The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 398: Uncle Chen goes to die, Xu Yang bursts into tears, the separation of life and death on

At this time, Chen Henian grabbed a pre-prepared explosive pack under the counter and held it in his arms. While holding the fuse to ignite it, he provoked the Japanese military police outside the drugstore: "You little devils, didn't you want to arrest me? What's the matter? I was hit by you damned bastards, but you dare not come in? Where is the arrogance when you were smashing the door and throwing grenades before? You are all hiding outside like turtles!"

Chen Henian roared at the top of his lungs, the excruciating pain in his abdomen causing him to tremble uncontrollably, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. But he still pricked up his ears to listen for the movements of the Japanese military police outside.

The Japanese squad leader hiding behind the low wall was enraged after an interpreter translated Chen Henian's words. He stood up suddenly, brandishing his command knife and roaring, "He's been shot, yet he's still so arrogant. Let's go in and capture him, and first let him taste all our torture instruments."

The Japanese military police, guns drawn, surrounded the counter in a fan shape.

Chen Henian huddled behind the counter, his abdomen aching and sweat oozing out. He gritted his teeth, looked at the explosive pack with a determined look, and suddenly pulled the fuse of the explosive pack in his hand. The fuse burned with a "sizzling" sound, and sparks flew everywhere.

When the Japanese military police were less than five meters away from him, Chen Henian took a deep breath, endured the severe pain, and stood up suddenly. He hugged the explosive pack tightly with both hands and laughed wildly: "I have enough to be buried with you!" He rushed towards the Japanese military police.

When the Japanese military police saw Chen Henian holding a pack of explosives with a nearly burned-out fuse, their faces turned pale with fear, as if they had seen a ghost. The leading military police officer instinctively tried to pull the trigger, but his fingers trembled uncontrollably. Some military police officers felt their legs weaken and turned to flee, but were blocked by the people behind them. The Japanese squad leader hid behind the military police, his eyes wide open, his face filled with fear and disbelief, and turned to flee.

"Boom!" A deafening explosion echoed like thunderclaps from the sky, and flames instantly engulfed the entire pharmacy. A scorching wave of air swept through the surroundings with overwhelming force, shredding the counters and cabinets within. Herbs flew through the air like scraps of paper. Chen Henian and the Japanese military police were hurled into the distance like kites with their strings cut, their bodies scattered across the ground. Blood splattered the surrounding walls and floor. Thick smoke filled the air.

At the same time, Lei Tao and others were in the hidden secret room of "Yue Lai Building" when they suddenly felt a slight but frightening shaking...

"What's going on?" Scarface Li stood up instantly, his hand unconsciously reaching for the pistol at his waist.

Lei Tao's brows furrowed, his expression becoming grave. He raised his hand to signal for everyone to be quiet and hold their breath to listen carefully. Then, a dull explosion echoed from afar. Although the sound was weakened considerably by the thick walls and layers of buildings, the shocking force still made people's hearts tighten.

"It's the sound of explosives exploding, and it should be not far away." Lei Tao said in a low voice.

Scarface Li said worriedly, "It's bad. Another place is the Chen family pharmacy. Doctor Chen Henian in the pharmacy is from our village. I think he's in trouble."

The loud bang of the explosion was like a heavy hammer, hitting the sky above the entire county. The Japanese and Imperial Army troops who were originally conducting search missions throughout the county were startled by the sudden explosion and stopped what they were doing.

The street closest to the Chen family's pharmacy was devastated by the blast, and the doors and windows of the houses along the street were shattered.

At the center of the explosion, the Chen family pharmacy was reduced to rubble. Burning beams and planks billowed thick smoke, sparks flying from time to time. The pungent smell of gunpowder and blood filled the ruins, making one nauseated.

In the ruins of the pharmacy, several surviving Japanese military police climbed out of the rubble, their bodies covered in wounds, their clothes burnt to shreds. One of them struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with fear and anger, and ran back to the Japanese battalion headquarters to report: "This is the search team. The pharmacy has exploded. The captain and most of the team members are dead..."

