Chapter 420 - 366: A Battle of Wits and Bravery

In front of Chaotic Stone Beach, Franklin, serving as Vanguard, raised his fist.

He carefully lifted his fist.

"Colonel, we've found footprints here, but the terrain ahead is too treacherous; we can't go any further..."

"Stay hidden on the spot, I'll take a look and then decide."

James took out his binoculars and looked toward the direction of Chaotic Stone Beach.

The squad's current location was a jungle, with the riverbank right opposite them. On the bank there was a pile of chaotic stones, the river flowed rapidly, and towering cliffs flanked both sides, creating extremely dangerous terrain.

That is to say, to continue forward, they would have to walk along Chaotic Stone Beach to get through this area.

But from their current position to Chaotic Stone Beach, there was an area consisting solely of riverbank, devoid of any vegetation cover, only stones and river water.

But in any case, such open areas without any cover were always the most dangerous. Most people would not choose to pass through here, preferring to traverse through areas with jungle vegetation.

"It's indeed a good spot for an ambush. Franklin, are you sure you saw the footprints?"

"I saw them, very clearly."

"Very clearly?"

"Yes."

"Then there's a problem... That son of a bitch is an expert in jungle warfare, he wouldn't leave such clear footprints for us so easily."

"Colonel, you mean... he deliberately led us here?"

"Very likely..."

As James spoke, he gently lifted the binoculars, looking further into the distance.

The dense jungle was far across the riverbank.

By now, daylight had come.

The time had reached 6:30 in the morning.

"If I were him, I'd find a hidden spot on the opposite side to lie in wait for the target to pass and then stage an ambush."

"I've used the reconnaissance device on the other side, no heat sources detected," reported Franklin.

James snorted coldly, "Hmph, we've been chasing him all night; have you seen him expose his heat source? This bastard is too cunning. I estimate he's got one of those waterproof thermal blankets from AGLAN troops, which can be wrapped around to insulate heat sources."

"He's a tough opponent..."

Franklin couldn't help but express his respect.

"So what do we do?"

"Bypass it, go from the right. He wants to ambush us, we'll ambush him. If I'm not mistaken, just climb up the cliff next to us, circle around from there about five hundred meters to the back, and we'll likely appear right behind that bastard."

James made his judgment and then ordered, "Franklin, we travel light, leave the tactical packs and such for Lucas and the others to watch. You and I will climb the cliff next to us—I see that the cliff isn't very high and it's covered with small trees, we can climb up."

Then he issued instructions to Lucas and Sonny, responsible for covering the rear: "Lucas, Sonny, you two stay put here, keep surveillance of this area, you can even make some intentional noise to attract the other side, let that damned bastard think we're hesitating here and dare not go across, and keep his attention on us."

"Understood, Colonel."

As soon as James received a reply from Lucas, he immediately left with Franklin to the left.

They didn't take the route through Chaotic Stone Beach but circled to the left and climbed over from the side of the mountain.

Lucas, who stayed in place, wasn't idle either. He crawled behind a bush, tied his climbing rope around a branch, and then carefully backtracked to a large tree about ten meters away, signaling OK to Sonny not far off.

Sonny immediately aimed his gun at the potential hiding spots in front of Chaotic Stone Beach, and Lucas began to pull the rope gently.

The bushes started to shake slightly.

In jungle warfare, this is one of the best ways to lure the enemy into firing.

However, Lucas didn't hold out much hope for it.

After an engagement that lasted day and night.

He knew very well who they were up against.

If such petty tricks could deceive the opponent, then the guy wouldn't have been able to kill several of his teammates overnight.

Lucas was extremely interested in the identity of this opponent hidden in the shadows.

Who exactly was it?

"Lucas, that guy won't fall for it."

After about fifteen minutes, Sonny sounded a bit disheartened.

"There's nothing over there, I haven't found any trace."

"No worries, I wasn't counting on him falling for it," Lucas said. "What I'm doing is buying time for the Colonel and Franklin. As long as he thinks we're still on this side, that's good enough. Otherwise, if we wait too long, he might give up this blocking position."

Having said that, he began pulling his rope again.

"Lucas, we've climbed the cliff. Is there any movement on your end?"

"Colonel, I have no activity here. I made a decoy, but he isn't biting. The fellow is too cunning."

Lucas stated, "But I think it's very likely that I've drawn his attention. Hopefully, he's still in the same position."

"Keep observing, keep an eye on that area. If we engage him later and he shows himself, you shoot him from across the riverbank."

