Chapter 96: Surging Undercurrents

The cold wind cut through the forest sea like a knife, wailing. Li Ping'an stood on the newly built watchtower, holding the telescope and scrutinizing the distant mountain road. After several days of calm, he felt uneasy instead.

Instructor, we've been watching for three days and haven't seen a ghost. Er Gazi rubbed his frozen hands, blowing out a puff of white air—have the little devils been scared off by us?

Li Ping'an lowered the telescope, his brows furrowed tightly: the calmer it is, the more vigilant we must be. The Japanese soldiers suffered such a loss; they will certainly not let it go.

Just then, urgent hoofbeats sounded from afar. A scout came galloping, jumping off before his horse steadied: Instructor, Political Commissar, we have news!

Zhou Zhengwei stepped out quickly from the command post: Don't rush, speak slowly.

The scout panted: We've detected a suspicious group active twenty li outside Xiao Wang Village. They look like bandits, but their movements are off.

How are they off? Li Ping'an asked sharply.

Their equipment is top-notch, and... they seem to be surveying the terrain. The scout added, even stranger, they speak with a Northeastern accent but dress as local bandits.

Li Ping'an and Zhou Zhengwei exchanged a glance, each understanding about seventy or eighty percent.

It seems the Japanese soldiers' special forces have arrived. Li Ping'an snorted coldly: Let's go meet them!

He immediately picked ten elite members, changed into civilian clothes, disguised as mountain goods peddlers, and headed toward Xiao Wang Village.

As they neared the village, Li Ping'an suddenly signaled, and the members quickly took cover in the roadside bushes.

There's a secret sentry. Li Ping'an lowered his voice: three o'clock direction, up that old locust tree.

Er Gazi squinted for a while before barely spotting a shadow hidden among the branches. Nice fellow, they're really well concealed!

That's professional. Li Ping'an signaled everyone to retreat; it looks like we've met our match. Let's approach the village from another direction.

They went around to the village's rear hill, slipping in via a little-known path. The village was quiet, with occasional movement, but Li Ping'an could tell at a glance that these people were trained—steady steps, sharp eyes.

Instructor, what now? a team member whispered.

Li Ping'an pondered, then had an idea: Er Gazi, take two men to the east of the village to create a disturbance. The rest follow me—we'll catch them in a jar.

Soon after, a commotion erupted at the village east; several rushed over. Li Ping'an seized the chance to lead his people into the central courtyard.

In the courtyard, several people were drawing maps, speaking Japanese. Seeing Li Ping'an and his group enter, their faces changed instantly.

"Boss, want to buy mountain goods?" Li Ping'an asked with a smile in the local dialect, while secretly signaling; the members quickly took position.

Those Japanese obviously didn't understand, exchanging bewildered looks. A man who seemed the leader strained to speak rough Chinese: "We don't need it; please leave."

Just then, a gunshot rang out from Er Gazi's side. Li Ping'an made a snap decision: Open fire!

Instantly, a fierce melee erupted in the courtyard. These Japanese were indeed well-trained, striking hard and lethal with every move—but the Flying Eagle team members were even more skilled, subduing most of them quickly.

Seeing the situation turn bad, the leader blew a whistle, and immediately over twenty Japanese armed with submachine guns poured out from the surrounding houses.

Oh no! We've been tricked! Li Ping'an shouted: Cover! Retreat!

The members quickly closed ranks, fighting while retreating. Bullets whizzed past their ears, striking the earth walls with a thudding sound.

Instructor, we're surrounded! Er Gazi yelled while returning fire.

Li Ping'an calmly surveyed the battlefield, then his eyes lit up: Withdraw toward the granary! I recall there's a cellar there.

Everyone fought while retreating, finally reaching the granary. Li Ping'an pried open the cellar door; the members filed in. The last to enter, Li Ping'an, tossed a few grenades behind him, temporarily holding back the pursuers.

