Chapter 127: Chapter 126: The Frontlines, Blessings from Master

To avoid shelling, the soldiers hid in narrow caves. Due to their cramped size, some caves could only accommodate three or four people, so the soldiers jokingly called them ’cat-ear caves.’

Aside from relieving themselves, all other activities had to be conducted in these cramped caves.

Not only were the caves cramped, but they were also particularly damp, with water dripping from the ceilings of some caves, and water seeping from the cave walls. There were also poisonous snakes and insects everywhere. It is said that one soldier fell asleep leaning against a cave wall and never woke up—bitten by a poisonous insect in his sleep, he lost his life at just nineteen.

Although saying this is not direct enough, looking at the stationed soldiers’ skin inflamed and festering, red and black mosquito bites covering their entire bodies, some festering and oozing pus, others darkened, looking terrifying.

Those delivering supplies saw the appearance of their frontline comrades and felt even heavier, originally thinking they could relax upon arrival.

“Haha, finally there’s food.”

“Do you have medicine? My leg is almost rotten…”

“Send Old Six and Old Three back… Old Three can be saved this time.”

The supply team hadn’t been able to come up for several days, and they lost one person while another was injured. They needed to send the wounded back quickly. The body of the sacrificed comrade also had to be sent back quickly; otherwise, in such humid and muggy conditions, it could potentially cause an epidemic.

Those who came to deliver supplies didn’t speak of their exhaustion. Silently unloading the supplies, they immediately set to carry a wounded soldier and a body, taking only a quarter of an hour to head back quickly.

Upon returning, two human-shaped mine detectors were still at the forefront, accompanied by Ling Chengyan. A comrade from the lead vehicle insisted on walking for a while before also getting on a stretcher, due to his poor condition—injured and soaked, he was exhausted and showed signs of fever.

Fortunately, this time they returned safely to the convoy.

Ling Chengyan regained command, ordering everyone to check the vehicles, including the rear compartment and undercarriage, sparing no potential dangers.

Luckily, no dangers were found, and everyone boarded the vehicles and returned.

This time, Ling Chengyan drove at the front.

After witnessing the danger, Zhang Wanxiang, Zheng Hongwei, and others all wanted to lead, but Ling Chengyan refused them.

The rain continued to fall, and the roads were very muddy.

The vehicles were stuck several times in mud puddles, requiring the front vehicle to pull them out… Even so, they smoothly returned to the station.

The comrade in the lead vehicle insisted on completing the task, not even reporting the situation before fainting.

The actual commander, Ling Chengyan, was summoned to the station leaders’ command post.

A simple house disguised from the outside, upon entering was a large room, the most prominent feature being the sand table in the middle.

The sand table was large and detailed, and Ling Chengyan immediately saw the location of position number 2.

A forty-something, dark, thin-faced middle-aged man noticed her gaze and expression and smiled: “Comrade Ling Chengyan, I intended to ask you if you could mark the minefield and enemy positions, but it seems I don’t need to ask.”

Ling Chengyan blinked and nodded: “Do I mark it here?” She pointed at the sand table.

The man smiled: “Yes.”

Without hesitation, Ling Chengyan picked up several blue flags and accurately marked the sand table, explaining as she marked: “We drove to here, then switched to walking, here a comrade at the front stepped on a mine, 17 were cleared in total, with no clear distribution pattern…”

After marking, Ling Chengyan excused herself and returned to the guesthouse to rest.

They had been driving for over ten days executing tasks, and were extremely tired both mentally and physically.

She quickly washed up and, almost as soon as she lay down, fell asleep.

When she woke again, it was because someone called her.

Zhang Wanxiang stood at the door: “Squad Leader, the command wants you over.”

Ling Chengyan awoke fully alert the moment she opened her eyes, getting out of bed and grabbing her spare clothing to dress. Walking from the bed to the door, less than ten meters, she already had her uniform buttons fastened. Holding her military cap, Ling Chengyan walked out the door: “Alright, I’m heading over.”

Arriving at the command, Ling Chengyan received a new task: tomorrow, the convoy would transport a batch of wounded to the rear hospital. It was necessary to note that the nearest rear hospital was less than a hundred kilometers away but required traveling twenty or so kilometers along the border, requiring extra caution.

Of course, a platoon would accompany them for protection.

Ling Chengyan returned to gather her convoy, inspect the vehicles, and tidy up the rear compartments as much as possible.

Washing the vehicles wasn’t feasible, but cleaning them would be beneficial for the wounded once they boarded.

With everything ready, they planned to transfer the wounded at three in the morning, taking advantage of a relatively calm period.

The vehicles drove up to the field hospital entrance, and the wounded were lifted onto the vehicles. Each vehicle could hold three wounded. Accompanying each vehicle was a medical staff member and two escort soldiers.

Once all the wounded were on board, the convoy started and set off.

After leaving the station, soon there were no pedestrians or other vehicles visible.

Although the war had broken out less than a year ago, the original inhabitants at the border were gone. Even if villages were visible, they were empty, the farmland entirely abandoned. The humid and hot southern climate caused rapid plant growth, with dense weeds and even shrubs growing in the abandoned fields, resembling the wilderness.

The road wasn’t seriously damaged, so the vehicles made reasonable progress.

Ling Chengyan was in the lead vehicle, accompanied by Ma Dajun, and an escort platoon leader was named Shi.

Platoon Leader Shi was twenty-four or five years old, dark, with a serious demeanor. After a brief introduction upon meeting, he said little else.

Ling Chengyan was also quiet and patient, though Ma Dajun, sandwiched between them, felt quite uneasy.

Suddenly, Platoon Leader Shi spoke: “Ahead is a section close to the border line.”

Anxiously daydreaming, Ma Dajun was startled, then heard Ling Chengyan respond calmly: “Understood.”

The vehicle’s speed did not reduce but flickered its lights twice. This was Ling Chengyan signaling the vehicles behind to remain alert.

In the vehicle, Platoon Leader Shi raised the wooden gun he held in his arms, checking the gun’s mechanism even in the dim light, clearly audible to Ma Dajun.

Quietly, Ma Dajun retrieved the wooden gun stored under his seat, checking the ammunition, unlocking the safety, and chambering a round.

After finishing these tasks, he remembered to turn to look at Ling Chengyan, noticing a wooden gun appeared by her side, preparing without needing to look.

Recalling Ling Chengyan’s stellar shooting skill, Ma Dajun’s tense heart relaxed slightly, silently reciting: “Master protect, I’ll definitely repay my master well in the future.”

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