The two exchanged a glance, and it was Chen Pingfan who voiced the doubt.
"So if something happens, wouldn't you just be cannon fodder?"
One of the soldiers pointed to himself, "Isn't there a template to follow?"
Chen Pingfan asked, "Don't you think it's unfair?"
If it were said that Donghai Island had no experts, it would be understandable, but not long ago, a large group of fifth-level experts had gone to intercept them! Clearly, there were people available, so why send such third-level soldiers to guard here?
What puzzled Chen Pingfan even more was that the two in front of him clearly knew the situation, but seemed to be indifferent to it.
Did people truly exist who were willing to be cannon fodder?
As a lone cultivator, he wasn't just puzzled, he was extremely puzzled!
However, the soldiers' response left him even more bewildered.
"You wouldn't know this, but if they sent overly powerful people to guard, they wouldn't dare to attack us, would they?"
"But you clearly can't hold them off! Aren't you afraid of death?"
The two soldiers grinned simultaneously. "What's there to fear about death? For this island, we've already lost countless brothers. If our lives can be exchanged for the return of the entire island, what regret would there be in dying?"
Puzzled, unable to comprehend, even as Li Chonglou pulled him towards the island nation's territory, his face still bore deep confusion.
"Brother Li, do you think they've been brainwashed into kamikaze soldiers?"
Li Chonglou rolled his eyes at him.
"According to your logic, are those who propagate free thought to you also brainwashing you?"
Chen Pingfan's brow furrowed tightly.
"How can that be the same? If I want freedom, that's my own business, and pursuing freedom is completely different from going to your death! Even if I'm brainwashed, it's a happy kind of brainwashing."
"Happiness?"
Li Chonglou sneered, "If everyone thought this way, if everyone adopted an attitude of 'not my business,' do you think our Huaxia would have the peace it enjoys today?"
"And would a turbulent social environment allow you such freedom of choice?"
Chen Pingfan's pupils suddenly contracted.
Li Chonglou sighed. "Everything we enjoy is simply because someone is carrying the burden for us. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, haven't you heard that saying?"
Chen Pingfan fell silent.
After a long while, as the two approached the island nation's defense line, Chen Pingfan suddenly said, "I finally understand why the General Bureau people never quite liked us lone free cultivators."
Li Chonglou bypassed the topic entirely and pointed ahead, saying gravely, "So, do you have confidence?"
Although the island nation's defenses weren't as professional as Huaxia's, they were still heavily guarded. Every visible point had another comrade in sight, making the entire defense line almost无死角 (without blind spots).
Chen Pingfan took one look and immediately shook his head. "Can't do it. I don't think you can either."
"Then let's think of a way."
Li Chonglou didn't argue.
The shift in focus was indeed significant. While their side's defenses were professional, their numbers and cultivation levels were incomparable to the island nation's side.
To capture someone, at least four fifth-level experts would need to act simultaneously, one to attract attention, and the other three to act together. Otherwise, they would face pursuit from a dozen or even more fifth-level experts!
And that was just on the surface; who knew how many more experts were hidden behind them?
Chen Pingfan thought for a moment, then suggested, "Why don't we check out the underworld first? Perhaps there's a breakthrough there?"
"No," Li Chonglou shook his head. "We must act here first."
"Why?"
"I don't like the people of the island nation."
The other person was instantly speechless, yet unable to refute.
After all, he didn't like them either.
"Since that's the case, you're the captain, so you figure it out. Call me when you have an idea."
With that, Chen Pingfan sat aside to treat the injuries he sustained while trying to end the battle quickly.
Although the entire blade had pierced his shoulder, as a fifth-level expert, as long as the blade wasn't poisoned and hadn't hit a vital point, it was only a minor injury.
Even a fifth-level expert who hadn't studied human muscles would instinctively control their muscles to stop bleeding, and their muscle regeneration ability was several times, or even tens of times, that of ordinary people!
However, it still needed to be treated. No matter how strong his physique was, he was still flesh and blood. There might be more intense battles ahead, and he didn't want this injury to become his weakness.
Li Chonglou felt a little helpless. If he had known that he would have to do everything himself, he might as well have passed the captain's position to this guy.
It was just a fleeting thought. Li Chonglou soon stopped paying attention to Chen Pingfan and continued to ponder.
If they were to act, they would definitely have to start with the people of the island nation. This time, it was different from before. This time, it was likely that a few lives would be lost to obtain the answers he desired!
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front, drawing Li Chonglou's attention.
At the island nation's defense line.
"Imperial Lieutenant Colonel!"
Three guards saluted a young man who had just arrived.
The man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, his face always carrying a faint shadow of gloom, and his small eyes looked at everyone as if an eagle were eyeing its prey, causing a physical discomfort.
However, when facing the man, the so-called Imperial Lieutenant Colonel's gaze, the three guards dared not show any disrespect.
Their eyes focused on their noses, their noses on their hearts, they didn't even dare to breathe heavily, and the three guards were visibly nervous.
"Has there been anything unusual recently? Have any people from the inferior Hua come to cause trouble?"
"Reporting, Imperial Lieutenant Colonel, everything is normal."
The Imperial Lieutenant Colonel sneered, "Good then. Everyone prepare yourselves properly. In a little while, we will take back this East Island for ourselves!"
"Long live Nippon! Long live Imperial Lieutenant Colonel Nagafuku!"
The three suddenly shouted strange slogans, but to the Lieutenant Colonel, they sounded extremely pleasant.
"Alright, there's a mobilization rally tonight. You can all relax first, and don't forget to attend on time."
"Thank you, Imperial Lieutenant Colonel, for your grace!"
The three guards bowed respectfully again. Only then did the Imperial Lieutenant Colonel wave his hand, signaling the three to return to their posts.
And this scene was precisely what Li Chonglou saw.
Although he couldn't hear their conversation from afar, visibly, the appearance of the Imperial Lieutenant Colonel caused the guards on the defense line to become distracted, seemingly paying great attention to this person's arrival.
Li Chonglou suddenly spoke, "Hey, want to do something big?"
Chen Pingfan, who had just finished bandaging his wound, froze.
"Something big?"
Li Chonglou pointed in the direction of the Imperial Lieutenant Colonel and said softly, "It seems they've brought a rather significant figure. I wonder if we should just go and take him down."
Chen Pingfan's face changed. "Brother Li, if you want to seek death, don't drag me along!"