Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Xu Huai’an in Peril, Fighting Alone

Xu Huai’an originally thought this mission would take at most a week to complete, but he underestimated the enemy’s strength and overestimated his own team’s abilities.

A lot of problems cropped up during the actual operation.

First, they were a hastily assembled team that still needed time to gel, unlike his previous squad, where everyone recognized his leadership without question.

Each member of this team was an elite among elites, and as is often the case with elites, they tended to be a bit arrogant, convinced of their own strength and with strong egos.

Although Xu Huai’an had already won over the six team members through sheer force, issues still inevitably arose when it came to following orders.

Previously, the other five had worked with a team member named Zhu Hao for a long time, so they instinctively deferred to Zhu Hao’s leadership rather than Xu Huai’an’s.

Another reason for their reluctance was that Xu Huai’an had been specially appointed as leader because of his status as a retired soldier. Some of them were unconvinced, thinking he was all brawn and no brains.

In short, problems kept cropping up along the way. The key issue was that whenever something went wrong, instead of self-reflecting, they just made excuses, leaving Xu Huai’an feeling exhausted as their leader.

If it were his old self, he would have just fought it out with them and forced them into submission. But this was the mountains, where danger lurked everywhere—he couldn’t risk everyone’s lives, so he had to grit his teeth and endure.

The special ops team had been moving through the mountains for days. Apart from running into a few small-time thugs and almost being discovered, they still hadn’t found the enemy’s main base, let alone provided any valuable intel to those outside.

The root of the problem was a lack of unity—a makeshift team could never match the tacit understanding of comrades who’d fought side by side for years.

Xu Huai’an started assigning numbers to everyone, from One to Seven.

Led by Xu Huai’an, the seven-man squad trekked through the forest for over ten days. Their rations were running out, and everyone was starting to panic.

That’s when something even worse happened: it seemed the enemy had discovered their presence.

After refilling their water bottles that morning, everyone started experiencing nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

Xu Huai’an analyzed the situation and concluded that the enemy must have noticed their tracks and poisoned the only nearby water source, causing these symptoms.

While the reaction wasn’t severe enough to render them completely incapacitated, it did force them to stop and rest in a sheltered spot.

When the body falters, the mind is quick to follow.

Number Three didn’t even realize when he dropped his water bottle.

Before long, an enemy patrol followed the trail of the water bottle and discovered their whereabouts, immediately sending out a signal and quietly closing in.

This meant that a large enemy force would soon be arriving as backup.

But the team still hadn’t recovered; they were dizzy and disoriented, in no shape for a full-on fight. Worse, they had no idea how many enemies there were or what the situation was.

Xu Huai’an knew things were bad and quickly led everyone in a hasty retreat.

The situation was dire, leaving no time for careful planning. It was a challenge, but also a hidden opportunity, and Xu Huai’an made a snap decision.

Once they reached a relatively safe spot, he took out a small bottle of spiritual spring water he’d kept hidden in his clothes—a life-saving measure given to him by Gu Qinghuan, just in case. He hadn’t expected to actually need it.

“Listen up, this is medicine. Take a small sip each—don’t drink too much.” Xu Huai’an took the first sip himself. As soon as the spring water touched his lips, he felt much better, his symptoms quickly fading.

He passed the bottle to the next person.

Hearing it was medicine, everyone stopped caring about the details and shared the bottle, each taking a small sip. Instantly, they felt refreshed, as if days of exhaustion had melted away.

“I feel so much better.”

“Me too.”

“I’m fine now.”

In the end, only half the bottle was left for Xu Huai’an, who carefully tucked it back into his clothes.

“Captain, what kind of medicine is that? It’s amazing!” Number Four asked, thinking he’d like to carry a bottle himself in the future.

Xu Huai’an glanced at him but didn’t answer.

Everyone felt a bit awkward, especially Numbers Five, Six, and Seven, who’d been the most rebellious—they fell silent.

For days, they’d resisted Xu Huai’an’s leadership, openly and covertly ignoring his commands, which was a serious breach of discipline.

Yet Xu Huai’an was still willing to use his precious medicine to save them, making them realize they’d misjudged him.

If they couldn’t maintain peak condition in the coming battle, they’d be nothing but pointless sacrifices.

Xu Huai’an could have kept the medicine for himself, but he chose to save them instead.

This left several of them feeling embarrassed and uneasy.

Number Seven, Zhu Hao, spoke up: “Captain Xu, thank you for the medicine.” This was his way of acknowledging Xu Huai’an’s leadership and agreeing to follow his orders from now on.

“Alright, as long as everyone’s recovered, that’s what matters.

We’ve been through a lot as a team these past days. Honestly, if this were before, I would’ve kicked each of you out one by one.

I promised Commander Zhuo I’d bring you all back safely.

What’s coming next is going to be tough. Whether we can complete our mission depends on what we do now.

