Chapter Eight: Going Home

Upon entering the conference room, Hua Feng immediately sensed the unusually tense atmosphere. Lin Chong, seated at the center, nodded to them as they arrived and gestured for them to sit. Yun Meng and Shuang Ning’s seats were right next to Hua Feng.

“How are you feeling? Any better?”

“Much better. In fact, thanks to this incident, I managed to break through the bottleneck at level twenty,” Hua Feng replied. “By the way, Major, did you want to see us about something?”

“Good, I’m glad.” Lin Chong pushed his chair forward and sat upright. “I’ve reported your situation to the General. We both believe your fainting was directly related to physical contact with the energy sample, and this sudden breakthrough in your level is likely for the same reason. For now, let’s set that aside. Our top priority is to deal with the War Axe men outside. We’ve already used the terrain and environmental advantages as much as possible to stall them.

At this point, our only chance is to activate the fortress’s backup energy, bring the super-powered laser cannon online, disable their weapons systems, and inflict as much damage on their fighting force as possible. Only then will we have a chance to break out!”

Seeing the grave and resolute expressions of the group, Lin Chong continued, “As the acting commander, I’ve been ordered by the Major General to take full command. The laser cannon needs thirty minutes to charge, but before that, we’ll likely have to withstand a small nuclear warhead. Before the next attack wave comes, we need a preemptive strategy. Does anyone have any good suggestions? Speak freely!”

“Major, I volunteer as a commando to go out and stall them! I’ll buy you time!” Wang Yue was the first to offer.

“I’ll go too, as a commando alongside Wang Yue,” Shuang Ning unexpectedly added.

“Sigh… My mission is to bring you all back safely. I can’t let you sacrifice yourselves so easily. Besides, Chinese soldiers must not choose death before striving for life!” Lin Chong vetoed firmly. He looked at Hua Feng, who had yet to speak. “Captain Hua Feng, any ideas?”

“I do have a plan, but it’s risky,” Hua Feng said, glancing at Lin Chong, then at Yun Meng with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

“Speak!” Lin Chong said directly.

“Our fortress can probably withstand two direct hits from small nuclear warheads. If we deactivate the gate’s defenses after the first attack, we can use conventional firepower to suppress their advance, giving the laser cannon room to counterattack. Once it finishes charging, we strike back and drive the enemy away!”

Lin Chong considered this; it seemed the most reliable compromise.

“Let’s do it. I’ll gamble with you, staking the lives of more than twenty of us! We’ll vote—if there are no objections, we’ll proceed!”

Almost without hesitation, everyone agreed.

“We trust Hua Feng!” Wang Yue, Shuang Ning, and Yun Meng declared in unison.

“Since the day we joined Snow Leopard, we’ve set life and death aside. We trust our captain!” the Snow Leopard team members said calmly.

Lin Chong nodded. “Then everyone act according to Hua Feng’s plan!” The group dispersed to prepare.

Outside the fortress, the launch sequence for the first nuclear warhead had already begun. Onizuka ordered everyone to retreat to a safe distance, waiting for the moment the programmed nuclear warhead would blow open the fortress gate.

The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder, and the falling snow seemed to enter a silent world. A great battle was about to erupt.

After completing their preparations, Hua Feng, Lin Chong, and the other key officers kept their eyes on the display screens, ready to react at any moment.

About fifteen minutes later, the nuclear launcher activated. In an instant, it was as if the surrounding area was engulfed by the sun. The enormous explosion from nuclear fission, radiation, and extreme heat—equivalent to a six-thousand-ton warhead—struck Fortress 798. The gate was nearly deformed, and everything within several kilometers vaporized into nothingness: birds, grass, snow—all that once existed in that space was gone. The land was transformed into a circular, irregular cratered wasteland, a vision of the apocalypse, testament to the destructive power of war’s deadliest weapons.

Part of Fortress 798’s main structure was exposed to the air, snow still drifting down, but the gate, though somewhat deformed, remained intact.

“It held! Excellent!” Despite the expected outcome, Hua Feng and the others couldn’t suppress their joy, their excitement palpable.

“All personnel, put on radiation suits, prepare to charge out after the super-powered laser cannon fires!” Lin Chong’s fervent voice rang out, setting everyone’s nerves on edge.

“Damn it! It didn’t work. Prepare the second nuclear warhead—I refuse to believe this!” Onizuka ordered angrily.

“Yes, Sir Onizuka!” The War Axe weapons team moved into readiness.

Meanwhile, Fortress 798’s laser cannon had finished charging and was ready.

“Open the fortress gate, deactivate the main defense system!” Lin Chong commanded.

“Yes, opening the fortress gate, deactivating main defense system. Countdown: 3…2…1.”

“Main defense system deactivated, fortress gate open,” the operators responded to the Major’s order.

The War Axe side observed the gate opening and hurriedly reported, “Sir! The gate is open!”

Onizuka was overjoyed. “Good! Everyone, put on radiation suits and prepare to attack! Tell the nuclear launch team to cancel the warhead launch.”

“Yes, sir!” came the reply.

There was no time for Hua Feng and the others to marvel at the nuclear blast’s devastation. The laser cannon team’s broadcast sounded: “Position calibrated, target confirmed. Launch sequence initiated.” In less than a second, the near-silent laser cannon obliterated the War Axe nuclear launch site, its power rivaling that of a nuclear warhead.

Experiencing such a weapon for the first time, Hua Feng and his comrades were awestruck by its might. The threat from the enemy’s weapons was eliminated, and at Lin Chong’s command, he and his team charged out from the base. Three tanks fired their main guns in unison, leaving only five survivors on Onizuka’s side.

It all happened so suddenly, even Onizuka was caught off guard.

“Why?” With victory seemingly within reach, everything changed in an instant. Onizuka felt as if he had fallen from heaven into hell, utterly lost.

Realizing the situation was hopeless, Onizuka snapped out of his shock. He knew he couldn’t act rashly—his side was nearly out of skilled fighters. If he fought head-on, it would only end in mutual destruction. Weighing his options, Onizuka decided to retreat and fight another day. Reluctantly, he gave the order:

“Retreat!”

And so, a crisis from Russia’s largest crime syndicate came to an end.

Watching Onizuka’s ragged retreat through the tank periscope, Lin Chong finally let go of his worries. His greatest fear had been that Onizuka would go for broke, causing heavy casualties on their side. Fortunately, with nothing left to gain, the enemy withdrew at last. This harrowing contest lasted only three hours, but finally, the dust settled.

“Brothers and sisters, we can go home! Shut down Fortress 798, send the battle report to Forward Base, and prepare to return!” Lin Chong announced over the intercom.

“Yes! We can go home!”

Wang Yue said, “I’m starting to miss the meat buns at the barracks—dumplings, rice, and big drumsticks.”

Shuang Ning replied, “Look at that greedy expression. When we get back, I’ll treat you. Eat your fill.”

“It’s a deal!”

Excited, relaxed voices echoed across this land that had just seemed like purgatory.

Ten minutes later, the troops were ready to move.

“Destination: Forward Base. Full speed ahead—we’re going home!” Hua Feng ordered the tank driver.

“Yes, home!” Yun Meng and Hua Feng exchanged smiles.