Section 9, Bomb Traps

More than an hour had passed, and by the time the sun had already descended to mid-sky, the two of them finally climbed up. At this moment, several helicopters flew closer, with the gunners on board vigilantly watching the ground, adopting a posture as if facing a formidable enemy. This further led Ling Tianxiang to believe that the identities of those two "key figures" were indeed extraordinary

Yes, Commander

Soon, an American military officer stepped forward. When Ling Tianxiang saw the young girl brought by that officer, he immediately widened his eyes. She was the same girl he had encountered the previous night, the one who had led him into the village and provided him with medicine and food

As he saw the U.S. military gradually approaching the location where he had previously hidden, Ling Tianxiang looked towards the slope above the wolf's den. Before the U.S. forces began their search, he had already left some traces leading south towards Noxiak Peak. If those U.S. soldiers were indeed well-trained special forces, they should be able to discover those traces. However, the question was, could he deceive the U.S. special forces? Ling Tianxiang felt uncertain about this.

In the previous tasks, Ling Tianxiang had encountered the U.S. special forces, but they had never faced each other directly, nor had there been a life-and-death confrontation. Although Captain Gu repeatedly stated that the U.S. military is a force that relies on advanced technology for combat, and that the individual combat capability of its special forces is not strong, Ling Tianxiang did not believe there was anything wrong with relying on advanced technology in warfare. For instance, there are currently more than a dozen helicopters pressing down on him, making it difficult for him to lift his head. If one day, there were as many helicopters to support the "Snow Leopard," would he still need to risk his life to evade the enemy's pursuit?

Then let's get started and confirm the situation as soon as possible At this moment, Ling Tianxiang also saw clearly that the one speaking was a colonel officer He glanced around and said, "Damn sheep dung, these are the leather boots I just bought"

After the echo faded, the officer waved to the dispersed soldiers, signaling them to tighten the encirclement. At that moment, a U.S. soldier suddenly ran up from behind and whispered something in the officer's ear. The officer immediately turned to look down the mountain. Ling Tianxiang also quickly shifted his gaze to the foot of the mountain.

The chaos quickly came to an end. The U.S. military personnel from hetushucom.com, who had previously gathered together, had now dispersed, vigilantly observing their surroundings. The few helicopters that had initially taken off to evade the explosions were also returning. Ling Tianxiang's last glimmer of hope was on the verge of being extinguished when, at that moment, the captain suddenly shouted. Ling Tianxiang immediately turned to look at him, and hope reignited within him.

At the foot of the mountain, at least one reinforced platoon of American infantry was making its way up the mountain, guided by several villagers. The distance was still considerable, and with the steep slope, it would take this group of American soldiers at least two to three hours to climb up. Even if they called for helicopter airlift, it would still take nearly an hour. Ling Tianxiang assessed the situation and determined that there was no way to eliminate so many prepared American soldiers, and there was not much ammunition left.

Commander, there are traces left by someone here

The captain hesitated for a moment and said, "Send someone back to the base; we will first complete the search mission"

Before nightfall, the helicopters circling nearby had all departed, and the plateau once again returned to silence. Ling Tianxiang, while gnawing on jerky, patiently waited. At 7:00, he checked his watch for the last time, then listened carefully to the sounds around him. After confirming there was no danger, he slowly got up.

Unfortunately! Ling Tianxiang sighed softly; this was a bomb he had forgotten to install while breaking out of the American military camp, and it was the last bomb. He had originally hoped to kill or injure a few American soldiers, which would force the Americans to urgently attend to the wounded and prevent them from fully launching a search. This way, he could take the opportunity to escape with Wei Daming at night. However, now there was not a single American soldier in need of immediate medical attention, with at most only minor injuries.

Damn it! Ling Tianxiang gritted his teeth while tightening his grip on the sniper rifle in his hands

At this moment, the intelligence officer approached and whispered something in the ear of the colonel. The colonel nodded as he listened, simultaneously gesturing to the captain beside him to pay attention as well. After the intelligence officer finished speaking, he stepped aside, waiting for the colonel to make a decision

Ling Tianxiang looked over at the innocent and helpless girl. At that moment, the American troops on the mountain had already split into three teams and were advancing southward in search. In that instant, Ling Tianxiang wanted to rescue the girl, but he quickly dismissed this impractical thought; he still needed to escape back with Wei Dongbei. With one more person, he simply could not make it out!

