manynovel Chapter 54 The War Begins
Chapter 54 The War Begins
Four o'clock in the morning, on the Chinese side of the border.
The night was as dark as ink, and the searchlights of the border post swept back and forth in the darkness, illuminating the barbed wire and trenches. The sentries were fully armed, their guns pointed warily toward the border—the stench of blood from the conflict three hours earlier still seemed to linger in the air.
Suddenly, from the edge of the jungle to the east of the outpost came the sound of three short and one long bird calls.
The squad leader on the watchtower immediately raised his night vision binoculars. At the edge of the jungle, four blurry figures appeared, almost blending into the darkness, with only the optical camouflage occasionally gleaming when they moved.
"They're on our side." The squad leader breathed a sigh of relief and whispered into the communicator, "Open the door, they're back."
The heavy iron gate slowly opened. Four figures passed through quickly, their movements as agile as cheetahs stalking the night. They entered the outpost, and only under the lamplight could their entirety be seen.
The four men were all dressed in combat uniforms covered with camouflage vegetation, their faces heavily painted with camouflage, only their eyes visible. Their equipment was so sophisticated that it seemed out of place for this era—their helmets integrated complex sensors, their tactical vests were covered with various devices, and the barrels of their rifles were thicker than standard models, clearly heavily modified.
What's most unsettling is their aura. Even standing still, you can feel an invisible pressure. It's not a deliberate display of killing intent, but rather a coldness and sharpness ingrained in their very bones after countless life-or-death battles.
The border guards at the outpost instinctively held their breath. They were soldiers too, they had undergone rigorous training, and they had even just experienced combat. But compared to these four men, they were like hunting dogs encountering a tiger.
"Where are the prisoners?" the leader asked, his voice hoarse and low. His epaulets were deliberately obscured, making his rank unreadable.
The squad leader composed himself and pointed to a nearby solitary confinement cell: "Inside, tied up."
Four men entered the solitary confinement cell. On the floor, the captured lieutenant colonel was already awake, his mouth taped shut, his eyes wide open. When he saw four fully armed men, their faces obscured, enter, his body began to tremble violently.
Lin Zhe—although his face was covered in greasepaint, the veterans at the outpost still felt his eyes were somewhat familiar. Especially the squad leader, who stared at Lin Zhe for a few seconds and suddenly remembered someone.
"Lin..." The class monitor was about to speak when Lin Zhe glanced at him, and he immediately shut up.
Lin Zhe walked up to the lieutenant colonel, squatted down, and said in the enemy's language, "Listen, we'll hand you over to the border troops. If you cooperate, you can live. If you try anything..."
He didn't finish speaking, but his hand gently rested on the grip of the pistol at his waist.
The lieutenant colonel nodded frantically, his eyes filled with fear. He had witnessed firsthand how these four men had taken down the entire command post—silently, cleanly, and efficiently, mowing down more than thirty of his elite soldiers as easily as cutting grass.
"It's up to you." Lin Zhe stood up and said to the squad leader, "This guy knows a lot of information, interrogate him thoroughly. Also, keep his existence a secret for now."
"Understood!" The squad leader stood at attention.
Lin Zhe nodded and turned to leave with the other three.
"Wait!" the squad leader suddenly called out to him.
Lin Zhe stopped and turned around.
The class monitor hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You... are you?"
Lin Zhe didn't answer, but just gave the class monitor a deep look before turning and leaving.
The four men quickly disappeared into the darkness outside the outpost. They would remain hidden, awaiting further orders.
The squad leader stood there, motionless for a long time. A new recruit next to him whispered, "Squad leader, who are they? They seem... scary."
"Shut up." The class monitor glared at him, but his own mind was in turmoil.
He recalled the young deputy company commander at Eagle's Beak Cliff outpost a few years ago. The young man who had performed countless miracles, transforming the entire border defense company into an elite force. He later heard that he had been transferred to the special forces, and then he lost all contact with him.
That person just now... their eyes look so similar.
At five o'clock in the morning, in a secluded cave twenty kilometers from the border.
