Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Suddenly, a faint RUSTLING came from up ahead, like someone moving through the bushes.

”Halt!”

Li Chang’an raised a hand, signaling and quietly ordering everyone to stop moving.

The squad quickly dispersed, each member finding cover as they fixed their gazes on the direction of the sound.

A few seconds later, a figure emerged from the bushes.

It was a soldier in a Rebel Army uniform, carrying a rifle and looking around as if on guard for something.

”A Rebel Army sentry!”

Bai Lin said in a low voice.

”Just one. Must be on a solo patrol!”

”Don’t alert him!”

Li Chang’an whispered.

”Wait for him to move on!”

The squad members held their breath, hiding silently in the tall grass as they watched the Rebel Army soldier slowly walk away.

Once he confirmed it was safe, Li Chang’an signaled for the squad to press forward.

He said in a hushed voice.

”Remember, if you spot any rebels, don’t act rashly. Avoid them if you can!”

”Understood!”

The squad members nodded in acknowledgment.

The farther they advanced, the more tracks appeared on the ground. The scent of the Insect Hive grew stronger, and they could even hear a low, insectoid chittering.

Finally, the squad reached the perimeter of the Insect Hive.

The view opened up in the distance, revealing an enormous structure. It was an even more complex and massive hive than any they had seen before, with numerous members of the Insect Race patrolling its perimeter.

”There’s our target!”

Bai Lin whispered, quickly recording the sight on his terminal.

”It’s much larger than we anticipated!”

”Where are the rebels?”

Li Chang’an asked quietly.

Bai Lin observed for a moment before pointing to a highland area on the right.

”There are a few figures over there. It must be a Rebel Army outpost!”

”We’ll split up. Ruo Xi and Sun Yang, stay here and provide cover. The rest of you, with me to the high ground!”

Li Chang’an made the decision quickly.

”Move fast. No hesitation!”

Li Chang’an led Shen Qiuyue and Bai Lin, silently approaching the high ground to the right.

Their steps were light, each one carefully avoiding the noisy dry branches and loose stones.

The few Rebel Army sentries on the high ground were talking. Their voices were low, but still faintly audible in the quiet surroundings.

”I told you, working with these bugs is just asking to die!”

one of the rebels said, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his tone laced with dissatisfaction.

”Look at these monsters. Do they look trustworthy at all?”

”Shut up!”

another rebel hissed.

”It’s not our place to question orders from above.

Besides, the Insect Race’s power is genuinely useful. If we coordinate well, we can tear right through the Warrior Corps’ defensive lines!”

”You trust them?”

The first man scoffed.

”If a real fight breaks out, we’ll be the first ones they eat!”

”Enough crap. Just do your job!”

a third rebel said coldly.

”The guard changes in half an hour. Just hold on!”

Li Chang’an, hiding behind a rock, raised his hand to signal his teammates to halt.

He carefully observed the layout of the high ground and saw no other enemies besides these three rebels.

”Bai Lin, can you crack their comms equipment?”

Li Chang’an asked in a low voice.

”I can, but I need to get closer!”

Bai Lin said, glancing down at his terminal.

”It’ll take about five minutes!”

”Alright. Shen Qiuyue, you cover Bai Lin. I’ll draw their attention!”

Li Chang’an quickly assigned their tasks.

”We finish this in five minutes. No delays!”

”Understood!”

The two nodded and got into position.

Li Chang’an took a deep breath, tightened his grip on his Saw Chain Sword, and slowly rose from behind the rock.

His movements were silent, not drawing the rebels’ attention.

He took advantage of a moment when their backs were turned to close in quickly.

”What was that sound?”

One of the rebels suddenly turned his head, his brow furrowed.

”Did you guys hear that?”

Li Chang’an’s speed suddenly exploded as he charged directly at the rebel who had spoken.

The low growl of the Saw Chain Sword activating split the air, its sharp blade hacking into the man’s shoulder before he could react.

Blood spurted. The rebel let out a scream and collapsed.

”Ambush!”

