Strongest Soldier King

Two hours later, a large group of people arrived at the deceased sniper's location, faces ashen, a tense killing aura nearly bursting forth. Everyone was silent, and the leader was Fox Wolf, the second-in-command of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group. Since they had not received a security report from the sniper within the designated time, Fox Wolf knew something had gone wrong. He led his men in pursuit, but by then the place was deserted, leaving behind only a chilling corpse.

Fox Wolf coldly gazed at the lifeless sniper, his face as stern as granite and shrouded in gloom, as if it were frozen ice that would never thaw. The air around seemed to grow several degrees colder. Standing next to Fox Wolf were two guards, standing tall like spears, who vigilantly surveyed their surroundings while showing no concern for the sniper's body on the ground.

Choosing the path of a mercenary, everyone was prepared for this day. The only variables were how and where one would die. When that would happen, no one cared or could predict. To die like the sniper, on the battlefield, under an enemy's gun, was already an honor.

Behind Fox Wolf stood a big-bearded middle-aged man, Yimati, the overall commander of the East Turkestan Movement's operation against Huaxia Country's participating teams. He was the fourth-ranking member of the East Turkestan Movement, primarily responsible for armed operations—a ruthless, cunning figure who, despite projecting an image of timidity, could catch one off-guard to the point of death without realizing how it happened.

Yimati looked down at the sniper's body, a sneer of disdain flashing in his eyes before returning to normal. He looked at Fox Wolf and said discontentedly, "Mr. Fox Wolf, is this the expert under your command? If you can't fulfill the contract, I don't mind if you leave and let us handle it our way."

"Rest assured, the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group has never been defeated, you know that. You also know the consequences of offending the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group—no one survives, no matter where they escape." Fox Wolf replied coldly, desperately controlling his emotions. He looked eastward, his eyes slightly closed, shielding the raging fury within.

Yimati was well aware of the real combat strength of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group and knew these guys held grudges like wolves, pursuing their enemies relentlessly until they were dead. He glanced at the sniper's stripped corpse but did not underestimate the combat strength of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group. Yet, he said bluntly, "Fine, we paid you, you do the job. Both of us understand these rules, and the reputation of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group is still guaranteed. The question is, where did our enemies go?"

"They won't get far. Head east, mobilize your men, and when you spot the targets, do not alert them—report back immediately. I will personally twist their heads off for you," Fox Wolf stated coldly, glancing at the guard beside him, who nodded in understanding and signaled to the several fully armed men behind them. They quickly dispersed, chasing fervently towards the east as if they were wounded, starving wolves.

"Alright, let's do as you say," Yimati replied, whispering a few words to someone beside him who immediately made a phone call.

Fox Wolf's gaze remained intensely fixed on the east, his eyes icy cold, as if a battle raged within them. Suddenly, that internal battle seemed to explode. Fox Wolf's eyes widened furiously, his fighting spirit erupting, sending chills down one's spine. In his heart, he screamed, "Damn it, I know it's you. You can't escape. Just wait, I will personally twist your neck off."

┅┅.

Luo Zheng had anticipated that the enemy would pursue them, but he did not expect to arouse the suspicion of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group. He followed the team, sprinting towards the east. With a map, there should be no mistakes in direction and route. After a morning of running, both tired and hungry, a village appeared ahead. They took cover on a nearby hillside, concealed in the bushes, cautiously observing the village while resting.

"There seem to be over a hundred households in the village ahead. According to the map, there are no other houses in a hundred-mile radius. Should we go into the village to resupply, or should we bypass it?" asked the Gardener in a low voice, looking to Luo Zheng, who he unconsciously sought advice from.

"Let's go around, rest here for a bit, eat the remaining dry food we seized, and continue to march quickly. Before it gets dark, we'll find a forest to dry our clothes and hide," the Scholar said seriously as he sat down with a thud and started eating a compressed biscuit.

"Not going into the village?" the Gardener asked in surprise.

"The drizzle along the way has covered our tracks and scent, the enemy couldn't possibly track us here. If we enter the village, we will definitely be exposed; it's too dangerous. Let's bypass it and hold off on deciding anything until we break out of the encirclement," the Scholar explained.

Hearing this reasonable suggestion, the Gardener did not insist. Seeing that the Monk and the Farmer were also eating dry food, and only Luo Zheng was quietly thinking, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Luo Zheng, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm considering whether we should enter the village or not," Luo Zheng answered truthfully. Seeing the Gardener's surprised expression, he explained, "The enemy might have clung to our trail. They could arrive soon. We're currently low on food. If we keep moving and hide in the forest, we might avoid the pursuers, but there's no guarantee. Instead of risking that, we might as well play for time, rush into the village, get some food, and deal with being spotted either way; it's worth the gamble."

"Are you sure the pursuers are on to us? Based on what?" the Scholar asked, startled.

"Certain," Luo Zheng confirmed. "It's because the pursuers included snipers. Although I killed one, there might still be trackers skilled in pursuit. What I'm not sure about is how far behind us they are and how long it'll take for them to catch up. So..."

"So you're hesitating about whether or not to enter the village, right?" the Gardener followed up, seeing Luo Zheng nod, he thought for a moment and said, "Given our speed, those East Yi Yun Members are definitely far behind, but as for the trackers you mentioned, if they truly exist, they might not be far from us. Still, that's enough time for us to dash into the village and grab some food; I suggest we go in, grab some dry food and leave. It won't take long."

"That makes sense, without food, even if we hide in the forest at night, it would be hard to endure. In this vast wilderness, there are no forests in sight. What if there are no forests to hide in? Moreover, with the severe desertification of these mountains and wilds, rushing on our journey will likely make it hard to find decent sustenance, what will we eat tonight, what about tomorrow?" the Monk agreed.

"We can eat anything, even if we go without food for a day, it's alright. I've been injured, slowing down everyone's pace; it's always best to start moving early," the Farmer intervened, trying to mediate.

"A thousand miles of rapid march, with blockades ahead and pursuers behind, the hardest days are yet to come. It's best to resupply when we have the chance. Arguing now is less productive than rushing in and replenishing as quickly as possible before retreating without much delay," Luo Zheng spoke gravely, giving a serious reminder.

"What if there's an ambush?" the Scholar said discontentedly.