"Roger that, Sonny and I have it covered."

The communication channel quieted down again.

Lucas carefully peered through the gaps in the bushes beside the big tree into the distance, surveyed a bit, shifted his position, and then set up his M249 machine gun.

This gun was very effective for shooting and suppressing targets within a four-hundred-meter range. As long as the Colonel and Franklin flushed the opponent out, as soon as he could see the figure, he would let them experience the rapid-fire suppressive power.

Just as Lucas was intently watching the spot where Song Heping might appear, two light "tap tap" sounds came from behind him, followed by something that seemed to hit the ground.

He was startled and flipped over, turning the gun barrel around.

However, everything was quiet around him, nothing at all.

"Sonny!"

He called out.

No response.

Lucas was now in a very disadvantageous state, lying on his back, which was not conducive for observation.

So, he slowly sat up, intending to stand and crouch to continue watching.

Sonny had disappeared.

Just moments ago, less than ten meters away, right behind a bush on the left.

Lucas slowly stood up.

The gun barrel aimed at Sonny's last known position.

Soon, he saw Sonny's feet.

Exposed on one side outside the shrubbery.

It was clear from the position of his feet that Sonny was lying prone on the ground.

His scalp tingled with numbness.

"Colonel..."

Lucas wanted to call out to James on the radio.

A dark shadow suddenly darted out from behind the large tree to his right.

Lucas didn't have time to continue the call and swiveled his gun around as quickly as he could.

The enemy was too close!

Only ten or so meters away!

How did he get there?

However, before Lucas could aim and pull the trigger, a burst of gunfire erupted from the barrel of the gun in front of the shadow.

Tap tap—

Two bullet holes appeared in Lucas's forehead, and the back of his skull burst open, shedding a piece of bone.

He fell back, face up.

Song Heping rushed over, confirmed the other man was dead, took his radio, and stuffed some ammunition into his tactical vest.

Then, he lay down next to Lucas, propping up the M249 machine gun, aiming it at the left side of Chaotic Stone Beach.

If Colonel James came back, he would certainly take this route.

All that was left to do now was to wait patiently.

Waiting for the prey to enter his line of sight.

Colonel James's inquiries kept coming through the earpiece.

"Lucas! Respond if you hear me!"

"Sonny! Report your position!"

Song Heping ignored them altogether, lying as still as a hunting leopard.

He even heard James swearing on the radio, cursing at himself.

Well...

Listening to the enemy curse himself was also a kind of pleasure.

Time ticked away steadily.

After more than nine minutes.

Song Heping glanced at his watch.

There was only one minute left.

Because the time it took to come down from the mountain on the opposite side to here wouldn't exceed ten minutes.

This was the time he had calculated.

If the enemy didn't appear at the foot of the hill to the left within ten minutes, it meant they had seen through his intentions, and this place would be unsafe.

Just as Song Heping was about to abandon his position, ready to move immediately, the shrubbery at the foot of the hill suddenly rustled.

Someone was there!

At last, he saw a figure enter his line of sight.

It was a Green Beret.

He looked like a Vanguard, holding his gun aimed at his location.

To shoot or not to shoot?!

Song Heping hesitated for a moment.

But he quickly made his decision—shoot!

Even if there were others following the Vanguard, it was time to leave this place.

Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the Green Beret in his field of vision suddenly dashed behind a nearby tree.

"Shit!"

Song Heping wanted to slap himself.

If he had known, he would have shot sooner.

Killing one was better than none, and the others could come later.

The chance to shoot had been lost.

Now he must withdraw.

Otherwise, things would go wrong.

But after looking at the enemy's position, he suddenly had another idea.

Song Heping surveyed his surroundings.

Estimated the distance.

About forty or so meters.

He pulled a Hand Grenade from his belt, pulled the pin, and after pausing for a second on his palm, he threw it.

The grenade seemed to have eyes as it soared through the forest, crossed the airspace of Chaotic Stone Beach, and landed precisely behind the tree.

Behind that tree was Franklin, who clearly hadn't expected Song Heping to pull such a move.

He had thought that hiding behind the tree would keep him safe, allowing him to hold Song Heping back here.

But he didn't foresee such an accurate throw coming his way.

The grenade landed less than two meters from him.

If he didn't get out of there, he was sure to be wounded or killed.

He lunged to one side, trying to get behind a pile of rocks.

While still in the air, Franklin suddenly regretted his decision.

He heard gunfire.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—

It was automatic fire.