Chapter 87: The Mysterious Unit

Late night, the hilly outskirts of Shen City.

"First layer of alert line in position," the armored reconnaissance battalion commander reported over the radio.

Armored reconnaissance vehicles hid among the bushes, their infrared night‑vision equipment continuously scanning the distant road. Soldiers of the motorized reconnaissance company, armed with MP40s, slipped silently through the forest, setting up observation posts.

"Second layer of alert line in position,"

"Third layer of alert line in position,"

Colonel Shiteyin stood inside the camouflaged command vehicle, studying the battle map. The three alert lines spread out in a fan shape, firmly controlling the road leading to Shen City.

"Tiger King Tank Battalion, occupy Hill A," he ordered.

Fourteen massive Tiger King tanks slowly climbed the slope, their 88mm main gun muzzles flashing coldly in the moonlight. They quickly slipped into pre‑prepared camouflage positions, becoming the deadliest hunters in the area.

"Tiger Tank Battalion, deploy to Hills B and C,"

Forty‑five Tiger I tanks split into two groups, occupying two other high points. Their firepower could intersect perfectly, forming a massive fire net.

"Leopard Tank Battalion, disperse and hide in the forests on the east and west sides,"

One hundred twenty Leopard tanks vanished like ghosts into the dense woods. They will strike from both flanks at the crucial moment, cutting off the enemy's retreat.

"Armored Grenade Troop, prepare for deployment,"

Hundreds of Half‑Track Armored Vehicles carrying fully armed grenade troops hid at the designated positions. The muzzles of MG42 machine guns peeked faintly from beneath the camouflage net, and the 120mm heavy mortars had already been calibrated.

"Marshal's Staff Self‑Propelled Artillery Battalion, lock onto the designated target area,"

Ninety‑six self‑propelled guns formed a long line, their barrels pointing straight at the road. Their 40‑kilometer range could cover the entire battlefield, ready to unleash devastating strikes whenever needed.

"88mm AA gun position established,"

Thirty‑six 88mm anti‑aircraft guns were emplaced on the high ground, able to provide air defense and, with their terrifying armor‑piercing power, support ground operations.

"All units, confirm radio silence," Colonel Shiteyin made a final check of the deployment, "Wait for my order before opening fire."

Lin Yu stood at the observation window of the command vehicle, watching the steel torrent flickering in the moonlight. This ambush circle, in this era, was essentially an inescapable death net.

The firepower the Ninth Division boasted was nothing but crude guns and cannons before this armored division equipped with future technology. They would not even comprehend what kind of force would annihilate them.

"Report!" the radio crackled suddenly, "Enemy vanguard detected, about 10 kilometers from the first alert line, expected to enter the ambush circle in two hours."

"Very well," Lin Yu sneered, "Let's give the Easterners a lifelong lesson."

Colonel Shiteyin lifted his binoculars, staring at the distant horizon. He knew that when dawn arrived, this silent hilly region would become the Ninth Division's graveyard.

And the whole of Shen City would witness the terrifying power of an unprecedented steel torrent.

"For victory," he whispered, "FürdenSieg!"

Inside the Security Command Headquarters conference room, the lights shone brightly.

Qin Chang'an sat at one side of the long table, rubbing his still‑tingling cheek. He knew this detail had to be concealed, otherwise his authority as Young Commander would be completely shattered.

"What did Lin Yu say?" Yang Chengdong sat in the main seat, his gaze fixed sharply on his nephew.

"He is confident," Qin Chang'an chose his words carefully, "He says he doesn't need our Security Army's assistance; he can handle the Ninth Division on his own."

"Ha!" Yang Chengdong sneered, "Just with that handful of troops? How arrogant!"

Several generals seated at the conference table also displayed disdainful expressions.

"Uncle," Qin Chang'an continued, "Lin Yu seems to have everything figured out, but I can't see where his confidence comes from."

He deliberately concealed the part where Lin Yu threatened him, as well as hints of possible instability within the Security Army.

"Confidence?" Yang Chengdong snorted, "A month ago he was just a patrol officer kid; what confidence could he have? He only dares to be so brazen because someone backs him up."

"Commander Yang is right," Chief of Staff Li Mingyuan said, "The Ninth Division is a Class‑A division of the Eastern Empire, with hundreds of artillery pieces and equipped with the latest heavy machine guns. Lin Yu's meager forces could never hold them off."

