Chapter 12

Dong Ku and his group walked through the snow for the entire afternoon. As dusk approached, they found a sheltered mountain hollow and built a snow shelter using snow blocks, settling down for the night.

Liu Zhong and his men had been fleeing across the snow for two days and a night. They were utterly exhausted. When Dong Ku offered to take the night watch, no one objected, and they all fell asleep on the dry grass covered with military coats.

Dong Ku had no intention of sleeping. He sat there, staring into the crackling campfire, lost in thought.

Only now did he have the time to carefully consider his situation. He wasn't sure what time and space he was in, but one thing was certain: this place was real. There were Japanese invaders, and the history was the same. The location was Hulin, and the date was January 15, 1935. Dong Ku wouldn't forget this date; he knew it was a crucial moment for the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, a time when the Red Army was capturing Zunyi and holding the Zunyi Conference. If everything followed the historical trajectory, this was the time.

Thinking about the losses the Red Army had suffered due to Wang Ming and Bo Gu, he felt a deep sadness. But the journey to Guizhou and Sichuan was long, taking at least a few months. Even if he could reach there, his single-handed efforts would be insignificant in such a large-scale environment. Besides, the Jinsha River had already been crossed, and even if he arrived, his identity would be unknown. At best, he would be closely monitored and his suggestions might not be taken seriously. At worst, he could be treated as a spy. The struggle at this time was extremely harsh.

Sighing inwardly, Dong Ku knew he wasn't suitable to rush to Guizhou and Sichuan. If he were monitored and investigated, it would be better as long as he could contribute his share. But if something worse happened, it wouldn't be the outcome he wanted.

Time slowly passed. Smoke and heat rose straight through the snow cave's skylight, and the edges of the skylight began to melt, with water droplets falling into the fire, sizzling. In the distance, the night watch deer barked like dogs, adding a bit of life to the silent forest.

He sat quietly, lost in thought until dawn. The faint sobs of Hu Zi, who was lying between Meng Zi and Liu Zhong, finally roused him. Hu Zi's face was twitching, tears streaming down his cheeks, but he didn't open his eyes, clearly dreaming.

Sighing deeply, Dong Ku returned to reality from his jumbled thoughts. Looking at the quietly sleeping Hu Zi, he knew what he had to do.

Putting aside unrealistic ideas, he made a decision. At this moment, what he could do was fight the Japanese. This was not only his strength but also his duty as a soldier trained by the state. As for political matters, he wasn't good at them and they weren't his concern. With his knowledge from the future, he knew that Chairman Mao could handle everything.

"Let blood and fire accompany the Party's growth!"

Having made up his mind, Dong Ku's eyes sparkled with determination, and a surge of passion for battle rose within him.

"Brother Dong."

At that moment, Liu Zhong softly called out to him, his voice barely audible.

"Hmm."

Dong Ku turned to look at Liu Zhong, who had sat up. On the journey, everyone knew Dong Ku was 26, and Liu Zhong, the oldest among them, was only 24. So, when Liu Zhong called him "Brother," Dong Ku responded without hesitation.

Liu Zhong quietly removed his coat, tiptoed away from his sleeping spot, and approached the fire, whispering, "Brother Dong, you should get some sleep. I'll take the night watch."

"I'm not sleepy. You've been running for two days. Get some rest; we have a long morning ahead of us tomorrow," Dong Ku replied softly.

"I'm fine, Brother Dong. I practice Xingyi Quan. Although I'm not as strong as you, I can rest quickly. Two hours is enough," Liu Zhong added a few dry branches to the fire and said softly.

"Oh?" Dong Ku was surprised and turned to look at Liu Zhong. He recalled seeing Liu Zhong's familiar movements when he was killing the Japanese, but at the time, he only thought Liu Zhong was a martial artist. He didn't expect him to practice Xingyi Quan.

Dong Ku asked, "Xingyi Quan is an internal martial art. Liu Zhong, is it a family tradition or did you have a master?"

"It's a family tradition. My ancestors were from Cangzhou, Hebei. I'm not very skilled, so I apologize, Brother Dong." Liu Zhong then changed the subject, "Brother Dong, I have a question."

"Go ahead, what is it?"

Dong Ku had a vague idea of what Liu Zhong was going to ask.

Liu Zhong glanced at the sleeping men, moved closer to Dong Ku, and whispered, "Brother Dong, how do you speak Japanese? Your clothes are so strange, and your gun is so powerful. You're not the old headman, are you?"

Dong Ku had anticipated this question and had prepared his answer. "I'm from Beiping. My father sent me to study at a military academy in Munich, Germany. I speak Japanese and several other languages. These two guns I stole from a German research institute. I just parachuted down from a plane and met you."

"Germany? Parachuting..."

Liu Zhong was confused. This was all new information to him.

"Maybe you'll have the chance to go to Germany and parachute from a plane someday," Dong Ku said, not giving Liu Zhong time to think. "Dog Egg's knife wound has been treated, but we can't be careless. Cover him well tomorrow; if it gets infected, it will be troublesome."

"Sure." Liu Zhong paused, then continued, "Brother Dong, I checked Dog Egg's wound before he went to sleep. It's fine, won't get infected. Our herbal medicine is a family tradition and very effective. It will definitely scab over in two days."

