Everyone had the same thought as Han Zuan. Those mercenaries dared to intrude on their Huaxia territory and kill their special forces comrades. They would never let it go!
At some point, the heavy rain gradually stopped, and the sky began to clear, but their hearts remained as heavy as lead.
"What should we do next?" Ma Hong asked with reddened eyes, her voice filled with endless anger and sorrow.
"Of course, we're going to make them pay!" Leng Feng answered without hesitation, his fists clenching with bulging veins, showing his inner anger and determination.
Long Chuzhi naturally understood Leng Feng's feelings, and she also longed for revenge for Yu Fei.
But now they didn't have live ammunition, so they couldn't act rashly.
They had to wait for weapons and ammunition support before they could take action.
...
Half an hour later, the sound of helicopter engines came from the sky.
A military transport helicopter flew over them, dropping airdropped supplies.
"It's our armed helicopter! The Southwest Garrison District has come to support us!" Flame exclaimed.
Everyone rushed forward to retrieve equipment from the airdrop packages from the helicopter.
Each airdrop package was filled with guns, bullets, communication headsets, and grenades.
This time, their bullets were no longer blank rounds used in exercises but real live ammunition with powerful lethality.
After putting on the communication headsets, they immediately contacted the Southwest Garrison District.
Shi Qingsong's voice came through the headset: "This is the Command of the Southwest Defense Zone Third Brigade, please respond!"
"Received!" The members of the two special teams responded in unison.
Shi Qingsong's voice continued: "I already understand your current situation."
Previously, mercenaries used rockets to spray graphite powder in the mountains, preventing aircraft from entering.
So Shi Qingsong quickly sent people to perform artificial rainfall to wash away the graphite powder. After that, helicopters were able to enter and provide weapon support, while live video images were restored.
However, they witnessed that heart-wrenching scene.
Shi Qingsong paused for a moment before continuing: "I understand your feelings right now, but now is not the time for grief. You have more important tasks to complete."
Based on the information received and intercepted satellite phone contents, they confirmed that foreign mercenaries had entered the country, led by a mercenary leader named Old Cat.
Old Cat was formidable, cunning, and brutal, renowned in the mercenary realm and undefeated in his endeavors.
This time, he led nearly a hundred mercenaries here.
Moreover, intelligence analysis suggested that the mastermind might be Min Teng, the older brother of Wu Ji, who had previously been killed by Lin Beichen.
He had also entered the country and was possibly hiding near the Southwestern border, according to satellite communications.
Everyone's expression turned serious upon hearing Shi Qingsong's words, especially Xia Luyao and others who were familiar with the name Old Cat, knowing he was an extremely brutal mercenary leader.
For years, he had been feared internationally. They didn't expect him to join forces with Min Teng and come to Huaxia, which meant they had a tough battle ahead!
Lin Beichen clenched his fist upon hearing this, speaking in a cold voice: "Min Teng went to such lengths and brought so many men just to avenge his brother, even personally entering our territory?"
Xia Luyao shook his head, speaking in a deep voice: "Impossible, Min Teng is a profit-driven businessman. His simultaneous appearance with Old Cat must mean things aren't that simple!"
Shi Qingsong, in the Southwest Military Region Command, also agreed with Xia Luyao's view.
"That's right, this is an armed invasion initiated by foreign mercenaries, purposeful and planned. Now we've completely sealed the border to prevent their escape."
Previously, upon receiving the distress signal, they quickly contacted the Southwest Garrison District headquarters and sent people to investigate the situation. However, while Shi Qingsong and his Third Brigade soldiers were not far off, they lacked live ammunition at that time, so they returned to the Southwest Garrison District first.
After acquiring guns and live ammunition, they quickly returned for support.
By that time, they were not far from the location, as Shi Qingsong commanded from the command post, assisting them with real-time images and satellite cloud maps, "Venomous Snake Special Team, Wolf King Special Team, hear my orders!"
Shi Qingsong said sternly.
The team members of both special forces stood at attention, their posture upright and eyes firm, waiting for Shi Qingsong's command.
Gazing at the satellite images, Shi Qingsong analytically said: "Their only escape route now is through the southwestern forest. However, that area is a war-torn minefield, full of landmines."
Upon hearing this, they were all mentally prepared.
Without hesitation, they proceeded, organizing the equipment from the airdrop packages with a serious demeanor.
They methodically loaded bullets into magazines, hung grenades on their waists, and replaced their special forces insignia with the unified emblem of Huaxia soldiers.
Watching them through the screen, Shi Qingsong suppressed his inner anger and pain, solemnly declaring: "Look at your fallen comrades. This is a declaration of war, a challenge to us as Huaxia soldiers!"
"In six hours, the enemy may cross the border to escape. I order you to regain the lost dignity!"
Shi Qingsong's voice was like iron.
"If the mission fails, I'll order an aerial carpet bombing of this area."
"Though desolate and uninhabited, the land we guard is the most sacred in our soldiers' eyes. It's their border, a line we must defend with our lives and blood!"
Preparations complete, they transported Yu Fei's body onto the helicopter.
Faced with the impending mission, Shi Qingsong, his expression stern, firmly stated: "Now, let us swear in the name of soldiers: 'Whoever violates Huaxia, no matter how far, must be punished!'"
"Salute!" Xia Luyao and Long Chuzhi voiced in unison, and the members of the two special teams uniformly saluted, watching the helicopter as it gradually disappeared from view.
Following swiftly, the special forces and the Southwest Garrison District support soldiers moved quickly towards the southwestern jungle—the path the mercenaries must take.
...
Soon, they arrived at the jungle entrance and discovered the mercenaries' tracks.
Without hesitation, they pursued into the jungle.
Long Chuzhi observed the footprints on the ground, quickly making arrangements, signaling the team to split into three groups for pursuit.
Lin Beichen led the Venomous Snake Special Team and a dozen Southwest Garrison District soldiers along the left path without delay.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted ahead.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Xia Luyao immediately yelled, "Watch out!" and directed everyone to counterattack.
Strangely, the enemy's shots didn't seem targeted at them, and the distance between both sides was beyond shooting range.
This maneuver was puzzling.
Silhouettes flickered amid the trees ahead, retreating swiftly.
They immediately gave chase, and just then, explosions and cries came through the headset.
...
"What happened?" Xia Luyao urgently inquired.
"We've encountered booby traps, many are injured!" News arrived, prompting Xia Luyao to immediately command, "Stop advancing!"
Everyone halted, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
Lin Beichen noticed the soil's disturbance ahead, his heart tensing as he shouted, "It's a minefield, retreat immediately!"
...
The team quickly withdrew to a secure area, breathing a sigh of relief.
Li Company Commander from the Southwest Garrison District approached Lin Beichen, gratefully patting his shoulder, "Young lad, thanks to you!"
Lin Beichen responded calmly, "It's nothing, we now need to find a way around the minefield."
Xia Luyao stared intently ahead, brows furrowed, "The path ahead is unavoidable, there's no detour. We'll have to find a way to avoid the mines."
Li Company Commander displayed a troubled expression, "Judging by the disturbed soil, there are many mines, too many to avoid completely."
"Not necessarily impossible."
Lin Beichen suddenly spoke with a firm tone.
Li Company Commander looked at him, surprised, "Do you have a solution?"