22: Chapter 22: Shaking the Golden Triangle: Death Passes By, Leaving Not a Blade of Grass Grows

Commander-in-Chief's Office.

The air conditioning was blasting cold air, yet it couldn't suppress the burning ambition in Zhang Cheng's heart. He held the thin battle report in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force of his grip.

"Sovereign, the battle report has been verified."

Old K's voice still sounded like an emotionless machine, echoing in Zhang Cheng's mind through the system connection. "Our side suffered 5 fatalities, all hit in vital spots by stray bullets during the charge. There are 20 lightly wounded who have already been injected with emergency medical stims exchanged from the system; they are expected to regain combat effectiveness within 24 hours. As for the enemy... the 8th Battalion's organizational structure has been completely wiped out, with over 680 enemies killed and 312 captured. This includes that colonel named Yanken."

"As for supplies..." Old K paused. "Aside from what was blown to bits, we captured 28 functional pickups and trucks, 12 heavy machine guns, and the rest of the rifles and ammunition... we haven't finished counting yet, there's just too much."

Zhang Cheng let out a long breath of turbid air and slapped the battle report onto the desk.

"Good! Well fought!"

Five men for seven hundred, plus the equipment of a full reinforced battalion. This wasn't just a victory; it was a resounding slap across the face of every warlord in Northern Myanmar!

"Old K, bring the troops back. Escort all the prisoners back to the park; I have great use for them. As for that Yanken, keep him in solitary confinement. Don't let him die, but don't let him be too comfortable either."

"Yes!"

...

Two hours later, the park gates swung open with a boom.

When the victorious army led by Old K appeared in everyone's sight, the entire Dawn Base erupted in a frenzy, followed immediately by a deathly silence.

Everyone was rendered speechless by the sight before them.

Dozens of vehicles, riddled with bullet holes and traces of smoke, formed a long line, their beds piled high with captured, blood-stained firearms. In the middle of the convoy was a long string of prisoners tied together with rope.

These warlord soldiers, who used to act like tyrants in Northern Myanmar, strutting about in their camouflage uniforms, were now dejected and despondent. Some even had wet crotches, their eyes filled with fear of the unknown. They were driven into the park like cattle by the Death Soldiers; a single slow step resulted in a rifle butt to the back.

The rescued 'piglets' were currently standing in the open clearing. They watched this army that seemed like heavenly soldiers and generals, seeing those once-arrogant 'Soldier Lords' now turned into prisoners. Many were stunned at first, then began to tremble. Finally, someone led the way, and a burst of heart-wrenching cries and cheers erupted.

"Retribution! It's all retribution!"

"Well killed! *Sob sob*... Long live Officer Zhang!"

"We're really saved! This is our army!"

Li Lanzhi stood at the front of the crowd, looking at the truckloads of spoils being brought back. She then looked up at the man standing at the top-floor window; though his face wasn't clear, his aura dominated the entire scene.

Her heart beat violently.

Before, she only felt that Zhang Cheng was mysterious and powerful. But until today, seeing this ironclad record of war, she truly realized that the power this man possessed was enough to overturn the rules here.

Following him, perhaps they really could live like human beings in these troubled times!

...

At the same time, the aftershocks of this battle were spreading to the surrounding areas at an alarming speed.

Kokang, inside Yang Maoliang's mansion.

*Smash!*

A priceless jade ashtray was slammed onto the floor, shattering into powder.

Yang Maoliang, the great warlord who had dominated Kokang for many years, was currently pacing back and forth on the Persian carpet like a furious lion trapped in a cage.

"Gone? All gone?!"

He grabbed his reporting adjutant by the collar, spraying spit all over the man's face, his eyes so red they looked ready to drip blood. "That was a reinforced battalion! Over a thousand men! They had artillery! They had heavy machine guns! How long were they out? Half a day?! And you're telling me they're all gone? I didn't even hear a peep!"

The adjutant was trembling all over, his face as white as paper. "Brig... Brigadier, it's true. The few stragglers who escaped said the... the opponents weren't human at all! They had artillery, lots of artillery! Their aim was divinely accurate! And their soldiers charged like they didn't care for their lives, and their marksmanship was terrifying! Colonel Yanken... was captured on the spot!"

Yang Maoliang's hand loosened, and the adjutant collapsed onto the floor.

He slumped onto the sofa, his hand shaking as he pulled out a cigar, but he couldn't get it lit no matter what.

Fear.

A long-lost, bone-deep sense of fear crept into his heart.

He had originally thought Zhang Cheng was just a formidable outsider with some background, or some desperate man sent by a family to make a quick buck. But he never expected the opponent to be a true apex predator!

"Wild Wolf Valley... that's a place of death..." Yang Maoliang muttered to himself.

Not just him, but the entirety of Kokang, and even the neighboring Wa State and Kachin—warlord leaders of all sizes received the news at the same time.

"Have you heard? That battalion from the Yang Family was wiped out in Wild Wolf Valley!"

"Who did it? The government army?"

"Government army my ass! It's that 'Sovereign' who took over Feifan Park! I heard it only took half an hour to crush the Yang Family's men!"

"*Hiss*... Just what is this guy's background? This firepower, these methods—he's more ruthless than the regulars!"

Overnight, the name of 'Sovereign' Zhang Cheng transformed from an unknown symbol into a sword hanging over everyone's hearts. Those small factions that were originally planning to target the park or take advantage of the chaos instantly retracted their claws, even withdrawing their hidden scouts from near the park overnight, for fear of causing a misunderstanding with that bringer of death.

Meanwhile, inside Dawn Base, Zhang Cheng looked at the system panel.

[Current Points: 1915.]

Although the battle had consumed quite a bit, he knew this was only the beginning.

He walked to the map, his gaze moving past Kokang to look at the broader lands of Northern Myanmar.

"Yang Maoliang is just the start. Since you all like to let your fists do the talking, I'll let you know whose fists are harder."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhang Cheng's mouth.

"Pass down the order: the whole army is to rest and reorganize, and replenish ammunition. Also..."

He turned back to look at Li Lanzhi, who had just entered the room.

"Our territory has grown; it's time to set the rules."