Lin Zhe and his three companions had changed their camouflage, removed some of their equipment, and began to rest. The cave was dark, with only the faint light of their tactical flashlights.
Longya was checking the weapons when he suddenly said, "The squad leader at the outpost just now seemed to recognize you."
"Yes." Lin Zhe did not deny it. "I used to be stationed at Eagle's Beak Cliff. He was a soldier there."
"Do we need to talk?" Longya asked bluntly.
Lin Zhe shook his head: "No need. He's a veteran, he knows the rules."
While eating an energy bar, Dragon Claw said, "We've completed our mission this time, but I feel... war is inevitable. The command post was destroyed, the plan was leaked, but the other side has the US backing them, so they definitely won't let it go."
"We never expected to avoid it," Lin Zhe said calmly. "The war began the moment they crossed the border and opened fire. All we did was eliminate their initial advantage."
Long Ying operated the computer, the screen scrolling with encrypted messages: "Latest intelligence from the base. Public opinion in the enemy country has begun to incite unrest, claiming that we 'crossed the border to attack' their 'peace outpost.' Several media outlets in Country M are stirring up trouble, demanding that the international community impose sanctions on us."
"As expected." Lin Zhe sneered. "The war of public opinion is also part of the war."
"So what's our next step?" Longya asked.
Lin Zhe opened his encrypted terminal and pulled up a command file he had just received. After reading it, his eyes sharpened: "Orders from above: continue lying in wait, awaiting the opportune moment. Once the war breaks out in full force, we have a special mission."
"What mission?"
"Decapitation." Lin Zhe uttered two words, "Not only frontline commanders, but also key targets in the enemy's rear—politicians supporting this war, high-ranking military officials, and even... the 'advisors' from the US there."
A few seconds of silence followed in the cave. This mission was far too significant, large enough to alter the course of the war.
"Playing this big?" Longya grinned. "I like it."
"Don't get too excited," Lin Zhe said seriously. "This is no small matter. The other side has intelligence and equipment support from the United States. We may be facing the world's most advanced security forces."
"So what?" Dragon Claw cracked his knuckles. "Isn't this the very purpose of our 'Hidden Dragon'?"
Lin Zhe looked at his three comrades and nodded. Yes, this was the mission of "Hidden Dragon"—to protect the country in the shadows and use the sharpest means to cut off the black hands reaching towards the motherland.
"Four hours of rest," he ordered. "Stay on high alert, take turns on duty. Dragon Shadow, continue monitoring intelligence."
"Yes."
At the same time, in Beijing, at the Central Military Commission's Operations Command Center.
The huge screen displayed a split-screen view of the border situation, international public opinion, and troop movements. A dozen generals sat at the conference table, the atmosphere solemn but orderly.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, General Li, stood in front of the screen, holding the report he had just received: "'Hidden Dragon' squad has completed its mission. The enemy's forward command post has been destroyed, and the provocation plan has been fully captured. The prisoners have been handed over to the border troops for interrogation."
A lieutenant general frowned: "Although the decapitation was successful, preliminary interrogation results indicate that the enemy's provocations were part of a series of actions. Taking down one command post probably won't stop them."
"I didn't intend to stop it anyway." General Li put down the report, his eyes cold and stern. "Gentlemen, at this point, we should not be thinking about how to avoid war, but how to win it."
He walked to the border map: "Isn't the enemy trying to test our bottom line? Fine, we'll show them our bottom line—crossing this line will come at a price. And that price will be so heavy they can't afford it."
"Sir, do you mean...?" someone asked.
"Counterattack!" General Li emphasized each word. "We must not only repel the invading enemy, but also inflict pain on them, terrify them. We must show the world that the Dragon Kingdom of today is not the Dragon Kingdom of a hundred years ago. Not an inch of our territory can be lost! Not a single one of our people can die in vain!"
A low murmur of approval rippled through the conference room.
"Order!" General Li began his deployment. "Southwest Military Region, immediately organize a counterattack and eliminate all enemy forces that have crossed the border. Air Force and missile units, enter standby status. Strike immediately if any unusual activity is detected in enemy deep-space targets."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to hold a press conference to announce the enemy's provocative plans that we have obtained, and to expose the truth that there are external forces supporting them."
