Chapter 260 - 160: Let Him Off (Part 2)

At this moment, three dark figures quietly rose.

Cao Xiong, Zhang Shiyang, and Li Gang held their breath as they stealthily slipped out of the shack.

The night wind was slightly chilly, sending shivers down their spines, but excitement gleamed in Cao Xiong’s eyes.

Cao Xiong glanced around and chose a place where there were no patrolling soldiers, then hunched over and moved forward.

He gripped a hidden shovel tightly in his hand, his steps light as if he could already see the dawn of freedom.

"Quick, this way!"

Cao Xiong lowered his voice, waving his hand to the two men behind him.

Zhang Shiyang and Li Gang followed closely, the three of them moving like ghosts under the cover of shadows toward the edge of the minefield.

"Mr. Cao, can we really steal the guns?"

Zhang Shiyang’s voice trembled, a hint of unease in his eyes. His fingers tightly clutched the corner of his clothes, as if that could give him some courage.

"Nonsense!"

Cao Xiong sneered, a touch of disdain in his tone, "Li Gang and I are the Marshal and the guard of Beiguan. Do you think we can’t handle these small soldiers?"

Though Cao Xiong’s voice was low, it carried an enigmatic confidence.

Zhang Shiyang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was pulled back by Li Gang.

Li Gang’s eyes flickered, and in a low voice, he said, "Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and follow Mr. Cao, the opportunity is rare."

The three continued forward, bypassing a few piles of discarded ores, finally nearing the minefield’s perimeter.

A few squads of night-watch soldiers were patrolling the perimeter with M16 rifles slung over their shoulders.

A soldier on rotational break, Gou Sheng, was at this moment lying on the ground behind a large rock, clutching his gun, snoring thunderously, clearly fast asleep.

Cao Xiong’s eyes flickered with a hint of joy. He whispered instructions, "Zhang Shiyang, you stand guard; Li Gang, you come help me."

Zhang Shiyang nodded and quickly hid in the shadows, vigilantly observing the surroundings.

Li Gang followed behind Cao Xiong as the two of them stealthily approached Gou Sheng.

Cao Xiong crouched down, fingers gingerly placed on the strap of Gou Sheng’s gun, carefully untying it.

His heart was racing, as if it might leap from his chest at any moment.

Li Gang stood beside Cao Xiong, watching his actions with complex emotions, his fingers unconsciously clenching into fists.

Just as the strap was about to slip off Gou Sheng’s neck, Gou Sheng seemed to sense something and suddenly opened his eyes.

In the dim light, two pairs of eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze at that moment.

In just an instant, Gou Sheng raised his gun, pointing it at Cao Xiong, and shouted, "What are you doing?"

With that, the sound of two clicks signified the M16’s safety being released.

Realizing they were discovered, Li Gang was the first to react, abruptly pushing Cao Xiong away, waving his hands repeatedly, and stammering, "It’s not me, it’s not me, he wanted to steal the guns!"

Cao Xiong stumbled from the push, nearly falling to the ground.

He quickly turned back, glaring at Li Gang, eyes blazing with fury.

"Damn it, did you forget who promoted you? You have the nerve to frame me?"

Cao Xiong regretted it deeply.

This Li Gang, he had promoted him personally! Now he was stabbing him in the back.

If he had known Li Gang was such a traitor, he would rather have promoted a dog back then than Li Gang.

When Cao Xiong mentioned the promotion, Li Gang’s face turned pale, his lips trembled, but he stiffened and said:

"You did promote me, but I was only the guard for a few days. Now we’re in the same boat, I’m willing to redeem myself."

Zhang Shiyang also ran out from the shadows, urgently advising, "Let it go, Mr. Cao, don’t run, we can’t escape!"

Hearing Zhang Shiyang talk about escaping, Gou Sheng suddenly shouted: "Help! Someone’s trying to escape!"

Cao Xiong was so angry he trembled all over, his fists clenched so tightly that they creaked.

He glared hard at both of them, gritting his teeth as he said, "Fine, very fine! You two bastards!"

It was then that the chaotic footsteps of patrolling soldiers could be heard from afar, gathering toward them.

Cao Xiong didn’t have time to think further. He swiftly kicked at Gou Sheng’s chest, knocking him to the ground, then drew a breath and ran.

Gou Sheng groaned as he fell but quickly got up, shouting, "Someone’s escaping! Someone’s escaping!" while raising his M16 to aim at Cao Xiong’s back.

"Bang!"

The gunshot pierced the night sky.

Cao Xiong, who was mid-air, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his lower back. He screamed, crashing heavily to the ground.

He struggled to get up but found he couldn’t move. Blood gushed from the wound, rapidly staining his clothes red.