Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

At five o'clock in the morning, at the Eagle's Beak Cliff outpost, Lin Zhe, as usual, was the first to get up and practice Hunyuan Gong in the open space in front of the outpost. With each breath, his breathing became long and deep, and a faint white mist seemed to swirl around his body—a sign that his internal energy cultivation was gradually improving.

The harsh environment of the border jungle ironically became an ideal place for cultivation. The pure air, the natural rhythms, and the tempering from life-or-death combat allowed Lin Zhe's Hunyuan Gong to advance by leaps and bounds in the past few months. He could clearly feel that the "qi" within his body was becoming more and more abundant, and his five senses were becoming more and more acute.

After completing his set of exercises, Lin Zhe stood up and gazed at the distant border. The sky was beginning to lighten, and the mountain mist was starting to dissipate. Suddenly, he frowned—it was too quiet. Not just any quiet, but a deathly stillness, a stillness so profound that even birds and beasts were silent.

"Something's not right..." Lin Zhe muttered to himself.

He strode back to the outpost and woke up Old Zhou, who was on duty: "Notify everyone, emergency assembly! There's an emergency!"

Five minutes later, the sixteen soldiers at the outpost stood in full gear. Lin Zhe didn't waste any words and directly ordered: "Check ammunition and prepare for battle. Lao Zhou, take two men to the watchtower. The rest of you, proceed to your defensive positions according to Plan Number One."

Although the soldiers were confused, they had absolute trust in Lin Zhe's judgment and acted swiftly. Just as they entered the position, the first shot rang out.

"Bang!"

Bullets struck the outer wall of the outpost, sending bricks and stones flying. Immediately afterward, a barrage of gunfire erupted from all directions, with at least dozens of guns firing.

"Enemy attack! At least fifty men!" Old Zhou shouted over the radio from the watchtower. "A large number of armed men have been spotted to the northwest, and their numbers are increasing!"

Lin Zhe lay prone behind cover, observing through binoculars. The thick fog was dissipating, revealing numerous figures in the woods, far exceeding his expectations. Worse still, the enemy was clearly prepared, fully armed, even possessing light machine guns.

"Deputy Company Commander, what should we do?" Xiao Zhao's voice was tense. There were only sixteen men at the outpost, while the enemy had at least a hundred.

Lin Zhe's mind raced. Holding out against the enemy was definitely not an option. Although the outpost had a favorable location, ammunition was limited, and the enemy outnumbered them too much. They could wear them down eventually.

"Abandon the outpost," Lin Zhe decided. "According to the jungle guerrilla plan, retreat in groups of three. Remember, don't engage in direct combat; focus on harassment and delaying the enemy."

"Abandon the outpost?" Old Zhou asked in surprise.

"Right. Outposts are fixed targets, making them easy targets. The jungle is our home turf." Lin Zhe calmly analyzed, "The enemy's goal is retaliation, to annihilate us completely. Let's make them miss their target, and then slowly take care of them in the jungle."

The order was quickly relayed. The sixteen men were divided into five groups, with Lin Zhe leading two men and the others in three-man groups. Each group was equipped with an improved individual communicator—the first batch of trial equipment after Lin Zhe's technological improvements, which proved invaluable at this moment.

"Attention all groups, employ 'sparrow warfare' tactics: hit and run, never linger. Maintain communication and report your position at any time," Lin Zhe said into the communicator. "I repeat: our mission is to delay, not annihilate. Await reinforcements."

"Understood!" the four group leaders responded.

The soldiers at the outpost disappeared silently into the jungle, like drops of water merging into the ocean. When the first wave of militants stormed into the outpost, they found only empty barracks.

"Damn it, they got away!" A burly man who looked like the leader kicked open the door. "Search them! They can't have gone far!"

This is exactly what Lin Zhe wanted—to lure the enemy into the jungle, break them up, and have them fight individually.

Lin Zhe's group, including Da Liu and Xiao Zhao, quickly moved to a group of rocks. From there, they could overlook the outpost and had an excellent view.

