Under one person: I, Zhang Zhiwei, the arrogant Zhang.

Chapter 1115 Old Friends Reunite, Mischief Squad Reassembles

Zhang Huaiyi patted Tian Jinzhong on the shoulder without saying a word.

They had fought so hard in the interior for so long, experiencing countless fierce battles. Logically speaking, they should have long been used to life and death.

But the emotional impact of the interior scenes is ultimately somewhat surreal. There, you can relive an infinite number of times; even if a comrade dies, they can be resurrected in the next cycle. This is a completely different concept from the real-life separation of life and death.

Watching your comrades, with whom you've spent every day, fall into a pool of blood and never wake up again, the pain of helplessness is something that no illusion can replicate.

Perhaps this is the true meaning of going down the mountain to gain experience.

“You’re still not used to life and death, and you can’t let it go? Then just avenge them!” Zhang Huaiyi said.

Tian Jinzhong nodded vigorously: "Yes! Avenge them!"

"Is there anything special about this group of Japanese pirates that attacked you this time?" Zhang Huaiyi got to the point.

“Yes!” Tian Jinzhong thought for a moment and said, “These Japanese pirates… are all superhumans! As for their abilities, I can only say they are average. If it were a one-on-one fight, or even one against many, they would be no match for me. But they are very good at using their superhuman abilities to coordinate with firearms in combat.”

"Moreover, the firearms they use are very unusual; they are all submachine guns with extremely high firepower. Their helmets are also specially made, and they wear bulletproof vests. Ordinary bullets cannot penetrate them at all, and even my One-Finger Divine Skill has difficulty penetrating their defenses."

"Their numbers aren't many, only about a hundred from what I've observed, but their teamwork is incredibly formidable. Our 'three-three' combat formations were like nails being pulled out of our hands when we ran into them!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Huaiyi stroked his chin and said, "Our 3x3 combat plan was originally designed for mobile warfare. In unprepared encounters and head-on collisions, it is definitely no match for the enemy's meticulously organized 100-man special operations team. Tell me in detail about the combat situation at that time."

As he spoke, Tian Jinzhong went to get the map, and the two of them lay down on the table and began to study it carefully.

After looking at it for a while, Zhang Huaiyi's brows gradually furrowed.

"Jinzhong, I've been observing for a while, and it seems... this force isn't specifically targeting you."

"What do you mean?" Tian Jinzhong asked, puzzled.

Zhang Huaiyi pointed to several points on the map and drew a line:

“Look, this is Yangcun, and this is Daxiawan. Your Independent Regiment just moved here from Xiaoyizhuang. Notice the intersecting curve they left on the map. If their goal is to attack you, they could just attack from the front; there's no need to go through such a big detour and put in so much effort.”

"You mean..." Tian Jinzhong was startled.

Zhang Huaiyi thought for a moment and said, "If I were the commander of this small unit, I wouldn't touch you. Sending a special operations squad deep behind enemy lines to attack an ordinary regimental headquarters is tactically meaningless; it would be more meaningful to bypass you and head straight for Daxia Bay."

Tian Jinzhong immediately understood: "Boss... Boss is in Daxia Bay!"

Zhang Huaiyi nodded and said, "That's right! The Japanese pirates' target was definitely the boss. They probably didn't know beforehand that you had suddenly been transferred to Yangcun. They originally planned to use the cover of night to bypass Yangcun and go straight to Daxia Bay to carry out a decapitation operation. But they didn't expect to run right into your line of fire!"

"So, according to you, we took a bullet for the boss?" Tian Jinzhong said.

“I think that’s probably the case. Once the gunfire started in Yangcun, there was no point in going to Daxia Bay anymore, so the Japanese pirates withdrew,” Zhang Huaiyi said.

“If that’s the case… then the sacrifice of those brothers was still meaningful.” Tian Jin’s frustration eased a little.

Zhang Huaiyi nodded: "It is indeed meaningful, but it cannot be used as an excuse for this failure. Even if they managed to bypass you and ambush the boss, it might not have worked."

"Don't forget, Zhang Sanjia and Yan Yang are with the commander, and it's very close to the brigade headquarters. If something really happens, Hedgehog can quickly send men to their aid. These hundred or so Japanese pirates can't cause any trouble. If they manage to get around them, they'll definitely be wiped out."

"Yes, you're right." Tian Jinzhong gritted his teeth. "Ultimately, it was because I wasn't vigilant enough that they took advantage of the situation. But... how should we get revenge?"

Zhang Huaiyi said, "Previously, we used the 'divide and conquer' strategy to wage guerrilla warfare, using elite forces to fight mobile warfare and continuously bleed the enemy dry. But now that the other side has gathered an elite force to target us, we can no longer continue to disperse, otherwise we will only be defeated one by one!"