"Really?"

Dong Ku was quite surprised. Injuries were inevitable in war, and having a medicine that could stop bleeding and heal quickly would significantly reduce casualties.

Truly, there are experts among the common people! Shan Zi is a treasure.

Dong Ku silently praised. Seeing that Liu Zhong was very alert, he began discussing the internal martial arts knowledge he had learned from a specially hired instructor during his special forces training.

At first, Liu Zhong didn't pay much attention, but the more he listened, the more surprised he became. The things Dong Ku knew, which his father had only told him on his deathbed, were not only accurate but also insightful, resolving many of his doubts. If it weren't for Dong Ku's ruthless and efficient combat skills, Liu Zhong would have thought he had met a Xingyi Quan master. He didn't know that the fourth set of military exercises was specifically designed for special forces, incorporating the essence of both internal and external Chinese martial arts, including Xingyi Quan.

"Brother Dong, you're amazing. I only learned about these things from my father a few years ago," Liu Zhong said, his eyes full of shock and admiration.

"I've only heard about them. I can't compare to you, who has been practicing since childhood. If you have time, I can teach you some combat techniques. With your solid foundation, you'll pick them up faster than others."

"Really! That's great!"

Liu Zhong was excited, rubbing his hands together. He knew how powerful Dong Ku's combat skills were.

They talked for over two hours until the sky began to brighten and Meng Zi and the others woke up. Through their conversation, Dong Ku and Liu Zhong got to know each other better, and Dong Ku gained a deeper understanding of the group.

"Once we pass the old pine forest, we'll be there. It should take about half an hour."

Liu Zhong pointed to the red pine forest ahead.

Before he finished speaking, Dong Ku suddenly stopped and whispered, "There's something ahead. Everyone, be careful!"

The people in front were startled and quickly found trees to hide behind, their guns at the ready, watching the front nervously.

Seeing their reactions, Dong Ku nodded inwardly. All the training on the journey hadn't been in vain.

But when he raised his M4A1 to check, he frowned. He couldn't see anyone ahead, but he was sure he had heard the sound of a bolt being pulled, and it was no more than fifty meters away.

The person was skilled at hiding, a true expert!

Dong Ku's eyes narrowed, and he moved forward in a tactical stance, reaching Liu Zhong's side and whispering, "The person has a gun. Everyone, be careful." He was about to move forward.

Liu Zhong grabbed his arm, looking around suspiciously, and said, "Brother Dong, it might not be the Japanese. We're close to the tribe. It could be a tribal hunter."

"Right."

Dong Ku also thought this was possible.

Liu Zhong thought for a moment and asked, "Brother Dong, should I call out?"

"Sure."

Dong Ku knew this was the only way to avoid a misunderstanding, so he agreed.

With his approval, Liu Zhong hid behind a tree and called out in broken Oroqen, "I'm Liu Zhong from Dahuishan! Is Brother Morigen there?"

"Morigen?"

Liu Zhong's words were followed by a low voice from ahead.

Both Liu Zhong and Dong Ku heard the voice. Although Dong Ku didn't understand Oroqen, he was sure it wasn't Japanese. It was the Oroqen people Liu Zhong had mentioned. Liu Zhong understood what was said and called out loudly, "Yes, I was here with Brother Morigen and Brother Bairitu last summer."

"That's the Han brother who killed a black bear alone, Brother Liu Zhong from Dahuishan."

After Liu Zhong spoke, a voice came from about thirty to forty meters ahead, and figures began to emerge from behind the trees and in the snow.

Only when the figures moved did Dong Ku see them through his scope, hidden behind the trees.

"Your hiding skills are impressive."

Seeing the figures with deer heads, Dong Ku sincerely praised them.

Liu Zhong also stood up from behind the tree, slung his gun over his shoulder, and waved, calling out, "I've brought a few brothers with me, but unfortunately, I didn't bring any wine!"

As he spoke, Meng Zi and the others put away their guns and stood up. Seeing the figures with deer heads, Dong Ku quickly put his gun back into the holster he had made that morning.

"Ha! Welcome, Brother Liu Zhong! The fire in the yurt is roasting deer meat, and there's plenty of mare's milk wine!"

A burly man welcomed them with open arms.

Liu Zhong walked forward, smiling, "Brother Bairitu, I'll drink all the mare's milk wine in your yurt tonight..."

Seeing Liu Zhong walk forward, Dong Ku glanced at the six or seven Oroqen hunters who had come to greet them. An idea formed in his mind. These people had generations of hunting traditions, and their marksmanship and shooting awareness were top-notch. They were natural snipers. Since he had already formed a team, if he could recruit some young hunters from here, training snipers would be much easier.

As he thought, several young Oroqen men warmly welcomed them, taking the sleds from Meng Zi and Sun Tao. With Liu Zhong as the interpreter, they walked into the red pine forest, chatting animatedly.

Exiting the red pine forest, they saw a cluster of yurts on a sunny slope, smoke and heat rising from them.

"These are the spirit poles..."

In the white world, the yurts, covered with deer skins and emitting warm smoke, gave Dong Ku a sense of being in a fairyland...

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