Before everything goes out

Click, click, click.

Footsteps echoed along the highway.

Unlike the muddy paths in the mountains, walking on this concrete ground, the hiking boots on each person's feet made rhythmic, crisp sounds, like drumming.

Every so often, Niu San would look back at the back of the group...

That small, thin figure, whose steps were quick but who still lagged behind.

His brows were furrowed, and his eyes showed hesitation.

After much deliberation, he finally found Li Fei.

"How about I help him carry some? It's painful to see such a small body carrying such a big bag."

"Forget it, this habit can't be changed in a short time. Let him carry some for now, and we'll gradually reduce the weight after he gets used to it."

"Okay, then I'll carry him when he can't walk anymore at noon."

"I didn't expect you to change so much overnight. Didn't you say you were going to release him yesterday afternoon?"

"Hehe, things have changed."

"Are you attracted to her cooking skills?"

"No, that's not it. I'm not that materialistic. Just think of me as someone who's strong. I carried you on my back when we went into the mountains before."

Niu San chuckled.

He's easygoing; once he woke up, the unease from last night seemed to have completely vanished.

After exchanging a few casual words with him, Li Fei turned his head and looked at the little mute boy the two had just been talking about.

at this time.

In the morning light, at the very back of the line, the little mute boy was carrying a cloth bag on his back, panting heavily.

That thin frame, paired with those oversized clothes, and the pockets weighing down its back...

This reminded Li Fei of his previous life, of those children who went to school carrying backpacks that felt like iron blocks.

They looked quite pitiful.

but.

This was not because the group lacked strength, nor did any of them have a habit of using child labor.

This was done simply because the little mute boy himself requested it.

"Ugh."

"Ugh, ugh!"

"Ugh..."

When the little mute boy left home in the morning, he was dragging a large bag full of ingredients, arguing with Li Fei like this.

At the time, seeing him arguing so fiercely and with such a resolute attitude, Li Fei couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he had no choice but to let him continue like this until now.

Li Fei understood the logic behind it, of course.

Putting himself in their shoes, the little mute saw that all three of them were carrying large bags and bundles, and even Ertong had two big bags hanging on his back. If he didn't carry anything, he would feel like a useless person.

In Zhang Cheng's eyes, useless people only have one fate...

It was eaten.

The reasoning is that simple.

but.

That being said, Li Fei was willing to let the little mute boy do some work in exchange for a sense of security, but in the current situation, the child was clearly struggling.

"How about you have Er Tong carry some for him?"

Li Fei looked at She Qingqing on the other side.

"Two of bamboo? Why?"

She Qingqing looked puzzled, unable to understand what it meant.

"I tried it this morning, but normally it doesn't work very well. Kids all like dogs, so let Ertong go. Maybe he'll be willing to share some of his things with Ertong."

"Is that so? Okay, I'll give it a try."

She Qingqing nodded with some doubt.

Without her command, Ertong, who could understand human speech, had already turned around and rubbed against the little mute.

"Woof woof~"

Ertong barked cheerfully and obediently stretched out its head, placing it next to the little mute boy's hand.

Under the expectant gazes of the group, the little mute hesitated for a moment, reached out to touch the dog's head, and quickly withdrew his hand.

After testing the water several times to make sure there was no danger, he placed his hand on the end of the coin and gently rubbed it.

After he got used to it, Ertong slowly went around behind him, used his mouth to pull the big bag off his back, and carried it in his mouth as he walked beside him.

"It's done! Damn, Li Fei, you're a real parenting expert!"

Niu San exclaimed in a low voice.

"Isn't this all thanks to the two of bamboo?"

She Qingqing was trying to curry favor with Ertong.

"Alright, stop staring, or he might snatch the bag back and carry it himself."

Li Fei smiled smugly, turned around, and continued forward.

As he walked, he scanned the surrounding pavement.

"Look carefully, don't miss anything."

He reminded the two of this.

The group was looking for "wheel tracks," which was their only means of tracking the rings.

of course.

Zhang Cheng mentioned that there are rings in the amusement park in Changjiang City.

But the ring there and the "chief" they are looking for may not be the same group of people.

