Section 7, The Escape Route

What does this mean? Huang Longfei took the cigar that Li Minghan handed over, "Has he really evaporated from this world, leaving no trace behind?"

Huang Longfei picked up the phone and the first thing he said was: "I want to know what happened in Zebake, is this related to Tianxiang?"

Where are you from?" Ling Tianxiang said while gesturing with his hand

Ling Tianxiang smiled as he handed over the last half piece of chocolate, while also standing up. It was imperative to treat Wei Daming first, at least to reduce his fever; otherwise, Wei Daming would surely not be able to hold on until they returned to the base. Perhaps the village had the necessary medicines, as well as food and water

Second brother, are you going to Third brother's place now

Where are we? Wei Daming's voice was very hoarse

The girl struggled a couple of times, then fell silent, her wide eyes filled with terror as they fixed on Ling Tianxiang's face, which was painted with dark colors. Once her gaze became calm, Ling Tianxiang slowly released his grip, yet he did not lower his guard. Perhaps the girl regarded Ling Tianxiang as a wild beast, and indeed, his current appearance and situation were not much different from that of a beast.

Wei Daming moved a couple of times, and Ling Tianxiang immediately helped him up, placing a flat stone under his head. "Old Wei, are you awake?"

Shh..." Ling Tianxiang made a gesture for silence, then whispered, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I won't hurt you!" After saying this, Ling Tianxiang felt quite foolish; could that young girl understand Chinese?

"Alright, then when can we find him?" Huang Longfei lit his cigar while trying to control his tone.

Brother, please spare me the formalities and just say it directly: does this matter have anything to do with Tianxiang? Also, have they found him yet? Huang Longfei rarely speaks so directly, and even less so with such firmness; this is not the temperament one would expect from a successful businessman

Thank you, big brother!" Huang Longfei said before hanging up the phone

We are still looking for him, as for ... ...

"Alright, three days!" Huang Longfei also knew that his elder brother had done his utmost

"What are you saying? Are you still looking for him?" Huang Longfei nearly jumped up from his seat, "It's been almost a day since we went to the *map* book, and we still haven't found him? Moreover, it has been over ten hours since the U.S. military camp was attacked, and we still haven't located him?"

Mr. Huang, the Prime Minister's Office has arrived

My whole body is numb, Tianxiang, just leave me alone...

Understood, I will relay the message immediately. Li Minghan hung up the phone and said to Huang Longfei, The news just came in that a massive explosion occurred at the military camp in Zebak, suspected to be an attack, but currently, no party has claimed responsibility for this attack

***

At the business jet airport in the southern suburbs of the capital, the plane had just come to a stop on the runway when a luxury "Flag" brand RV and two Jeep vehicles parked beside it. Several bodyguards dressed in black short-sleeved shirts quickly approached the cabin door, and one of them opened the rear door of the sedan. As the cabin door slowly opened and the stairs had not yet fully descended, Huang Longfei swiftly descended from the plane

Huang Longfei's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Are you saying that this is very likely the work of our people?"

"Alright, I am listening." Huang Longfei's hands trembled slightly

Alright, I will be brief. Based on the information we currently have, it is certain that the attackers of the U.S. military base are Tianxiang

"Are you saying that it was him alone, and not the person you sent?" Huang Longfei was taken aback; he found it somewhat hard to believe.

Mr. Huang, everything has been arranged

The girl's gaze was immediately drawn to the half piece of chocolate, and she probably understood that Ling Tianxiang was asking for her help, so she nodded vigorously.

Huang Longfei nodded to the captain of the bodyguard team and said, "Go directly to the Prime Minister's residence, and drive faster on the way"

Outside, the American military helicopters continued to search back and forth. After Ling Tianxiang saw Wei Daming fall asleep again, he also closed his eyes. Before firing the first shot yesterday, he and Wei Daming had already been lying in wait for three days. In those four days, Ling Tianxiang had rested for less than 8 hours, and his physical strength had reached its limit. Soon, Ling Tianxiang, maintaining a vigilant posture, fell into a deep sleep.

"How is it? The taste is quite good, isn't it?" Ling Tianxiang smiled; this was the first time he had shown a smile all day.

Of course, it is not like this with the picture book; this can only indicate that he has hidden himself, and he has done so very well, to the extent that we are unable to find him

At this moment, Huang Longfei understood. "Help me contact General Zhou Guohui, and I will speak with him personally later."