Upon learning of the pharmacy explosion, Japanese commander Ando Yamano was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Baka! We must exterminate these insurgents!" He immediately ordered nearby search teams to heighten their vigilance to prevent similar incidents. He also worried that this was a diversionary tactic by the "Ghost Assassin," so he quickly sent someone to urge the deputy commander of the troops heading into the mountains to expedite the operation.

Hearing the explosion, Xu Yang stopped and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Uncle Chen..." Xu Yang's lips trembled as he whispered, his voice filled with grief and reluctance. He knew full well that Uncle Chen had sacrificed his life to buy him the chance to escape and report the incident. Uncle Chen's usual voice, smile, kind words, and resolute gaze flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

He suppressed his grief, holding the kerosene lantern, and continued to move forward in the dark tunnel. The tunnel was dark and damp, and only a small area in front of him could be seen clearly. Xu Yang took one deep step and one shallow step, and his figure slowly disappeared into the darkness.

In the mountainous area, the Japanese troops and the Imperial Army cavalry squadron that had entered the mountains to encircle and suppress the enemy were marching along the winding mountain roads.

Not long after walking, he heard the shouts of the Japanese military police behind him: "Don't let that kid get away!" Xu Yang's heart beat faster and he quickened his pace, while paying attention to the marks on the wall of the tunnel.

Chen Henian and Xu Yang had anticipated the possibility of pursuit, so they had placed simple crossbows at several strategic locations in the tunnel, each equipped with a sharply shaved bamboo arrow. In the dim light, Xu Yang spotted a subtle scratch on the tunnel wall, knowing where the crossbows were. He quickly placed the lantern on the ground behind him, reached for the crossbow hidden in a recess, and, with a firm lift, aimed it at the front of the tunnel.

Soon, a flickering light appeared ahead; the Japanese military police were in pursuit. The leading military police officer, his rifle in hand, peered cautiously, stepping closer. Xu Yang took a deep breath, steadied himself, and waited until the military police officer was within range before decisively pulling the trigger. With a whoosh, the bamboo arrow shot out, whirring and piercing the military police officer's chest. The military police officer groaned and fell to the ground.

"There's an ambush!" the military police behind shouted, raising their guns and firing at Xu Yang. Xu Yang quickly dodged to the side, his bullets hitting the tunnel wall, sending up stone chips. Taking advantage of the enemy's panic, Xu Yang dropped his crossbow, picked up his lantern, and ran.

After running a bit further, Xu Yang spotted a second sign and once again readied his crossbow. This time, the gendarmes had learned their lesson, working in pairs, alternating between covering each other. Xu Yang waited patiently until the enemy approached. He fired an arrow, but a gendarme deflected it with his rifle. Xu Yang immediately drew his dagger from his waist, ready for close combat. Just then, a gendarme accidentally stepped on a trap in the tunnel. His foot slipped, and he fell into the pit. With a scream, he was pierced by the sharp bamboo thorns below.

The remaining gendarme saw this, a flicker of panic flashing across his face, but he quickly feigned composure, raised his gun, and stabbed at Xu Yang viciously. Xu Yang dodged to the side, and the bayonet grazed the corner of his shirt and sank into the dirt of the tunnel wall. Before the gendarme could withdraw his gun, Xu Yang quickly grabbed the gun, and the two engaged in a struggle. The gendarme lashed out, kicked Xu Yang in the chest, and sent him crashing against the tunnel wall.

The gendarme seized the opportunity to stab again, but Xu Yang dodged to the side, his bayonet glancing past his arm. In the nick of time, Xu Yang, impulsively scooping up mud from the tunnel, hurled it at the gendarme's eyes. The gendarme screamed, instinctively releasing his rifle to rub his eyes. Xu Yang unsheathed his dagger and stabbed the gendarme several times in the chest, finally slitting his throat.

After dispatching his pursuers, Xu Yang continued running through the dark tunnel. Finally, he found another exit and emerged from the basement of the inn across from Yue Lai Lou. Carefully observing his surroundings and confirming there were no Japanese soldiers, Xu Yang quickly crossed the street and arrived at Yue Lai Lou, knocking rhythmically on the door.