"Brother, hold on!"
Zhang Yi shouted with grief, leaning behind a car and suddenly sticking his head out to fire a shot.
He immediately retracted his body.
With a bang, a bullet ricocheted off the car beside him, sending sparks flying. Had he been a moment slower, his head would have been pierced by the bullet.
The enemy sniper was powerful and had the advantage of elevation. Zhang Yi knew he was in a desperate situation.
What made his situation even more dire was that his partner, Wang Yan, had been shot and was now lying beside him, presumed dead.
As an elite sniper in the military, Zhang Yi could have found a way to escape, but he couldn't abandon his comrade.
The enemy's military discipline and sniping skills filled him with dread.
For years, he had never encountered such formidable bandits.
Now, the enemy was slowly closing in, and it was only a matter of time before they found him.
However, he hadn't given up. He believed their leader was still alive and would come to their rescue.
After all, their leader had survived even heavy artillery fire. As the invincible war god of the army, he would surely fight his way through as long as he was alive.
But Zhang Yi wasn't sure if he could hold on until then.
Holding a mirror, Zhang Yi cautiously peered out.
Bang!
His hand jolted violently as a shot struck and dislodged the mirror he was holding.
His hiding spot was clever, but the terrain was extremely disadvantageous. He knew that once the enemy got close, he would have no hope of survival.
He slightly shifted his position, using the car window as cover, and fired a shot.
Regardless of the outcome, he immediately ducked back.
The next second, a bullet tore through the spot where he had been.
The enemy's sniping skill was slightly inferior to his, but not by much.
He really wanted to drive away, but it was too dangerous, and the car was already riddled with bullet holes, making it uncertain if it could even start.
His breathing grew rapid.
Just then, two distinct gunshots rang out in the distance, sounding like they were coming from the mountainside below.
The sound of ordinary, common rifles, which brought a glimmer of hope to his heart.
Of course, his judgment could be mistaken, so he continued to wait.
The gunshots paused for a moment, then resumed, sounding closer this time.
There was no longer any doubt. Zhang Yi was ecstatic.
He grabbed Wang Yan's hand and said, "Old Wang, wake up! You're going to be saved. The boss is coming!"
Bang bang…
The gunshots continued, growing closer. There was a brief pause after each shot.
Bang!
At that moment, the deafening roar of an anti-materiel sniper rifle echoed through the mountaintop.
That was the enemy's weapon, the very threat Zhang Yi had been facing.
His heart tightened. He immediately peeked out, aiming his rifle in the direction of the sniper shot.
As soon as he sighted his target, before he could even fire, he saw the sniper's head suddenly drop. A bloody hole appeared between his eyebrows.
Such marksmanship was divine!
Looking up, he saw Chen Fan striding forward, rifle in hand. Wherever he pointed, enemies fell one after another.
The enemy broke and fled down the mountain.
Zhang Yi collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
Soon, he felt someone beside him. Looking up, he saw Chen Fan and exclaimed, "Boss!"
"Wang Yan?"
Chen Fan looked at Wang Yan beside Zhang Yi, his brow furrowing.
"He's been shot in the chest."
Zhang Yi quickly helped Wang Yan up.
"Call for rescue!"
Chen Fan examined Wang Yan and saw he was on the verge of death. The bullet had likely passed through his lungs, and his survival was uncertain.
Wang Yan was wearing a bulletproof vest, but he had been hit by an anti-materiel sniper rifle. The caliber of such bullets was enormous. Without the vest, Wang Yan would have been blown apart on the spot.
"Reinforcements have been called. The deputy adjutant and his team are on their way," Zhang Yi said with a wry smile.
Chen Fan took Wang Yan and said, "Follow me, let's get him treated first!"
He cradled Wang Yan, his hands steady.
Soon, they returned to the mountaintop, but there were no survivors.
Chen Fan had originally intended to pursue and capture the remaining members of the Brotherhood, but due to Wang Yan's injuries, he couldn't afford to do so and had to prioritize saving his comrade.
