Strongest Soldier King

Soldiers inevitably die, and dying on the battlefield is an honor, a hundred times better than dying from old age on a sickbed. But even if one must die, they can't let the enemy get their bodies to exploit. Without a body, perhaps Lan Xue might think I'm still alive? To prevent Lan Xue from making a foolish sacrifice, charging down is the only option. In a flash, Luo Zheng's thoughts raced, and he quickly made a decision, ready to charge down.

"Puff puff puff!" Three bullets struck Luo Zheng's back. If it weren't for the tight-fitting clothes, capable of providing superb bulletproof protection, he would have died instantly. Even so, the bullets hit the tight-fitting clothes and penetrated into the back muscles. Although the muscles held them back, blood still flowed.

Hesitation is fatal on the battlefield. This moment of delay caused Luo Zheng's movements to slow by half a beat, although it was very brief, almost negligible. But the pursuers behind were no amateurs, all seasoned mercenaries with exceptional gun skills and combat experience, unlike regular soldiers.

Bullets impacted Luo Zheng's back, propelling him towards the cliff. Luckily, he already planned to charge down, and his feet reacted quickly, preventing him from being knocked down. He took several large strides to stabilize his forward momentum, enduring the severe pain from his back, gritting his teeth and running madly. Seeing the raging river below, his eyes were filled with determination.

Death isn't frightening; what's terrifying is being exploited after death. Luo Zheng knew Lan Xue's feelings. As long as she confirmed his death, she would certainly follow him. Luo Zheng didn't want Lan Xue to die. The only way was to charge down, die in the river. As long as the body wasn't found, Lan Xue wouldn't die immediately.

Emotionally, leaving Lan Xue alone in this world is cruel, but Luo Zheng didn't want her dead. With this hope, a surge of power erupted from under Luo Zheng's feet, propelling him forward, his speed suddenly increased.

"Bang bang bang!" Intense gunfire erupted from behind. Luo Zheng felt his body get hit again, and his leg got hit too. Yet, it was as if he felt no pain. His mind had only one thought — rush forward, jump into the river.

A powerful belief sustained Luo Zheng's run. His back was already soaked in blood. Not far away, seeing this scene, Tang Tian was full of shock, awed by Luo Zheng's stubbornness and fearlessness, and shouted loudly, "Cease fire."

Everyone stopped and looked at Tang Tian in surprise. Tang Tian coldly watched Luo Zheng running, feeling complex emotions. As an enemy, such an opponent is terrifying. A sense of reverence rose in Tang Tian's heart. Yet, seeing Luo Zheng's back dyed red with blood, hit by no less than ten bullets, it was impossible for him to survive. However, a longing surged in her heart, wishing such a strong man could protect her.

"Should we retrieve the body?" someone asked in a low voice.

"Retrieve it. Give him a proper burial. Such a person deserves respect," Tang Tian said calmly.

"Yes, if he weren't an enemy, I would have wanted to drink with him. If he wished to join us, he indeed is one worth entrusting with life. Such a pity. I'll lead people to search. We can't stay here long; should we execute the next phase?" this person remarked with emotion.

Receiving respect from an opponent is a great honor, but it's a pity Luo Zheng will never know. He leaped into the river. A few gulps of river water filled his stomach, and Luo Zheng felt overwhelming pain engulf him. His body felt weak, devoid of any strength. Soon, he found his consciousness fading, and darkness covered his eyes.

"Am I dying?" This doubt flashed in Luo Zheng's mind, and soon he knew nothing.

On the cliff, Tang Tian watched Luo Zheng sink into the river, the river water stained with blood, and a complex emotion arose, as if something precious had left her. Her face turned icy. Someone hurriedly arrived, whispering, "Wolf King, brothers at the perimeter reported someone inquiring about our whereabouts, three men and one woman."

"Three men and one woman?" Tang Tian asked coldly. Seeing the other person nod, she continued, "It seems his team has come. Our strength hasn't recovered. We can't confront them head-on. Notify everyone immediately, prepare to withdraw. We'll move to the next location and emerge only after regaining our strength."

"Sam Country probably won't let us go," the person cautiously reminded.

"Continuing would be seeking skin with a tiger. Our cooperation with Sam Country ends here. No further contacts in the near term. Notify everyone to stay hidden. Also, the recruitment must continue. We must restore our peak strength within three years," Tang Tian said coldly.

"Yes!" The person agreed promptly and hurried away.

Tang Tian led the others back to the wooden house, seeing the blood on the ground, the chairs, and the severed ropes. Her mood became complicated. To escape in such circumstances made her uneasy. But thinking the other was dead and couldn't threaten anymore made her feel better.

The two guards who were killed had been taken outside and buried. The dead are gone. Even if Tang Tian felt immense rage towards them, there was nowhere to vent it. Looking at the wooden house, a sense of disgust emerged in her, as if the wooden house shouldn't exist. She couldn't help but shout coldly, "Burn this house."

"Wolf King, it's your family's old house?" someone cautiously reminded.

"I said burn it, burn it. What, you're not obeying my orders?" Tang Tian furiously shouted.

"I dare not," the person quickly agreed and rushed to prepare.

Soon, the wooden house was set on fire. Watching the burning house, Tang Tian felt the unease and fear of Luo Zheng being consumed by the flames, seemingly dissipating, feeling much better, and sighed in relief. Just as she was about to leave, someone rushed over, soaked all over, urgently reporting, "Report."

"What's the situation?" Tang Tian was startled, uneasy emotions surged.

"We searched along the river, but found no body. Others are still searching, awaiting your instructions," the person quickly said, carefully, afraid of angering Tang Tian.

"Why haven't you found it?" Tang Tian was shocked. Unreasonable fear increased. She roared, "Find him dead or alive. Everyone go search. The withdrawal plan is postponed for a day. Find him by sunset. Hurry."

"Yes," everyone responded in unison and rushed to the river. Having witnessed Luo Zheng's strength, no one thought Tang Tian was overreacting. Starving for four days, hands and feet bound, handcuffed, guarded by two people, and still managed to escape — what couldn't happen? Such an opponent is terrifying. Their hearts won't rest until found.