Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Chapter 612: Chapter 298: Don’t Disappoint Me (Part 2)

"Captain, was that praise?"

Sun Yang plopped onto the ground, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "We finally got a word of praise from the Captain. I can rest easy now!"

"Don’t celebrate too soon!"

Li Chang’an said coldly, "This is just basic training. A real battle will be far more complex."

"Tomorrow’s mission will be even more difficult. I hope you won’t disappoint me!"

"Another mission?"

Sun Yang’s smile froze instantly. "Captain, can’t we get a little break? I feel like my legs are about to snap!"

"The Insect Race won’t give you a chance to take a break!"

Han Ruoxi interjected coolly from the side, "Instead of wasting time complaining, you’d be better off getting some rest. Worse things are waiting for you tomorrow!"

"Miss Han, I really have to hand it to you!"

Sun Yang sighed and leaned against the wall. "You’re the official cold-blooded member of our squad!"

"Thanks for the compliment!"

A sarcastic smile touched the corner of Han Ruoxi’s lips as she turned and left the firing range.

That evening, the atmosphere in the Insect Hunter Squad’s dormitory was a little more relaxed, but everyone knew in their hearts that the next day’s mission would likely be even more severe than today’s.

"Captain, what’s tomorrow’s mission?"

Shen Qiuyue asked in a low voice while wiping her Dueling Sword.

"It’s not fully confirmed yet!"

Li Chang’an set down his Saw Chain Sword and sat at the table. "But based on today’s intel, Command will probably have us explore deeper into the Vortex Zone!"

"Deeper into the Vortex Zone?"

Han Ruoxi frowned. "That’s the core of the Insect Race’s activity. The risk is considerable!"

"So, get a good night’s rest!"

Li Chang’an glanced at everyone, his tone calm but filled with unquestionable authority. "Tomorrow, every single one of you must give it your all."

"Don’t let me see anyone dropping the ball!"

"Understood!"

Everyone answered in unison, a new glint of determination in their eyes.

That night, under the dim yellow lights of the Insect Hunter Squad’s dormitory, the members were taking a short break after a full day of training, but the atmosphere remained tense.

"Hey, Captain!"

Sun Yang, leaning back on the sofa while wiping his Pulse Gun with a cloth, couldn’t help but speak up. "Are we really going deep into the Vortex Zone tomorrow? That’s the Insect Race’s main nest. We won’t be left without an escape route, will we?"

"We make our own escape route!"

Li Chang’an sat at the table, his head down as he adjusted the gears of his Saw Chain Sword. His voice was calm and carried a hint of authority. "This mission is to scout and clear the perimeter. Command’s objective is to map out the specific distribution of the Insect Race’s core activity zone."

"If we succeed, we’ll open up a safe passage for the follow-up forces!"

"So you’re saying we’re the cannon fodder paving the way?"

Sun Yang’s eyes widened, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "Captain, just be straight with us. Is this a suicide mission?"

"On the battlefield, every mission is life-or-death!"

Han Ruoxi interjected coldly as she adjusted the Energy output on her Electric Gloves. "If you want an easy life, you can just apply for a logistics job."

"There are no Insect Race there, and you won’t have to risk your life!"

"Miss Han, can you stop bringing up logistics all the time?"

Sun Yang rolled his eyes. "I’m this squad’s firepower support. Could you guys manage without me?"

"Yes."

Han Ruoxi replied nonchalantly.

"I..."

Sun Yang opened his mouth but found he was no match for her. He could only turn to look at Shen Qiuyue. "Sister Qiuyue, you’ve got to back me up, right? I’m the backbone of this squad!"

"The backbone?"

Shen Qiuyue looked up, her gaze sweeping coldly over him. "If you can hold your position tomorrow and take out at least five mutants, then I’ll acknowledge you as the backbone!"

"Five?"

Sun Yang was stunned for a moment. "Sister Qiuyue, are you looking down on me? Five mutants... just the name is scary enough!"

"That depends on whether you have the skill!"

