The young soldier didn’t think much, just threw his weapon out through the ventilation window.
The sound was undeniably loud!
The soldiers standing guard outside immediately became alert and charged in, barking, "What was that noise?"
A group of people looked silently and innocently at the soldier.
The guarding soldier felt that something was off in the atmosphere but couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.
At this moment, everyone’s heartbeat accelerated rapidly. The vent window was still open. If the guarding soldier looked up and noticed this, the well-planned rhythm was sure to be disrupted!
Two gunshots rang out from outside. Startled, the guarding soldier turned and dashed out, slamming the door shut behind him!
"Who’s there! What’s with the sneak attack! Come out if you’re brave enough!"
Zheng Caisheng shouted loudly.
"Captain Zheng! Release our Captain Liu now! Competing should be based on true skill. You’ve arrested our Captain Liu as a criminal and stolen the prisoners we were eyeing. It’s shameless to seek recognition for achievements this way!"
Hiding in the shadows and taunting Zheng Caisheng was another member of Liu Fan’s team, nicknamed Black Beard due to the constant stubble adorning his face, giving him a fierce look and a rough voice!
Zheng Caisheng frowned,
"Black Beard, I know it’s you! You little scoundrel! What chaos are you causing here! Looking for Captain Liu in my territory, have you gone mad!"
"Zheng Caisheng, everyone in the army knows how you always seek credit and always fail. It’s pitiful but respectable for being honest. However, what you did today... is disgraceful! Now release our Captain Liu!"
"If you’ve got guts, say that to my face!"
Zheng Caisheng felt his sore spot poked and instantly flared up with anger.
A soldier beside him was thankfully more rational and quickly said to Zheng Caisheng, "Captain Zheng, Black Beard wouldn’t cause trouble for no reason. There must be someone scheming in secret... We have to be careful!"
Zheng Caisheng thought about it and indeed, it was possible.
There were five ambush teams. Maybe someone knew he had captured twelve people and set their sights on his twelve prizes. So they laid a trap for Black Beard to cause a scene. Once they started a ruckus, there would certainly be someone reaping the benefits.
Thinking this, he felt a chill down his spine, relieved he hadn’t fallen for some nameless trick!
"Little Black Beard, I, Zheng Caisheng, indeed like to vie for recognition, but I’ve always done it openly and honestly, not afraid of idle gossip! I don’t know where your Liu Fan has gone; he’s certainly not with me!"
Black Beard, crouched in the woods not too far away, frowned slightly. This young guy liked to keep a scruffy beard to appear experienced.
Crouched alongside him was another comrade, named Cheng Jianing, around the same age as Black Beard, both barely into their twenties, and both serving in the army for two full years.
Cheng Jianing muttered,
"Black Beard, don’t you think there’s something fishy going on...?"
Black Beard found it strange but couldn’t identify what felt odd.
Captain Liu and Camel had indeed been missing for several hours; during such a long stretch, the three of them operated individually, capturing whoever they could.
The sudden message from Captain Liu had also given him a start.
And it was using Morse code, which only Dou Ziming, the quiet one, had been able to understand.