Entering the main building and searching, they found a first-aid kit, and Chen Fan began treating Wang Yan.
After a few minutes, the bleeding was somewhat controlled.
Zhang Yi also quickly contacted Xiang Jingshu to report the intelligence.
Upon learning that Chen Fan was unharmed, the Dawn Squad members breathed a sigh of relief and began to set up a cordon below the mountain to block the fleeing enemies.
"Boss, you should get your wounds treated too," Zhang Yi said, noticing Chen Fan's numerous injuries.
Chen Fan nodded, signaling Zhang Yi to help him with his wounds.
The gunshot wound to his shoulder was severe, but more debilitating were the internal injuries caused by the explosion.
Sitting on the ground, Chen Fan finally looked weary, his face growing paler.
An hour later, sirens wailed in the distance.
Zhang Yi hurried out to greet them.
Shortly after, Xiang Jingshu, Ye Cheng, and others arrived with the police.
Without waiting for the area to be cleared, the Dawn Squad carried Wang Yan on a stretcher to the ambulance to be taken to the hospital.
Chen Fan, watching Xiang Jingshu and the others arrive, rallied his strength and asked, "Did you catch anyone?"
"We captured over twenty, some of whom are likely high-ranking members of the Brotherhood," Xiang Jingshu replied, her eyes filled with concern for Chen Fan. She then asked, "How are your injuries?"
"It's nothing!"
Chen Fan stood up and said, "I'll leave the rest to you. I need to return to the capital. Thoroughly search this place and interrogate the captives. Get everything they know out of them!"
"Is there something going on in the capital?"
Xiang Jingshu frowned and asked, "You need to rest and get checked at the hospital."
Chen Fan waved his hand and walked towards the exit, saying, "It's nothing major. With the outcome at Eagle Mountain, the Brotherhood will surely make a move in the capital."
"Then I'll go back with you!"
Chen Fan shook his head, "You stay here. When we get to the capital, I'll mobilize Han Wei's resources, and we won't be short of manpower!"
Amidst the worried gazes of the others, Chen Fan strode away.
Ye Cheng and the others watched Chen Fan, not trying to persuade him, but someone shouted, "Salute!"
With a crisp sound, everyone snapped to attention and saluted solemnly.
It was a gesture of their respect.
After learning what had happened at Eagle Mountain, their admiration and reverence were beyond words.
This man was like iron, never tiring. He had just finished the battle at Eagle Mountain and was already heading to a new battlefield!
How could they not be moved?
Chen Fan chuckled, returning the salute, "If you get any valuable intelligence, report it to me immediately!"
He strode past the obstacles and reached the car that had been driven up. He first located his phone.
He turned on his usual phone, which had several missed calls and messages.
There were calls from Han Wei, Chen Xing'er and Feng Qianluan, as well as Yu Fuguo.
To Chen Fan's surprise, there were also calls from Wu Chaoyang and Du Fumin.
Without returning their calls, Chen Fan began to drive down the mountain and first dialed Jun Ruowang's number.
The call was answered quickly.
"Tianjiao, was the operation successful?" Jun Ruowang said.
Chen Fan hadn't informed Jun Ruowang before coming to Yuzhou, but Jun Ruowang's immediate question indicated he was keeping tabs on the situation through others in the Dawn Squad.
Chen Fan wasn't surprised. "The Brotherhood hired a martial arts grandmaster overnight, Gao Hongchang of the Liuhe Sect!"
Jun Ruowang's voice faltered, "You're not injured, are you?"
"I sustained some minor injuries. Gao Hongchang didn't die by my hand, but by the explosives the Brotherhood had pre-planted and the bombardment of artillery shells they prepared!"
"They... are insane!"
Even the gentle and composed Jun Ruowang's tone changed.
"I'm calling you because I need reinforcements. I need truly skilled experts!" Chen Fan said.
"Alright, await my news," Jun Ruowang said after a moment of deliberation.