Strongest Soldier King

The sudden sound of gunfire startled everyone around, and they all looked towards Ett, only to find Ett had been tackled to the ground and was being quickly dragged away into a room. He seemed to be unharmed, and while everyone exchanged incredulous glances with each other, they realized that the white man who had fired the shot was now falling backward, a bullet through his brow, his eyes wide open in death, his gaze not yet faded. The crowd was abuzz, exchanging knowing looks with one another.

Cody had a shocked expression as he gazed at the now lifeless white man, unsure of what to do. He looked fearfully at another white man whose face was filled with shock and rage. Cody quickly shouted, "Quick, hit them hard." Knowing he would be in grave danger if they failed to take down the people in the room, and not just because the sacrifice of his men would have been in vain, he angrily glanced at the bound person, aimed his gun but, still cautious, he lowered it, his face ashen.

Luo Zheng, who had been vigilant all along, acted when he sensed the white man's murderous intent. Knowing trouble was imminent, he took the initiative. Ett had risked his life to buy time for everyone, and Luo Zheng would never just stand by and watch Ett get killed. The distance of fifty to sixty meters was no challenge for Luo Zheng, especially without any interference.

His shot saved Ett and took out one of the assassins, but it also completely enraged the armed militants outside. Bullets rained down in a mad spray, and some people even threw grenades into the room. Seeing such a fierce attack, everyone knew they couldn't hold out and quickly scrambled into the basement.

"Boom." The room could no longer withstand and collapsed thunderously, countless bricks burying the entrance to the basement. With no air holes, the space inside grew pitch dark after the burial. Everyone concealed behind a door, Luo Zheng watched the entrance alertly, his ears straining to listen.

"Everyone, try to breathe slowly, the air here is limited," Lan Xue reminded.

Everyone settled down, silently waiting. No one knew whether they would survive this ordeal. In the dimly lit basement, everyone had a resolute expression and a determined gaze, prepared to face death. To die as a soldier on the battlefield was an honor, to sacrifice oneself for one's country was something they did without regrets.

"Remember, don't give up unless it's absolutely necessary. If the enemy discovers us later, don't fight back, just hide. If the enemy throws a grenade in first, we'll all go together; it won't be lonely down below. But if they come down first, I'll take the lead, Ghost Hand to follow, and we'll rush out at top speed, engaging the enemy in close combat. Until the very last moment, no one is allowed to give up," Lan Xue instructed earnestly. His words, like a stabilizer, calmed everyone's emotions.

Luo Zheng looked toward where Lan Xue was, feeling a bit of admiration. It was pitch black and he couldn't see anything, but facing danger without fear, this was the quality a commander should possess. No wonder Ghost Hand, Snow Leopard, and Mountain Eagle were willing to follow Lan Xue's lead. He then thought of himself and realized he was clearly lacking in this regard, but pondering this now was meaningless. Whether they would survive was uncertain, and he couldn't help but give a wry smile, feeling guilty as he said, "Brothers, I've dragged you all into this."

"Talking like that is making it awkward," Mountain Eagle said casually with a laugh, "everyone has to die at some point, and dying on the battlefield is actually a piece of luck for us soldiers. It's certainly better than dying in a hospital bed from old age."

"Bro, we're soldiers, brothers in life and death; there's no such thing as dragging each other down. I don't know if we'll have another chance to drink to yours and the captain's wedding, sigh, what a pity. The captain would definitely look prettier in a wedding dress than in a uniform," said Ghost Hand, his nonchalant tone somehow comforting.

They had all been through too many life-and-death situations and had long since become indifferent to them, even expecting them. When Death God approached, they faced it with calmness. Although Ett couldn't understand their words, he could feel their indifference and the courage to face death directly. His anxious heart gradually calmed down, and thinking of Luo Zheng's recent rescue, he said with gratitude, "We were wrong to you. Please, allow me to apologize."

"It has nothing to do with you. It's Wata and those Assassins. Although you're also a member of Wata, you helped us. We don't blame you," Lan Xue coldly replied. Her tone was icy, but Ett heard the sincerity and kindness in her words, which made him feel even more ashamed. Thinking of his father's predicament, his emotions sank.

"Don't talk, there's a sound." Luo Zheng whispered, and everyone perked up their ears. Indeed, they heard movements above—it must be the enemy clearing the rubble. For Assassins, only by seeing the bodies could they confirm the job was done and go back to claim other rewards.

With nearly a hundred people clearing, the process was swift. Since the collapse of the room was not utterly thorough, just a few minutes later, some began to clear the debris above the basement entrance. It wouldn't take long to discover the iron door of the entrance. Everyone was on high alert, their eyes filled with a resolute gleam in the dark basement, burning with raging fury.

Luo Zheng gripped his pistol firmly, resolved that as soon as the iron door opened, he would be the first to charge out. Even in death, his goal was to win a few minutes for the rest. If they could manage to break out and fight hand to hand, there would be a chance to survive. He walked toward the wooden ladder but ran into someone in front.

"I knew you'd try to be the first," said a cold voice from the front—it was Lan Xue. At this critical moment, surrounded by darkness so thick you could not see your own hand, Lan Xue let go of her reservations, turned, and embraced Luo Zheng, whispering, "What would I do if you died? Don't do anything stupid, okay? You have to live. I'm faster than you, and I have a better chance of breaking out, so stop arguing."

"Okay." Luo Zheng hugged Lan Xue back, feeling her soft body and her warm breath. He said deeply, "If you died, I would kill everyone above and then come down to find you. I swear."

"Fool." Lan Xue knew Luo Zheng meant what he said and could do it. She wrapped her arms around his neck, moved, and kissed him. Their hearts tightly joined together, their love intensified and burned.

"Thump, thump!" The iron door at the entrance made a noise, and both of them almost simultaneously looked up, their bodies tensed, ready for their final stand. Holding hands, they were resolute and strong, their eyes filled with a definitive and yet content gaze, for dying together was a kind of bliss.

"Prepare for battle," Ghost Hand said in a cold whisper, chambering a round and aiming upwards, continuing, "The moment the door opens, the enemy might spray gunfire inside. Rushing out recklessly could lead to death. I suggest we start shooting as soon as the door opens. At the sound of gunfire, the enemy is sure to take cover. That process might only last two seconds, but it's enough time for one person to break out."

"Okay, you provide covering fire for me. Everyone take care, get ready," Lan Xue said coldly, as the iron door made the sound of flipping open. Her body tensed, she crouched slightly, her hand on the wooden ladder, her foot already on it, like an angry tiger ready to pounce.