160: Chapter 160 Fifth Master Displays His Power!

Amidst deafening roars, the pilots dashed toward their respective aircraft.

Ground crew quickly removed the wheel chocks and signaled with hand gestures.

The roar of the engines suddenly intensified, shifting from a low growl to a sky-shaking thunder; the entire airfield's ground seemed to tremble.

One by one, the type 97 fighter planes were the first to taxi, lightly lifting their noses as they soared into the fading sky.

Following closely behind, the larger Type 99 bombers also started up in sequence.

Sixty warplanes, like a massive swarm of disturbed hornets, formed a vast attack formation over Taiyuan.

They adjusted their heading, carrying a suicidal arrogance and a thirst to unleash their firepower, as they swarmed like a black cloud toward City Name to the southeast.

"This is Goshawk One, all units report status!" Regiment Commander Kenjiro Kobayashi's voice rang out first.

"Hound Two, all systems normal, visual confirmation of the bomber group formation!"

"Falcon Three, escort formation in position, altitude 3,500, no anomalies detected!"

After confirming the basic status, the atmosphere quickly became relaxed yet cruel.

"Gentlemen, think of those mountain-high 'gifts' on the ground in City Name! Soon, the most brilliant fireworks will bloom in the flames! I'm truly looking forward to it!"

A shrill voice spoke with irrepressible excitement; it was Nishio, the Squadron Leader of the bomber squadron.

"Nishio-kun, speaking of fireworks, that 'farm work' your squadron did by the Qin River a few days ago was truly beautiful!"

Sato, a fighter pilot, chimed in with a mocking tone.

"I dove down to take a look, haha! Those Shina farmers looked like headless flies watching their wheat fields burn!"

"Sato-kun, you flatter me!"

Nishio feigned modesty, but his pride was written all over his face.

"It was merely executing Commander Okamura's brilliant strategy! Seeing green fields turn charred black does indeed give a certain... well, sense of accomplishment!"

"Especially after dropping the incendiary bombs, the way the fire spreads is more spectacular than any landscape painting!"

Another bomber pilot, Yoshida, also joined in sharing 'anecdotes': "Exactly! I remember once on the outskirts of Wu County, we flew low and saw several Shina women with children in the fields. When the bombs fell, they were so terrified they collapsed on the ground!"

"Later, the ground scouts said they found some 'scraps of cloth' and 'small toys'... Truly pitiful, haha!"

"For the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, necessary sacrifices are unavoidable," Regiment Commander Kobayashi concluded coldly.

"Just like today, we must let the Eighth Route Army in City Name and the ignorant masses following them feel the full power of the Empire's aerial hammer! Let them know the consequences of resisting the Imperial Army!"

"long live! Let the rats on the ground tremble in the sea of fire!"

"For His Majesty the Emperor! For the glory of the 3rd Aviation Brigade!"

Amidst the arrogant clamor, the fleet of planes swept over mountains and rivers.

The distance from Taiyuan to City Name was less than two hundred kilometers; for a high-speed flight group, it was reached in an instant.

In the distance, the blurred silhouette of City Name and the large flat areas surrounding it appeared in their field of vision.

"Target area sighted! All units pay attention, prepare to attack according to the predetermined plan!" Kobayashi's voice became sharp.

"Escort units move forward, scout and draw out any possible anti-aircraft fire!"

"Bomber units, follow the lead plane, aim for the supply stockpiles, and break away quickly after dropping bombs. Do not get bogged down in combat! Watch out for enemy anti-aircraft guns!"

"Hai!"

...

Meanwhile, at the makeshift airfield in City Name.

The atmosphere was diametrically opposed to the arrogant bluster of the devils.

In fact, it was somewhat comical.

"Mr. Shen! Mr. Shen, you can't go!"

Li Yunlong was deathly clutching Shen Wang's waist, his usually fearless dark face now written all over with 'fear'.

"That's right, Mr. Shen! It's too dangerous! Up in the air, you're playing with your life!"

Wei the Monk was even more direct, lunging forward to hug one of Shen Wang's legs.

Zhao Gang, Deputy Regiment Commander Xing, and others also surrounded him, pulling at Shen Wang's arms.

The Brigade Commander was off to the side, earnestly advising: "Mr. Shen, your safety concerns the future of the entire base area; it is more important than any one of us!"

"This kind of direct aerial combat should be left to our professional pilot comrades!"

News of the impending air raid by the devils had already arrived.

After receiving the news, Shen Wang didn't show a hint of fear; instead, he was itching to try, wanting to personally pilot a Fifth Master to fight the little devils.

This terrified the Brigade Commander and the others, who refused to let Shen Wang fly personally no matter what they said.

In the hearts of the Brigade Commander and the others, Shen Wang's importance had reached a point that could not be higher!

Anyone could be sacrificed, except for Shen Wang!

Letting him engage in high-risk aerial combat? Don't even think about it!

Even if it meant paying a massive price, they had to keep him safely on the ground.

The Brigade Commander stepped forward personally and took Shen Wang's hand: "Mr. Shen! The devils are coming in force this time. Intelligence shows a massive fleet of over sixty planes!"

"The situation in aerial combat changes in an instant, with stray bullets flying everywhere. It's too dangerous! You can play an equally vital role by commanding from the ground!"

Gao Zilong and the others were also on the side persuading him, stating that with the overwhelming performance of the Fifth Master, they were confident they could repel the devil planes!

With everyone hugging, pulling, and pleading, Shen Wang was left caught between laughter and tears.

"Fine, fine, fine. I won't go. I won't go, alright?"

Shen Wang finally sighed helplessly and gave up his struggle.

Hearing Shen Wang personally give up, Li Yunlong, Wei the Monk, and the others hesitantly let go, but they still stood vigilantly by his side, fearing he might change his mind.

Shen Wang straightened his disheveled clothes, his playful expression vanishing as he turned to the eight pilots, including Gao Zilong, who had long been eager to go.

"Gao Zilong Gao, comrades," Shen Wang's tone became serious and solemn.

"Remember what I told you before: utilize your absolute advantage in speed and altitude. Hit and run; do not get drawn into dogfights!"

"Our planes are much faster and higher than the devils'; that is our greatest asset!"

"If... things truly become impossible, then break away from the battlefield immediately!"

"Remember, you are the seeds! People are always more important than supplies!"

Hearing Shen Wang's words, a wave of emotion washed over Gao Zilong and the others.

"Yes! We guarantee we will complete the mission! We will not fail the trust of Mr. Shen and the Chief!" Gao Zilong and the others straightened their chests and roared in unison.

There was no time for more sentimental words; time was running out!

Relying solely on that one Anti-Aircraft Battalion in City Name to completely defend against 60 planes was not realistic.

If even one or two leaked through, it would be a catastrophic disaster for the people of City Name!

Fortunately, Gao Zilong and the others had all test-flown the Fifth Master once, so Shen Wang wasn't overly worried.

With the assistance of the temporary ground crew, Gao Zilong and the others quickly boarded their planes and closed the canopies.

"Start engines!" Gao Zilong ordered over the channel.

Woo—vroom—!!!

"Independent Flight Squadron, take off in sequence! Target: intercept the enemy bomber fleet and defend City Name!"

"Roger!"

"Roger!"