No matter what’s happened before, let’s put it aside. With our lives on the line, you must follow my orders to the letter. I promise I’ll get you all back alive,” Xu Huai’an said sternly.

Everyone sensed the seriousness in his tone and saluted in unison. “Yes, sir!”

It was rare to see the team so united. Xu Huai’an sighed inwardly—if only they’d been like this from the start.

People often only see things clearly in moments of crisis.

Xu Huai’an immediately laid out his plan.

Number Seven immediately objected. “Captain Xu, no! How can we just leave you behind?”

The others shook their heads in agreement.

“Didn’t you just say you’d follow my orders?” Xu Huai’an said helplessly.

“We can’t do it, Captain Xu. If we die, we die together. Don’t do this…”

“That’s right, Captain Xu. From the day we became soldiers, we put life and death aside.”

“We’re in this together!”

…

The special ops team thought Xu Huai’an intended to act as a decoy to give them a chance to escape, and they were having none of it.

For the first time, they were truly united.

Xu Huai’an had to explain, “I’m skilled at fighting in all kinds of terrain, and I’ve trained as a sniper. Alone, I’m a smaller target—taking you all would just make us easier to spot.

The enemy must have discovered our tracks, which is why they poisoned the water source to try to flush us out.

Based on my reconnaissance, I’m certain they’ll throw everything they have at us to wipe out our team, leaving their base almost unguarded.

We’ll split up. I’ll draw them away and buy you time. You sneak into their base and blow up everything they have! Leave them with nothing—make them a toothless tiger.”

Xu Huai’an’s words moved the team deeply; they felt awful.

For one man to draw away the entire enemy force—what did that mean?

If discovered, it would almost certainly mean death.

He was just a retired soldier, temporarily leading this team. He shouldn’t have to go this far—he was literally risking his life.

“But… you don’t have to take such a risk just to complete the mission. Let me do it! I’m still active duty—it’s my responsibility,” Number Seven, Zhu Hao, said.

The others chimed in, “Captain Xu, we’re all willing to go.”

For the first time, the team was truly united, as if they were all of one mind.

Xu Huai’an was exasperated—this wasn’t the time to argue over who should go.

“Orders are orders. I’m the captain—you have to listen to me.

Frankly, when it comes to mountain warfare and real combat experience, none of you can match me.

I don’t mean to look down on you, but if I go, there’s still a chance I’ll survive. If you go, it’s a lost cause.” He was, after all, once known as a human weapon—he had that much confidence.

Xu Huai’an’s words left everyone silent. It was true—when it came to combat and survival, Xu Huai’an was the best among them. Over the past two weeks, he’d proven it time and again, saving them on multiple occasions.

“So let’s not argue—there’s no time.

We’ll split up. I’ll draw them away, and Number Seven will lead the rest of you. Follow the direction the enemy came from—if they’re moving en masse, they’ll leave traces.

Follow the clues and find their base. If possible, destroy it.

During the operation, don’t get reckless or greedy for credit. Prioritize your own safety. Don’t make pointless sacrifices.

No matter what happens next, hold your ground and don’t move. That’s an order.

If anything goes wrong, retreat immediately and wait for me at the old rendezvous point at the foot of the mountain.”

With that, Xu Huai’an gathered his gear and prepared to set out. The others handed over most of their ammunition to him.

No one knew what would happen next.

“Captain Xu, you have to come back safe.”

“Captain Xu…”

“Captain Xu, you’re amazing. I’m convinced. You have to come back safely.”

…

Numbers Three and Four quietly wiped away tears, overcome by a sudden sense of life-and-death parting.

Xu Huai’an chuckled, turned back, and made a hand gesture to show he understood.

It’s only in the face of life and death that true character is revealed.

After two weeks together, although everyone called him “Captain Xu,” none of them had truly accepted him in their hearts.

Only now did they see him as their backbone and true leader, ready to follow his command.

After all, who could refuse to follow someone willing to risk his life for you?

Xu Huai’an’s character had finally won them over completely.

After the enemy’s signal flare went up, a large, heavily armed force quickly arrived.

Xu Huai’an deliberately left traces for the enemy to find, leading them away.

After all, the enemy would never expect someone to challenge their entire force alone.

The six-man team watched in pain, tears streaming down their faces.

Seeing so many enemies in pursuit—a dark, armed mass—they were almost certain Xu Huai’an wouldn’t survive.

“Maybe we should go after him! Take down as many as we can. If we die, so be it,” Number Three said bitterly.

“Yeah, I agree,” Number Five, hot-blooded as ever, couldn’t stand it.

Number Seven, Zhu Hao, was also grief-stricken but forced himself to stay strong.

“Did you forget Captain Xu’s orders? If we charge in now, everything he’s done will be for nothing.

What we need to do is stay calm, find a way to destroy the enemy’s base, and wait for reinforcements.

Pull yourselves together!”"