I used the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) to fight the Japanese.

"Alright, wake the others up and wait for me inside. I'll go out alone first, and then we'll go back to work over there." If the Japanese hadn't sent two more people to infiltrate, he had planned to let Tiger go alone. After what happened with the three sticks last night, it was better for him to accompany him. In case something went wrong, he could react accordingly and prevent it from affecting the bigger picture.

Now that there are two searchlights shining back and forth, it's much harder to sneak over and steal some food than before. However, I know the way well now, and it's easier for one person to go alone. A round trip only takes about half an hour. I shared some steamed buns, peanuts, fried ribs, and other snacks with everyone, and they all ate with great relish!

"Don't just focus on eating, everyone. The Japanese ore train should be here soon. We've been giving them a hard time these past few days, so everyone should conserve their energy for work tomorrow! Tomorrow night will be an opportunity; whether we can escape depends on our own luck!" Zhao Mancang said, sitting cross-legged in the middle.

He had been planning this for a long time, and all the trouble he had caused the Japanese these past few days was for this day. Now that everyone was here, he decided to tell them about it.

"What? We can go out now? We'll do whatever you say!" Upon hearing that there was a chance to go out, Da Zhao forgot about eating and pricked up his ears, waiting for this man's instructions.

"How's your marksmanship?" Zhao Mancang asked.

"It's alright, not as good as the Japanese, but better than ordinary puppet troops. Can you get a gun?" Da Zhao answered truthfully.

"There were 45 Japanese soldiers in the mining area. Two died in the last two days, leaving 43. There are also 13 puppet troops. Have you prepared everything you needed?" Zhao Mancang continued to ask.

“One blade for each person, that’s all the gunpowder we have, and we have plenty of wooden handles, one for each person and some left over. What do you suggest we do?” Dog Hair asked.

"Hmm, that's enough for now. Tomorrow we'll do this..." He'd been plotting his escape for the past few days, and only now was he revealing his plans. Whether it would succeed or not depended on everyone's luck. He'd done all he could; the rest was up to fate!

"There's one more thing. Before we start, let's all talk about our family situations. As we said before, if anyone is unfortunate enough not to escape, those who do escape will be responsible for taking care of their families. Now, let's all talk about it!" This was a promise made when we were forming the team, and tonight, while everyone is sharing their situations, we're doing our part.

“That’s only right. None of us know if we can get back safely right now. Just telling us about our families is good news! I’ll go first. My home is in Dawangzhuang Village, Qili Township. Everyone in the village calls me Yangwa…”

When these things were mentioned, everyone fell silent. They couldn't calm down for a long time, thinking about their parents and families. It was a really hard feeling to make arrangements for their funerals.

More than an hour had passed since each of the twenty-six people finished speaking. Without pen and paper, they couldn't take notes. Since so many people knew each other, they could all match up.

"Beep beep~~~"

Just as everyone finished explaining their situations, a long flute rang out, shattering the tranquility of the entire mining area. Soon after, the Japanese soldiers sounded their whistles, and everyone in the mine sprang into action, the laborers being gathered to begin loading the trucks.

"Damn it! The Japanese train came at the worst possible time. I haven't even had my fun tonight!" Tiger cursed as he followed the others out to gather.

"The goal is the same. Even if the train comes, the Japanese won't be able to rest. Missing one train won't matter," Zhao Mancang advised.

I'd always heard about train delays, but I never expected the Japanese train to arrive early. It seems the Japanese are suffering heavy losses at the front; these iron ore ore must be very important to them!

Little did they know that it was the early arrival of the Japanese train that saved them from disaster. If it weren't for the food and the explanation of the later arrangements, he and Hu Zi would have fallen into the clutches of the Japanese! Several Japanese soldiers were lying in ambush in the bamboo grove, waiting for them to take the bait!

In this way, those Japanese soldiers worked for nothing all night, and they still had to do the guard work, which was really tough!

Soon the ore storage area was brightly lit, and people were busy under the whips of the Japanese soldiers. The Japanese soldiers, who had relaxed slightly in the past two days, had returned to their ferocious appearance. If they relaxed even slightly, they would be whipped. They were practically living devils!

Kato Nobuo was watching the scene. Seeing everyone busy with their tasks in an orderly manner, he called a Japanese soldier aside to inquire about the situation.

What did you find in the bamboo grove tonight?

"Reporting to the deputy captain, nothing was found. The person we're waiting for hasn't shown up, and there haven't been any ghost stories tonight," the Japanese soldier replied.

“…Yoshi! That means we’re on the right track. Someone really did sabotage us! Maybe the train arrived early and made them abandon tonight’s operation. You weren’t exposed, were you?” Kato Nobuo said after thinking for a moment.

“No! We hid in the bamboo grove before the laborers finished work and haven’t moved an inch since,” the soldier assured him.

Speaking of this ambush, the Japanese soldier cursed inwardly. To be more concealed, the dozen or so Japanese soldiers lay prone in the bamboo grove, burying themselves in bamboo leaves. They lay motionless for most of the night, their bodies aching and numb, but they still didn't see the person who was supposed to come. If the person didn't come, all their suffering would have been in vain.

"Yoshi! You did a good job! After the train is loaded, continue to lie in ambush there and make sure to catch that rat!" Kato Nobuo ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The soldier was reluctant, but he had to obey his superior's orders. Besides, he really wanted to catch the troublemaker himself; after all, it would be a great achievement.

"Go! Call those two over here," Kato Nobuo continued.

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers retreated. Soon, two Japanese soldiers who had blended in with the laborers were brought over.

"What did you find last night?" Kato Nobuo asked.

"No, we were all staying in the thatched huts closest to the bamboo grove, constantly monitoring the outside. We didn't find anyone suspicious until the assembly call sounded!" the Japanese soldier replied truthfully.

“I didn’t notice either!” another person chimed in.

"Continue to observe, and kill directly if necessary!" Kato Nobuo nodded and said.

"Yes, sir!" The two Japanese soldiers obeyed.

Last night, they, like the Japanese soldiers lying in ambush, spent the entire night staring wide-eyed, waiting for the culprit to appear. Unfortunately, they were met with the same disappointment, and didn't even have a suspect! They cursed inwardly that the train had come at the wrong time; otherwise, they wouldn't have had to continue working among this group of poor souls, loading the train and doing other tasks!

With no progress on either side, Kato Nobuo also felt a bit resentful about the train's early arrival. It would be too frustrating if he couldn't catch the ghost after several days of haunting!