The captain and his team watched Chen Chuan's figure disappear. Then the splendid figure in the sky circled once and let out a sharp chirp at them before flying into the forest as well.
One of the team members adjusted his steel helmet. "Captain, this Advisor Chen really doesn't put on airs. He's nothing like those officers I've met. They're only two ranks above you, yet they act like they're looking down their noses at everyone."
A team member said, "Heh, the bigger the shot, the easier they are to get along with. Xiao Mao, you just haven't met enough important people."
Xiao Mao curled his lip. "Quit bragging. Last time that captain had Da Ya serve as his orderly, you came back excited for three whole days. At night, I even heard you saying in your sleep, 'Sir, let me bring you a basin of water to soak your feet.'" He deepened his voice, imitating the other man perfectly.
The team immediately burst into laughter.
That team member flushed and argued, "Wasn't that when I'd just joined the army? That was ages ago!"
His teammates laughed even harder.
The captain said, "Enough, quiet down. We still have work to do today. This place is dangerous. Advisor Chen said before he left that when he came back, he hoped none of us would be missing. I hope that when I bring you back, not one of you will be missing either. Stay sharp!"
"Yes!" all the team members answered solemnly.
Chen Chuan entered the forest without slowing down. The last time he had come here, he had deliberately piled up stones along the way as markers so he could identify the direction more easily. This time, he no longer needed to follow the river.
Since this trip was mainly to