After leaving the artillery position, Leitao headed toward the path the Japanese Army search party had to take to reach Toutuo Ridge. He arrived at a mountain pass with a fork in the road—a strategically precarious location, perfect for an ambush. He paused to catch his breath, observing the terrain and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each position.
Once he had selected his spot, Leitao took several grenades from his pack to set up a minefield. He parted the tall grass, placed the grenades in concealed spots, and camouflaged them with twigs and leaves. He worked with meticulous care, ensuring they remained hidden while keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings. Though nervous, he remained focused, knowing these grenades would serve to divert the Japanese Army and buy time and safety for his comrades and the artillery position. It was a dangerous gamble, but he did not falter.
With the minefield set, Leitao looked for a vantage point for his sniper nest. He crept through the woods until he found a protruding rock. After crawling up close to inspect the area, he decided the position was ideal; it offered a clear view of the road ahead while providing sufficient cover. He set up his station, drew his Type 38 rifle from the Bagua Spinning Top Space, checked the mechanism, loaded a full magazine, and set his extra ammunition aside.
Just then, the old monkey he had encountered earlier in the howitzer cave appeared, brandishing an ancient triangular military flag. Leitao recognized it as a banner from the Ming Dynasty. The monkey’s gaze was urgent, as if it were beckoning him to follow. Leitao was struck with shock and confusion. He knew he could not abandon his post—his duty to divert the Japanese Army was paramount—yet his curiosity was piqued by both the mysterious flag and the creature’s sudden appearance. Internal conflict raged within him. His right hand tightened around his rifle trigger, his heart pounding as he considered the potential dangers and opportunities. Time ticked away; he estimated the Japanese Army would arrive in about an hour. Ultimately, his curiosity won out.
Leitao stood up and, moving with slow, cautious steps, followed the monkey with his rifle in hand. They ventured deep into the dense forest, where towering, thick-trunked trees grew with branches so intertwined they blotted out the moonlight, casting the surroundings into an eerie, suffocating darkness. Though frightened, Leitao did not turn back. He remained on high alert, scanning his surroundings and listening for any sound as he calculated how to respond to potential threats.
He moved with a light, careful tread, as if afraid to disturb the sleeping forest. Yet, for all his caution, every step produced a faint sound. In the absolute silence of the woods, the noise seemed jarring and distinct, rippling out like circles on a still lake.
As they pressed further into the depths of the forest, the trees grew even larger, standing like ancient sentinels. Their thick, tangled canopy formed a black curtain overhead, sealing out the faint moonlight and turning the environment into a dark abyss, heavy with an ominous atmosphere. Leitao did not falter; he clutched his weapon tightly and followed the monkey, praying that his journey would be successful.
Each step was tense, and though he did not know what he might encounter, he knew he had to stay vigilant. He constantly scanned the environment and tuned his ears to the slightest sound, all the while thinking of ways to deal with any danger.
The monkey led Leitao to a hidden graveyard. The moonlight fell upon the ancient tombstones, lending the place a mysterious and solemn air. Leitao’s heart quickened; he scanned the area warily and gripped his rifle tighter.
In a cave beside the graveyard, Leitao discovered a cache of old, cold-forged weapons—rusted swords and blades, and weathered spears that seemed to whisper stories of the past. To his great surprise, he also found bows and crossbows. Though aged, the weapons were finely crafted and radiated an aura of majesty.
Even more astounding was the discovery of a Semi-automatic Drum Repeating Crossbow, its design unique and its craftsmanship exquisite. The weapon shimmered with a mysterious, alluring light, as if recounting the countless fierce battles it had once seen.
Leitao stepped forward cautiously and reached out to pick up the Semi-automatic Drum Repeating Crossbow and its quiver of bolts. He inspected them with a sharp, focused gaze. To his delight, he discovered that despite the passage of time, the crossbow was perfectly preserved and fully functional.
A surge of joy filled Leitao. He knew that in the unknown and dangerous battle ahead, such a powerful weapon could be the deciding factor. Without a moment’s hesitation, he took the Semi-automatic Drum Repeating Crossbow and selected a hundred exceptionally sharp bolts, quickly stowing them away in his Bagua Spinning Top Space for future use.
He then made his way back to his sniper nest at top speed. He began to meticulously craft a ghillie suit to conceal himself. Gathering twigs and leaves, he wove them together into a simple camouflage garment. He draped the suit over his body, laid himself flat on the ground, and shifted his position to ensure he was perfectly blended into the environment. After carefully studying the terrain, he chose the optimal spot—one that would allow him to observe the Japanese Army’s movements while remaining unseen.
Leitao lay there in silence, his breathing steady and rhythmic, his heart filled with both tension and anticipation. He knew the Japanese Army could appear at any moment, and he was prepared to strike them a crushing blow.