49: Road to Hell

Xie Jinyuan squatted on the ground.

The map was spread out on the brickwork, its four corners weighed down by broken bricks. An oil lamp sat nearby, its flame flickering, shadows dancing across the map.

Shangguan Zhibiao squatted to his left. Chen Xi squatted to his right. Several other officers who could still walk formed a semi-circle.

Rain fell outside, pitter-pattering against the wooden boards covering the gaps.

"The first path." Xie Jinyuan's finger traced across the map. "Go out through the gap, head west three hundred meters along the ruins to the north bank of the New Garbage Bridge. Force a crossing."

A pencil drew an arrow on the map.

"The bridge is eighty meters long. The Japanese Army has two machine guns at the bridgehead, and there are sandbag fortifications in the middle section, at least one squad." Xie Jinyuan said, "It will take time to charge across. Thirty seconds, maybe forty. During that time, we'll be completely exposed."

He looked up at everyone.

"Estimated casualties: thirty percent loss before reaching the bridge. Fifty percent loss while crossing. After making it across, only twenty percent will remain."

Shangguan Zhibiao licked his lips. "Twenty percent... that's less than five people."

"Mm," Xie Jinyuan said.

"What about the second path?" Chen Xi asked.

Xie Jinyuan's finger moved down.

"Don't take the bridge. Swim across from upstream. Here, two hundred meters from the bridge, the current is a bit slower." He drew a circle. "But the Japanese Army will definitely be prepared. There are patrols on the opposite bank and barbed wire in the river. Besides, the wounded can't swim."

"How many can make it across swimming?" Shangguan Zhibiao asked.

"Depends on luck. Half, or even fewer."

"The third path?"

Xie Jinyuan's finger stopped at the edge of the map.

"Head east. Bypass the large area of ruins and cut through where the Japanese Army's defense line is weak. But the route is long, at least two kilometers. We might encounter enemies along the way. And..." He paused. "Even if we break through, we won't reach Concession. We'd only enter the Japanese-occupied area."

No one spoke.

The oil lamp's flame crackled.

The sound of rain grew denser.

"So," Xie Jinyuan put down the pencil. "All three paths are dead ends. The difference is how we die, and how many."

He looked at the officers.

"Any other ideas?"

A platoon leader with a scar on his face spoke up. "Colonel, can we split our forces? One group feints an attack at the bridgehead to draw fire, while the other swims across?"

"I've tried that," Xie Jinyuan said. "I've run the simulations. The feint team would be wiped out. The success rate for the swimming team... less than ten percent."

"But we have to try something!" the Scar-faced Platoon Leader's voice rose. "We can't just wait here to die!"

"No one wants to wait for death," Xie Jinyuan's voice was flat. "But we can't just throw lives away either."

The Scar-faced Platoon Leader wanted to say more but was held back by the person next to him.

Shangguan Zhibiao spoke. "Colonel, you decide. We'll follow your lead."

Xie Jinyuan looked at the map.

He looked for a long time.

Then he looked up.

"I'll lead the feint attack on the bridgehead," he said. "To draw their fire. Shangguan, you take those who can swim and cross from upstream. Mr. Chen..." He looked at Chen Xi, "You go with Shangguan's group."

"Colonel!" Shangguan Zhibiao grew anxious. "You're leading the feint? That's suicide!"

"I know," Xie Jinyuan said. "That's why I'm going."

"No! I'll go!"

"This is an order."

"Colonel!"

Xie Jinyuan raised his hand to stop him.

"Shangguan, listen to me." He looked at Shangguan Zhibiao. "You're injured; you can't use your left arm. But you know how to swim and can lead the others across. My swimming is average, and..." He paused. "I have to stay here. This is an order."

Shangguan Zhibiao's lips trembled.

But he didn't argue further.

Xie Jinyuan looked at the other officers.

"What about you? Anything to say?"

The Scar-faced Platoon Leader stood up. "Colonel, I'll join you in the feint."

"Good."

Another young officer also stood up. "I'll go too."

"Good."

Three more people stood up one after another.

Xie Jinyuan nodded.

"Five people, that's enough," he said. "Shangguan, including Mr. Chen, there are nine of you who can move. The wounded..." He looked at those lying by the wall, "We can't take them. They stay here... wait for dawn."

No one asked what would happen after dawn.

They all knew.

Chen Xi hadn't spoken the whole time.

He looked at the map. At the three arrows. At the circle Xie Jinyuan had drawn.

Then he looked up.

"Colonel," he said.

"Hmm?"

"What if we don't cross the river?"

"Not cross the river?" Xie Jinyuan frowned. "Where would we go? We're surrounded on three sides; we can't hold out."

"We fly across," Chen Xi said.

Xie Jinyuan was stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled. A very bitter smile.

"Mr. Chen is joking."

Chen Xi didn't smile.

He looked at the river on the map. Looked at the bridge.

Then he stood up.

"I'm going out for a moment," he said.

He turned and left.

Walked up the stairs.

Back to the third floor.

The storage room.

Closed the door.

He opened the system interface.

