Then, following the principle of proximity, the equipment was placed in the Tibetan area. Over thirty years have passed, and the equipment from those days still plays a dominant role today, still considered by the local Tibetans as a gift from Heaven. It is rumored to be something that can connect to Heaven.
Mao Niu rode in Captain Zhang’s off-road vehicle to the military border station.
"Platoon Leader Chen, I’ve already greeted the brothers for you, just let me know what you need. I have some other things to handle, so I can’t accompany you."
Mao Niu also knew that he was causing trouble for others, so he felt quite embarrassed, "Captain Zhang, I really appreciate it, sorry for the trouble."
Upon reaching the small house in front of the signal tower, Captain Zhang introduced Platoon Leader Chen to the two signal soldiers and also told them about the recent drug traffickers’ extermination battle, asking for their full cooperation. Both soldiers, likely being new, became excited upon hearing Captain Zhang talk about combat, diligently hosting and occasionally asking him about the fighting. Although Mao Niu often lost his temper with his own troops, having started as a young soldier himself, he naturally understood the feelings of the two soldiers in front of him. His big mustache trembled as he began to share stories about fighting.
The result was disappointing. Even with the help of high-power transmitters, finding a person wearing just a headset transmitter in this complex terrain proved too difficult, especially now with the snow falling and the sky gloomy. Looking at the weather, in no more than ten minutes, this light snow would turn into heavy snow, making finding anyone even more unlikely.
Anxious, coupled with Ye Tian’s special identity, Mao Niu could not sit still. He borrowed two hand-warming gloves from the two soldiers, put them in his backpack, and then headed out.
After winning the battle for them, and then losing them, spreading this news would be too shameful.
The night comes earlier on the plateau than inland. Ye Tian adjusted his sleeves and saw his luminous wristwatch pointing to five o’clock.
Scratching his head in irritation thinking about the long night ahead, how could he endure?
"Captain, let’s talk about you. I’ve only heard about my stories, haven’t heard yours yet. You must be hiding something from me. Despite your straightforward appearance, you can’t hide anything in your eyes."
Chu Tianying said with a smile.
Just now, in this cave, Ye Tian was listening to Chu Tianying’s stories as if they were legendary tales.
When he woke up, he did not notice a transparent cover over his body, but found that his right hand had turned a bright red like well-tempered steel, possibly able to be forged by a few hammer strikes. Strangely, Chu Tianying had no injuries, although he distinctly remembered being hit in the chest by a shrapnel at the position of his heart, and he could still recall the breathlessness and weakness. After awakening, he slowly began to notice the changes in his body. Like Ye Tian, he felt something odd about his body, such as new wounds healing quickly without leaving scars, and his vitality and physique greatly enhanced. Sometimes, even after days and nights of forced march, he wouldn’t feel fatigued. Most importantly, he discovered he had a special ability—Fire control.
"Do you have something extra on you?"
Chu Tianying shook his head with a smile, "No, just like in the movies, I suddenly gained a special ability. Have you seen the Hollywood blockbuster ’Fantastic Four’? Sometimes I thought if I were in movies at that time, it could save a lot on stunt performers."
The two talked and then moved on to discuss Ye Tian’s experiences, but he intentionally skipped some details about Tang Su, which, however, were picked up by the astute youngster.
Ye Tian laughed, "What could I possibly have? Just some personal privacy things. You know nothing, kid!"
The two laughed and stopped talking.
Chu Tianying then took out two bottles of vodka from his backpack nearby and handed one to Ye Tian.
"You still have illicit goods?"
"This belongs to that Dead Man outside. Vodka, I’m not used to it. Let’s just get by with it."
The type of liquor didn’t matter, Ye Tian was not picky about this. He unscrewed the cap, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
Having drank the liquor, Ye Tian breathed heavily, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, opened his lunch box, and found nothing inside. Seeing this, Chu Tianying rummaged through his backpack and began tossing over some black bread and biscuits, and eventually some tinned beef and plastic-wrapped sausages.
Ye Tian knew these were their emergency reserves, to be used only when absolutely necessary, so after eating a black bread, he adamantly refused to eat more. Eventually, it was with Chu Tianying’s insistence that he continued eating.
"Captain, those people compared to you, are nothing! You’re my brother, my own flesh and blood. Don’t overthink it. In our line of work, it’s just about living today and dying tomorrow. Any moment a bullet might hit us, and we’d be off to report at the Yama Palace."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Seeing Ye Tian voraciously tearing at the sausage and not in a good mood, Chu Tianying stopped talking.
Actually, Ye Tian wasn’t feeling great either. Although he was a military man who was once betrayed by his own country, he still retained the spirit of a Huaxia soldier. What he despised and hated the most were the Mercenaries who betrayed their countries and roamed everywhere, heartlessly committing all kinds of atrocities, not sparing even women and children. Yet, the person sitting in front of him was just such a person—the once close brother had become the person he most loathed, posing not only a challenge to him but also a tremendous challenge to his moral limits.
Although the two were getting along well at the moment, they both knew that sooner or later they would have to face this issue—whether to leave or turn against each other.
Chu Tianying, during his time in the squad, was the second oldest, not because of his age, but because of the size of his privates, reportedly the second largest. Whether it’s true or concocted, who knows.
"What are your plans for the future?" Ye Tian threw the plastic bag from the sausage into the campfire, and a smell of burning plastic wafted through.
Chu Tianying added some firewood to the fire pit, stared at the bright flames dazedly for a while.