The two remaining rebels reacted instantly, raising their weapons to aim at Li Chang’an.

But just as they moved, Shen Qiuyue charged out from the side. Her High-Energy Dueling Sword sliced precisely across one of their necks, and he fell to the ground without even a chance to fire.

The third rebel, panicked, turned to run but was shot in the calf by Bai Lin from behind.

He tumbled to the ground and struggled to get up, but before he could, Li Chang’an’s Saw Chain Sword was already pressed against his neck.

”Don’t move!”

Li Chang’an said coldly.

”Stay still, or in the next second, you’ll regret ever being born into this world!”

The rebel’s face was filled with terror, and his body trembled, not daring to move an inch.

”Bai Lin, hurry up!”

Li Chang’an said, looking back.

”Got it!”

Bai Lin quickly approached, detached the small terminal from the rebel’s communications device, and began cracking the data inside.

Shen Qiuyue stood to the side, staring coldly at the subdued rebel, her sword never wavering.

Her gaze was like a knife, causing the rebel’s face to grow paler and paler.

”Who... who are you people?”

the rebel asked, trembling.

”Are you from the Warrior Corps?”

”You’re not in a position to ask questions!”

Li Chang’an said coldly.

”But I can tell you this: we’re the last people you’d ever want to meet in your life!”

The rebel swallowed hard, not daring to speak again.

”Almost done!”

Bai Lin murmured, his fingers flying across the terminal’s screen.

Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi and Sun Yang were providing cover from a distance, observing the situation on the high ground through binoculars.

”They sure wrapped that up fast over there!”

Sun Yang whispered as he watched.

”Brother Chang’an’s moves are so clean!”

”Of course they are!”

Han Ruoxi’s lips curved into a slight smile.

”How else could he be our Captain?”

”But I can’t help but feel that this went a little too smoothly!”

Sun Yang frowned.

”There’s no way the Rebel Army only has a few people here!”

”Are you saying there could be an ambush?”

Han Ruoxi froze for a second.

”It’s possible!”

Sun Yang nodded.

”Stay alert. Be ready for anything!”

The words had barely left his mouth when they heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching from behind.

”Damn it, someone’s here!”

Han Ruoxi immediately spun around, raising her hand to release an electric arc.

Four or five Rebel Army soldiers burst out from the woods. They had clearly already noticed the Insect Hunter Squad’s presence and were rapidly closing in.

”Cover Bai Lin and the others!”

Sun Yang shouted, raising his Pulse Gun and opening fire.

Han Ruoxi quickly released an electric arc. A flash of blue light struck the foremost rebel, who collapsed with a scream.

But the remaining soldiers didn’t flinch, continuing their advance.

”Brother Chang’an! We’ve got a situation over here!”

Han Ruoxi yelled over the comms.

”Hold on, we’re on our way!”

Li Chang’an’s voice was urgent.

Bai Lin finally finished the crack, quickly putting away his equipment.

”Done! We can pull back!”

”With me!”

Li Chang’an roared, raised his Saw Chain Sword, and cut down the last remaining rebel.

The three of them quickly moved toward Han Ruoxi and Sun Yang’s position, fending off several attacking rebels as they went.

”Move out, mission complete!”

Li Chang’an ordered loudly.

The squad quickly regrouped and retreated toward the extraction point, the sounds of more rebel battle cries and footsteps echoing behind them.

The air was thick with tension. Every step the Insect Hunter Squad took was both careful and swift.

At last, they successfully reached the extraction point and boarded the waiting transport vehicle.

The transport sped along the bumpy mountain road. The squad members leaned back in their seats, each of them panting for breath.

Though the atmosphere inside the vehicle had calmed for the moment, everyone’s expression remained taut, as if they hadn’t fully recovered from the battle.

Han Ruoxi looked down at her vambrace, which was splattered with grime from the fight. She frowned and scrubbed at it, but found it impossible to wipe clean.

”This is so annoying. Our gear gets filthy as hell after every fight!”

she grumbled, looking up at Li Chang’an.