bookcurios Chapter 422: No Hesitation
Chapter 422: No Hesitation
"Forward!" Su Ming ordered in a low voice, and then quickly directed the team members to start bypassing the obstacles.
However, as he continued forward, Su Ming's eyes unconsciously flicked to Zheng Yaoxian standing beside him. The veteran soldier was still as steady as ever, his steps steady and his expression focused, as if everything was under control. However, Su Ming knew that there was an elusive weariness in Zheng Yaoxian's eyes. That weariness wasn't physical, but rather the psychological strain of being neglected for so long.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on the danger before him, but guilt crept in. Zheng Yaoxian had accompanied him through so many life-or-death battles, yet he had never truly understood his inner feelings. Every time he made a decision, he focused on how to most quickly deal with the enemy, never stopping to consider the impact these decisions would have on his teammates, especially Zheng Yaoxian.
"Captain, there might be enemies ahead on the right." Zheng Yaoxian suddenly spoke, his voice still calm and composed, yet it startled Su Ming. He couldn't help but feel nervous. Zheng Yaoxian was never one to speak lightly, and now that he had spoken, it meant the situation was not optimistic.
Su Ming couldn't help but glance at Zheng Yaoxian, his eyes brimming with hidden complexities. He knew Zheng Yaoxian's observation skills far surpassed his own, especially in this kind of environment, where his intuition was even sharper. However, this acumen wasn't solely based on external circumstances to judge the enemy, but rather on long-term experience and familiarity with his teammates.
"What do you think?" Su Ming asked subconsciously.
Zheng Yaoxian didn't answer immediately, but simply frowned and nodded gently. "The enemy's ambush is extremely sophisticated, and they've set multiple traps. If we rush forward, we'll probably run into a dead end."
Su Ming's heart suddenly trembled. Zheng Yaoxian's words made him realize that what he had repeatedly ignored wasn't tactics, but his disregard for his players' true feelings. Zheng Yaoxian's calmness and analysis often gave them different ideas and strategies at the most critical moments, but he was too eager to move forward and failed to fully listen.
"I'm sorry." He said suddenly, his voice low and self-blaming.
Zheng Yaoxian was startled for a moment, then turned around, his expression still as calm as water, as if everything was under control. But there was a flicker in his eyes, and Su Ming read a complex mix of emotions—dissatisfaction? Disappointment? Or perhaps some other, unspoken emotion?
"It's okay." Zheng Yaoxian responded calmly, "You have your decisions, and I have mine. Every battle is decided by us together."
Those words hit Su Ming like a hammer, hammering down on his heart. He knew Zheng Yaoxian wasn't blaming him, but rather shouldering all responsibility with a detached attitude. But behind that silent response, Su Ming heard a voice within him: he didn't want to be ignored; he wanted his opinions to be valued.
Su Ming was speechless, feeling a pang of guilt. As captain, he should have been constantly monitoring the mental state of each player and listening to their opinions on tactics, rather than simply forcing a move based on a fleeting whim. Zheng Yaoxian, in particular, possessed abilities, experience, and a keen eye for the bigger picture. How could he ignore him at such a crucial moment?
At this moment, Li Hao suddenly shouted in a low voice: "Captain, there are enemies approaching not far ahead. We can't stop."
Su Ming snapped back to his senses, took a deep breath, and made a decisive decision. "Change formation immediately and prepare to meet the enemy." Without hesitation, his voice was clear, cold, and resolute. Then, he swiftly turned and directed his team to their positions. Despite a lingering hesitation, Su Ming knew that at this moment, he had to make the right decision and lead his team through this life-or-death ordeal.
He looked at Zheng Yaoxian again, his eyes filled with determination and apology. "Today, I'll listen to you." He gritted his teeth and added in a low voice, "We can no longer ignore anyone's opinion, especially yours."
Zheng Yaoxian was stunned for a moment, then nodded, a flicker of silent gratitude in his eyes. He didn't say much, but looked at Su Ming with a more determined look, as if silently telling him: It doesn't matter, we'll go through everything together.
As the team members gradually took up their positions, Su Ming's mood calmed down slightly. The air ahead still stagnated with the smell of gunpowder, the air oppressive and suffocating. The enemy lurked in the dark shadows, poised to leap out and deliver a fatal blow at any moment. At this moment, he had to be even more cautious and calm, doing his utmost to prevent any of his teammates, especially Zheng Yaoxian, from feeling neglected again.