"I think we should gather all the superhumans we can mobilize in the Independent Regiment and form a special platoon. You will be the platoon leader, and we'll also equip it with several platoons of elite veterans to form a special reinforced company. I'll be the company commander!"

“Let’s have a soldier against soldier, general against general. Don’t the Japanese like to form special squads to launch surprise attacks? Let’s organize one and go head-to-head with them, and see who the hell can beat whom.”

In his entire life, Zhang Huaiyi had never been subservient to anyone except Zhang Zhiwei. When he suggested forming a reinforced company, it was really just to give those ordinary brothers, who were seething with anger, a sense of participation.

After all, revenge is a matter for everyone. Moreover, he wasn't the type to show off; he preferred to keep a low profile and act like everyone else.

But if you really piss him off, once he figures out the other party's background, those hundred or so Japanese monsters... he can take them all down by himself!

Upon hearing Zhang Huaiyi's plan, Tian Jinzhong felt that revenge was just around the corner, and his previous dejection vanished: "Great idea! I'll go tell the regimental commander right away!"

"Your regimental commander might be transferred soon. I'll go with you to talk to him. Let me tell you, this new regimental commander is quite interesting."

……

The two arrived at the regimental headquarters and met Li Yunlong and Kong Jie.

Zhang Huaiyi explained his idea to Li Yunlong.

After listening, Li Yunlong laughed and said, "Great minds think alike. I just discussed the same thing with Lao Kong. We want to create a company with stronger combat capabilities."

Tian Jinzhong looked at Kong Jie: "Commander, I heard that the General is furious about this and is going to send you to feed the horses? I have an acquaintance who works for the General. Should I ask them to put in a good word for you?"

The acquaintance Tian Jinzhong mentioned was Zhang Sanjia.

Kong Jie felt a warmth in his heart and was about to thank Tian Jinzhong for his kindness.

Li Yunlong spoke first: "Although Kong Erlengzi is a bit too straightforward in battle and his tactical command is still a little worse than mine, it would be a waste of his talents to send him to feed horses! I have already asked the brigade commander and the general to let him redeem himself by staying in the Independent Regiment as deputy regimental commander."

"Jinzhong, this is our new commander of the Independent Regiment, Li Yunlong. You should get to know him," Kong Jie introduced.

Tian Jinzhong stood up straight and saluted.

Li Yunlong chuckled and waved his hand, "No problem, no problem! You and Huaiyi are fellow disciples, right? That means you're family! We're all brothers, no need to be so formal. Do you see how formal I am with Lao Kong? I call him Kong Erlengzi every day!"

The group exchanged smiles, and the somewhat somber atmosphere caused by their defeat immediately lightened considerably.

Then, Li Yunlong put away his smile and said seriously, "Huaiyi, your previous analysis was very correct. I also think that this unit is very unusual in terms of both equipment and tactical objectives. Therefore, I have already telegraphed the brigade headquarters about the situation here and want to report to the brigade commander in person."

"The brigade commander is coming in person?" Zhang Huaiyi asked, somewhat surprised.

"Of course I'll come. So many brothers have died, the brigade commander naturally needs to come and boost morale. And while I'm at it... give them a little nudge," Li Yunlong said.

"Commander, you're quite self-aware," Zhang Huaiyi joked. "What self-awareness?" Li Yunlong squinted. "Did you think the brigade commander came to give me a dressing down? Of course he's here to teach Kong Erlengzi a lesson! Just you wait, once the brigade commander arrives, he'll definitely whip Kong Erlengzi around and make him look like a grandson!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie turned his head to the side. If it were before, if Li Yunlong kept calling him "Kong Er Lengzi," he would have definitely started cursing at him on the spot.

But now that he had just suffered a defeat, he felt frustrated and had no desire to argue. In fact, he felt better after being scolded by his comrades.

If the brigade commander arrives, he'll feel guilty if he doesn't give him a good scolding.

……

……

Not long after, the brigade commander arrived with his bodyguards, looking travel-worn, and Lü Ci also came with him.

The Lü family members were highly sought after on the battlefield because of the Ruyi Jin's ability to transform into sound waves for detection.

Although Lü Ci's main skill was Ruyi Zhenjin, as the saying goes, once you master one method, you master all methods. After his Ruyi Zhenjin reached a certain level, he also mastered many of the side abilities of Ruyi Jin without a teacher.

For example, with his acoustic detection capabilities, Lü Ci could clearly detect all movements and terrain features within a radius of several miles, making him practically a human radar. Therefore, he was highly valued by the brigade commander.

