The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

Chapter 844 Thunderous Breakthrough: A Sharp Blade Amidst the Flames of War (Page 12)

Smoke billows, flames rage—this is the unchanging scene of the battlefield. A pungent, acrid stench permeates the entire space, a mixture of nauseating blood, the scorching heat of burning earth, and the salty sweat of soldiers toiling in the fields. These odors intertwine, forming a unique and deadly symphony, swirling and spreading wildly with the biting, howling winds. They not only obscure the once-clear sky but also completely conceal the scars left by the earth's wounds.

At this very moment, Zhao Gang stood steadily in a hastily assembled, makeshift command post on a small earthen mound. He gripped tightly the old binoculars that had accompanied him through countless battles; the lens still bore the marks of the torrential rain that had washed over it the previous night. However, this did not prevent him from focusing intently with his sharp, eagle-like eyes on the distant enemy camp, completely shrouded in thick smoke. Although his vision was severely limited and obstructed, his exceptional insight and keen perception seemed capable of easily piercing through the dense, thick smoke barrier, allowing him to witness firsthand how the three incredibly sharp weapons he had previously dispatched on a special mission would unleash a massive, earth-shattering storm deep within enemy territory!

Time seemed to stretch endlessly at that moment, each second like a heavy drumbeat pounding in the hearts of Zhao Gang and all the eager soldiers. They had just endured a fierce and brutal ambush; the barbarian armored guards had surged forward like a tidal wave, their heavy armor and fearless charge pushing the battle line to the very edge of their camp. Zhao Gang knew this couldn't continue. A direct confrontation would put them at a disadvantage in terms of both manpower and equipment; only a surprise attack, catching them off guard, offered any hope of survival.

So he selected them—Li Meng, Zhang Rui, and Wang Qiang.

Under Zhao Gang's command, these three names were practically synonymous with "legend."

Li Meng drives vehicle number one, "Thunderclap." He's a burly man nearly two meters tall, with muscles bulging like iron on his arms, and a scar running from his brow bone to his jaw that makes him look even more ferocious. Originally a bandit from the frontier, he possesses an unparalleled familiarity with various terrains. Later, he was recruited by Zhao Gang and became one of the army's top drivers. No matter how rugged the mountain road or how muddy the swamp, as long as he holds the steering wheel, even the heaviest truck can be driven with the agility of a sports car. It is said that he can judge the road conditions ahead simply by the sound of the wheels rolling over stones in pitch-black darkness.

Zhang Rui drove vehicle number two, "Hurricane." Unlike Li Meng's ruggedness, Zhang Rui was of medium build, with a lean face and exceptionally sharp eyes that seemed to see through everything. He had once been a technician at the surveying bureau, but was stranded here due to the war. He was meticulous, precise in his calculations, and possessed an innate sensitivity to machinery. Every part of the truck was as familiar to him as his own fingers. He was not only a driver but also the best mechanic; he could troubleshoot any minor problem in the shortest amount of time. The route planning for this operation was mostly his doing.

Wang Qiang drives vehicle number three, "Breaking the Sky." He is taciturn and rarely speaks to others, but when he does, his words are often insightful and to the point. He is the youngest of the three, yet possesses the most composed demeanor. It is said that he was once a sniper, but during a mission, he injured his right hand while covering his teammates, rendering him unable to hold a gun, which led him to switch to driving. However, the sniper's calmness, patience, and ability to seize opportunities are ingrained in him. He is the "safety officer" of the three, responsible for observing the surroundings and responding to emergencies.

These three people, with vastly different personalities, cooperated seamlessly. They were Zhao Gang's sharpest sword and his most reliable shield.

When Zhao Gang assigned them the mission of "going deep behind enemy lines to destroy the enemy's armored guard command center or assembly point," the three men did not hesitate at all. They simply stood at attention, saluted, and said in a deep voice, "Yes, sir!"

There were no grand pronouncements, only a promise as firm as a mountain.

The three heavy trucks they drove were Zhao Gang's prized possessions, painstakingly procured from the rear. Each one had undergone special modifications: reinforced chassis and armored cabs, equipped with more powerful engines, and their cargo beds were tightly sealed. Inside were several old but powerful mortars salvaged from an abandoned armory, along with several boxes of artillery shells. These trucks were their mobile artillery platforms and their talismans of protection.

The operation began in the darkest hour before dawn.

Three trucks, their lights off, moved silently out of the concealed passage on the flank of the camp, like lurking beasts. At this moment, the fighting on the battlefield temporarily ceased, with only sporadic sniper shots and the groans of the wounded echoing in the quiet night.

"Attention all vehicles, maintain a safe distance, speed 15 km/h, stay close to me." Zhang Rui's voice came through the car radio, calm and clear. His "Hurricane" was leading the way.

"Thunder received," Li Meng replied in a muffled voice.

"Received, Potian." Wang Qiang's voice remained low.

The truck drove cautiously along the rugged mountain road. The wheels crunched over gravel, making a soft "swish" sound that was quickly dispersed by the wind. Zhang Rui, relying on a pre-drawn simple map and a precise sense of direction, navigated the labyrinthine valley. They weren't on the main road, but on a hunter's trail long abandoned. This trail was narrow, steep, and riddled with thorns and traps; even an oxcart would struggle to pass, let alone such a massive vehicle.

But this is precisely why Zhao Gang chose this path—the most dangerous place is often the safest place.

“Take a left turn in 300 meters ahead, and watch out for the deep ditch on your right,” Zhang Rui warned.