The footsteps were heavy, and the smell of gunpowder grew stronger in the air. Su Ming led the team around an abandoned building, and the surrounding environment became increasingly desolate. The light was dim, and the narrow alley was almost lifeless. Only the wind blowing in from the broken windows brought an ominous chill.
His brow furrowed, a tinge of anxiety welling up within him. This mission had dragged on too long, the enemy's counterattacks were intensifying, and the team members' strength was beginning to decline noticeably. Zhang Kai's sacrifice had a profound psychological impact on everyone, and he himself was fatigued by the constant pressure. Every decision felt like dancing on a knife's edge; a single misstep could jeopardize everything.
"Captain, there's movement ahead." Zheng Yaoxian's voice broke Su Ming's meditation. He turned around suddenly and saw the calm judgment in Zheng Yaoxian's eyes, and he felt a little relieved.
"Enemy?" Su Ming asked, his eyes quickly scanning the surrounding buildings.
"It might be." Zheng Yaoxian didn't answer immediately. His gaze grew sharper, as if it could penetrate the shadows ahead. "It doesn't sound like enemy fire, but I'm not sure."
"Stay alert," Su Ming whispered, then signaled the team to move in formation. Whether there were enemies or unexpected events ahead, they needed to be fully prepared.
As the team continued forward, Su Ming's heart didn't completely relax. Instead, his tension grew stronger. He knew that any miscalculation at this moment could have fatal consequences for the team. The shadows on either side of the corridor seemed peaceful, but it was difficult to determine what dangers lay behind them. An invisible pressure seemed to weigh on everyone, making it hard to breathe.
"There is a batch of supplies ahead." Zheng Yaoxian suddenly stopped and said in a low voice, pointing to the entrance of a building on the right.
"Supplies?" Su Ming's eyes flashed with doubt, but then he felt a slight hope. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Zheng Yaoxian took in his surroundings, his eyes calm and composed. "If I'm not mistaken, there should be supplies ahead. Medicine, food, and even ammunition."
This statement was like a bombshell, instantly changing the atmosphere of the entire team. The team members had clearly heard Zheng Yaoxian's words, and a glint of anticipation flickered in their eyes. The lack of supplies had plagued them for far too long, especially in this desolate area, where supplies had been almost completely cut off. If they could secure a batch of supplies, it would not only resolve the immediate crisis but also provide greater security for future operations.
"Come on, follow me." Su Ming made a quick decision without hesitation. Although potential dangers still lay ahead, the team members' physical strength was already nearing its limit. Without further supplies, their combat capability would only decline further. Furthermore, the arrival of these supplies might bring new life to their subsequent operations.
They approached the building cautiously. The shadows in the corridor became incredibly unfamiliar to Su Ming. Every shattered window, every battered wall, seemed to reveal the world's desolation and cruelty. The air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere, and even their breathing seemed heavy and rapid.
"Captain, there are guards ahead." Zhang Kai suddenly reminded in a low voice, with a hint of alertness in his voice.
Su Ming was startled for a moment, then bowed his head and signaled his team to halt. His heart skipped a beat as he realized they were not alone. The enemy seemed to have long been aware of the supply depot and had deployed guards. A rash move could lead to a direct confrontation, and they clearly did not have a complete advantage at the moment.
"What should we do?" Li Hao asked in a low voice, his face full of anxiety and uneasiness. Obviously, everyone felt that this decision would be related to the success or failure of the entire mission.
Su Ming's thoughts raced. He didn't answer immediately, but instead cast his gaze upon Zheng Yaoxian. This veteran soldier remained calm in every situation, and his experience was undoubtedly the team's most valuable asset. At this moment, Su Ming knew he had to follow Zheng Yaoxian's advice.
Zheng Yaoxian was silent for a moment, his gaze surveying the situation ahead. Although the enemy was stationed near the supply depot, their defense wasn't perfect. It was clear they hadn't completely blocked the entrance, but rather adopted a dispersed defense. His eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment's thought, he whispered, "We can bypass them and enter from the side. At our speed, we should be able to reach the supply depot before the enemy can react."
"Are you sure you can get around it?" Su Ming asked. Although he already had a plan in mind, he still couldn't help but hope for a more affirmative answer from Zheng Yaoxian.
Zheng Yaoxian nodded, his eyes showing no hesitation. "Okay."
"Okay." Su Ming took a deep breath and made a decision. "Execute immediately."
They carefully changed direction and silently skirted the edge of the building. Each step was as light as a feather, almost silent. The air was thick with tension, and every member of the team held their breath, concentrating on preparing for any possible emergency. Despite the anxiety, their coordination had reached a near-perfect level.