Chapter 28

Saluka's impassioned speech, amplified by the loudspeakers, echoed throughout the military camp and beyond. Outside the camp, Qin Ran, standing in the shadow of the ruins, heard everything clearly.

"Evading the main issues and distorting the truth!" Qin Ran commented.

At the same time, Qin Ran was eagerly anticipating Saluka's next performance on the stage he had set up. As for General Jennings? Qin Ran had just witnessed several rebel soldiers quietly leaving the camp. The identity of these rebel soldiers was self-evident. Clearly, General Jennings had planted more than one spy around Saluka. General Jennings would undoubtedly receive advance notice of Saluka's 'betrayal.' And this was exactly what Qin Ran wanted. He needed the two to engage in a fierce battle! Only then would he have the opportunity to eliminate both of them!

Boom! Boom! The roar of tank engines inside the camp was like thunder, while the footsteps of numerous soldiers boarding the troop carriers sounded like the hum of war drums. The rebel soldiers under Saluka's command began to move out. Trucks and troop carriers roared past. The entire camp was left with only three teams to guard it. Qin Ran looked at the thinly guarded camp with some regret. If it weren't for more important matters, he would not have missed this opportunity. After all, there was an abundance of supplies inside, not just living supplies but also military supplies—piles of military weapons and equipment that made Qin Ran's heart race just thinking about them. However, Qin Ran was not the type to abandon the entire plan for the sake of a small gain. Although it would be painful.

Just like when he had to abandon the light machine gun earlier, the feeling was the same. The light machine gun plus the boxes of ammunition were too heavy. Even with his strength and constitution increased by one level, Qin Ran could not carry the light machine gun and a box of ammunition after already carrying a sniper rifle and numerous other items. Unless Qin Ran gave up running, which was clearly impossible.

Huff! Taking a deep breath, Qin Ran began to run, using the shadows for cover. In his line of sight, the rebel convoy had already become blurry. Catching up would be quite difficult. However, fortunately, Qin Ran knew the destination of the convoy! With Cole's guidance, Qin Ran was already well-versed in the distribution of the rebels throughout the city. Apart from the camp where Saluka was stationed and the camp where General Jennings was located, there were two more camps in the city, each commanded by different rebel leaders, stationed in the south and west of the city. The camp where Saluka's rebel soldiers were stationed was near the city center. And General Jennings occupied the true city center: Times Square! Therefore, the distance between the two was not far. If he took a shortcut, it would be even closer. Crossing through the ruins, Qin Ran arrived at Times Square faster than Saluka's convoy, which had to take a detour. He quickly searched for a concealed vantage point. Then, Qin Ran unexpectedly found that the position he was looking for was already occupied!

The person was lying in the shadows, aiming a sniper rifle at the road, overlooking the entire Times Square. Instantly, a cold sweat broke out on Qin Ran's back. If it weren't for the fact that the shortcut he took was directly below the person's blind spot, he would have been within the person's firing range. Although the person was there for Saluka, who could guarantee that they wouldn't eliminate some troublesome people in advance? And if there was a sniper here, what about the other vantage points? Thinking of this, Qin Ran immediately became more cautious, hiding himself in the shadows and carefully observing the surroundings. There were at least four more snipers! Qin Ran was relieved that he had re-entered the "Stealth" state before approaching Times Square. Otherwise, he would have been riddled with bullets!

"Times Square? It should be called Sniper Square!" Qin Ran thought to himself.

