After hanging up the call, Dan Nan returned the communicator to Zhao Wu with a grave expression.
Han Lang, Liu Xiaoxiao, and the others immediately crowded around.
As they continued on their way, they inquired about the conversation Dan Nan had.
Dan Nan had no intention of hiding anything from them.
He replied with a sigh.
“The Commander has given us a new combat mission. We are to shift from preventing the Espers from opening a battlefield at the White Elephant border to a decapitation strike!”
“Decapitation?”
Everyone was confused.
“Whose head are we decapitating? The President of the White Elephant country?”
Dan Nan shook his head.
“No! It’s Dr. Sim! The Commander believes that Dr. Sim is perhaps the only one who knows about China’s gene engineering and cultivator modification technology. Therefore, he has ordered us to do everything in our power to assassinate Dr. Sim!”
Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.
Ma Long, in particular, said dismissively.
“Oh! I thought it was something big! Isn’t this already part of our plan? Besides, Dr. Sim isn’t even an Esper, so killing him would be like playing around, right? Heh heh…”
As soon as Ma Long finished speaking, everyone turned to look at him.
Sensing their unfriendly gazes, Ma Long weakly asked.
“Did… did I say something wrong?”
Everyone sighed.
Then Han Lang explained helplessly.
“Killing Gou Tuizhi was already like beating the grass to scare the snake. So, Dr. Sim might not only be prepared for us to walk into a trap, but he’s definitely arranged for people to protect himself! Understand?”
Liu Xiaoxiao also explained.
“Therefore, even though Dr. Sim isn’t an Esper, killing him will definitely not be easy! So, we can’t let our guard down!”
Hearing their patient explanations, Ma Long finally understood.
“So that’s how it is! My apologies, I was shallow. I apologize, I apologize! Heh heh…”
Seeing Ma Long’s shameless demeanor, everyone was at a loss.
Only Dan Nan remained with a heavy expression. He asked earnestly.
“So, you all understand the dangers of this mission, right?”
Everyone nodded.
Dan Nan continued to ask.
“Are you mentally prepared?”
Everyone nodded again.
Ma Long even said directly.
“Don’t worry, Deputy Officer Dan. We all swore oaths under the national flag, and we will absolutely not retreat from battle! Heh heh…”
Ma Long’s words made Dan Nan smile wryly. He also nodded, then solemnly looked at Han Lang and said.
“Han Lang, you are the Divine Farmer Heavenly Doctor. The Commander’s intention is to ensure your safety at all costs. Originally, you were not supposed to participate in the White Elephant border operation, but you insisted on coming.”
“Now that we’ve encountered this situation, I’ll be honest with you, we will all do our best to protect you. However, we cannot guarantee that we can manage to do so. So, do you understand what I mean?”
Dan Nan’s words were very tactful.
But Han Lang was not a fool.
He naturally understood what Dan Nan was trying to convey.
So he chuckled.
“Deputy Officer Dan, do you think I’m a three-year-old child who needs to be protected?”
Dan Nan smiled wryly.
“Not at all. It’s just that both the Commander and I feel that you have greatly benefited the military. Your kindness has not yet been repaid, and yet I have to lead you into danger. I feel guilty about it, don’t you think?”
Han Lang smiled even more brightly.
“Deputy Officer Dan, have you not heard the saying, ‘Under a toppled nest, how can there be intact eggs’? Besides, the Heavenly Doctor Sect and the military are cooperating. Treating comrades is just a small gesture. As for the large-scale spirit gathering array, I only provided a few spirit herbs. How can that be considered a great contribution?”
“But… you are, after all, the Divine Farmer Heavenly Doctor spoken of only in legends! Such a talent, and our military has not protected you well, but instead brought you to face danger alone. How can I not feel ashamed!”
“So what? A Heavenly Doctor treats illnesses and saves people, but with one pair of hands, one person, how many can be saved? However, by completing this decapitation mission, at least this one action can save millions of comrades, right? So, why not do it?”
“But the problem is…”
Dan Nan was very moved by Han Lang’s words.
But just as he was about to say something else, Ma Long, who was being boisterous on the other side, became impatient.
He cursed.
“Enough, enough, Deputy Officer Dan. You’re being so fussy and pedantic, I’m tired of it if you aren’t!”
“Let me tell you! Our young master, Mr. Han, has always had lofty aspirations and a heart for the world.”
“He’s not the kind of person who fears death or is indecisive!”
“On the contrary, he’s more loyal than anyone!”
“You can see this from me. If it weren’t for the urgency of time today, I would tell you about the stories between me and Mr. Han, and you would understand!”
“So, you don’t need to be so hesitant now!”
“I’ll say it again, we swore oaths under the national flag, and we will definitely put national interests above our own lives!”
“I can do it, you can do it, and my Mr. Han can do it too.”
“Moreover, he can do it even better than us!”
“Besides, we’re not going to our deaths. Even if Dr. Sim is prepared, it doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily face a life-or-death crisis!”
“So, Deputy Officer Dan, stop rambling. There are only a few of us in the White Elephant country now. If there’s trouble, we’ll face it together. If there’s meat, we’ll eat it together!”
“When we’re done with Dr. Sim, I’ll cook snake meat for you.”
“Now, let’s unite and fight side by side!”
Ma Long’s words made Dan Nan feel a little ashamed, even a little angry.
Although what he said made a lot of sense.
But for a subordinate to call his superior rambling was somewhat disrespectful.
Yet, even so, Dan Nan couldn’t think of anything to scold Ma Long with for a moment.
However, Han Lang on the other side, after hearing Ma Long’s words, beamed with joy and looked at Ma Long with admiration.
“That’s why, Brother Ma understands me the best. Deputy Officer Dan, don’t dwell on this. The few of us are simply comrades fighting side by side! As for titles and identities like Divine Farmer Heavenly Doctor, Political Commissar, Regimental Commander, and so on, let them all go to hell!”
Liu Xiaoxiao and Tang Qin couldn’t help but chuckle softly upon hearing this.
Even Dan Nan himself looked at Han Lang with a bewildered expression.
He seemed to not believe that such vulgar language could come from Han Lang’s mouth.
Tang Geng seemed to notice Dan Nan’s confusion.
He immediately explained.
“Deputy Officer Dan, there’s no need to be surprised. People who spend a long time with Ma Long will eventually pick up a few unpleasant words!”
Tang Qin also echoed.
“But then again, although these words are unpleasant to hear, the logic behind them is sound.”
Liu Xiaoxiao also replied with a smile.
“I don’t know if meeting you few is a good thing or a bad thing! Alas…”
Zhao Wu also quickly said.
“At least this way of interacting is not suppressed or restrained!”
“Haha…”
Finally, Dan Nan, whether convinced by Ma Long’s words or infected by everyone’s laughter, gradually let go of his worries.
“Alas, as one gets older, one tends to overthink things! You are right, the few of us are just comrades!”
“What Commander, Deputy Officer, military ranks, or special identities, are not as important as the mutual trust and understanding between comrades!”
“At most, we’ll just share life and death, honor and disgrace! Brothers, let’s charge forward together!”
With that, he took the lead, leading everyone to charge forward with all their might!