Chapter 897 - 505: Embers of the Long Night (Part 14)_2

They were locked in a bitter battle on the battlefield, and it was Su Huan who broke the siege. When they found themselves trapped with nowhere to escape, it was again Su Huan who rescued them.

Though the commander’s methods are a bit unconventional, what he’s done is genuine!

If all anomalies were like Commander Su, there would be no need to fight, and they’d already be home with their families.

But compared to ordinary soldiers, their real concern isn’t about believing or not but rather the impact of these two communications. They’ve fought alongside Su Huan, but the other units haven’t. Plus, with those previous bizarre orders, how can you expect other units to trust him?

The brigade commander appoints a new division commander?

This is absolutely ridiculous.

However, given the urgency of the battle, everyone is skeptical but can accept it. Now that it’s explained, it seems to make sense?

...

"That’s complete bullshit! Don’t you know what kind of person He Wei is?"

The direct superior of the Synthetic Division, the headquarters of the 106th Army, the Army Commander cursed from inside the command post.

"Once he makes a decision, he never goes back. It doesn’t matter even if I threaten him; even with a machine gun aimed at him, he wouldn’t whimper. Isn’t this exactly why he’s been stuck in that position for years?"

The Chief of Staff sighed, "It’s not about whether we believe it or not; the point is, the situation has occurred. Who should we trust now?"

Now it’s clear to everyone that both must be under some control, but the problem remains. One is genuinely a Donghuang Major General, a legitimate division commander, while the other claims to be an outsider, personally appointed by the division commander to take his place.

And yet, we were the last to know about something this crucial. If it weren’t for a company entering the 713th Division’s territory, our headquarters wouldn’t even know our division commander had been taken hostage!

The situation is fully loaded with complexities.

The Army Commander paced back and forth in front of the sand table, looking like an enraged tiger, his expression fluctuating, "Has the communication with the 712th Division been re-established?"

"Emergency repairs are underway, but we can contact them indirectly through the company that entered the 713th Division’s territory."

The Chief of Staff replied.

"Did United Command send the reinforcements we requested?"

"They’re on their way; they’ll arrive by the end of today at the latest!"

"Then let’s wait. Notify the 711th, 713th, and 714th Divisions to surround the 712th Division’s defense area for me. Not a single mosquito gets through before the reinforcements arrive."

The Chief of Staff thought for a moment and found this was already the best approach, "Shall we not bother them, then?"

"Inform everyone, no private contact with them. Today, I want to see who’s the real monkey and who’s the fake one!"

The Army Commander slammed the table. Soon the major warzones became aware of the situation. Under United Command’s orders, apart from the most pressured Northern and Eastern Warzones, the remaining two army groups gravitated toward the 712th, ready to seal them off at a moment’s notice.

...

Shen Li and other senior officers looked grim, all eyes on Su Huan.

Su Huan remained calm, merely sneering, "Heh, the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall."

"So, are we still going to headquarters?"

Qin Mian hesitated.

Shen Li’s eyes were serious, "Of course not. There must be something wrong at headquarters. The commander’s last communication felt like a will, but we could send a small team..."

Before he could finish, Su Huan gestured for him to stop, "No need for all the hassle; I’ll go check it out myself. Besides, I have a few words to exchange with your commander."

Qin Mian just started to object when the brigade commander chuckled, "Don’t talk about protecting me."

Shen Li immediately protested, "That’s not acceptable. A mighty force needs leadership, and soldiers need a general. Even if your skills are exceptional, we’re like headless flies without a leader."

Su Huan paused, glanced at the other officers, and noticed they shared a similar sentiment.

For some reason, a slight sense of guilt toward He Jie came over him; he often left without a word in the vehicle...

Hesitating for a moment, "Headquarters isn’t far, right?"

"Not far, just thirty kilometers. We even felt the vibrations from over there a moment ago."

Shen Li quickly explained.

"Fine, let’s go together and see what’s happening."

Su Huan decided to stay with the group for once.

The troops started moving again. Ordinary soldiers, of course, were unaware of the top-level struggle. They just felt hopeful following the brigade commander.

But after advancing a dozen kilometers, they encountered two more regiments from the same 712th Division blocking the way.

Shen Li went to negotiate, returning shortly with a grim face.

"They say headquarters has ordered us not to approach, and they want us to surrender our weapons! These bastards, if we hadn’t diverted the main enemy force earlier, they’d have been annihilated by now. Now they’re turning against us!"

Seeing the enraged major, Su Huan patted his shoulder, looking toward the line of soldiers in the distance.

Less than a kilometer apart, within modern weaponry’s range, it’s like facing each other with gun barrels almost in each other’s faces.

However, the opposing force hadn’t fired yet, clearly maintaining some camaraderie; they took issue specifically with him, the "foreign enemy."

Qin Mian seemed a bit anxious, "How about I go explain things to them?"

Even the major, known for his good temper, appeared a bit irritated. If it were any other officer, they’d have started cursing by now.

"No need, just proceed."

Su Huan said calmly.

As the troops looked on, a blue electric path cut straight to the headquarters, and the soldiers of the Synthetic Brigade marched on proudly, as if they saw nothing in their way, pushing cannon barrels toward their faces.

When the brigade displayed such audacity, a cautious battalion commander hesitated, "Should we engage?"

The regiment commander was already sweating; with two conflicting orders unresolved, they’ve now been dragged into the eye of the storm.

As he observed the soldiers, he tried to find flaws in the opposing demeanor, but one by one, everyone seemed to embody confidence. Even the infantry appeared to look on with a sliver of pity.

The regiment commander silently cursed, who the hell is the rebel here?

"Hold your fire, let them through!"

The regiment commander instructed through grit teeth.

"But higher-ups want answers..."

"We’re here to fight the enemy, not our own brothers. And if there’s fallout, I’ll take responsibility. Don’t meddle, unless you want to try sitting in my position?"

Faced with the near-agitated regiment commander, the battalion commander retracted, hastily ordered his men to give way.

Su Huan’s troops navigated through three or four blockades without a single shot fired.

The soldiers didn’t quite understand what was happening, but they weren’t blind; they recognized the attire of those on the other side. Moreover, the earlier orders had been riddled with inconsistencies. Nobody wanted to be the one to start internal conflict.

Yet, all the troops followed behind the Synthetic Brigade, moving toward the headquarters.

When Su Huan arrived at headquarters, he had nearly assembled all the remaining forces of the 712th Division, around five thousand soldiers.

The equivalent of a reinforced brigade.

When they saw the state of headquarters, everyone was stunned. The once-intact headquarters was transformed into fertile soil, still emitting a faint blue smoke under the spotlights.

Someone sensed something amiss, quickly trying to contact headquarters, but got no response. Attempts to communicate with other units, even higher command, were equally futile.

They seemed utterly isolated.

Everyone was bewildered, except for Su Huan, who seemed to understand something.

"Shen Li, bring the others over here."

They gathered, some sending officers, others a deputy, indicating that despite Shen Li’s assurance, there was still some lack of trust in Su Huan.

"Where is the division commander?"

Su Huan wasn’t fazed, picking up a handful of soil, sensing its familiar energy, and quietly looking up, "In front of you."