128: The Immortal Soul

The leaden sky seemed to have sprung a leak.

The relentless downpour had turned the dirt road to Langfang into a complete quagmire.

The Security Team trudged arduously through the mud for over sixty kilometers.

The team members gritted their teeth and persevered, relying on their exceptional physical fitness and willpower.

But their heavy equipment made their steps noticeably more labored.

Even more difficult was the situation for the sixteen newly joined student soldiers.

Lin Yanqiu supported a male student who had sprained his ankle, rainwater streaming down her pale cheeks.

Her thin clothes were long soaked through, clinging tightly to her body, and her lips were turning purple from the cold.

Another student with a high fever was being carried by two classmates, his consciousness somewhat blurred, yet he still murmured, 'Fight the Japs...'

The wounds of several injured students had turned pale and swollen from being soaked in the rain.

They had long exhausted their physical strength, moving forward solely on the strength of their indomitable will.

'Boss, this can't go on!' Zhang Tingshu wiped the rain from his face. 'The students' bodies can't hold up any longer.

Two kilometers ahead, the map indicates there's a Qingxu Temple...'

'Let's go there,' Lu Fan decided immediately. Zhang Tingshu and Li Zhenshan set off ahead.

When this exhausted group arrived at Qingxu Temple, the rain had eased slightly, but dusk was approaching.

The temple was not large, with blue bricks and gray tiles, nestled among lush mountain forests, appearing ancient and serene.

Zhang Tingshu was already waiting at the temple entrance, whispering, 'The temple master, Qingxu Sanren, has agreed to let us take shelter and rest inside.'

Under the eaves in front of the main hall, an elderly Taoist priest in simple blue robes, with white hair and beard but a vigorous spirit, emerged with several young Taoist priests.

The old priest's gaze was calm as it swept over this peculiar group.

Well-equipped yet weary soldiers, students soaked to the skin and suffering from injuries and illnesses.

Finally, his eyes settled on Lu Fan at the front, and he bowed with hands clasped, saying, 'Blessings of the Boundless Heavenly Lord~~~

This humble priest is Qingxu. The temple is modest, but if you esteemed guests do not mind, please come inside to take shelter from the wind and rain.'

'Thank you, Priest, for taking us in!' Lu Fan returned the salute with clasped fists, his tone sincere.

The group surged into the temple, instantly filling the small front courtyard and several side halls.

The Security Team Members quickly set up guard posts under the corridors.

The students collapsed onto the dry ground, gasping for breath.

Several of the wounded could no longer hold on and simply lay down.

'Li Zhenshan, carry them into the inner rooms, and have someone boil hot water,' Lu Fan ordered swiftly.

Zhang Tingshu walked over to Lu Fan and whispered, 'Boss, I'll take a few people into Langfang city to scout the situation.

See if we can find General Zhao's exact location.'

'Be careful,' Lu Fan nodded and instructed, then turned and entered a side room to begin treating the injured students' wounds.

Debridement, disinfection, suturing, applying medicine, bandaging—his movements were skilled and precise.

Lin Yanqiu assisted nearby, watching the shiny instruments and efficient medicines in Lu Fan's hands that she had never seen before, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration.

Just as Lu Fan finished treating the last student's wound and straightened up to stretch his somewhat numb legs and feet,

Qingxu Sanren approached with two Taoist priests, carrying several steaming large bowls.

'The temple has some medicinal herbs stored. This humble priest has brewed some decoctions to dispel cold and calm the nerves. Drinking them may provide some relief.'

Qingxu Sanren's voice was gentle as he handed the medicine bowls to Lin Yanqiu and the others.

'Thank you, Priest!' Lin Yanqiu and the others hurriedly expressed their gratitude.

But Lu Fan's gaze paused slightly; his multifunctional glasses had captured a detail.

Under Qingxu Sanren's wide Taoist robe was tucked a Nambu Type 14 pistol.

Lu Fan remained composed, clasping his fists and saying, 'Priest, your compassion and assistance are deeply appreciated and remembered by Lu Fan. However...'