The number for emotion points was still rising. It had already reached a terrifying figure. He counted the zeros. Nine zeros.

He scrolled to the bottom of the mall.

【Engineering Module】.

The gray icon lit up.

Unlocked.

He looked again at the string of zeros after the price. He could afford it.

He clicked on it.

Inside, it was divided into several sub-items: 【Basic Tools】, 【Structural Reinforcement】, and 【Transport Equipment】.

He clicked on 【Transport Equipment】.

The list was long.

【Portable High-Strength Zipline Deployment Device】.

Description: 【Used for rapid deployment of temporary Zipline systems, maximum span 500 meters, load capacity 1 ton, equipped with an automatic winch and safety carabiners. Camouflage form: Kite string reel.】

Price: Eight figures.

He glanced at his emotion points.

Enough.

He clicked 【Exchange】.

Confirm.

System prompt: 【Exchange successful, item has been stored in the system space】.

He closed the interface.

He reached into his coat and felt around.

The system space was virtual, but items could be materialized. Thinking of the reel, his hand felt heavy.

He pulled it out.

It really was a Kite string reel.

It was large, thirty centimeters in diameter, made of wood, and wound with silver-gray line. The line was very thin but looked very strong. There were several buttons on the side of the reel; the labels were unintelligible, but the system interface had explanations.

He read the instructions.

【Usage steps: 1. Fix anchor point A; 2. Launch the tractor to target point B; 3. Automatically set up the main cable; 4. Install the trolley and safety ropes.】

There was also small print below: 【Note: This device is for one-time use, with a maximum operating time of 30 minutes.】

He put away the reel.

Walked out of the storage room.

Went downstairs.

By the time he returned to the first floor, the discussion had already ended.

The officers had dispersed to prepare. Xie Jinyuan was still squatting in front of the map, staring at it. Shangguan Zhibiao was beside him, checking his rifle.

Chen Xi walked over.

"Colonel," he said.

Xie Jinyuan looked up.

"I have a way," Chen Xi said.

Xie Jinyuan looked at him and said nothing.

Chen Xi pulled the reel from his coat.

Placed it next to the map.

"What is this thing?" Shangguan Zhibiao frowned.

"A Zipline," Chen Xi said. "Set it across the river, and people can slide across."

Xie Jinyuan stared at the reel.

He looked for three seconds.

Then he looked up at Chen Xi.

"Mr. Chen," he said. "This isn't a joke?"

"No."

"How do we set it up?"

"Launch it from the warehouse roof to the opposite bank. It sets up automatically."

"There are Japanese troops on the other side."

"I know," Chen Xi said. "That's why we need cover. A feint at the bridgehead to draw their attention."

Xie Jinyuan stood up.

He looked at Chen Xi.

Then at the reel.

"Is this thing... reliable?"

"Reliable," Chen Xi said. "But it can only be used once. Maximum load is one ton, with at most two people sliding across at a time. It will take time for everyone to cross."

"How long?"

"For twenty people, about half an hour."

Xie Jinyuan calculated quickly.

"How long before the Japanese Army discovers it?"

"I don't know," Chen Xi said. "But the later, the better. It's best to wait until they're completely distracted by the feint."

Xie Jinyuan nodded.

He turned and called over Shangguan Zhibiao and the other officers.

He squatted down again.

"Change of plans," he said. "The feint proceeds as scheduled, but the goal isn't suicide. It's to create chaos and pin down the Japanese Army. Mr. Chen will use his... tool to set up a Zipline. We'll cross the river via the Zipline."

The officers looked at each other.

"A Zipline?" the Scar-faced Platoon Leader asked. "What Zipline?"

"Don't ask," Xie Jinyuan said. "Trust Mr. Chen."

The Scar-faced Platoon Leader looked at Chen Xi.

Chen Xi didn't explain.

"Will it work?" Shangguan Zhibiao asked.

"We'll try," Chen Xi said. "It's better than swimming across."

Xie Jinyuan stood up.

"It's settled then," he said. "I'll go prepare the feint. Shangguan, you take some men to help Mr. Chen set it up. The wounded... those who can move go first. Those who can't..." He paused, "will go last."

He looked at Chen Xi.

"Mr. Chen."

"Hmm?"

"It's up to you."

Chen Xi nodded.

Xie Jinyuan turned and left.

Shangguan Zhibiao looked at Chen Xi: "What do you need me to do?"

"Find some rope," Chen Xi said. "Strong rope, the longer the better. Also pulleys and hooks—bring everything you can find."

"Alright."

Shangguan Zhibiao left with his men.

Chen Xi remained where he was.

He looked at the reel.

The silver-gray line glinted with a metallic luster under the oil lamp's light.

He reached out and touched it.

The line was cold and smooth.

Like ice silk.

The sound of rain outside grew even louder.

He looked up toward the gap.

Dark night. A curtain of rain. The distant bridge, its lights blurred.

He gripped the reel tightly.

The wooden handle was rough against his hand.

He took a deep breath.

The air smelled of blood, scorched metal, and the earthy scent of rain.