The colonel pondered for a moment and then said to his subordinate beside him: "Lead your team to search south, but do not enter Pakistani territory. I will keep in touch with you at all times. Report immediately upon any discovery, understood?"

Observing the search methods of the U.S. military, Ling Tianxiang concluded that this was a highly trained unit. Although they were wearing the uniforms of the 10th Mountain Division, it was very likely that they belonged to a special forces unit that preferred to remain unidentified. The U.S. military has deployed a large number of special forces in Afghanistan, and it would not be a significant issue to dispatch a few units here. This further dispelled Ling Tianxiang's thoughts of taking a shot from a distance; with more than ten helicopters overhead and dozens of fully armed U.S. soldiers below, he would gain no advantage.

***

The U.S. military gradually moved away, but Ling Tianxiang did not leave immediately. No one could be certain whether there were still American drones overhead. Although his camouflage suit could handle the infrared imaging devices and millimeter-wave synthetic aperture radar on the drones, it could not cope with ordinary cameras, meaning it could not provide stealth protection in the visible light spectrum. Night was his natural protector; he had to wait until dark before he could take action. Although his camouflage suit could handle the infrared imaging devices and millimeter-wave synthetic aperture radar on the drones, it could not cope with ordinary cameras, meaning it could not provide stealth protection in the visible light spectrum. Night was his natural protector; he had to wait until dark before he could take action

The icy mountain wind blew in, and Ling Tianxiang shivered, regaining his composure; this was not the time for lamentation. The large-scale search by the U.S. military would last at least another two days. By tomorrow morning, the troops searching to the south would realize they had been deceived, and perhaps by tonight, those soldiers would shift their search to the east. It was imperative to escape with Wei Daming as soon as possible; what would happen in the future was not something to consider at this moment. The large-scale search by the U.S. military would last at least another two days. By tomorrow morning, the troops searching to the south would realize they had been deceived, and perhaps by tonight, those soldiers would shift their search to the east. It was imperative to escape with Wei Daming as soon as possible; what would happen in the future was not something to consider at this moment.

The American troops, already encircled outside the wolf's den, came to a halt, seemingly waiting for the two individuals behind to catch up. Due to the steepness of the mountain terrain, helicopters were unable to land, which forced the two "key personnel" to make their way on foot. Ling Tianxiang let out a cold laugh; perhaps for these "key personnel" who lacked physical training, this was a good opportunity for exercise. At the same time, Ling Tianxiang realized that the intelligence officer was crucial. Even if there was a chance, it would not be wise to shoot him at this moment; instead, he should be captured alive to extract more useful information from him.

A sudden noise brought Ling Tianxiang back to his senses. The villager who was leading the way stood outside the wolf den, pointing at the cave that had only a small hole visible. It was evident that this villager had brought the American soldiers here.

The sergeant in charge signaled to the two soldiers escorting the young girl with a whistle, indicating that she should be sent back to the base

Where did they go? The colonel officer only took a glance.

After lying motionless for several hours, and still crouched on a pile of rubble, Ling Tianxiang felt his limbs go numb and his whole body ache. He sat still for a while, and only after his limbs returned to normal did he stand up. The fire in the village below had already been extinguished, and tranquility had returned, as if nothing had ever happened. However, Ling Tianxiang was acutely aware that the village, and a family within it, had paid a painful price for a stranger.

The colonel slightly nodded, then called the intelligence officer and several mercenaries to head down the mountain.

Ling Tianxiang's attention had been focused on these two individuals, and although they were nearly two hundred meters away, his ears were quite sharp, allowing him to faintly hear the conversation among them. As the two "key figures" walked down the mountain, Ling Tianxiang also caught the last few sentences exchanged between them. "John, we should wait here." "Swilly, let's return to the camp to wait. The search will not conclude for another two days; there is no need for us to endure the mountain winds here. We will come back once we receive news." "But..."

The captain pretended not to hear, waved his hand to his subordinates, and then pointed to the villager who had brought them, indicating that the villager should enter first

The sound echoed through the mountains, and when he saw the American officer using the girl as a human shield, his eyes nearly bulged out. Although from his angle he could still ensure a clean shot to take down the officer, he did not pull the trigger, because he knew that if he shot the American officer at that moment, it would certainly expose him and also put the girl, who had once helped him, in danger. Damn it, what to do? Although from his angle he could still ensure a clean shot to take down the officer, he did not pull the trigger, because he knew that if he shot the American officer at that moment, it would certainly expose him and also put the girl, who had once helped him, in danger. Damn it, what to do? Ling Tianxiang's mind raced through hundreds of thoughts in an instant, and the most prudent course of action was still to continue observing; he must not act rashly.