"Deputy Company Commander, they've entered the woods." Da Liu observed through binoculars, "They've split into seven or eight teams, each with a dozen or twenty men."

"Okay." Lin Zhe checked the sniper rifle. "Da Liu, you're on the left; Xiao Zhao, on the right; I'll be in the middle. Remember, each person can only fire three shots at most, and you must switch positions afterward."

"yes!"

The first shot was fired by Lin Zhe. Four hundred meters away, an armed man directing the search fell to the ground, a bloody hole between his eyebrows. The gunshot echoed through the valley, causing a commotion.

"Sniper! There's a sniper!"

"Over there! Behind the rocks!"

Dozens of guns turned and opened fire on the rocky outcrops, but Lin Zhe and his two companions had already moved. They moved through the jungle like ghosts, each stop lasting no more than thirty seconds, and with each shot, someone fell.

Other groups also launched harassment attacks. Old Zhou's group set up an ambush on the southeast side and used trip mines to blow up a team of enemies; another group silently took out several lone enemies on the west side with crossbows.

Reports kept coming through the soldier's communicator:

"One team, three killed, have been moved."

"Team Two, one vehicle was blown up, they are evacuating."

"Three groups..."

While fighting, Lin Zhe simultaneously directed the battle, his mind processing battlefield information like a sophisticated computer. Unlike the discomfort he felt during his first real combat experience, he was now frighteningly calm. Every aim, every trigger pull, was incredibly precise. The enhanced perception granted by his Hunyuan Gong allowed him to clearly judge the enemy's position, movements, and even emotions.

After an hour of fighting, the militants had lost more than thirty men but had not captured a single soldier at the outpost. They began to panic, and their formation began to break down.

"Boss, this won't do! They're in the shadows while we're in the open!" one of the men reported to his boss.

The leader, a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, codenamed "Viper," gritted his teeth: "Damn it, I didn't expect these border guards to be so tough! Change tactics, everyone retreat, set the mountain on fire!"

This command was intercepted by Lin Zhe via the communicator; the improved device had a simple signal interception function.

"Attention all groups, the enemy may set fires. Retreat to the water source at three o'clock; the fire will spread more slowly there," Lin Zhe ordered. "Also, how long until reinforcements arrive from headquarters?"

"Reporting to the deputy platoon leader, the platoon leader said it will take another forty minutes!" Old Zhou replied.

Forty minutes... Lin Zhe calculated. The enemy still had about 150 men. Although they were scattered, setting fires would negate the advantages of jungle guerrilla warfare.

We must take the initiative and disrupt their plans.

"Big Liu, Little Zhao, come with me." Lin Zhe's eyes sharpened. "We're going to 'behead'."

The three moved through the forest like cheetahs. Lin Zhe led the way, followed by Da Liu and Xiao Zhao, forming a triangular formation. Their target was the location of the venomous snake's command post—which could be roughly determined through communication signals.

Fifteen minutes later, they approached a relatively open clearing in the woods. Viper and a dozen core members were there, surrounded by more than thirty people on guard.

"Deputy Company Commander, we can't just charge in," Da Liu said after observing the situation.

"No brute force." Lin Zhe unloaded his sniper rifle, drew his dagger, and said, "You guys provide cover here, I'll sneak in."

"That's too dangerous!"

"Execute the order." Lin Zhe's order was unquestionable. "I'll count to thirty, then you'll launch a feint attack to draw enemy fire."

After saying that, he slipped into the bushes like a raccoon dog and disappeared.

Da Liu and Xiao Zhao exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with worry, but they could only obey orders. They set up their guns and began timing.

Lin Zhe's stealth abilities had reached an astonishing level. His Hunyuan Gong made him as light as a cat, his breathing almost silent. He used the shadows of trees, the crevices in rocks, and even the blind spots of his enemies to slowly approach the core area.

Twenty-five meters, twenty meters, fifteen meters... the sound of the venomous snakes could already be heard:

"...Set it on fire! Burn these bastards all the way out! Damn it, I refuse to believe I won't raze Eagle's Beak Cliff to the ground today!"