For safety reasons, the brigade commander naturally brought him along on this inspection trip.

Lü Ci had never really liked Zhang Huaiyi. After all, he had been defeated by Zhang Huaiyi several times, each time suffering heavy losses, and he had always harbored a grudge against him.

But seeing him suddenly on this battlefield filled with the smoke of gunpowder is still very pleasant, and there is a sense of familiarity.

He laughed loudly, rushed over, bent down and gave Zhang Huaiyi a big bear hug, and then hugged Tian Jinzhong tightly.

"Hey! Jinzhong! Big Ears! Long time no see!"

"It has been a long time, but Brother Lü, your reputation is legendary in northwestern Shanxi!" Zhang Huaiyi said with a smile.

"Fame? What fame do I have?"

Lu Ci was somewhat surprised. He usually killed people with his Ruyi Jing, striking from afar silently, even more stealthy than a sniper rifle.

Many of the Japanese soldiers he killed didn't even know how they died, so where did his reputation come from?

Zhang Huaiyi smiled but remained silent.

Tian Jinzhong suddenly said, "A digging maniac! Everyone knows that the brigade has a digging maniac who digs fields whenever he has nothing to do, and he can dig up the fields of an entire regiment."

"..." Lu Ci was speechless. So that's what his reputation was.

Zhang Huaiyi added, "It's not just the brigade headquarters; even ordinary people are saying that you are the reincarnation of the hoe star from heaven."

Lu Ci tilted his head, puzzled, and asked, "What is a Hoe Star? I've never heard of it."

Zhang Huaiyi explained in a serious tone: "Many ordinary people are not well-educated and do not know any constellations. They only know the 'broom star.' You are carrying a hoe and digging the ground so well, aren't you the 'hoe star'?"

Lu Ci looked at Zhang Huaiyi suspiciously, seriously considering how much truth there was in those words.

Tian Jinzhong quietly reminded him, "Hedgehog, he's playing you."

Lu Ci's eyes widened. If he weren't outmatched, he would have given this guy a good beating.

"Alright, alright, enough joking! Let's get down to business." Zhang Huaiyi put away his smile and said seriously, "Hedgehog, we've run into some trouble this time and suffered a loss. When we go to take revenge, we might need your help."

"Sure, no problem."

"Aren't you going to ask what it is?" Tian Jinzhong said.

"Damn it, what else could it be? With our relationship, no matter what happens to you, I have to be there for you, right?" Lu Cihao said with great enthusiasm.

Tian Jinzhong felt a surge of warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

A smile appeared on Zhang Huaiyi's face.

They then began to discuss the details of the matter.

While they were catching up, inside the house, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie were reporting the details of the Yangcun encounter to the brigade commander.

After hearing their explanations, the brigade commander showed them no kindness. He refused to accept the excuse that the enemy was too strong as a reason for his defeat.

The brigade commander suddenly swung his riding whip, sending the captured bulletproof helmet that was sitting on the table flying!

“I don’t care what kind of bastard is under this dung scoop, but that’s no excuse for your defeat. Don’t boost the morale of others while diminishing your own. You have to avenge the entire 386th Brigade.”

"Even if it's the Japanese Emperor's guards, we'll kill them one by one in the cesspool. How we do it is your business. All I want is to see them in the cesspool!"

"Yes, Commander!" Li Yunlong straightened his back and loudly guaranteed, "Just you wait and see! If I don't avenge this, I, Li Yunlong, will twist my head off and use it as a chamber pot for you!"

The brigade commander snorted coldly and turned to walk out.

Kong Jie quickly raised his wine bowl to see them off: "Please drink, Brigade Commander!"

The brigade commander glanced at him but didn't take it.

"Brigadier, if you don't drink, I'll just keep holding it up like this."

"Then hold it up." The brigade commander turned and went out. He had only taken one step when he saw two hundred soldiers in brand-new uniforms gathered in the courtyard. They all held their wine bowls with both hands, their expressions solemn, and were all facing him!

"What are you doing? What are you doing? What's wrong? Looks like I have no choice but to drink?"

“As a defeated general, I am filled with shame, Brigade Commander!” Kong Jie said from behind.

The brigade commander looked at his soldiers. He could curse Li Yunlong and Kong Jie, but he couldn't bring himself to curse these soldiers who had bled and sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. But soon, he realized something was wrong. He turned to look at Li Yunlong beside him.

"Li Yunlong, why do all the soldiers outside look like they're wearing brand new uniforms? Where did they come from?"

The limited resources they have are being used for weapons and medicine; clothing is being used sparingly, patched and mended for three years on end. A scene like this, with over two hundred people simultaneously donning new uniforms, is extremely rare! (End of Chapter)