Commander, it is right here

While contemplating the retreat route, Ling Tianxiang quickened his pace. The darkness and the rugged mountain path did not hinder him; the mountains were his friends, his companions, as if the deities of these mountains were protecting him!

Listening to the noise of the helicopter hovering above, Ling Tianxiang sincerely wished he had a portable air defense missile in hand, or at least an RPG rocket launcher. However, faced with the U.S. military's "Black Hawk" helicopter, he could only lie on the ground and tighten the camouflage suit he was wearing to avoid being detected by the enemy above.

The helicopter hovered back and forth above the hillside, yet none of the American soldiers on board noticed Ling Tianxiang, who was hiding among a pile of rubble. Guided by several villagers who provided clues, the American forces headed straight towards the location where Ling Tianxiang and Wei Daming had previously concealed themselves. It was evident that the American troops were unaware of the exact position, only having a general idea of the area. An enhanced platoon of American soldiers was divided into three echelons, with no more than 100 meters separating each two echelons. Three soldiers formed a search team, maintaining a distance of over 20 meters between each pair, clearly indicating that the American forces did not know the specific location, only a rough range. An enhanced platoon of American soldiers was divided into three echelons, with no more than 100 meters separating each two echelons. Three soldiers formed a search team, maintaining a distance of over 20 meters between each pair, advancing while providing mutual cover.

Two middle-aged men, clearly officers or high-ranking officials and not carrying rifles, were approaching the mountain accompanied by several mercenaries who were not in uniform and were armed. Ling Tianxiang quickly adjusted the magnification of his monocular and soon saw that one of them was a middle-aged man dressed only in a shirt, clearly not a soldier, and likely an intelligence officer. What surprised Ling Tianxiang even more was that this man had an East Asian face, but he quickly felt there was nothing surprising about it, as there are millions of Asian immigrants in the United States.

The powerful C4 bomb exploded, sending hundreds of rocks flying out like shrapnel. The villager who triggered the trap was instantly blown to pieces, his body parts scattered over a hundred meters. Nearby American soldiers had no time to take cover and were injured by the flying stones. However, the effective kill radius of the explosion was quite limited. The captain standing more than twenty meters away, along with two of his aides, was merely startled and a bit flustered, but suffered no injuries. Nearby American soldiers had no time to take cover and were injured by the flying stones. However, the effective kill radius of the explosion was quite limited. The captain standing more than twenty meters away, along with two of his aides, was merely startled and a bit flustered, but suffered no injuries

"Those inside, listen up. You are already surrounded. Come out and surrender immediately, we can make it a generous treatment!" The officer shouted loudly, and then he repeated it in English.

Upon hearing this, Ling Tianxiang slightly furrowed his brow. He was very curious to know which camp the two were stationed at, but that was impossible. On the flat ground at the foot of the mountain, a "Black Hawk" helicopter was waiting for the two. Even if Ling Tianxiang could run faster than a mountain goat in the mountainous terrain, he could not match the speed of a helicopter flying in the sky

Ling Tianxiang let out a cold laugh; the captain leading the team was clearly not telling the truth

Have you searched inside yet

Just about to begin

The captain glanced around and then looked towards Mount Noxiak to the south. "He must have headed south," he thought

This is clearly left by someone who was injured. The captain pointed to a rock that had been scuffed by a shoe, saying, "One person is supporting another, and one of them is seriously injured, which perfectly matches the situation."

The colonel, accompanied by the intelligence officer, walked briskly ahead, while several other American soldiers and the mercenaries who had come along with the two spread out around them to provide cover

Ling Tianxiang furrowed his brow slightly; this group of American soldiers was not foolish. It seemed that the first trap would not yield much value.

On the hillside, the captain quickly gathered his subordinates and issued search orders to several non-commissioned officers, occasionally pointing towards Mount Noshak to the south. Aside from two soldiers with serious injuries who needed to return for treatment, the reinforced platoon of American troops was divided into three search teams. The captain led one team himself, while he assigned search tasks to two sergeants.

"Commander, what should she do?" A sergeant looked over at the young girl.

What are they going to the south for? Shouldn't they be retreating to the east? The colonel officer also looked towards the fog-shrouded Noxhak Peak