"Do you really believe Miao Miu's words? Can you imagine our leader in a romantic relationship? Maybe it's just her wild speculation." Yao Chen found it hard to picture their stoic leader in love.

But recalling certain events, Yao Chen remembered their leader did treat a certain young man rather differently. "Despite the abundance of men in our ranks, he never seemed interested in anyone."

Li Yan chuckled, "That's where you're wrong. A woman's intuition is rarely off. If Miao Miu says it's true, then it is. We should all start preparing our gifts."

Chapter 177: Will You Let Us Go?

A blast echoed, shaking the ground beneath Yao Chen and his companions. As the ceiling threatened to collapse, the group had no choice but to break through the back wall and escape.

"Don't rush off just yet. They probably don't know our exact location. While they're in the light and we're in the dark, let's strike back," Yao Chen understood that their adversaries outnumbered them. While wiping them all out wasn't possible, they couldn't be on the run forever. It would weaken their morale.

Quickly, he orchestrated a plan. His men dispersed in the vicinity. When the convoy thundered close, Yao Chen gave a sharp whistle. The street erupted in flames and explosions.

"Ambush! Retreat to the street's end!" In the subsequent chaos, the adversaries abandoned two destroyed cannon vehicles and suffered more than a dozen casualties before successfully withdrawing. Meanwhile, Yao Chen and his crew had discreetly departed.

Both factions engaged in guerrilla warfare throughout the abandoned city, each suffering casualties. Overall, Yao Chen's team held the upper hand.

"Captain, we've held on for almost a day. There's hardly any place left in these ruins to hide. Should we withdraw?" Situ Han was wounded in several places, his face covered in ash and grime.

Through binoculars, Yao Chen assessed the enemy's numbers and weaponry. After a day's skirmish, their heavy artillery had been destroyed, leaving only a few armored cars — hardly a threat. Perhaps they could spring one more trap before leaving.

"Head to the southern exit. That route is overgrown, and our legs will carry us faster. Let's try to leave their vehicles behind."

"Heh, let's scatter caltrops on the road. That'll puncture their tires for sure."

They deliberately made noise, luring the enemy to pursue them. But old tricks become predictable. After a brief chase, the adversaries halted.

"Hmph, they must be planning another ambush ahead. Let's flank them. This time, we'll trap them all!"

"But there's no road there. And according to the map, there are many mutated beasts. It will be hard to pass quickly."

"Even better. Draw out the beasts. Serve them up to our enemies." They were well-practiced in such tactics. Sending two warriors to scout, they reached the city gates without spotting any sign of the enemy. They knew their foes were lurking nearby.

The two scouts whispered to each other, then feigned a fall, hiding an ultrasonic device under a large rock before returning to relay the news.

"If their scouts didn't spot us, will they change routes?" Li Yan thought about revealing herself, killing one and leaving another to relay a message. But Yao Chen advised against it.

He pondered and said, "If they're smart, they'll suspect we've set a trap. Now it's a matter of their resolve. If they don't pursue, even better. We retreat immediately."

However, after about twenty minutes, no enemies appeared. Instead, an increasing number of mutated beasts began to emerge.

"Damn! We've fallen into their trap. Those two must've left the ultrasonic device nearby. Move out!" As Yao Chen led his men out of the city, they were soon surrounded. The enemies had preemptively left the city and set up an ambush.

"Hahaha, Major Yao, we meet again. Where can you run to now? Why not head back to the city? Thousands of mutated beasts await you there."

"Tan Yuan Chun!" Yao Chen stared icily at the man before him, a familiar adversary and a pawn of the Gu family.

"Why so angry? Haven't you killed many of my men? Our objectives are the same this time. Instead of wasting resources against each other, why not sit down and find a win-win solution?"

"Win-win?" Yao Chen laughed scornfully. "We fight tooth and nail for our nation's interests. And you? The Gu family even dares to steal from the nation. What's there to discuss?"

"Let's be candid. Both of us know the value of that satellite. Whoever has it gains significant international influence. What does the central army gain from guarding it so fiercely? In the end, won't the Guo family reap the benefits? If the Guo family can have it, why not the Gu family?"

"Enough talk. Your thinking is alien to mine. It's pointless to argue."

"No room for negotiation?"

"Hmph!"

"If you resist, don't blame me for being harsh. None of you will leave here today." Tan Yuanchun signaled, and the ambushers on both sides of the road immediately began their assault.

Yao Chen and his team found themselves with no route of escape. Holding their shields defensively, they were continuously pressured by the relentless gunfire from the enemy. Soon, they began to suffer casualties. To make matters worse, the commotion attracted mutated beasts from inside the city.

Tan Yuanchun feared being surrounded by the swarm of mutated creatures. Though he contemplated retreating, he couldn't resist seizing this prime opportunity to eradicate Yao Chen's team – a core unit of the Flame Squad. Eliminating them would deal a devastating blow to General Shao.

Despite the pressure, Tan Yuanchun shouted, "Stand your ground and finish them quickly! This is our chance to earn great merit. Take them out and then we flee."

Just then, the roar of armored vehicles echoed from the city gates. One by one, they slid into position, blocking the gate in a line, preventing the mutated beasts from both entering and exiting.