Just to be on the safe side, they thought it best to follow the tire tracks to confirm that their enemy had indeed gone to Changjiang City, and had not turned off to another place along the way.

The issue is.

Highways are not like mountain roads; they are hard to walk on, and tires naturally don't leave many tracks.

After leaving the villa this morning, they walked on this road, which does indeed lead to Changjiang City. However, the tire tracks on the road were intermittent, making them feel uncertain.

Fortunately.

After walking for another half hour, just when the group thought something had gone wrong, a pleasant surprise appeared.

On a section of the road near the mountain, the soil was covered with fallen yellow earth.

The compacted loess soil, like a printing machine, clearly imprints the wheels that have rolled over it.

They come in various sizes, arranged in a pleasing and orderly fashion.

Li Fei strode forward and carefully compared the two.

"That's right, these are the people from Shuanghe Village."

This is the end.

The three exchanged a glance, their eyes hardening, and quickened their pace.

...

...

"Hurry up!"

"If things aren't done by dark, everyone will have to spend the night here!"

"If I catch anyone slacking off and making me sleep in a tent in the middle of nowhere, I won't let them off easily!"

Amidst shouts and calls.

At the camp where Fan Yaodong's squad had been stationed, people dressed as soldiers were busy running around, their movements swift and efficient.

There was only one exception.

A man with a mustache, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, leaned against a large, bullet-riddled rock, his hands behind his head, looking relaxed and content.

As the captain of this "search and rescue team," Duan Deguang is different from his team members. He doesn't do anything himself; he just talks non-stop and keeps glancing at the busy team members to make sure that no one is slacking off.

at last.

Two hours later, at 3 p.m.

As the sunlight gradually dimmed and his face grew increasingly irritable, a young team member with a buzz cut ran up to him and gave a spirited report.

"Reporting to the captain, the situation on site has been basically ascertained. Requesting a report."

"Why are you yelling so loudly? Do you think I can't hear you?"

Duan Deguang, who had been lying on the rock with his eyes closed, resting and even secretly taking a nap, slowly opened his eyes.

"explain."

"According to the investigation, the team was a standard reconnaissance team with a total of six members. The bodies of the five members, including the team leader, have been found and buried in the center of the camp, showing signs of moderate decomposition."

Based on identity verification, we confirmed that they are squad leader Fan Yaodong, number C84, and the team members are machine gunner E66, sniper E13, and medic D90...

"Are you fucking listing dishes for me? Get to the point."

Duan Deguang interrupted impatiently.

The crew-cut player, who seemed to be used to this, did not change his expression and immediately got to the point.

"One of the bodies could not be found; it was Commando E27."

"Huh? Where is he located now?"

"The location tracking has failed. The last signal came from Shuanghe Village at 6:15 PM six days ago."

"Wasn't that the night the commander-in-chief went?"

"Yes."

The crew-cut team member nodded.

Seeing Duan Deguang deep in thought, he considered for a moment and then opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted after only half a sentence.

"Uncle, I think this situation..."

"I've told you so many times, call me Captain when you're out. If you really can't, just call me B05. Don't call me Uncle."

Duan Deguang glanced around.

After confirming that the other team members were handling the aftermath and that they hadn't heard the two talking, he turned around.

"What ideas do you have now? Spit it out."

"Captain, I have a feeling something's wrong this time."

Zhou Zheng leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"The fallen captain, C84, had a clear bullet hole in his neck. It's unclear whether it was fatal, but the bullet came from one of our guns."

"What about the angle of incidence?"

"It was a sneak attack from behind, but the shooter was an excellent marksman; it was definitely not an ordinary person who could have seized the gun and attacked."

"You mean, it was the missing E27 that did it?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

"interesting..."

This is the end.

Duan Deguang narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

deserter?

Is he really a deserter?

In theory, breaking the bracelet and escaping wouldn't be difficult, but if someone actually did that, it would only mean that the guy has lost his mind.

Or has it become corrupt?

No, it shouldn't be as simple as corruption.

Regular checkups at outposts can prevent most potential corruption in advance. Even if E27 is indeed corrupted, it is better to remain hidden rather than to expose itself and kill immediately.

What happened?