Chapter 22: The Unusual J65

At last, the barracks of Company One came into view. Surrounded by so many soldiers, they couldn’t help but feel as if they’d been given a second chance at life.

By now, every soldier in Company One could no longer be considered a raw recruit. When they had first enlisted, each carried lofty dreams and aspirations—to protect the nation, to bring peace to the people, and to return home in glory.

But as time passed, the grind of military life wore away all their sharp edges. These young men, born and raised in times of peace—some even the only child of their families, showered with affection—found ordinary training difficult enough to endure, let alone the rigorous demands of combat units, both in quality and quantity.

As they approached the entrance to Company One’s station, two soldiers could no longer contain themselves and began to vomit.

“Are you both alright?” Su Weiguo walked over to the two soldiers, patting them on the back with concern.

One soldier, pale and weak, waved his hand feebly. “Squad... Squad Leader, I’m fine, just—” He was overtaken by nausea once more.

“Look at you—what a sorry sight. We’re soldiers. If the day comes when we must go to war, is this how you’ll show up on the battlefield?” Xie Yidao looked at the two men with open disdain.

Gu Jianfeng moved to Xie Yidao’s side and spoke softly, “Blade, don’t be so harsh. Everyone feels unwell the first time they witness such bloodshed. Let them vomit—after a few times, they’ll get used to it.”

Just then, the gates creaked open and Fu Zhihong came out. At the sight of everyone covered in blood, he was visibly alarmed. “What happened to all of you?” he asked with concern.

“It’s nothing. There was a gunfight, and then we ran into a pack of wolves. Mengzi and Blade were injured. Lao Fu, could you help treat their wounds?” Gu Jianfeng replied.

“A gunfight?” Fu Zhihong hurried to Xue Meng and Xie Yidao’s side to examine their injuries. There weren’t many men in Company One these days, so Fu Zhihong doubled as both the company’s veterinarian and medic, handling most minor injuries and ailments.

“Whew! Fortunately, there’s no bone damage, and the bleeding was stopped in time. Nothing serious. Still, I recommend a thorough check-up at the military hospital, just to be safe.” After all, he wasn’t a professional doctor, and it was always better to be cautious.

“It’s just a small—” Xue Meng didn’t get to finish before collapsing.

“Mengzi!”

Everyone rushed to catch him, anxiety writ on their faces.

“Crazy, get the car! Xue Meng might need a transfusion because of blood loss!” Long Fei handed their rifles to Fu Zhihong, turning to Gu Jianfeng.

“Yes!” Gu Jianfeng replied, hurrying toward the vehicles.

“Lao Fu, take everyone down to rest,” Long Fei directed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle things here,” Fu Zhihong assured him. Over the years, he’d become the de facto political instructor, helping Long Fei manage logistics.

Gu Jianfeng floored the accelerator and sped Xue Meng and Xie Yidao to the military hospital as quickly as possible.

After a long wait, when the door to the ward finally opened, a doctor emerged. Long Fei and Gu Jianfeng hurried over. “Doctor, how are they?”

“Nothing serious—just fainted from blood loss. They’ll need some rest and recuperation,” the doctor replied.

“That’s a relief. Thank you, doctor,” Long Fei said gratefully.

“You’re welcome. I have other patients to see. If you need anything, just let me know,” the doctor replied kindly.

“Thank you, doctor,” Long Fei said again.

“Captain, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Gu Jianfeng pulled Long Fei aside to a quiet spot, speaking in a low voice.

“What’s with the secrecy?” Long Fei asked, puzzled.

“Those wolves really were mutated, just as Xue Meng described.” Gu Jianfeng had decided he had to report the matter.

“I was curious, too. There was something sinister about them,” Long Fei admitted, recalling the abnormal appearance of the wolves—a thought that filled him with unease.

“Such mutations don’t just happen without cause. I suggest we report this to the regiment, and make it sound serious enough to catch the attention of both the regiment and the military district,” Gu Jianfeng said gravely. Though he wanted to tell Long Fei everything, he wasn’t sure how to explain the rest.

“That place has always been called Death Valley, but no one ever knew why. Now, I understand,” Long Fei said quietly.

“Today it was mutated wolves—what if tomorrow it’s people? That’s why I believe we must find the cause quickly. Nu Mountain supports so many lives; if this festering wound isn’t dealt with, who knows how many more will suffer?” Gu Jianfeng urged.

“You’re right,” Long Fei agreed.

Having learned that Xue Meng and Xie Yidao would need some time to recover in the hospital, Long Fei drove Gu Jianfeng straight to the Border Regiment headquarters.

In the office of Regiment Commander Yu Hongyang—

“Report!” Long Fei straightened his uniform and called out loudly.

“Come in!” Yu Hongyang’s steady voice came from inside.

“What brings Captain Long here today? And Jianfeng, too?” Yu Hongyang set aside his work, looking up.

“Commander, there’s something I need to report,” Long Fei said.

“Oh? What is it?” Sensing Long Fei’s seriousness, Yu Hongyang’s demeanor turned grave.

“Jianfeng, you explain,” Long Fei said, as Gu Jianfeng had been the first to notice the matter.

“Commander, today we assisted the SWAT unit in apprehending a group of criminals. On the way back, we encountered a pack of mutated wolves. These wolves weren’t just extremely powerful—they were bloodthirsty. I felt something was very wrong, so I came with the Captain to report,” Gu Jianfeng explained.

“You went to the J65 sector today?” Yu Hongyang’s expression darkened.

“Yes, the criminals tried to cross Nu Mountain and the border; J65 was their shortest escape route,” Gu Jianfeng replied.

Yu Hongyang fell silent, lost in thought.

“Commander, is there something more to this?” Long Fei asked, reading the complicated look on Yu Hongyang’s face and sensing that things were not so simple.