On the other end of the phone, there was a sound of movement, likely indicating that Zhou Guohui had sent the others in the room away. "Second, let me put it this way: someone has definitely attacked the U.S. military camp, resulting in at least over 300 U.S. military casualties. Based on the intelligence I currently possess..."

After a long time, the girl finally understood Ling Tianxiang's meaning. She then pointed down the hillside and spoke in a language that Ling Tianxiang could not comprehend, roughly indicating that her home was in the village at the foot of the hill

Ling Tianxiang glanced in the direction the girl pointed. The village was illuminated by faint lights, appearing very blurry; without a careful look, one would hardly recognize it as a village. At that moment, Ling Tianxiang suddenly thought that perhaps there were medicines in the village, at least some disinfectants. If there were anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, that would be even better.

As he sensed footsteps approaching within five meters of the cave entrance, Ling Tianxiang disengaged the safety on his pistol. With a sudden force, he pushed aside the pile of rocks blocking the entrance. In the instant he burst out of the cave, he spun his body, facing upwards and back downwards, while simultaneously aiming his rifle at the figure standing on the hillside, paralyzed with fear. Ling Tianxiang did not pull the trigger; this was not a soldier, but merely a teenager, no, a local girl of about ten years old, still wearing a veil.

The young girl timidly took the half piece of chocolate; although her movements still appeared somewhat fearful, she did not scream again, nor did she show any signs of wanting to run away

Big brother, get to the point. I don't care how many Americans have died; I just want to know what Tianxiang has done, and where he is now!

Wei Daming closed his eyes; he was too weak, and he also knew that no one could change Ling Tianxiang's decision. Now, his only concern was whether he and Ling Tianxiang could escape.

"For at least three days, the search by the U.S. military will continue for more than three days. Now we have to withdraw all action teams to avoid conflict with the U.S. military. If all goes well, we will find him in three days."

As the sound of the helicopter gradually faded away, Ling Tianxiang withdrew. He checked Wei Daming's pulse, which was very weak. Then he examined the wound on his shoulder; the temperature was severely elevated, and there was significant redness and swelling around the wound, clearly indicating symptoms of inflammation. However, at that moment, Ling Tianxiang had no medication to assist Wei Daming.

"It definitely was not one of my people. When the U.S. military camp was attacked, we only had three reconnaissance teams nearby, and no one was involved in the fighting. The anti-American Taliban forces do not have the capability to launch an attack from within, so there is only one possibility"

Zebak is less than 30 kilometers away from the location where Tianxiang went missing

In the cave, we have not yet left the danger zone. Ling Tianxiang took out a water bottle and helped Wei Daming to his feet, saying, "Drink some water. How do you feel now?"

I know that I will not make things difficult for the third one

The young girl also smiled, and her smile is a form of body language shared by all ethnicities

A slight tremor awakened Ling Tianxiang. He first noticed that the sky outside had turned completely dark, and then he glanced at his watch, which showed it was already 8 PM. Wei Daming was still in a deep sleep, his breathing even weaker. Ling Tianxiang was anxious; if timely medical treatment was not obtained, Wei Daming would not survive until the next night. Then, another tremor occurred, and Ling Tianxiang immediately deduced that it was stones rolling down the hillside. He quickly grabbed his sniper rifle and crawled to the cave entrance. Ling Tianxiang was anxious; if timely medical treatment was not obtained, Wei Daming would not survive until the next night. Then, another tremor occurred, and Ling Tianxiang immediately deduced that it was stones rolling down the hillside. He quickly grabbed his sniper rifle and crawled to the cave entrance

"Could you do me a favor?" Ling Tianxiang took out the remaining half of the chocolate.

As Zhou Guohui stated, the situation has now escalated. When Huang Longfei calmed down, he immediately thought that the United States must be searching for clues, aiming to put the Republic in a difficult position regarding this matter. Moreover, upon further reflection, it becomes evident that if the situation ultimately spirals out of control, it would bring no benefits to the Republic, the Republic's military, Zhou Guohui, or Ling Tianxiang.

"Old Wei, don't say that, hetushu.com. Do you think I would leave you behind and go alone?" After Wei Daming had a few sips of water, Ling Tianxiang put away the water bottle. "There are about 4 hours until dark, so you should rest for a while. After it gets dark, we will head back."

