After completing their mission, Leitao, Li Shuiniu, and Li Shuiyang hurried on their way toward Teng County. Though physically exhausted, their minds were set on returning to Teng County as quickly as possible to reunite with their comrades and continue the fight.
Halfway there, they saw many civilians fleeing in panic along the trail. The villagers looked pale and worn, dressed in tattered clothes. Leitao strode forward, reached out to stop an elderly woman, and asked anxiously, "What's the situation in Teng County?"
Seeing Leitao and his companions, the woman burst into tears and said, "Teng County is gone. They fought for a day and a night, and the sound of artillery was everywhere. The 1st Special Battalion of the Sichuan Army has been practically wiped out. The Sichuan Army soldiers engaged the Japanese Army in street fighting in the city, but there were too many Japanese. The Division Commander was killed in action, too. Teng County has been occupied by the Japanese Army, many houses have collapsed, blood is everywhere, and countless ordinary people have been slaughtered. We managed to escape through a secret passage, and now we don't even know where to go." With that, she hurried on her way...
Chapter 97