Year-End Major Operation

The mountains and forests of this world, perhaps because spiritual energy was too abundant, always saw vegetation grow at an extraordinary rate. Some trees could become towering giants within a single year. Monsters that devoured flesh and blood also bred deep within the forests, and some animals even turned into demons, gaining the qualifications to cultivate.

To suppress these unstable threats, the City Defense Bureau organized monthly logging operations around the city and along both sides of the official roads, cutting down trees and destroying overly dense forests. But such measures were too rudimentary, and if they were not careful, the logging teams could be attacked by demons.

That was why the annual year-end cleanup was necessary. Otherwise, at the rate those demons grew, they would launch a counterattack on the city within ten years.

By the time the members of the Second Patrol Squad arrived at the training grounds, every member of the First Patrol Squad was already present. Just as Yang Wenqing and the others stepped into formation and were about to speak, Xiao Liang and a senior constable approached at the same time. The man was Wang Ze'en, captain of the First Squad, supposedly the station chief's cousin.

Immediately afterward, a dense burst of footsteps came from the training ground entrance. The members of the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Patrol Squads ran in one after another under the lead of their respective captains.

In the blink of an eye, more than forty guards filled the open training ground, their blue uniforms forming a solid expanse. With the six captains standing at the front of their respective teams, the entire field was silent, save for the mournful howl of the cold wind sweeping past the flagpole.

More than ten seconds later, Station Chief Wang Ren entered from the direction of the entrance. Two longswords hung from his tactical belt, while a standard military pistol rested in his holster.

"This assembly is for something I believe you all already know. Our station's target this time is Forest No. 13, fifty li east of the city. Aside from the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Patrol Squads remaining behind, every other patrol squad member will take part."

Wang Ren's gaze swept quickly across all the guards present as he said sternly, "The First Patrol Squad will serve as the vanguard and work with the logistics office to establish the camp. The Second Patrol Squad will follow closely behind. Once you arrive, sweep a two-kilometer radius around the camp."

"The rear courtyard has prepared ample ammunition, talisman paper, and dry rations for your two squads..." He lowered his head to glance at the mechanical watch on his wrist. "It is now four thirty in the afternoon. You need to finish setting up the camp before nightfall."

The two squads immediately got moving, jogging toward the rear courtyard. Two rune transport trucks reinforced with protective steel plates were already parked there, with several sealed wooden crates stacked beside them. Logistics personnel had been waiting for them. Inside the crates were neatly arranged golden bullets, stacks of basic talisman paper, and compressed rations and dried meat wrapped in oil paper.

Yang Wenqing and his teammates skillfully checked their firearms, loaded extra bullets into quick loaders, sorted the talisman paper into the specialized compartments of their tactical belts, and packed the dry rations into their backpacks.

Once the supplies had been distributed, Xiao Liang and Wang Ze'en exchanged a glance and nodded to each other.

"Everyone, listen up," Xiao Liang barked. "Activate the Lightness Charm talismans, maintain three-man combat formations, and advance at full speed!"

The moment the order was given, the squad members pulled pale green Lightness Charm talismans from their belt compartments and slapped them onto their legs without hesitation. The talismans ignited upon contact, turning into a breeze that coiled around their legs.

"Move out!"

Wang Ze'en took the lead. The members of the First Squad shot toward the east of the city like arrows released from a bow, advancing in three-man wedge formations. Their footsteps were nearly soundless against the gravel-strewn ground.

Yang Wenqing's Second Squad followed close behind. Feeling the lightness in his legs, he adjusted his breathing and stride, keeping pace at Li Ming's side while Zhou Kun covered the other flank.

With the boost of the Lightness Charm, they could reach the speed of ordinary qi cultivators. Fifty li was no more than an hour's journey.

Even so, since it was winter, by the time the First and Second Squads reached the designated point at the edge of Forest No. 13, the sun was already about to sink behind the distant mountains, leaving only a dim crimson afterglow at the horizon.

There were already people at the camp: militia from nearby villages and towns. They had felled many massive trees and piled them together, diverted a small stream to run through the middle of the camp, and set up simple wooden fences and cheval de frise around the perimeter.

"Clear the area and set up the camp immediately. Move quickly!" Wang Ze'en's voice rang out through the dimming light.

The members of the First Squad immediately got to work, quickly clearing away the overgrown vegetation in the chosen open space. At the same time, logistics guards unloaded folded metal barriers, tent components, and lighting equipment from the transport trucks, beginning to construct simple defensive works and sleeping quarters.

Captain Xiao Liang looked over the Second Squad. "Stay alert. Form groups of three as you do during normal tactical training. Do not spread out. If you encounter an emergency, fire a signal flare immediately!"

"Yes!"

After receiving the order, Yang Wenqing, Li Ming, and Zhou Kun immediately formed a combat formation and cautiously stepped into the forest, where the light had already grown dim.

The trees within the forest towered into the clouds, their branches and leaves intertwined so densely that they nearly blocked out the sky. The air was damp and cold. A thick layer of fallen leaves carpeted the ground beneath their feet, soft and yielding as they stepped on it with a rustling sound that made the surrounding silence seem even more terrifying.

The three held their breath and focused, slowly advancing for about one li. Then, a strange rustling sound suddenly came from the bushes to their left.

"On guard!"

Li Ming shouted in a low voice. The three formed a triangular defensive formation, their gun barrels aimed toward the source of the sound.

The next moment, three demon beasts resembling jackals in shape, but covered in dark purple fur and dripping corrosive saliva from their mouths, burst from the undergrowth!

Their eyes glowed blood-red with bloodlust. Running on all fours with astonishing speed, they swept in from different angles to surround the three men.

"They're Corrupt-Claw Jackals! Watch their claws and saliva!" Zhou Kun warned loudly.

Bang! Bang!

Li Ming and Zhou Kun fired almost simultaneously. The bullets screamed out, striking the two Corrupt-Claw Jackals charging in front with precision. One had its foreleg blasted through and rolled across the ground with a miserable howl. The other was hit in the neck, dark purple blood spraying out as it struggled several times before falling still.

However, the third Corrupt-Claw Jackal was extremely cunning. Using its companions to draw their fire, it lowered its body and sprinted forward, slipping through the gap in Li Ming and Zhou Kun's firepower. Its foul-smelling jaws gaped open as it lunged straight at Yang Wenqing on the flank!

Yang Wenqing's gaze remained calm, as though he had long predicted its path. At the instant the Corrupt-Claw Jackal leaped into the air, he steadily raised his gun.

In that brief instant, he clearly saw the arc of the Corrupt-Claw Jackal's pounce and predicted where its head would be in the next moment.

Bang!

A crisp gunshot rang out.

The bullet flew with perfect accuracy into the Corrupt-Claw Jackal's gaping maw and tore through the back of its skull!

The Corrupt-Claw Jackal's forward momentum came to an abrupt halt. It let out a whimper and crashed heavily at Yang Wenqing's feet, scattering dead leaves. After twitching twice, it fell silent.

"Excellent shooting!"

Li Ming praised him sincerely.

Yang Wenqing exhaled softly, checked his cylinder, and held a blasting round in his hand in case of emergency.

At that moment, sporadic gunfire also echoed through the nearby forest. Some of it sounded like blank rounds, meant to intimidate the demon beasts hiding in the darkness. This was experience gathered from past forest-clearing operations. As the teachers at the Security Academy put it: those demon beasts possessed inherited memories, and gunfire was the source of fear passed down by their ancestors.