Li Meng was completely focused on controlling the steering wheel, and the massive "Thunderbolt" seemed to become light in his hands. He made slight adjustments to the direction, and the truck's right tire almost grazed the edge of the deep ditch, a breathtaking sight.

"Mengzi, take it easy, don't leave us behind," Wang Qiang reminded him from the back. He kept an eye on the rearview mirror, watching for pursuers behind them, and also paying attention to the movements of the two vehicles in front.

"Don't worry, when has your brother Qiang ever let his guard down?" Li Meng chuckled, but his hands remained focused.

They had to cross a dense primeval forest. The forest was dimly lit, and the intertwined branches of the towering trees almost completely blocked out the sky. The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, which felt soft and spongy underfoot. The trucks drove on it as if sinking into mud, making a "plop plop" sound.

"Attention, there is miasma ahead. Slow down, close the windows, and turn on the air circulation." Zhang Rui's voice rang out again.

A faint, fishy stench wafted over, and the air ahead became murky. This was miasma unique to the valley; inhaling too much could cause dizziness and even poisoning. The three trucks immediately obeyed the order, and the air filters in their cargo compartments began to operate.

Just then, an accident happened.

With a sharp "crack," the "Thunder" driven by Li Meng suddenly jolted, and its speed instantly decreased.

"What happened?" Zhang Rui asked immediately.

"Damn it, the front left wheel seems to have fallen into a trap!" Li Meng cursed, trying to accelerate to get out, but the truck just spun in vain, and the wheel sank even deeper.

"Don't move!" Zhang Rui immediately stopped him. "Mengzi, check the situation. Wang Qiang, you cover me, I'll back up."

Wang Qiang immediately turned off the headlights, picked up the submachine gun from the driver's seat, and cautiously observed his surroundings. The forest was eerily quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the buzzing of the Thunder's wheels spinning freely.

Zhang Rui carefully reversed the "Hurricane" and turned on the roof spotlight. The beam pierced the darkness and shone on the "Thunderclap's" left front wheel. There, a deep pit covered by fallen leaves was visible, where the tire was stuck.

"Damn it, it's a hunter's trap." Zhang Rui frowned. "Mengzi, try to put a stone in there."

"Okay!" Without saying a word, Li Meng grabbed the entrenching tool from the truck bed and jumped off. The cold air made him shiver, but he didn't care. He quickly ran to the left front wheel and used the shovel to clear away the fallen leaves and mud around it.

Wang Qiang also got out of the car, holding a submachine gun, leaning against the truck, and warily looking around. Every second, an enemy could appear.

Li Meng acted quickly; he moved several appropriately sized stones from nearby and laboriously stuffed them under the tire.

"Alright, Zhang Rui, give me a hand!" Li Meng shouted.

Zhang Rui drove "Hurricane" carefully closer and connected "Thunder" and "Hurricane" with a tow rope.

"Mengzi, get in the car!" Zhang Rui shouted.

Li Meng quickly climbed back into the driver's seat and started the engine.

"One, two, three, pull!"

At Zhang Rui's command, both vehicles started working simultaneously. The engine of "Thunder" roared, and the tires finally slowly crawled out from under the stones.

"Phew..." All three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"Check each vehicle for any abnormalities," Zhang Rui asked.

"Thunderclap is normal."

"It's normal for things to break out of the sky."

“Okay, keep going, speed up, and try to make up for the lost time,” Zhang Rui said, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

The three trucks started up again and continued their journey through the darkness. Although the incident ended without serious injury, it still caused a delay of nearly half an hour.

The journey ahead was even more treacherous. They not only had to evade enemy patrols but also traverse a steep mountain ridge. As the truck climbed the hill, the engine roared laboriously, and the truck swayed slightly due to the immense torque. Li Meng gripped the steering wheel tightly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead; he could feel every friction between the tires and the ground.

"Watch out, there are lights ahead!" Wang Qiang suddenly warned.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Zhang Rui immediately signaled everyone to stop the car and turn off the lights. He picked up his binoculars and carefully observed the area ahead. Several kilometers away in a mountain valley, he could vaguely see flickering lights and hear faint voices.

“It’s a temporary checkpoint for the enemy,” Zhang Rui judged. “They don’t seem to have many people, maybe a squad.”

"What should we do? Go around it?" Li Meng asked.

Zhang Rui shook his head: "The map shows that this is the only route. Taking a detour would add at least two hours to the journey, and there's not enough time."

"Then kill them!" A ruthless glint flashed in Li Meng's eyes.

"No, the gunfire will give us away," Zhang Rui rejected the suggestion. "Our mission is a surprise attack, not a prolonged battle." He pondered for a moment, "Wang Qiang, are you confident you can take them out with a silenced crossbow?"

Wang Qiang paused for a moment, then said, "It's a bit far, and we don't know the specific defenses. But we can give it a try."

"Alright! Wang Qiang, you take the crossbow and sneak over there, take out the sentry. We'll follow you, and get through quickly. Remember, try not to make any noise," Zhang Rui ordered.

"Understood." Wang Qiang opened the car door and, like a cat, silently disappeared into the darkness. He was dressed in dark night clothes, blending seamlessly into his surroundings.

Time ticked by, each second feeling incredibly long. Li Meng and Zhang Rui gripped their weapons tightly, their palms sweating. They could clearly hear their own heartbeats.

About ten minutes later, the fire at the checkpoint ahead suddenly went out. Immediately afterward, Wang Qiang sent a pre-arranged signal—three long and two short bird calls.

"Done!" Zhang Rui's spirits lifted. "All vehicles, full speed ahead, do not stop!"