Chapter 95: Dark Night Blade

The north wind whirled the snowflakes, howling as it swept over Linhai Xueyuan. Li Ping'an stood on a hilltop, gazing at the familiar land before him, feeling a warm current rise in his heart. After three months away, he finally returned to Dongbei's resistance base.

Instructor! The Instructor is back! The Sentinel was the first to spot him, shouting excitedly.

In an instant, the whole camp boiled over. Fighters surged in from all directions, encircling Li Ping'an.

Instructor, you finally made it back! How's Yan'an? Did you see Chairman Mao? Tell us quickly!

Li Ping'an, moved by everyone's enthusiasm, smiled and took a Cloth Bag from his chest. He unfolded it carefully, revealing the Hundred Battles Hundred Victories Calligraphy penned by Chairman Mao.

Comrades, this was given to us by Chairman Mao! Li Ping'an shouted loudly.

The scene fell silent at once, everyone held their breath, staring at the characters. Suddenly, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

Zhou Zhengwei pushed into the crowd, gripping Li Ping'an's hand tightly: "Ping'an, you finally returned! In these three months, everyone missed you terribly!"

Political Commissar, I missed everyone too, Li Ping'an said emotionally. "I learned many new things in Yan'an and can't wait to share them with you all."

That evening, the camp held a lively welcome ceremony. The Mess Hall Team specially stewed a huge pot of pork with vermicelli, as a reception for Li Ping'an.

Instructor, in the three months you were gone, the Japanese Soldiers didn't lack trouble. Er Gazi, munching on a corn cake, said, "But we didn't let them have it easy either; following the methods you taught, we fought several splendid battles."

Li Ping'an nodded reassuringly: "Well done! However, I learned even more powerful Special Operations techniques in Yan'an, and will now train everyone properly."

The next day, Li Ping'an stood before the camp, looking at the distant continuous mountains, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.

Instructor, are we just going to sit idle waiting for the Japanese Soldiers to attack? Er Gazi rubbed his hands, exhaling white breath as he asked.

Li Ping'an turned, his eyes scanning the assembled Flying Eagle members: "Waiting to be hit isn't our style. Special forces must fight like special forces—take the initiative, strike straight at the Yellow Dragon!"

The members instantly perked up, each straightening their backs.

From today onward, we split into small units and infiltrate the city to catch the Japanese Soldiers off guard. Li Ping'an's voice rang clear in the cold wind, targeting the Japanese Soldiers' high officials and staunch traitors, keeping them restless!

Zhou Zhengwei looked concerned: "Ping'an, isn't this too risky? The city is the Japanese Soldiers' territory."

Precisely because it's their territory, we must strike harder. Li Ping'an's mouth curved, declaring that the Japanese Soldiers should know that even in their own den, they cannot live peacefully!

After meticulous planning, the Flying Eagle Team split into six squads of three, gradually slipping into several nearby major towns. Li Ping'an personally led one squad, targeting the Japanese Soldiers' garrison captain Ji Tian Zhengyi in the provincial capital.

The old Japanese Soldier was heinously guilty, harming many compatriots. Li Ping'an pointed to a spot on the map; according to inside intelligence, he visits that tavern every night.

Late at night, the provincial capital lay shrouded in silence. Li Ping'an, with two members, disguised as merchants, slipped silently into the city.

Instructor, there's a checkpoint ahead, a member whispered.

Li Ping'an looked up and saw two Pseudo Army soldiers inspecting passersby. He gave a slight smile, pulling a fake ID from his chest: "Watch me."

Approaching the checkpoint, Li Ping'an deliberately raised his voice: "Hurry, hurry! The Lord is still waiting!"

The Pseudo Army soldiers saw the Japanese trading company seal on the document and promptly let them pass. Once they were far enough, a member couldn't help but laugh: "Instructor, you really pulled that off convincingly!"

Remember, once inside the city, act as a local. Li Ping'an said softly, "The more natural, the less likely to arouse suspicion."

They reached the rooftop of a residence opposite the target tavern, where an observation post had already been set up.

Ji Tian usually arrives at eight p. m. and leaves at nine. Li Ping'an checked his pocket watch; ten minutes remained.

Time ticked by second by second. At exactly eight, a black sedan stopped promptly before the tavern's entrance. Ji Tian, surrounded by several guards, entered the tavern.

The target appeared. Li Ping'an raised his Telescope and acted according to plan.

One member, disguised as a waiter, slipped into the tavern; another stood outside as support. Li Ping'an set up a Sniper Rifle on the opposite rooftop, ready to provide assistance.

Inside the tavern, the member successfully approached Ji Tian's private room. Through the doorway crack, Ji Tian could be seen toasting with several traitors.

"Lord, this is our house's specially brewed fine wine," the member said, carrying a sake jug into the room in fluent Japanese.

Ji Tian nodded appreciatively, about to raise his cup, when his expression suddenly changed: "Wait! Who are you? Why have I never seen you?"

The member's heart tightened, but outwardly remained calm: "I am new here, Lord."

At that critical moment, a gunshot rang from outside the window. Li Ping'an, on the opposite rooftop, fired decisively, shattering a streetlamp. Instantly, the street descended into chaotic darkness.

Taking advantage of the confusion, the member struck swiftly, a dagger plunging precisely into Ji Tian's chest. The other traitors hadn't reacted before being swiftly dealt with.

