Chapter 174: Counterattack and Retreat

As the acting commander of the 56th Division, Jin Gang Zong Si Lang should have protected Division Commander Zhou Quan, but now has brought about such a shameful humiliation.

According to Imperial military law, his only recourse is to slit his belly in atonement.

Yet at that moment a stronger resolve overwhelmed the urge to die, to retrieve Watanabe Masao! As long as the division commander lives, even if he shatters his own body, he must bring him back!

He inhaled deeply, rainwater mixing with blood sliding down his face. He turned, his gaze sweeping the scarred battlefield, finally resting on Zuotian Yilang, his voice hoarse yet firm: "Cease the full‑scale pursuit."

Zuotian Yilang was startled: "Regiment Commander?"

"From now on, Zuotian‑kun, you assume command of the 56th Division." Jin Gang Zong Si Lang forced a bitter smile, his smile full of sorrow and resolve, "Your mission is to lead the remaining troops, safely withdraw to Tonggu, and reorganize the Defensive Line."

"No! Regiment Commander, let us retreat together!" Zuotian Yilang shouted urgently; he already understood Jin Gang Zong Si Lang's intent. This is to atone with death, and also to gamble a sliver of life with his own.

"I will not retreat." Jin Gang Zong Si Lang cut him off, his eyes like iron, "I will personally lead a company northwest in pursuit. The time the division commander was taken away won't be long; they are carrying the wounded, so their speed is inevitably limited."

He paused, looking into the depths of the rainforest, as if he could pierce the heavy rain and see the fleeing squad. "Do not wait for us. If there is no word within three days… then consider me already loyal to the Emperor."

Having said that, he did not look back, and strode toward the assembled soldiers awaiting orders. Rain struck his back, and his figure stood out starkly amid mud and smoke, solitary yet exuding undeniable samurai bravery.

Between Bushido Spirit and self‑immolation, Jin Gang Zong Si Lang chose the former.

Jin Gang Zong Si Lang showed no hesitation.

He swiftly selected a full infantry company from the remnants—about one hundred and sixty soldiers, all seasoned veterans. He personally oversaw their resupply, weapon checks, and even distributed a few captured German submachine guns from the positions.

Jin Gang Zong Si Lang inspected the Type 38 rifle in his hand, confirming it was fine.

He knew this pursuit was fraught with peril; only with the most elite force could they possibly snatch a chance of survival.

He dared not imagine, if the Chinese soldiers were all as combat‑effective as this unit, how many warriors the Greater Japan Empire would have to sacrifice to occupy China?

"Lightly equipped, fast, no lingering in battle." He ordered briefly, his voice cold as iron, "The only objective: retrieve Division Commander Watanabe."

Jin Gang Zong Si Lang also possessed great insight into jungle warfare.

Yet even these elite Japanese troops sweeping Southeast Asia lacked rainforest experience; when they entered Southeast Asia it was still the dry season, and in the blink of an eye they were thrust into the rainy season.

The unit quickly completed preparations, and silently sped northwest through the downpour, their silhouettes swiftly swallowed by the dense rainforest.

Remaining at the spot, Zuotian Yilang watched the Regiment Commander's departing figure, his heart a mix of emotions. As his adjutant, he knew Jin Gang Zong Si Lang's move was not reckless. He turned silently, beginning to organize the remaining troops for on‑site rest.

The soldiers were exhausted, many wounded, morale at its lowest point.

They had just endured a nightmarish battle; the enemy numbered fewer than a hundred, yet the entire 56th Division suffered catastrophic casualties, nearly crippled, and even the division commander was captured alive.

More chilling was the mysterious unit's equipment. All German‑made, firepower fierce and precise, especially the MG42 General Machine Gun, whose rate of fire was suffocating; a single sweep could shred an entire line of charging Japanese troops.

This was not the configuration of an ordinary Chinese army.

Imperial intelligence had long confirmed that the German‑armed unit in Chongqing had become a phantom after the Battle of Wuhan, yet this squad seemed to have descended from heaven, wielding the most advanced German weapons and possessing terrifying tactical acumen.

Ironically, the illustrious Imperial Army 56th Division is now actually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. This itself strikes a heavy blow to the myth of the "Imperial Japanese Army invincible."

Zuotian Yilang forced down his unease and began issuing retreat orders. He knew staying any longer meant certain annihilation.

Once the rain stopped and the clouds cleared, the Chongqing Air Force would pour out, those BF109 attack aircraft, and those damned Stukas; the shrill scream of a Stuka chills the soul. Damn the Germans; they must have once again aided the Huaxia forces.

Zuotian Yilang cursed the Germans ten thousand times in his mind.

The muddy road was already hard to traverse; if struck by air attacks, the whole unit would likely disintegrate.

Therefore, Jin Gang Zong Si Lang's decision was undoubtedly correct: let the main force withdraw south first, preserve the living, and fall back to Tonggu to hold the line awaiting reinforcement.

As for Jin Gang Zong Si Lang himself… Zuotian Yilang understood that even if he successfully returned to Tonggu, what awaited him would not be commendation but a military tribunal's judgment.

Losing the division commander and, without certainty of his death, bombarding him, is a rare and shameful disgrace in Imperial Army history; regardless of reason, someone must bear responsibility.

For this reason, Jin Gang Zong Si Lang chose another path: under the guise of pursuit, to enact atonement.

He knew full well the chance of success was minuscule.

The squad that took Watanabe Masao likely had already linked up with the Expeditionary Force's main body.

And if ahead awaited a regular Expeditionary Force unit whose combat power matched that of the hundred‑man squad just encountered, even a single battalion would be enough to utterly annihilate his lone force.

Yet Jin Gang Zong Si Lang still went.

The rain still did not cease.

Zuotian Yilang cast one last glance toward the northwest dense forest, where no trace remained. He inhaled deeply, waved his hand and ordered: "All troops, retreat toward Tonggu!"

The unit slowly set out, treading mud, water, and comrades' corpses, trudging southward with difficulty.

Passing the bodies on the ground, they dared not look twice, whether friend or Huaxia soldier; especially the Huaxia troops, whose angry, wide‑open eyes they could not bear to meet—truly chilling!

Behind them, 146th Regiment Commander Jin Gang Zong Si Lang and his pursuit company marched step by step toward an unknown fate, a road almost destined for death, yet the only road he could take.

Meanwhile, several kilometers from the battlefield along a rainforest path, Yan Zicheng and another warrior, pulling a warhorse carrying Watanabe Masao, trudged laboriously, one foot sinking then the other. They were exhausted, but their sole belief was: they must deliver Watanabe Masao alive into the commander's hands!