitedly.

Li Ping'an, however, wore a stern expression: "You're getting ahead of yourselves. Do you know how many mistakes you made today?"

The members instantly fell silent.

First, reconnaissance wasn't thorough enough—we didn't even figure out how many vehicles they had. Second, our on-the-spot adaptability wasn't quick enough; if we hadn't realized in time that they were Special Forces, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Most importantly, someone actually spaced out during the fight!

The named member lowered his head in shame.

But Li Ping'an's tone shifted: "You ultimately overcame the difficulties and completed the mission. That is the Flying Eagle spirit—no matter what obstacles arise, find a way to overcome them!"

The members smiled again.

However, Li Ping'an said sternly, "Today's victory had an element of luck. Next time we might not be so fortunate. Starting tomorrow, we double the training!"

The members groaned in unison, yet their eyes burned with fighting spirit.

The next day, Li Ping'an brought the spoils and battle report to headquarters. Political Commissar Zhou stared at the list, his eyes widening: "This much? Did you seize the Japanese arsenal?"

Li Ping'an smiled as he recounted the battle. Zhou Zhengwei sighed, "Ping'an, the unit you lead is getting stronger and stronger. But stay safe—I hear the Japanese are gathering more Special Forces to deal with you."

"Perfect timing." Li Ping'an's eyes gleamed with confidence, "Just right to give the new recruits some practice."

Returning to the training ground, Li Ping'an immediately called a meeting of the members.

"Comrades, the Japanese won't let this go. More intense battles may await us." He scanned each youthful face, asking, "Are you afraid?"

"No!" the members replied in unison, their voices booming.

Li Ping'an nodded satisfied, "Then let's keep training, preparing to meet greater challenges!"

On the training field, the stirring slogan rang out again. Under the sun, eighteen dark, hardened figures trained hard, each like a sword forged through a thousand tempers, ready to be drawn and strike the enemy at any moment.

Li Ping'an gazed at these lovable warriors, his heart swelling with pride. He knew that after this real‑combat tempering, the Flying Eagle team had truly matured. Though the road ahead may hold more hardships, as long as they hold faith in their hearts and rifles in their hands, there is nothing to fear.

In the distance, Baota Mountain glittered in the sunlight, as if bearing witness to the growth and transformation of this special unit.