Inside the pitch‑black cellar, the members caught their breath and checked for injuries. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt—just a few scrapes.

Too close! Er Gazi's heart pounded—those little devils are really crafty!

Li Ping'an, however, smiled: This is what makes it interesting. If it were too easy, it'd be boring.

They hid in the cellar until dark, then slipped out quietly. The village had returned to calm, and the Japanese seemed to have withdrawn as well.

Returning to the base, Li Ping'an immediately called a meeting.

How did everyone feel about this engagement? he asked.

One member spoke first: These Japanese are much tougher than before, their tactics well coordinated.

Another added: Moreover, they're skilled at disguise; without the instructor's keen eye, we wouldn't have noticed them at all.

Li Ping'an nodded: That's right. This time they're indeed elite. But he shifted tone: they also have weaknesses.

What weaknesses? the members asked curiously.

First, they don't know the local terrain; second, they rely too much on equipment; third—and most crucially—Li Ping'an smiled slightly, they underestimated the people's strength.

Over the next few days, Li Ping'an adjusted tactics. He sent members to mobilize the surrounding villagers, establishing an eye‑network that would report any suspicious persons immediately.

At the same time, he led the Flying Eagle team deep into the mountains, using their familiarity with the terrain to contend with the Japanese special forces.

Once, they deliberately showed a flaw to lure the Japanese into a valley. After all the Japanese had entered, they blasted the entrances, trapping them inside.

"Damn it! We've been tricked!" the Japanese squad leader bellowed, furious and flustered.

Li Ping'an stood on the summit and shouted in Japanese: "Listen, troops below! You're surrounded! Lay down your arms and surrender; we'll treat prisoners well!"

The Japanese squad leader, however, sneered: "The Imperial Japanese Army never surrenders! If you've got the guts, come down and fight to the death!"

Li Ping'an shook his head: If that's how it is, then don't blame us for being harsh. He gestured, and the team began rolling logs and stones down from the hill, which had been prepared in advance.

The Japanese were pounded until they cried for their parents, and had no choice but to raise their hands in surrender.

In this battle, the Flying Eagle team captured alive fifteen Japanese special forces and seized a large amount of new equipment.

During interrogation, that Japanese squad leader protested indignantly: "This isn't bushido spirit! If you're capable, fight us face‑to‑face!"

Li Ping'an scoffed: "War isn't a martial arts contest; it's about achieving maximum victory at minimal cost. You've invaded our country and harmed our people—what face do you have to talk about bushido?"

The Japanese squad leader was left speechless.

However, just as everyone celebrated the victory, bad news arrived: a large Japanese force was marching toward the base, evidently to avenge the special forces' defeat.

Perfect timing! Li Ping'an's eyes flashed with battle spirit—let's prepare a big gift for the Japanese!

He and his team worked day and night, laying numerous traps and explosives on the roads the Japanese must travel. At the same time, he mobilized nearby residents to temporarily evacuate, implementing a clear‑field policy.

Three days later, the large Japanese force indeed arrived. Seeing the deserted villages and roads littered with traps, the Japanese commander exploded in rage.

"Damn it! These anti‑Japanese guerrillas are like ground‑dogs!" he yelled, brandishing his sword.

Just then, gunfire suddenly rang out from the woods, dropping several Japanese. By the time they organized a counterattack, the shots had ceased.

Thus, the Flying Eagle team employed a hit‑and‑run tactic, exhausting the Japanese and inflicting heavy losses.

Finally, the Japanese Soldiers had to slink away in disgrace.

We won! The team members cheered and leapt with joy.

But Li Ping'an showed no relaxation at all: this was just the beginning. The Japanese Soldiers would not let it go so easily; even harder trials lay ahead.

He gazed into the distance, his eyes firm: but as long as we stand united, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome! The Chinese people are invincible!

Flying Eagle will win! The team members' shouts echoed through the valley, foretelling that even fiercer battle was about to come……