Li Minghan immediately picked up the phone and dialed a secret number. After being transferred twice, the call was finally connected. "General Zhou, this is Minghan. President Huang has something to discuss with you"

We have done our best, Er Er, listen to me.

The two remained in a stalemate for a few seconds, when the young girl suddenly screamed and ran away. Ling Tianxiang felt a sense of urgency in his heart and immediately leaped up, quickly catching up with her in just a few steps. He then embraced the girl and covered her mouth with his hand

That is good; with your words, I feel reassured

Huang Longfei took a deep breath; now he had no choice but to believe it. "Alright, where is Tianxiang now?"

Yes, it is almost here. Huang Longfei looked towards the Prime Minister's Office not far away

The ground began to tremble again, followed by the noise of helicopters. Damn it! Ling Tianxiang cursed silently; the U.S. military helicopters flew back and forth every five minutes, leaving him no chance to slip away. The hiding place was an abandoned wolf den, small enough to accommodate just two people. The exit had already been blocked by Ling Tianxiang with rocks, making it difficult for the U.S. military to find them even if they deployed ground troops for a search. Moreover, the U.S. military typically conducted aerial searches with helicopters, making it even harder to locate them.

A few small stones rolled down from the cave entrance, accompanied by faint footsteps. Ling Tianxiang immediately drew his pistol; the cave was too narrow for a sniper rifle to be of any use. He then carefully moved the rocks piled at the entrance aside. The footsteps were coming from the slope above, possibly from a U.S. ground search team, or perhaps just a passing wild animal. However, Ling Tianxiang did not dare to be the slightest bit careless. He carefully moved the rocks piled at the entrance aside, and the footsteps were coming from the slope above, possibly from a U.S. ground search team, or perhaps just a passing wild animal. Yet, Ling Tianxiang did not dare to be the slightest bit careless.

"Second brother, I am also unaware of the specific situation at this moment." On the other end of the phone, Zhou Guohui was equally perplexed, "We are currently investigating what exactly happened, but it is still not very clear."

When the convoy left the airport, several other cars joined in along with the jeep. Except for the absence of police cars leading the way, this was almost comparable to the scale of a convoy for a head of state.

Alright, don't be afraid! Ling Tianxiang slowly released the girl, put away the handgun, then took out the last piece of chocolate, broke it in half, and handed one half to the girl, making a gesture as if to eat. "It's very delicious, here you go."

Would there be someone assisting Tianxiang? Huang Longfei mentioned another possibility

It was completely impossible; at that time, all the other teams were under control, and no one was assisting him

The footsteps grew closer, and Ling Tianxiang had already determined that this was definitely not the sound made by a mountain goat, but rather the sound of human footsteps. At the same time, he also noticed something amiss; the feet were certainly not wearing leather shoes, as this was not the sound produced by American military boots walking on the rocks. However, at this moment, Ling Tianxiang could not afford to think too much; if they were discovered, neither he nor Wei Daming would survive until dawn

"Do not lose your temper with Lao San." On the phone, Zhou Guohui's voice paused for a moment, "Lao San is also in a difficult situation right now. Although the United States has not yet obtained any conclusive evidence to accuse us, the situation has escalated. Lao San is under a lot of pressure at the moment. I just left two hours ago, and the Prime Minister has already called to inquire about this matter."

If the United States possesses conclusive evidence proving that this was a cross-border attack initiated by the Special Forces of the Republic, then the nation will find itself in a very passive diplomatic position. At that time, someone will undoubtedly need to take the blame, and Major General Zhou Guohui, the commander of the Special Forces of the Republic's Western Military District, is the only one who can bear this responsibility. If the U.S. military conducts a more in-depth and detailed investigation, it is highly likely that they will identify Ling Tianxiang as the perpetrator of this attack, demanding the nation to hand over Ling Tianxiang. In such a scenario, the Prime Minister, with no room for maneuver, will have no choice but to surrender Ling Tianxiang to quell the situation. Considering this, Huang Longfei felt overwhelmed, realizing that this matter was indeed difficult to resolve.

Huang Longfei regained his senses as the car came to a stop outside the side entrance of the Premier's residence. He hesitated for a moment before getting out of the car. Wang Yilin's office was located in the building just behind the door. How should he approach the conversation with the third brother?

We have not found him yet, but the search area of the U.S. military is still expanding, which means that the U.S. military has not found him either