"Exactly," another general agreed, "Without our Security Army's assistance, he couldn't survive even a day."

Yang Chengdong nodded, "This kid refuses a toast but drinks the penalty wine. When the Ninth Division breaks through, we'll see how long he can stay arrogant!"

"Uncle, what do you mean..." Qin Chang'an asked tentatively.

"Observe and wait," Yang Chengdong's eyes flashed with a keen light, "Let Lin Yu run into a dead end himself. Once he suffers a loss, he'll naturally come to beg us. Then..."

He didn't finish, but everyone present understood implicitly.

Qin Chang'an lowered his head, masking the worry in his eyes. He always felt the matter wasn't that simple. Lin Yu's confident demeanor didn't seem like mere bravado.

"By the way," Yang Chengdong suddenly asked, "During your conversation, did Lin Yu exhibit any abnormal behavior?"

Qin Chang'an's heart tightened; he instinctively rubbed his cheek, "No... nothing unusual. His attitude was just a bit hard‑headed."

"Hmph," Yang Chengdong snorted, "He's just a clueless kid. When the Ninth Division breaks through, he'll be a sight to see!"

A chorus of assent rang through the conference room.

Qin Chang'an fell silent. He recalled Lin Yu's final meaningful glance and suddenly felt a wave of unease.

What support did that young inspector actually have? Why could he remain so composed when facing a Class‑A division's threat?

More importantly, would he truly, as Uncle predicted, seek the Security Army's help after defeat?

Qin Chang'an always felt that the development might surprise everyone...

"Report!"

The conference room door was suddenly pushed open, and Regimental Commander Zhang of the city defense forces hurried in, his face unusually grim.

"What's the hurry?" Yang Chengdong frowned.

"Commander," Regimental Commander Zhang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "Two hours ago, an unidentified unit exited the city through the West Gate."

"Oh?" Yang Chengdong showed interest, "What size?"

"This..." Regimental Commander Zhang stammered, "The scale is huge, at least ten thousand men. But the most shocking thing is their equipment..."

"Equipment?" The generals present all perked up.

"I... I can't describe that equipment," Regimental Commander Zhang's voice trembled, "It was a massive iron lump, taller than a three‑story building, its tracks wider than a person, and its barrel thicker than a field artillery piece..."

The conference room erupted in an uproar.

"Nonsense!" Li Mingyuan slammed the table, "What kind of equipment exists in this world?"

I... I didn't lie! Commander Zhang, sweating profusely, said, "Not only these, there are many strange armored vehicles, larger and more advanced than what we've seen. There's also an exceptionally long cannon, its barrel seven or eight meters long."

Qin Chang'an's pupils contracted sharply. He recalled Lin Yu's composed demeanor, could it be...

"Continue speaking!" Yang Chengdong's voice also turned solemn.

"The strangest thing is those soldiers," Commander Zhang lowered his voice, "They wear a kind of colorful uniform and strange helmets. Although they all have Chinese faces, that trained bearing, that elite vigor... I've never seen such in the Security Army."

The meeting room fell into deadly silence.

"You mean," Li Mingyuan said with difficulty, "Lin Yu actually has such a force?"

"I suppose... I suppose so," Commander Zhang nodded, "They set out from near Lin Gong Guan."

Yang Chengdong's face turned extremely grim. If Commander Zhang is telling the truth, then the power Lin Yu commands is probably far beyond anyone's imagination.

"Uncle," Qin Chang'an suddenly said, "I just remembered, Lin Yu once said..."

"What did he say?"

"He said," Qin Chang'an took a deep breath, "By the time we see his true power, it might already be too late."

The meeting room fell into deadly silence again. Everyone realized they might have underestimated this young supervising envoy.

"Send someone to investigate immediately!" Yang Chengdong ordered sternly, "I need to know everything about that unit!"

"Yes!"

As the attendees dispersed one after another, Yang Chengdong's gaze grew deep. He suddenly realized that this situation was probably far more complicated than he had imagined.

And that young man named Lin Yu—just what is his background? Why does he possess such a mysterious force?

Yang Chengdong felt a chill run down his spine. He sensed that Shen City was about to face an unprecedented storm...