While the Military Statistics Special Operations Team prowled the outskirts of Nanjing City like ghosts, desperately hunting for traces of the mysterious Nanjing National Salvation Column, Meng Xiaoyu was struggling forward through the smoke and fire of war elsewhere, escorted by a few guerrilla fighters under orders to protect her and several other military doctors and nurses.
These were the days following the evacuation of Nanjing City, and every step felt agonizingly heavy. Having witnessed the atrocities within the city, their eyes were filled with pain and indignation. Meng Xiaoyu’s once-round face had grown thin, yet the flame of hope still burned in her bright eyes. After parting ways with Leitao and the guerrillas, she set off on a new journey with firm conviction.
They traveled toward the Eighth Route Army base in the Taihang Mountains, a long and arduous path. Crossing mountains and ridges, they slipped through enemy blockades. Whenever danger arose, Meng Xiaoyu would grip her medical kit tightly; it contained her mission. The howling gales could not scatter their determination to move forward, and the torrential rains could not douse the passion in their hearts.
Chapter 47