Night had descended upon Zijin Mountain, just outside Nanjing City. Cold, pale moonlight spilled over the dense thicket as half a platoon of the Japanese Army and over a dozen collaborators conducted a grid search. Some of the Japanese soldiers carried torches, their flickering flames swaying in the darkness to illuminate small patches of the forest; others held flashlights, the white beams cutting back and forth through the woods as if struggling to pierce the deep gloom.
The Japanese soldiers moved with synchronized, measured steps, picking their way through the undergrowth with great care. Their eyes were alert, their grips tight on their rifles, prepared for any danger. Every few paces, they would stop to observe their surroundings, ears pricked to catch the slightest sound.
The collaborators appeared somewhat flustered, casting nervous glances in every direction, their eyes filled with fear. Yet, in order to curry favor with the Japanese, they were forced to feign composure, striving to appear diligent.
The collaborator captain, his face wreathed in smiles, had his eyes squeezed into slits and his body hunched as he trailed closely behind the Japanese platoon leader. At that moment, a bird fluttered from a branch, giving the captain a momentary start before he quickly resumed his obsequious expression. "Commander, rest assured, we will certainly find those wretched scoundrels. We know this area like the back of our hands; they won't be able to escape. Look, we know the terrain of Zijin Mountain better than anyone. If those people are hiding here, we will drag them out for you, no question." As he spoke, the captain rubbed his hands together incessantly, thinking to himself: I must perform well and keep the Commander satisfied so that I can have a good life ahead. The fawning smile on his face was extreme.
The Japanese platoon leader lifted his chin slightly, sweeping the captain with a glance from the corner of his eye before letting out a soft "Hmph" through his nose. He frowned, reached out to touch the hilt of the sword at his waist, and let the corners of his mouth drop in a display of contempt. Watching these cowering collaborators, he felt nothing but disdain; these spineless wretches were willing to betray their own countrymen for a pittance, which was truly despicable. Yet, for now, he needed them to help track down any potential resistance. The jungle of Zijin Mountain was deep and mysterious, with towering trees blocking out the sky, making it difficult to see far into the distance. The bird calls that rang out from time to time were sharp and clear in the silent mountain, but they only served to create a sense of unease. He wondered if the resistance fighters were hiding amongst the dense leaves, waiting for their chance to strike. He had to remain vigilant; he could not allow any threat to persist.
As he walked, he pondered his own subordinates. Though well-trained, even they could not avoid lapses in such complex mountain terrain. He had to keep a constant eye on them to ensure they didn't miss any clues through carelessness. They were soldiers of the Empire carrying out a vital mission; they could not afford to drop their guard. "You had better be useful," he muttered to himself, "or you will answer for it." He continued forward with a steady, powerful stride. Occasionally, the sound of rustling came from the bushes nearby, and the platoon leader would stop instantly, his gaze sharp and piercing as he stared at the spot until he was certain there was no danger before moving on.
The collaborator captain nodded hurriedly, his smile growing even brighter. "Rest assured, Commander, rest assured. We will certainly give it our all. Look, we are all here to serve the Imperial Army with one heart; as soon as you give the word, we will go through fire and water without hesitation." He gestured with his hands as he spoke, as if to emphasize his loyalty, all while thinking: Hmph, once I've earned some merit in the Commander's eyes, I won't have to live in such terror anymore. As the branches swayed and a few dead leaves drifted down, the captain quickly brushed a leaf off the platoon leader's shoulder with his hand.
Then, leaning closer to the platoon leader, the captain lowered his voice. "Commander, if we find those people, you must reward us well. We have been serving the Imperial Army with all our hearts." His eyes were filled with anticipation, longing for the platoon leader's recognition. He could not help but daydream about the glorious life he would lead once the reward was in hand.
The platoon leader frowned, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes. He waved his hand impatiently. "Wait until we find them first. If you dare to slack off, that will mean your conscience is bad—very bad—and you will all be dead." As he spoke, he suddenly drew his sword; a flash of cold light streaked through the air, and a small tree blocking their path was instantly severed. The captain hurriedly chimed in, "What a fine strike, Commander!" Just then, the cry of an unknown animal echoed from the distance, adding a heavier weight to the tense atmosphere.
The captain straightened up and said loudly, "Rest assured, Commander, we would never dare to slack off. We will turn this mountain forest upside down, if we have to, to root those people out." He turned around and shouted at the collaborators behind him, "Everyone, keep your spirits up and search properly! If you don't find them and the Commander blames us, you'll have hell to pay!" Inside, however, he was cursing the people hiding in the darkness for ruining his good fortune.
The collaborators echoed him in succession, beginning to search the thicket with renewed vigor. Some poked at the grass with sticks, others climbed trees to get a better view, while some crawled on the ground looking for footprints and other clues. Their faces were etched with tension and anxiety, terrified that failing to find the target would result in punishment from the Japanese.
The platoon leader remained alert throughout, pausing from time to time to observe the terrain and the surroundings. His gaze was cold and sharp, as if it could see through everything. He was not satisfied with the performance of the collaborators, but he knew that, in these circumstances, they still had their uses.
As the search continued, the atmosphere in the forest grew increasingly tense. Every slight movement sparked their vigilance, and every suspicious sign made their hearts race. In this dangerous mountain jungle, the Japanese and the collaborators continued their search, unaware of what awaited them.