Looking at the sniper in front of him, Qin Ran did not act immediately. Although he was confident he could take out the sniper, he couldn't be sure that the remaining snipers wouldn't notice. He could only act when their attention was fully drawn! And such a wait wouldn't be long. Qin Ran knew who they were waiting for. Saluka! Clearly, General Jennings, having received the report from his spies, had quickly set up a trap for Saluka. In the distance, the roar of engines grew louder. The convoy appeared in Qin Ran's line of sight. The sniper in front of him quickly adjusted, but before he could finish, a powerful hand covered his mouth, pulling him back, and then a sharp pain in his neck. Qin Ran put down the sniper's body, checked the sniper rifle, and found it to be the same "Viper-M1" model, but with two fewer attributes than his own. He then picked up the sniper rifle and aimed it downward, but always kept a part of his attention on the surroundings. Although he couldn't be sure if Saluka would send people to occupy the vantage points, Qin Ran did not want to follow in the footsteps of the sniper beside him.

...

"General, Saluka has arrived!" The staff officer, who had been observing outside, turned to report to the other person in the room. The staff officer's respectful attitude clearly indicated the person's identity. The golden stars on the shoulder badges further represented the person's status. One of the rebel generals, Jennings. This rebel general looked younger than expected, with black hair streaked with white, neatly combed back. His slightly plump face was rosy and lustrous. His brown eyes were sharp and intimidating, much like the scar on his forehead that resembled a centipede. It made people instinctively avert their gaze, especially when Jennings was angry!

"He's really in a hurry!" Jennings sneered, the aura of a superior mixed with his sharp gaze making the staff officer dare not even breathe. After receiving the report from his spies and being unable to contact the deceiver, Jennings almost immediately thought that Saluka wanted to keep the jewels for himself and frame him. Although Jennings never intended to share the jewels with Saluka, this did not mean he would forgive Saluka's betrayal.

"How are the preparations?" Jennings turned to look at his staff officer.

"Everything is ready! Saluka is doomed!" The staff officer immediately replied.

Satisfied with the answer, Jennings nodded and slowly opened an elegant box, taking out a cigar. The staff officer immediately brought a cigar cutter, trimmed it, lit it with a lighter, and handed it to Jennings.

"I like the Lemp 3, the cinnamon and leather scent reminds me of the bodies blown apart by shells!" Jennings, holding the cigar, took a deep puff and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. The smoke obscured his sharp eyes, but his face, which still looked authoritative, became distorted in the smoke.

"Do you know why?" Jennings looked at the staff officer again. The staff officer immediately shivered—having no idea how to respond. Fortunately, Jennings did not expect an answer. Taking another deep puff of the cigar, Jennings said, "Because standing in front of someone else's body proves that—I am the victor!" After saying this, Jennings stood up from his chair. With age, his originally robust body had become fatter, but his presence was even more imposing. As he walked, he seemed like a lion patrolling his territory. In contrast, Saluka, standing in front of the camp at Times Square, seemed less imposing. But at this moment, Saluka did not retreat at all. He raised his head and walked towards Jennings. Jennings raised his hand to stop the soldiers around him from firing, which was also a signal to the snipers.

"General Jennings, we need justice!" Saluka stopped about five steps away from Jennings and shouted loudly.

"Justice?" Jennings took the cigar out of his mouth, his sharp eyes filled with disdain. Not only disdain for Saluka, but also for the rebel soldiers behind him. Did Saluka think he could threaten him by bringing these rebel soldiers? Did these rebel soldiers think they could change his decision by outnumbering him? How naive! Jennings sneered inwardly. He wanted to make Saluka and these soldiers wake up.

"Do you think—"

Bang! A gunshot interrupted Jennings' words, and his head exploded instantly. Blood mixed with brain matter splattered all over Saluka. What happened? He didn't give the signal to fire! Surprised and confused, Saluka looked around in a daze.

Bang! Another gunshot rang out. Saluka followed in Jennings' footsteps. His headless body fell to the ground. Both sides of the soldiers were stunned, and the entire Times Square fell into an eerie silence. But it only lasted for less than two seconds.

"Revenge for the major!" "Revenge for the general!" Both sides of the soldiers, believing the other side had acted, shouted without hesitation.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Boom! Boom! Boom! The next moment, gunshots and cannon fire shattered the night's tranquility. Flames enveloped the entire Times Square.