Shen Qiuyue said flatly, then lowered her head and continued polishing her Dueling Sword.

"Fine, I’ll shut up!"

Sun Yang slumped back onto the sofa, muttering, "Every single one of you... you’re all showing me less and less respect!"

"Sun Yang!"

Li Chang’an suddenly spoke, his voice low but filled with unquestionable authority. "If you have a problem with this mission, you can quit now."

"I don’t need a squad member who only complains!"

"Captain, that’s too harsh!"

Sun Yang sat up with a jolt and waved his hands. "I’m not complaining, just talking out loud."

"I’m definitely not quitting. The guys are all here, how could I desert my post?"

"If you’re not quitting, then shut up!"

Li Chang’an looked up, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "On the battlefield, every useless word you speak puts your teammates at greater risk."

"Understand?"

Sun Yang froze, then nodded. "Understood, Captain!"

Bai Lin had been sitting in a corner the whole time, focused on adjusting his terminal.

His fingers flew across the keyboard, and strings of complex code flashed on the screen.

"Bai Lin!"

Han Ruoxi walked over and stood beside him. "Can you guarantee there won’t be any problems with the data collection this time? The interference signals in the Vortex Zone are more complex than on the perimeter!"

"I can."

Bai Lin answered calmly without looking up. "But my equipment only covers a certain range."

"If there are more sources of Insect Race interference than expected, I’ll need time to crack them!"

"We can buy you time, but you have to make sure it doesn’t take too long!"

Han Ruoxi’s tone was laced with a hint of coldness. "The Insect Race won’t give us unlimited chances!"

"I know!"

Bai Lin still didn’t look up. "My terminal is already optimized to its limit. The rest depends on whether you can give me enough cover!"

"We’ll do our best!"

Han Ruoxi nodded and returned to her spot.

The atmosphere in the dormitory gradually grew colder as the discussion continued. Everyone knew that tomorrow’s mission might be the most dangerous one they had ever undertaken.

"Captain!"

Shen Qiuyue suddenly spoke up. She was sitting by the window, her gaze fixed on the night outside. "Is it possible we’ll encounter an Insect Race command unit on this mission?"

"It’s highly likely!"

Li Chang’an replied calmly, "According to intel, activity is dense deep within the Vortex Zone. It’s very likely the Insect Race’s strategic command center is there."

"If we run into a command unit, we must give it our all. No hesitation!"

"A command unit..."

Han Ruoxi repeated softly, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Those things are more intelligent than common Insect Race, and their combat strength is greater."

"If we face one head-on, what are our chances of winning?"

"Our chances depend on us!"

Li Chang’an’s voice remained calm. "Every one of the Insect Race’s command units has a weakness. Our job is to find it and exploit it."

"As long as we don’t make any mistakes, we might just make it out alive!"

"Sounds exciting enough!"

Sun Yang forced a laugh. "Captain, aren’t you just telling us to prepare for the worst?"

"Yes!"

Li Chang’an nodded. "But also to strive for the best outcome."

"Remember, we are the Insect Hunter Squad."

"Our mission is not to survive, but to complete the mission!"

The next morning, the Insect Hunter Squad assembled on time. All traces of exhaustion were gone from their faces, replaced by expressions of grim resolve.

"Remember!"

Li Chang’an stood before the squad, his gaze sweeping over each member. "On today’s mission, no one is allowed to make a mistake."

"Every single member must be at one hundred percent!"

"Understood!"

Everyone answered in unison, their voices carrying an unquestionable force.

The combat vehicle drove deeper into the Vortex Zone. The air grew heavy, and the scene outside was suffocating: the ground was covered in traces of the Insect Race—deep claw marks, translucent egg husks, and fissures that seemed to ooze with a black, viscous fluid.

"This place really makes my skin crawl!"

Sun Yang leaned against the window and glanced outside, then immediately recoiled, the smile long gone from his face. "Captain, this place is more disgusting than any mission site we’ve ever been to."

"Are those eggs still going to hatch?"

"It’s not ’are they going to,’ it’s ’they definitely will’!"