The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

After Lei Tao returned to his blocking position and lay dormant for nearly half an hour, the surrounding forest remained silent, broken only by the occasional sound of wind and the low hum of insects. Lei Tao crouched in his carefully camouflaged position, his body blending seamlessly into the surroundings. His eyes were fixed fixed forward, his mind intensely focused, his rifle gripped tightly, ready to respond to any eventuality.

Suddenly, he saw a group of people in the distance searching with torches and flashlights. The flickering light was particularly dazzling in the darkness, as if a group of demons were approaching. Lei Tao's heart suddenly tightened. He knew that this was the Japanese search team he had been waiting for.

As the Japanese troops drew closer, Lei Tao could clearly see half a squadron of them advancing in a net-like formation toward the Toudaoling Fork Pass. They held torches and flashlights, their light flickering in the night sky, illuminating the surrounding mountains and forests. From his own perspective, Lei Tao saw the Japanese soldiers spread out and cautiously advanced. Their pace, though cautious, was filled with a sense of oppression.

In the firelight, Lei Tao could see the silhouettes of Japanese soldiers looming in the jungle and mountains. Some held rifles, vigilantly observing their surroundings; others held torches, illuminating the path ahead. Their formation appeared loose, but in reality, they were tightly coordinated, enabling them to react quickly if they detected any unusual situation.

At this moment, a cacophony of sounds mingled, shattering the stillness of the night. The footsteps of Japanese soldiers echoed through the forest, a dull, rhythmic sound like the drumbeat of death. Their leather boots crunched on fallen leaves and dead branches, each one terrifying. Occasionally, there was the clang of metal against metal, the rubbing of the Japanese soldiers' guns and equipment.

At that moment, the traitorous captain approached the Japanese squad leader with a fawning smile, his body bent, his face plastered with ingratiating words. "Taijun, look, this mountain is Zijin Mountain. After passing the pass ahead and turning right, you'll reach Toudao Ridge. Hey, Taijun, don't worry, with us here, those guys won't be able to escape." The traitorous captain spoke, pointing to the road ahead, his eyes constantly observing the Japanese squad leader's expression.

The Japanese squad leader was short but sturdy, sporting a thin mustache and narrow, sharp eyes that seemed to see through everything. He wore a military cap with the brim pulled low, partially covering his forehead. A shallow scar on his face added a touch of ferocity.

He raised his chin slightly, a hint of arrogance in his eyes. Then, with his white-gloved hand, he gently touched the sword at his waist, as if reminding everyone of his authority. "Are you sure that's Toudao Ridge over there?" His voice was hoarse and low.

The traitorous captain nodded and bowed hurriedly, "Madam, I'm sure. I'm very familiar with this area. This fork in the road to the right is definitely Toudao Ridge. Madam, think about it, if those people are hiding in Toudao Ridge, with so many of us, we can definitely find them. Then, Madam, you will have made a great contribution."

The Japanese squad leader frowned and said, "Humph, if we can't find the person, you know the consequences."

The traitorous captain shuddered with fear. "Don't worry, Madam, don't worry. We will do our best. You see, we have searched carefully along the way. Those people can't get far. As long as we reach Toudao Ridge, we will definitely find them."

Lei Tao watched the approaching Japanese troops and traitors, feeling an uncontrollable surge of nervousness. This was the first time in his life he had ambushed so many Japanese and traitors. Even in his previous life, as a member of the Chinese Special Forces, conducting solo infiltration and reconnaissance missions into terrorist dens, he had never been so nervous. Back then, he had the powerful national army behind him. No matter what danger he faced, he knew he was not fighting alone. This time, there was practically no support. As for the remnants of the Central Army from the National Security Bureau, they had their mission, and they needed a victory to boost morale. They couldn't afford to lose their lives while supporting him.

His palms were slightly sweaty, and his heartbeat was involuntarily quickening. He knew the outcome of this battle was of paramount importance. It hinged not only on his own survival, but also on the safety of his comrades and the remaining soldiers at the artillery positions. Furthermore, it also depended on the success of tomorrow's planned bombardment of the Japanese army's entry ceremony. Failure would have disastrous consequences, and his fellow sufferers would continue to endure the brutal Japanese rule. At this thought, Lei Tao felt the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His mind flashed back to his compatriots suffering in the war. Their helpless eyes and painful expressions stirred a strong sense of responsibility in Lei Tao's heart. He couldn't retreat, he couldn't let these compatriots continue to live in dire straits.

However, just as he was getting nervous, the essence of the Eighth Route Army's sixteen-character combat strategy against the Japanese suddenly emerged in his mind: "When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue." These sixteen words were like a stream of fresh air, instantly quenching his anxiety. He began to calmly analyze the current situation and ponder how to apply these sixteen-character strategies to the upcoming battle.

Lei Tao carefully observed the movements of the Japanese army. Although they were numerous, their movements were restricted by the complex terrain in the mountains and forests. Lei Tao could use the terrain to his advantage and adopt guerrilla tactics, constantly harassing the Japanese army and exhausting them. When they showed a flaw, he would deliver a fatal blow.

Lei Tao's heart gradually calmed down, and his eyes became more determined. He knew that as long as he remained calm and used his tactics flexibly, he would have a chance to defeat the enemy. He gripped his rifle tightly, waiting for the best opportunity.

The Japanese squad leader narrowed his eyes, looked at the fork in the road ahead again, then waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to continue moving forward.

The traitorous captain quickly stood up and shouted to the traitors behind him, "Keep your guard up and follow the lady closely. There will be a huge reward for finding those people. Anyone who delays will be burned to death!" The traitorous captain's face was ferocious, and his eyes were full of murderous intent. The traitors were terrified when they heard this. They quickly straightened their bodies and followed the team more cautiously.

The night was still deep. In this silent mountain forest, a fierce battle was about to break out. Lei Tao waited quietly, ready to deal a heavy blow to the Japanese army.