Almost simultaneously, Leitao swiftly drew the dagger from his waist and hurled it with all his might at another Japanese soldier. The soldier, still startled by his comrade’s sudden collapse, had no time to react before the blade pierced his throat. He clutched his neck with both hands as blood gushed out between his fingers. The other Japanese soldiers were stunned by the sudden attack, shouting about an enemy raid and scanning their surroundings in confusion. Seizing this brief chaos, Leitao darted out from behind the tent. He raised his semi-automatic drum repeating crossbow, advancing rapidly while firing volleys at the remaining Japanese soldiers, picking them off one by one. As the last soldier fell, Leitao reached the captured Sichuan Army scouts, quickly slicing through their ropes with his dagger and whispering, "Brothers, can you keep fighting?"
Among the Sichuan Army scouts, one of the sturdier ones was the first to respond, "No problem, brother. We’re going to fight these bastards to the end!" Another scout flexed his numb, rope-burned wrists, picked up a rifle and matching ammunition dropped by the Japanese, and checked the chamber. "I've held my breath long enough; it's time to settle the score." The other scouts stood up one by one, gathering the rifles and grenades left nearby.
While rescuing the scouts, Leitao had inadvertently made some noise and been spotted. As the Japanese soldiers charged over, shouting, Leitao immediately commanded, "Brothers, follow…
Chapter 99