Chapter Thirty-Three: Brave Heart (VIII)

After a brief, lighthearted episode, Luo Hanya and his companions sat in a circle, their expressions grave as they discussed what to do next. Luo Hanya had suffered severe injuries, yet had suddenly recovered—no explanation could convince others of such a miracle. They wouldn’t remain long in this scenario, so instead of wasting time here, it was better to leave and take action elsewhere, aiming for something significant. But this was a military camp; escaping undetected was hardly easy.

As they wrestled with their dilemma, the system made the decision for them.

Side quest triggered: Prevent the Japanese Fifty-Sixth Division from capturing Lashio.
Temporary skill enhancements:
Name: Advanced Eagle Eye (Temporary)
Skill Type: Passive
Rank: —
Effect: Perceive all movements within a thousand yards.
Note: Eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.

Name: Advanced Precision (Temporary)
Skill Type: Passive
Rank: —
Effect: Grants master-level marksmanship and throwing accuracy.
Note: Where the heart aims, the object strikes.

Name: Advanced Focus (Temporary)
Skill Type: Passive
Rank: —
Effect: Fearless in the face of cruelty and bloodshed.
Note: Makes you bold in an instant.

Name: Advanced Tactical Sense (Temporary)
Skill Type: Passive
Rank: —
Effect: Grants the tactical acumen of a seasoned special forces operative.
Note: Elegant? No, it’s all for survival.

Teleportation in ten minutes. Destination: Ten kilometers north of the Japanese Fifty-Sixth Division’s encampment, April 28, 1942. Please select whether to teleport.

Luo Hanya swallowed hard as he reviewed the system’s temporary enhancements. Wang Yibo and Li Song were even more ecstatic, exchanging fervent glances. “This is just… incredible!”

Luo Hanya opened his mouth, eyeing the two as if they were delirious teenagers—idiots, really. He poured cold water on their enthusiasm. “Incredible? The Japanese Fifty-Sixth Division has over twenty thousand men, with plenty of armor and several air squadrons. All we can do is force them out of hiding, let the British spot them. Are you thinking of taking them on alone?”

Wang Yibo and Li Song looked at each other, their bravado deflating. With these skills, maybe they could take down a few hundred enemies, but an entire division was impossible.

Xia Wenhua shook her head and sighed, “I only have one temporary skill, so I doubt I’ll be much help. Maybe I should stay here and assist the wounded. Honestly, at first I couldn’t handle the sight of these mangled soldiers, but after a day here, I feel reborn. They rely on me, and in their eyes, I’m their savior—easing their suffering, saving their lives. To me, they give meaning to my presence here.” She smiled, not as carefree or boisterous as usual, but serene—like an angel in white, radiant and pure, shining her full brilliance.

Name: Advanced Medical (Temporary)
Skill Type: Passive
Rank: —
Effect: Grants master-level medical skills.
Note: Now, you are a legendary healer!

“Ah!” Luo Hanya gazed at Xia Wenhua, who smiled with newfound maturity and dignity. She seemed transformed, radiating a sacred light—like a benevolent bodhisattva, compassionate and calm.

“You’re right. You should stay; it’s safer for you here. We’ll handle preventing the Fifty-Sixth Division from taking Lashio.” Luo Hanya nodded, giving her a thumbs-up.

Wang Yibo and Li Song followed suit, though mostly to look cool.

“Pfft! What are you doing, showing off? Do I need your approval?” Xia Wenhua’s eyes were slightly red, but her spirit undiminished as she laughed and scolded.

“Queen, we’re off. Take care of yourself.” A few minutes later, Luo Hanya, Wang Yibo, and Li Song, reluctant to part, waved gently to Xia Wenhua and vanished into the glow of teleportation.

Dense tropical jungle. Suddenly, a flash of light, and three figures appeared atop a giant tree.

“Ah!” None of the trio expected to be teleported mid-air. Caught off guard, they could only flail helplessly. Fortunately, the giant tree below broke their fall. Luo Hanya grabbed a branch, sliding down like a nimble monkey. He even managed a stylish leap, arms spread like a martial arts hero, but slipped upon landing. Only his solid basics kept him upright, narrowly avoiding embarrassment. The forest floor was covered in moss—ordinary people would tread cautiously, not attempt such antics.

“Ow! That hurts! What kind of teleportation is this?” Wang Yibo and Li Song got stuck among dense branches, unable to climb up or down, and were relentlessly bitten by tropical insects.

“Life is tough,” Wang Yibo and Li Song soon couldn’t take it, shrieking from the tree amid heat and insect torment.

“Quiet! We’re only ten kilometers from the Japanese Fifty-Sixth Division!” Luo Hanya was startled by their cries and quickly hushed them.

“Easy for you to say from below. I’m being eaten alive up here—my back feels swarmed by bugs.” Wang Yibo’s face was pale, but he lowered his voice.

“Yeah, do something! I’m falling apart here.” Li Song shivered, scratching at himself.

Seeing their misery, Luo Hanya wasted no words. He hefted his large blade and climbed up, moving lightly. With a few swift chops, he freed Wang Yibo and Li Song from the tangled branches.

Once on the ground, Li Song and Wang Yibo stripped off their jackets, asking Luo Hanya to help remove the bugs clinging to them. Luo Hanya shuddered at the sight of their backs and arms crawling with insects.

But he had no intention of using his hands—there were too many bugs and no telling how long it would take. He drew a sword, which instantly glowed with golden light and was surrounded by auspicious clouds, emanating an invisible aura. It was the modified Xuanyuan Sword.

As soon as Luo Hanya produced the sword, the insects on Li Song and Wang Yibo scattered—mosquitoes, ants, even a few leeches emerged from their bodies.

“Whew, finally some relief. Those bugs were killing us!” Wang Yibo collapsed, gasping for breath. Li Song fared little better, though his posture was less dramatic.

“What treasure is that? So powerful—could it be a divine artifact?” Wang Yibo gazed at the gleaming sword in Luo Hanya’s hand, eyes shining.

“A divine artifact? Not at all. It’s a fake—looks impressive, but it’s just a showpiece,” Luo Hanya scoffed, pointing at the sword with annoyance. “The Xuanyuan Sword is supposed to be the ultimate demon-slaying artifact, able to suppress all evil. I thought cleaning the bugs off you two would take forever, so I gave it a try, and surprisingly, it actually worked.”

“Give it a try, ‘fake it till you make it,’” Wang Yibo and Li Song rolled their eyes.

“Hey, don’t just stand there—what’s our plan to stop the Fifty-Sixth Division?” As Wang Yibo and Li Song silently cursed, Luo Hanya posed the crucial question.

“The Fifty-Sixth Division was led by Lieutenant General Watanabe Masao. Their greatest feat was in 1945, when they and the Eighteenth Division held off tens of thousands of British troops in central Burma, earning the title ‘Dragon’ for their prowess in jungle warfare,” Wang Yibo explained, his tone serious.

“At this point, they also have the support of Burma’s Aung San Independence Army. With local guides, they’re even more formidable—a dragon entering the sea, unstoppable. To counter their surprise attack, only Gan Lichu’s Sixth Army, with full defensive support from the Two Hundredth Division and the New Twenty-Second Division, could hold them off,” Li Song pondered, offering his advice.

“So, as long as Gan Lichu’s Sixth Army garrison realizes the Dragon Division is coming and holds their ground, we’re set,” Luo Hanya concluded calmly.

Now, the greatest challenge was alerting the Sixth Army garrison to the Dragon Division’s approach and ensuring they stood firm. Historically, the Sixth Army never detected the division, and under their assault, Gan Lichu soon abandoned the city.