Chapter 18

"Commander, we can't get Erlezi down. He's fighting the devils now, bullets are flying everywhere, we can't get through," the soldier came to the command post and said to Commander Zhang.

"Fighting? Bullets flying everywhere?" Commander Zhang asked.

"Uh-huh," the soldier nodded affirmatively.

"What, what's the situation? Tell me," Commander Zhang asked, a bit nervous.

"Old Zhang, don't worry," the political commissar said from the side.

"Commander, when we got there, the devils were firing at Erlezi. There were thousands of them shooting at him. And I saw a lot of devils lying on the ground, probably hundreds. According to Platoon Leader Li, Erlezi killed the commander of the 59th Regiment and a lot of devils. The devils started sending troops to charge," the soldier said.

"Wait, you said Erlezi killed the commander of the devils?" Commander Zhang asked.

"Yes, you just said Erlezi killed the commander of the devils?" the political commissar also asked.

"Uh-huh, I heard it from Platoon Leader Li, many soldiers saw it," the soldier said.

"Go on," Commander Zhang said.

"Commander, later the devils sent troops to charge, but they stepped on mines and many were killed. Erlezi also killed a lot. The devils used mortars, and after that, Erlezi shot more devils. The devils used artillery again," the soldier said.

"Wait, did Erlezi die when you came back?" Commander Zhang asked directly, annoyed by the rambling.

"No, he's fine. The devils don't dare to get close to him now," the soldier said affirmatively.

"Can't you bring him back?" Commander Zhang asked.

"Can't bring him back. Now Platoon Leader Li is digging a trench for Erlezi. Anyway, the soldiers all admire him for killing so many devils," the soldier said.

"Alright, you can go," Commander Zhang said.

After the soldier left, Commander Zhang sighed and said, "Damn, that brat never gives me a moment's peace."

"Haha, Old Zhang, Erlezi killed a regimental commander. This might be the highest-ranking devil we've killed in the Eighth Route Army. Good kid, he's got some skills!" the political commissar said happily.

"What skills? I'll deal with him when he gets back!" Commander Zhang said and walked into the command cave. The political commissar could only shake his head and smile bitterly. He knew Commander Zhang was worried about Erlezi but couldn't send more people over, which was frustrating.

Hu Hao waited there for over an hour, and the devils didn't dare to get close. Hu Hao remained still, waiting to see how the devils would enter the minefield he had set up. If they wanted to pass through this regiment's defense zone, they had to take this road; there was no other way.

Although there was only one road, it wasn't a natural stronghold. Apart from some small hills, it was a vast forest.

Hu Hao was almost falling asleep when he suddenly saw another group of devils coming from behind, looking at their equipment.

"Not bad, the devils even brought professional mine-clearing troops," Hu Hao thought, spitting out the grass in his mouth.

"Hmm, something's not right, there's a big shot in the back," Hu Hao carefully observed the group of devils. He saw two small cars and many antennas.

"Damn, do they have such professional command vehicles at this time?"

The cars stopped about 600 meters away from Hu Hao, and the devils' mine-clearing troops continued forward.

A lieutenant general got out of one of the cars.

"Damn, why are you so cowardly? Can't you move forward 200 meters? You're not doing your job," Hu Hao cursed the devil in his heart. Forget it, I'll deal with the engineers. There are only about 100 of them. Let's see what happens when they die, and how the devils will clear the mines.

Hu Hao waited until the first engineer entered his shooting range and then fired. One of the devils' engineers fell to the ground.

Hearing the gunshot, the devils all found places to hide, and many started shooting at Hu Hao.

"Brigade Commander, the Eighth Route Army sent a sharpshooter to specifically target our officers. Our regimental commander, Colonel Banxi Yiliang, has already been killed. We request assistance from the brigade commander," the lieutenant colonel said to the lieutenant general.

"Good, why haven't you eliminated that Eighth Route Army soldier after so long? What are you eating for?" the lieutenant general asked.

"Sir, the Eighth Route Army is very cunning. His hiding place is full of mines, and our soldiers can't get through. We need the help of engineers," the lieutenant colonel explained, bowing his head.

"I don't care what you do, but you must reach the Eighth Route Army's base by 3 PM today and set up defenses. Our division commander will lead the main forces to fight tomorrow. If you fail, you must commit seppuku," the division commander said.

"Sir, it's impossible for us to reach the Eighth Route Army's base by 3 PM today. The road is completely destroyed and full of mines. We can't move forward at all," the lieutenant colonel said.

"Baka, completely destroyed? I'll go and see," the lieutenant general said and started to move forward. The lieutenant colonel quickly pulled him back.

"Hmm? Lieutenant Colonel Kurogiri, what do you mean?" the lieutenant general looked at the lieutenant colonel in confusion.

"General, it's dangerous ahead. The Eighth Route Army soldier hasn't left," the lieutenant colonel said.

"Baka, I'm a lieutenant general of the Imperial Army, and I'm afraid of one Eighth Route Army soldier? You're getting more and more cowardly," the lieutenant general said.

"Hey, don't hold me back. Let him come over, and we'll be done," Hu Hao shouted in his heart, seeing the lieutenant colonel holding back the lieutenant general.

"Or, you can come with him," Hu Hao thought again.

"General, it's really dangerous ahead. You can use binoculars to observe the road," the lieutenant colonel said.

"Really dangerous!?" the lieutenant general asked.

Seeing that the lieutenant general wasn't coming over, Hu Hao slapped his face hard. "Damn, you should have let him come. Why did you deal with the engineers? It would have been better if the lieutenant general came over."

"Forget it, if he's not coming, I'll deal with the engineers. Even a mosquito's leg is meat," Hu Hao thought. He continued to shoot, and the engineers started to find places to lie down. They realized that the Eighth Route Army was targeting them.

"Hmm, indeed, the Eighth Route Army is still there. Send troops to charge and eliminate him," the lieutenant general ordered.

"Damn, again, and so many. Did you agree to use artillery or not?" Hu Hao saw 500 more devils charging towards him and quickly fired. The devils couldn't hit him; his position was high, and he had set up many defensive measures.

"Platoon Leader, the devils are charging again. Why hasn't Erlezi come down?" 500 meters away, Platoon Leader Li was observing the situation with two soldiers.

"You ask me, who should I ask?" Platoon Leader Li said irritably.

"But this kid is really brave, still shooting," Platoon Leader Li said.

"Uh, but there aren't many mines left. The devils should be able to charge up," another soldier said.

"I think Erlezi will come down and find a new position this time," Platoon Leader Li said.