Ten meters. Lin Zhe stopped, catching his breath. He calculated the enemy's distribution, the direction of their weapons, and their possible reaction paths. The killing techniques Chen Qingshan had taught him flashed through his mind—simple, deadly, and efficient.

"...Three, two, one!"

Gunshots rang out in the distance, and Da Liu and Xiao Zhao began a feint attack. The guards around the open area were immediately drawn to the sound of gunfire.

It's now!

Lin Zhe sprang into action! His speed was so fast it was almost a blur! The first enemy didn't even have time to react before a dagger pierced his throat; the second, just as he turned, had his neck shattered by a chop to the neck; the third, raising his gun, had the muzzle caught by Lin Zhe, who twisted it in the opposite direction, sending the bullet plunging into his own chest...

In six seconds, three people died!

Viper finally reacted and drew his gun to fire. But Lin Zhe had already rushed in front of him, kicking the pistol away with one foot and simultaneously grabbing Viper's throat with his other hand, lifting him up!

"Don't move!" Lin Zhe shouted, pressing the dagger against the snake's carotid artery.

The remaining seven or eight core members were stunned. It was too fast! From Lin Zhe's appearance to subduing Viper, less than ten seconds had passed!

"Let...let go of our boss!" one of the henchmen cried, raising his gun with trembling hands.

Lin Zhe sneered, increasing the pressure on his hand. Viper's face turned red, and he kicked wildly, shouting, "Shoot! Let's see if your guns are faster, or my knife!"

During the stalemate, more gunfire could be heard in the distance—reinforcements from the company headquarters had arrived! Wang Dashan personally led a team of more than fifty reconnaissance company soldiers who pressed in from three directions.

The Viper Gang was completely destroyed. Their leader was captured, reinforcements arrived, and coupled with their previous losses, their fighting spirit crumbled instantly.

"Surrender! We surrender!" someone threw down their weapon.

When Lin Zhe led the viper out of the open space, the battle was nearing its end. Most of the militants were either dead or surrendered, and the few who were still resisting were quickly eliminated.

When Wang Dashan saw Lin Zhe, his eyes widened: "Lin Zhe! Are you alright?"

"It's alright, Company Commander." Lin Zhe handed the venomous snake to a soldier. "Sixteen men at the outpost, none killed, three slightly wounded."

"Good! Well done!" Wang Dashan patted him on the shoulder excitedly.

Just then, the roar of a helicopter echoed through the sky. A camouflaged armed helicopter flew in and hovered over the open ground. Ropes were thrown down, and more than a dozen fully armed special forces soldiers rappelled down.

Their equipment was clearly different from that of ordinary troops—new combat uniforms, modular equipment, and high-tech helmets. They quickly dispersed after landing, their tactical movements clean and efficient.

The team leader was a major in his thirties, with distinctive insignia on his shoulder straps. He walked up to Wang Dashan and saluted: "Southwest Military Region 'Hunter Blade' Special Forces Brigade, ordered to provide support."

"Thanks for your support!" Wang Dashan returned the greeting. "However... the battle is basically over."

The major surveyed the battlefield, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. A gang of over two hundred armed men had been routed by a border outpost and a company of reinforcements—a rather astonishing feat.

His gaze fell on Lin Zhe. This young captain stood out among a group of veterans, not only because of his age and rank, but also because of his unique temperament—calm as an abyss and sharp as a sword.

"And this is..." the major asked.

"Lin Zhe, deputy company commander of the reconnaissance company, is a captain." Lin Zhe stood at attention and saluted.

The major returned the salute, scrutinizing him closely. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the dagger at Lin Zhe's waist—it was the "Shouzheng" short sword given to him by Chen Qingshan, its scabbard simple and unadorned, but the major seemed to recognize something.

"Comrade Lin Zhe, these enemies..." the major said, pointing to the corpses being counted, "some of them died in very unusual ways."