"Intelligence agencies, continue to monitor the movements of Country M and other relevant countries, especially their military presence in the region. Report any unusual activity immediately."
Orders were issued one after another, and the massive war machine began to operate.
General Li concluded by saying, "Furthermore, notify the 'Hidden Dragon' base that their personnel should remain in hiding and on standby. They will have more important tasks if the war escalates."
"yes!"
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
Another wave of public opinion has swept across the Chinese internet. This time, it's triggered by a video and document released by official media.
The video is the full version of yesterday's border conflict, from the enemy crossing the border to the opening of fire, and then to our soldiers fighting valiantly. The footage is clear and comprehensive. Especially the last part—a young soldier, before sacrificing his life, uses his last strength to pull the signal flare, indicating the enemy's position to the rear.
The document, obtained by the "Hidden Dragon" squad, contained enemy provocation plans. While the source had been concealed, the details were shockingly detailed, including the time, location, and even the unit numbers involved in any skirmishes planned for the next three days.
The entire internet is buzzing.
"It was premeditated! You beast!"
"Support the nation's counterattack! Blood debts must be repaid in blood!"
"The blood of the martyrs must not have been shed in vain!"
"Fight! Fight them until they're afraid!"
Public sentiment was completely ignited. In squares of several cities, people began to gather spontaneously, holding up signs that read "Defend the Homeland" and "Salute to the Soldiers." Although unorganized, the scene was orderly.
What's even more moving is that many veterans have spontaneously contacted their former units, demanding, "If there is war, we will be called back." On some military forums, the comments from active and retired soldiers have been pinned to the top: "As long as we are here, our homeland will remain!"
At 8:00 AM, the Southwest Military Region Frontline Command.
Commander Chen Jianfeng's eyes reddened as he looked at the scrolling messages from the public on the screen. He took a deep breath and connected the communications systems of the various unit commanders.
"Comrades, you have all seen it. The enemy has opened fire on our land and killed our people. The people of the whole country are watching us, and the heroic souls of our martyrs are watching us."
His voice was transmitted to every soldier on the front lines through the communication network.
"Now, I command—the counterattack begins! Use the guns in your hands to tell the enemy: the land of the Dragon Kingdom is not a place you can come and go as you please! The blood of the Dragon Kingdom's soldiers will not be shed in vain!"
"yes!!!"
A deafening roar echoed along the border.
Ten minutes later, the first shell pierced the morning mist and landed on a forward position within enemy territory.
War broke out in full force.
At that moment, deep in a mountain cave on the border, Lin Zhe opened his eyes. An encrypted message had just arrived on his watch screen:
"The war has begun. 'Hidden Dragon' squad, execute 'Broken Blade' plan. Target list sent. Remember—you are the dagger plunged into the enemy's heart. Make all forces that covet our land pay a price they cannot afford."
After reading the message, Lin Zhe turned off the screen.
He looked at the sky outside the cave, which was gradually brightening, his eyes cold and resolute.
This is the day he has been waiting for in this lifetime.
In his past life, he designed weapons; in this life, he wants to make these weapons truly effective—to protect this country, this land, and all those who live on it.
"Get ready to go," he said to his three comrades as he stood up.
The four began a final check of their equipment. Firearms, ammunition, explosives, communication equipment, camouflage gear... every single item was crucial to the success or failure of the mission, even their lives.
After inspecting the pistol, Longya suddenly laughed: "Do you think if this mission succeeds, we'll be made history?"
"History is not important." Lin Zhe slung his backpack over his shoulder. "What's important is to make the enemy remember—in the Dragon Kingdom, there is a force that they can never provoke."
"That's right." Dragon Claw pulled up his mask. "Then let them remember this well."
The four men emerged from the cave and disappeared into the last darkness before dawn.
Behind them, along the border, artillery fire had already begun to roar.
A war to defend our homeland has officially begun.
And "Hidden Dragon," the nation's sharpest sword, is about to be unsheathed.