The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 326: Lei Tao searches for the enemy, and a secret stronghold is found in the valley

Xu Keming solemnly took the document with both hands, carefully opened it to check the seal, and after confirming that it was intact, he handed the document to his trusted subordinate behind him, and whispered seriously: "You will immediately lead the first team to escort this document back to the headquarters and hand it over to the station chief in person. You must remain highly vigilant along the way to ensure that everything is safe and you must not stop at any time." After receiving the order, the subordinate quickly turned around and called several Military Control Commission agents beside him. They all walked quickly to the military jeep, started the engine, and the car sped away like an arrow.

After the documents were safely delivered, Xu Keming turned to Lei Tao, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Lei, you've really worked hard this time. But I will definitely not let this cunning escapee, Kazuya Uesugi, go easily. Since he's been active in this area so frequently, there must be some hidden base and supporting personnel behind him that haven't been discovered yet."

Lei Tao responded with a mixture of laughter and curses: "Don't play dumb here. When we catch him one day, or completely wipe out those bandit dens we've recruited, don't forget the reward we deserve. I'm not after money. It's just that our team is a civilian organization, and we have to find ways to raise ammunition and daily supplies for every operation. It's not easy."

After hearing what Lei Tao said, Xu Keming laughed and a cunning look appeared on his face: "Brother Lei, you can rest assured. The reward you deserve will not be reduced by a single cent. But you also know that the process of allocating funds from above is very complicated, and you will probably have to wait for some time. But I, Xu, always keep my word, and I will definitely do my best to urge so that the reward can be implemented as soon as possible." As he said, he took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep puff, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

Lei Tao continued, "My team members have been tormented by that bastard Uesugi Kazuya and the bandits for a whole night, and now they are all exhausted. If there is anything, let's talk about it after we have a good rest."

Xu Keming exhaled a puff of smoke and squinted his eyes at Lei Tao, a faint smile on his face: "Alright, Brother Lei, you two should take a good rest first. There's no rush to suppress the bandits and arrest the Japanese spies. Once you've rested enough, we can make a long-term plan."

Just then, Yi Guang approached, looking weary. Despite his weariness, his eyes still shone with shrewdness. He said, "Captains, although Kazuya Kamisama escaped this time, during the battle, we discovered some strange markings on the walls of houses and streets around town." As he spoke, Yi Guang pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with some irregular symbols drawn on it.

Xu Keming took the paper, his eyes fixed on it as he examined it carefully, his brow furrowing ever deeper. "These marks... they look like some kind of special communication code or marking. It seems their actions were premeditated for a long time."

Lei Tao also leaned over to take a look, a puzzled look on his face: "Whatever these marks mean, it's definitely not a good thing. After we have rested well, we must follow these marks and investigate carefully. Maybe we can find Kazuya Kamisama's hiding place."

Xu Keming nodded and returned the paper to Yi Guang: "This matter really needs to be handled as soon as possible. I will immediately arrange for someone to conduct an investigation and see if we can get more clues from other channels."

Yi Guang put the paper away and turned to Lei Tao, saying, "Captain Lei, our ammunition has been almost depleted after this operation. We must replenish it as soon as possible, otherwise subsequent operations will be very passive. In addition, Meng Xiaoyu took a look and found that our dry food supplies are running low..."

Lei Tao frowned slightly and rubbed his temples. Despite his tired face, he forced himself to speak. "Okay, I got it. I'll figure out how to resupply the ammunition." He turned to look at Xu Keming and said, "Captain Xu, you know we in the Netherworld are like bounty hunters. We don't need to pay for anything, so don't accuse me of being greedy."

Xu Keming's face showed an understanding expression. He took another puff of his cigarette and said slowly, "Brother Lei, I understand your difficulties. How about this? I will allocate some ammunition and dry food from the Military Control Commission's emergency supplies to you as an emergency. When the bounty comes in, I will deduct it from the amount. What do you think?"

Lei Tao smiled mysteriously and said, "I appreciate Captain Xu's kindness, but I have my own way of getting supplies. Well, I won't talk nonsense with you anymore. I have to go and rest quickly." After that, he walked towards a room in the militia camp.

Xu Keming watched Lei Tao's retreating figure, a flicker of curiosity and confusion in his eyes, but he didn't ask any further questions. He simply wondered what other hidden tricks this "Netherworld" team might have up their sleeves. He stubbed out his cigarette, turned around, and instructed his Military Intelligence Bureau agents, "Keep a close eye on everything going on in and around this town, especially any areas with strange markings. Report any signs of activity to me immediately."

Yi Guang stood there, looking in the direction where Lei Tao had disappeared, lost in thought. He stepped forward and said to Xu Keming, "Captain Xu, Captain Lei has always been meticulous and thoughtful. Since he said he has a way to get supplies, he must be absolutely sure. However, as long as Shangshanheye is not removed, it will remain a huge hidden danger."

Xu Keming nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I've already assigned personnel to investigate the meaning of those markings. I hope to follow the clues and find their hiding place. By the way, your 'Netherworld' team has extensive connections in this area. You should also use them to gather as much intelligence as possible."

After Yi Guang agreed, he turned around to contact informants from all parties.

On his way back to his room, Lei Tao pondered whether Zhu Erba and Shang Shan He had fled back to their bandit lair after their failed attempt to intercept the file, or whether they were lurking around town, waiting for an opportunity. Back in his room, he retrieved several intelligent hummingbird-like drones from his Bagua gyroscope. He expertly activated them, then took out his tablet and set up a rough reconnaissance area. He then opened the window and gently tossed them. The drones flapped their thin, cicada-like wings, emitting a subtle humming sound as they vanished into the sky like black spirits.

Lei Tao sat in the room, his eyes fixed on the screen of his tablet computer. The flickering light dots on the screen represented the flight trajectory of the drone.

As the bionic drone gradually penetrated deeper into the valley, the image on the screen became clearer. The valley was lush and dense with trees. The drone followed its programmed route, shuttling back and forth across the valley, leaving no suspicious corner untouched.

Suddenly, several blurry figures appeared on the screen. Lei Tao's heart suddenly tightened. He quickly zoomed in on the screen, trying to see what these people looked like. He saw those figures moving stealthily in the valley, carrying guns on their backs. Judging from their figures and movements, they looked very much like bandits. Lei Tao thought to himself: "Could these be Zhu Erba's men?"

To confirm further, Lei Tao piloted the drone closer. Just as the drone was within a dozen meters of the figures, one of the bandits seemed to sense something was amiss. He jerked his head up, warily gazing upwards. The bandit stared at the sky for a long moment. Then, upon spotting a bird, he cursed, "Damn it! That silly bird, from nowhere, scared me!" "You've been visiting brothels so much that you're weak and paranoid," he said. "Go away! What do you know? There's an old saying: 'Dead beneath the peony flowers, even as a ghost you'll be a romantic.' And don't you mention that new girl lately, she's been so glamorous." The group chatted and chatted as they continued their ascent up the mountain. Lei Tao knew he couldn't risk letting the drone get any closer, as it would alert the intruders if spotted.

Lei Tao piloted the drone, continuing his careful reconnaissance of the valley. A short while later, the drone discovered a cave hidden in a cliff face, nestled in a cove. A rope ladder led to the entrance, surrounded by a meter-high wooden fence, giving it a rather secluded feel. Near the cave entrance, several young girls were found, their hands tied behind their backs to large rocks. Their eyes were filled with fear and despair. On a nearby stone table, several men lay unconscious, drunk. Another man, holding what looked like roast chicken, kept waving food in front of the girls, mumbling something incoherently, a lewd smile on his face.