Indeed, while collecting the bodies, the soldiers discovered some anomalies. Seven or eight bodies had been shot between the eyebrows, indicating terrifyingly accurate marksmanship; five or six others had broken necks or stab wounds to the throat, clearly indicating close-quarters combat deaths; even stranger, three bodies had no external injuries, but were bleeding from all seven orifices, as if they had been killed by a severe blow.

Lin Zhe remained calm: "The battlefield is chaotic, and anything can happen."

The major gave him a deep look but didn't press the matter further. But he was already certain: this border defense company harbored a master operative.

The cleanup operation continued until noon. Final count: 147 militants killed, 53 captured; over 200 firearms of various types seized. No one on our side was killed, and seven were slightly wounded.

Lin Zhe's personal record shocked everyone—he shot 23 people, killed 9 in close combat, and another 8 died from his assassinations. A total of 40 people.

When the number was reported, even Wang Dashan gasped in astonishment. One man, outnumbered and outgunned, killed forty armed men! This went beyond mere "excellence"; it was simply legendary!

During the break, Lin Zhe went to the stream alone to wash the blood off his hands. This time, he didn't vomit, only felt a deep exhaustion. Forty lives... though they were all enemies, they were still lives.

"Is this the first time you've killed so many people?" a voice came from behind.

Lin Zhe turned around and saw the major from the special forces brigade.

"I guess so," Lin Zhe said.

The major sat down next to him and offered him a cigarette. Lin Zhe waved his hand and refused.

"Good that you don't smoke." The major lit his own cigarette, took a deep drag, and said, "My name is Qin Feng, captain of the Hunter Blade Special Forces. You know General Chen Qingshan, right?"

Lin Zhe looked at him warily.

"Don't be nervous." Qin Feng smiled. "I recognize the knife at your waist—'Shouzheng,' the one that Senior Chen Qingshan always carried. I received guidance from Elder Chen when I was young."

"I see." Lin Zhe relaxed. "Captain Qin knows Old Chen?"

"It's more than just knowing him." Qin Feng exhaled a smoke ring. "Old Chen is my master's master, practically my grandmaster. How is he doing?"

"Fortunately, I'm living in seclusion at the National University of Defense Technology."

Qin Feng nodded, paused for a moment, and then suddenly asked, "Lin Zhe, are you interested in joining the special forces?"

Lin Zhe was stunned for a moment.

"With your skills and tactical proficiency, it's a waste for you to stay in the border defense company," Qin Feng said seriously. "Hunter Blade needs fresh blood like you. Besides... your killing techniques can only be truly effective in special forces."

Lin Zhe thought for a moment and shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Captain Qin. But I can't leave now. The border defense company needs me, and the training here has just gotten on track."

Qin Feng was somewhat surprised, but then showed an appreciative expression: "Good! Calm and composed, you've got the composure. Here, I'll leave you my contact information. Contact me anytime you've figured things out."

He handed over a card with only a phone number on it.

"Furthermore," Qin Feng stood up, "I've already had those 'special' killing techniques you used today blurred out in the report. Some skills don't need to be revealed too early."

Lin Zhe's heart skipped a beat: "Thank you, Captain Qin."

"You're welcome." Qin Feng turned to leave, then stopped. "By the way, you can come visit our Hunter Blade at the military region sometime."

Watching Qin Feng's departing figure, Lin Zhe gripped the card in his hand tightly. Special forces...it was indeed a temptation. But as he said, now was not the time.

He still has so much to teach the brothers in the border defense company, so much practical experience to accumulate, so much...

"Deputy Company Commander!" Xiao Zhao ran over, his face beaming with excitement. "The regimental headquarters called and said the military region leaders want to personally award us our commendations! They also said you might be getting promoted again!"

Lin Zhe smiled and patted Xiao Zhao on the shoulder: "The credit belongs to everyone. Let's go, there's still a lot to do."

As the sun set, Eagle's Beak Cliff was stained crimson. In this battle, Lin Zhe proved himself once again and grew stronger once more.