He shifted the topic, looking calmly at Qingxu Sanren. 'As an otherworldly person, Priest, you are equipped with such a sharp magical instrument?'

Qingxu Sanren's hand holding the medicine bowl paused almost imperceptibly.

His cloudy old eyes instantly flashed with a sharp, hawk-like gleam, but it quickly returned to a placid, unruffled state.

The two young Taoist priests behind him visibly tensed, their hands instinctively reaching toward their waists.

The old priest slowly set down the medicine bowl, raised a hand to signal them not to act rashly, then invited Lu Fan to speak outside.

The two came under the corridor eaves. Qingxu Sanren took out the 'turtle shell' pistol and sighed softly.

'Esteemed guest, you have keen eyes. In these chaotic times, even places of quiet cultivation cannot remain aloof. This item... indeed comes from the Japanese invaders.

A month ago, a small squad of Japanese soldiers broke into the back mountain with ill intentions. This humble priest and disciples sent them to the afterlife.

This gun was obtained from that sending.'

'So that's how it is,' Lu Fan's face showed a hint of understanding and a smile. 'Priest, you sent them off well! They should have been sent back to their homeland sooner!'

The killing intent in his words was undisguised.

Qingxu Sanren looked deeply at Lu Fan and said slowly, 'Esteemed guest and your group are well-equipped, with a heavy aura of killing.

Yet you also rescue students. It seems you are patriots serving the country and people. May I ask your purpose in going to Langfang?'

'To find General Zhao Dengyu and fight the Japs!' Lu Fan replied directly.

A gleam flashed in Qingxu Sanren's eyes, and a sincere smile finally appeared on his face. 'With the nation in peril, your noble righteousness is admirable, sir!'

As the two were speaking, a young Taoist priest hurried to Qingxu Sanren's side.

Whispering in his ear, he said, 'Master, we are all ready!'

After dismissing the young Taoist, Qingxu Sanren looked directly at Lu Fan.

He bowed with clasped hands and explained, 'Sir, though this humble priest is an otherworldly person, I know that if the skin is gone, the hair will have nowhere to attach!

After we descend the mountain, the temple is for your use. When you leave, just lock the mountain gate.'

Lu Fan knew they were determined to descend the mountain and engage with the world; dissuasion would be futile.

So he said, 'Priest, wait for me a few minutes.'

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Security Team Members carried several boxes and placed them before Qingxu Sanren.

Ten brand-new Type 11 light machine guns, ten ammunition boxes, and eleven bulletproof vests.

'Hiss...' Even Qingxu Sanren, who practiced quietism and non-action, was startled by this gift, drawing in a sharp breath.

Lu Fan pointed to the weapons and ammunition on the ground. 'Priest, if you wish to vanquish demons, these things can lend you a hand.'

'Blessings of the Boundless Heavenly Lord! This humble priest thanks you for your generous gift, though I am unworthy~~'

Qingxu Sanren straightened up and accepted the weapons and ammunition openly.

Not long after, all eleven members of the temple assembled.

There were elderly Taoists over seventy, robust young men in their prime, and Taoist novices of fifteen or sixteen.

Lu Fan saw them off to the mountain gate, clasping his fists and saying, 'Priest, the War of Resistance is not a matter of a single day. Take care and cherish yourselves!'

'Mr. Lu, when the mountains and rivers are safe again, that will be the time for our reunion. This humble priest takes his leave first!'

Qingxu Sanren returned the salute with clasped fists, smiled leisurely, and turned to leave with grace.

Looking at these eleven Taoist priests determined to descend the mountain and resist the enemy,

Then turning back to see the student soldiers inside drinking hot medicinal decoctions, an indescribable surge of emotion welled up in his chest.

From elderly Taoists in their seventies to young student scholars, in this time of national peril, all stepped forward!

This is the indomitable soul of Huaxia!

[Ding~~ Side quest triggered: Vanquish the Invaders.]