Success! the member whispered.

Withdraw as planned! Li Ping'an ordered.

The three quickly regrouped and vanished into the night. When the Japanese Soldiers' reinforcements arrived, they only saw the corpses of Ji Tian and several traitors.

The next day, the provincial capital erupted in chaos. The common folk secretly cheered, while the Pseudo Army members each felt threatened. The Japanese Soldiers were furious, ordering citywide martial law.

But this was only the beginning. In the following days, the Flying Eagle Team acted simultaneously in various towns:

In Bin City, staunch traitor Zhao Yanwang was slit in the throat on his own bed; in Jia City, Japanese spy chief Shanben was killed in his office; in Mu City, the Pseudo Army commander was riddled with bullets outside a casino…

Each site left a Flying Eagle feather, clearly telling the Japanese Soldiers: this is the fate of a traitor!

The Japanese Soldiers' high command was enraged, dispatching a large number of spies to hunt the Flying Eagle Team. On one occasion, Li Ping'an's squad nearly got trapped inside the city.

Instructor, they're Japanese Soldiers everywhere! the member said anxiously.

Li Ping'an observed calmly: "Enter the alley! I know a Secret Door."

They quickly slipped into a narrow alley, pushed open a Secret Door, and slipped into the underground drainage system. By the time the Japanese Soldiers pursued, they had vanished.

Good fellow, Instructor, you even knew this? the member exclaimed.

Li Ping'an smiled: "Warfare requires knowing the terrain first. I've long mapped these underground passages."

The most daring operation was dealing with a major traitor. This traitor was especially cunning, always surrounded by a large retinue of bodyguards, making close approach difficult.

A brute force entry wouldn't work; we needed a scheme. Li Ping'an pondered briefly, then his eyes lit up: "Doesn't he love watching operas? Let's strike inside the theater!"

The next day, the traitor indeed appeared at the theater. Li Ping'an, disguised as a qin player, infiltrated the accompanying orchestra.

When the traitor was engrossed in the performance, Li Ping'an suddenly turned the instrument's head; a miniature handgun was hidden inside the qin. With a bang, the traitor collapsed.

The venue erupted into chaos. Li Ping'an used the confusion to blend into the crowd and slip away smoothly.

These operations continued for half a month, leaving the Japanese Soldiers' high command and traitors in constant dread. Some traitors even voluntarily resigned, fearing they might become the next target.

Instructor, this tactic really works! Er Gazi reported excitedly, saying several traitors were scared stiff.

Li Ping'an shook his head: "That's still not enough. The Japanese Soldiers must know that not only traitors pay the price, but invaders as well."

He decided on an even bigger move—seizing the Arsenal in the provincial capital.

This is an especially dangerous mission. The Arsenal is guarded like a steel bucket, with three layers of sentry posts inside and out, and a Patrol Squad constantly patrolling.

Forcing entry won't work. Li Ping'an studied the map, needing to devise a clever method.

Through inside contacts, they learned the Arsenal receives a shipment of supplies every week. Li Ping'an decided to start with the transport convoy.

One early morning, when the convoy reached a remote stretch of road, it was suddenly ambushed. The driver and guards were all… the Flying Eagle Team members swapped into their uniforms, took the truck, and continued toward the Arsenal.

Documents. Sentinel routine check.

Li Ping'an handed over forged documents and said in fluent Japanese: "Hurry up, we're waiting to unload."

The Sentinel found everything in order and cleared them. The truck entered the Arsenal smoothly.

Action! At Li Ping'an's command, the team quickly secured key positions and installed explosives.

At that moment, something went wrong. A Japanese officer suddenly stepped forward: "Wait! Isn't this shipment supposed to arrive tomorrow?"

Li Ping'an's heart tightened, but he remained outwardly calm: "The plan is ahead of schedule; this is a transfer order." He handed over a forged file.

The officer examined it carefully, then his face changed: "It's fake! Someone, get him…"

Before the words finished, Li Ping'an acted, a dagger precisely sealing the officer's throat. But the alarm had already been triggered, and the shrill alarm rang through the entire Arsenal at once.

Detonate early! Retreat! Li Ping'an made an instant decision.

Amid the deafening explosion, the Arsenal turned into a sea of fire. The team seized the chaos to break out successfully.

This operation severely crippled the Japanese Soldiers' supply reserves and, more importantly, greatly boosted the morale of the anti‑Japanese troops and civilians.

Back at the base, Zhou Zhengwei grasped Li Ping'an's hand excitedly: "Ping'an, you've achieved a great feat! Yan'an even sent a telegram praising us!"

Yet Li Ping'an did not linger in the joy of victory. He knew the Japanese would retaliate furiously.

Sure enough, a few days later intelligence showed the Japanese had brought a Special Ops Expert from the Kwantung Army, specifically to deal with the Flying Eagle Team.

Just in time. Li Ping'an's eyes flashed with combat fire, "Let's see who the real Special Ops Expert really is!"

He stood on the training ground, looking at the ready‑to‑go Flying Eagle members, his voice resonant and powerful: "Comrades, tougher battles lie ahead. But as long as we unite as one, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome!"

Flying Eagle must win! The members shouted in unison, their voices echoing across Linhai Xueyuan.

Night fell again, and a new round of night operations was about to begin. Li Ping'an inspected the gear, his gaze steady. He knew this special war had only just entered its most exciting stage…