The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 420: Desperate Counterattack and Victory Rescue

Drawing on his memories from his previous reconnaissance, Lei Tao quickly located the dark, damp cell. Outside, two Japanese soldiers paced back and forth in panic, their rifles still gripped, their trembling hands betraying their inner fear. Lei Tao flashed like a flash of black lightning, silently approaching them. Before the two Japanese soldiers could react, Lei Tao's dagger had already precisely slashed their throats. They fell silently, their blood slowly spreading across the ground, as if telling of their sin and punishment.

Lei Tao quickly opened the cell door, and a pungent, rancid odor filled the air. Inside the dim cell, a group of ragged village women huddled in a corner, their faces haggard and terrified. Seeing Lei Tao appear, they were startled at first, then a glimmer of hope ignited in their eyes, only to be quickly overshadowed by fear. Clearly, they were terrified by the Japanese atrocities.

"My fellow villagers, don't be afraid, I am here to save you!" Lei Tao lowered his voice and tried to make his tone sound gentle, as if he was comforting a wounded lamb.

Hearing this, tears welled up in the eyes of the women, but they dared not make a sound. One of the older women trembled and said, "Can you...can you really get us out?" Her voice was filled with trembling and expectation, as if she had grasped at a last straw.

"Don't worry, I will definitely take everyone away from here!" Lei Tao answered firmly. His voice was like warm sunshine, penetrating the fear of the darkness and bringing hope to the villagers.

He quickly checked on the group, finding most of them only weak and suffering minor injuries. Lei Tao pulled some rations and water from his backpack and distributed them to everyone. "Eat something first to replenish your energy. We'll be leaving soon." His movements were gentle and swift, each one filled with care.

Just then, a chaotic sound of footsteps and shouting could be heard outside, clearly indicating Japanese troops were approaching. Lei Tao immediately became alert, gripping his weapon tightly. "Everyone, be quiet! Hide in the corner. I'll hold them off." His eyes were firm and calm, like a towering mountain, providing a safe haven for the villagers.

Lei Tao crouched close to the wall at the cell door, his eyes fixed on the front, his ears catching every slight movement. His breathing was steady and even, his hands tightly gripping the dagger and gun, ready for the upcoming battle at any time.

Soon, hurried, chaotic footsteps approached from afar. Several Japanese soldiers, rifles drawn, cautiously rushed into the cell. The moment they entered, Lei Tao lunged out like a bullet. He quickly raised his gun, aimed it at the foremost Japanese soldier, and pulled the trigger. With two bangs, two Japanese soldiers fell.

Before the other Japanese soldiers could react, Lei Tao rushed towards them, his rifle tucked at his waist and his dagger tightly grasped in his right hand. He dodged a Japanese soldier's bayonet and grabbed his arm with his left hand. With a powerful twist, the soldier's arm dislocated with a snap, and he fell to the ground screaming. Without pausing, Lei Tao stabbed another Japanese soldier in the abdomen with his dagger, then quickly pulled it out, causing blood to spurt out.

At this moment, several more Japanese soldiers rushed in. Lei Tao pushed the Japanese soldier in front of him towards the crowd. At the same time, he took out the pistol from his waist and quickly emptied the magazine at the Japanese soldiers. "Bang bang bang bang..." After several gunshots, the Japanese soldiers who rushed in were shot in the eyebrows and fell to the ground and died.

However, Japanese reinforcements continued to pour in, and more and more Japanese soldiers rushed into the cell. Lei Tao retreated while continuing to fight, constantly changing positions, looking for weaknesses in the Japanese army. But as the enemy grew in number, he gradually felt exhausted. His arms became sore from the long battle, his breathing became more and more rapid, and sweat and blood mixed together and flowed down his cheeks.

Just when Lei Tao was gradually unable to withstand the pressure of the Japanese army and the situation was extremely critical, Liu Zishan arrived in time with Lishui buffaloes and Lishui sheep.

Liu Zishan rushed into the cell and quickly scanned the battlefield, discovering Lei Tao surrounded by a group of Japanese soldiers. Without a word, he raised his rifle, using the stone pillar at the cell door as a support, and employed precise bursts of fire, his gaze fixed on the Japanese soldiers. He calmly pulled the trigger, and with a few "bangs," the foremost Japanese soldiers were shot in the legs and fell to the ground instantly, temporarily halting the Japanese offensive and relieving the pressure on Lei Tao.

Brandishing a heavy broadsword, Li Shuiniu charged directly toward the area where the Japanese troops were concentrated. A massive figure, possessing incredible strength, he raised his broadsword high in both hands and, using the momentum of his running, slashed fiercely at a Japanese soldier. The soldier, panicking, raised his rifle to block the blow, but with a snap, the rifle was severed, and the blade pierced the soldier's shoulder, sending him screaming and falling. Li Shuiniu then kicked away the nearby Japanese soldier and swept his sword, forcing back the approaching enemies. Li Shuyang, agile and armed with two daggers, swerved into the battlefield from the side. Spotting a lone Japanese soldier, he rushed forward, first deflecting the incoming bayonet with his left dagger, then stabbing the soldier's throat with his right. With one smooth movement, the soldier had no time to react and collapsed, clutching his neck.

He then swiftly turned and engaged the approaching Japanese troops in close combat, constantly changing his attack angles to catch them off guard. Lei Tao's spirits lifted upon seeing his teammates arrive. He and Li Shuiniu coordinated their efforts. Li Shuiniu led the charge, drawing the Japanese's attention, while Lei Tao took advantage of the gaps in the Japanese defense and eliminated the more threatening enemies with his rifle. Liu Zishan provided fire support from a distance, striking precisely at Japanese troops attempting to encircle them. Li Shuiyang maneuvered along the edge of the battlefield, attacking the Japanese flanks and disrupting their formation. With the four men's close coordination and heroic fighting, the Japanese gradually gave way. Some began to falter and retreat. Seeing this, Liu Zishan increased his suppressive fire, forcing the Japanese to retreat. Eventually, the remaining Japanese soldiers turned and fled, and the fierce battle ended in their victory, with the Japanese army successfully repelled.

"Brother Lei, we're too late!" Liu Zishan gasped, his face etched with fatigue and guilt. "We've arrived just in time! Hurry, help me get the villagers out!" Lei Tao spoke as he helped a frail woman to her feet. His voice, though tired, was filled with relief and gratitude. The others, supporting the women, carefully evacuated along the hidden paths leading out of the camp. Finally, before dawn, Lei Tao and his team, carrying the rescued women, safely left the Japanese camp and reunited with other villagers hiding in the mountains. Looking at the survivors, Lei Tao felt a mixture of emotions.