Chapter 127: Just How Much Foreign Aid Has the Chengyun Army Received!

Caught in the web of death laid out by the 64th Division, over a hundred Japanese soldiers were struck down without warning, collapsing where they stood.

In the final moments of life for those killed instantly, their faces remained frozen with a mixture of shock and the resolve they had held before the charge. Those who were severely wounded writhed on the ground, their faces twisted in agony and their eyes wide with confusion and terror.

"How was our position leaked to the 64th Division?" Confusion and rage spread among the Japanese ranks as they exchanged panicked glances, desperate to pinpoint the cause of their failure.

"It was the infantry mines. Taro stepped on one; he has already sacrificed his life," a soldier replied in a low, hollow voice, his eyes reflecting the grief and helplessness of losing a comrade.

"Great Amaterasu, protect us!" some prayed silently, their faces hardening with a desperate resolve as they realized they stood on the brink of death.

Yet, spurred by the calls of their commander, an indomitable fighting spirit was reignited within the soldiers. Their eyes reddened, and clutching their weapons, they wore expressions of fierce determination. Guided by their commander’s waving saber, they shouted, "All warriors, charge with me!" The soldiers responded with the courage of the doomed, pressing forward even when grievously wounded. They knew that only by breaking into the enemy’s line did they have a sliver of hope; otherwise, they were merely waiting to die under the relentless fire.

The commander urged them on, shouting, "Do not mind the wounded, keep moving forward!" His voice was hoarse, yet it carried a power that propelled the charge.

Under the glare of artillery fire and illumination flares, every movement of the Japanese soldiers was exposed. The marksmen of the 64th Division did not even need to aim; they unleashed a devastating barrage. Their faces were cold and resolute, each pull of the trigger a calculated effort to defend their positions and repel the invaders.

At the Japanese command post, Lieutenant General Kamio’s expression grew increasingly grim with every flare that rose into the night. The light cast deep shadows across his face, revealing his internal struggle and helplessness. When the sound of landmines shattering the night air reached him, his expression froze, a flicker of despair crossing his eyes. His heart heavy, he knew that this night raid had been a complete failure. As he contemplated the impending counterattack from the 64th Division, his brows furrowed with frustration and defeat.

"How do they possess such anti-personnel mines? How much foreign aid has the Chengyun Army received?" Kamio’s voice was laced with anger and bewilderment. His face betrayed a sense of powerlessness, his eyes searching for answers. "If we had weapons like these, this battle would have ended long ago!" His words betrayed a desperate longing for such technology and a yearning for victory.

However, his staff officers responded with renewed confidence, their eyes burning with fervor: "Even with these minefields, they shall not be an obstacle to the warriors of our Empire!" Their passionate encouragement sought to lift the General’s heavy spirits. "We are already near the Chengyun lines; one more charge and we will break through!"

Lieutenant General Kamio felt a slight sense of comfort, his expression softening as a spark of resolve returned. "If we can destroy their artillery positions, those fallen warriors will be honored as heroes."

Yet, when soldiers were decimated before the barbed wire, the sight of the carnage weighed heavily on Kamio once more, his face filled with the pain and despair of realizing the true cruelty of war.

Watching the Japanese forces exposed under the intense light, the soldiers of the 64th Division acted with swift and decisive precision. As the Japanese continued their relentless assault, the atmosphere inside the 64th Division’s command center reached a breaking point. Jiang Bai, Chen Shan, and other senior officers sat in the operations center, their eyes filled with both resolve and anxiety. The outbreak of battle had jolted them awake, and the escalating roar of artillery made the night feel interminable.

Jiang Bai furrowed his brow, his gaze piercing as he asked, "Can we hold them off?" His voice was low but carried an undeniable weight. He understood the tenacity of the enemy and knew that a night raid was their best chance to bridge the gap in strength. He had prepared thoroughly, but he remained uneasy, especially given that this was the 64th Division’s first night engagement.

Chen Shan, reading the concern in Jiang Bai’s eyes, offered a soft, deliberate reassurance: "Commander, please rest assured. Our multi-layered defenses have proven effective. The minefields and barbed wire have successfully delayed their advance."

Jiang Bai took a deep breath, a flicker of iron will in his eyes: "We must be prepared for the most resolute resistance."

As they discussed their strategy, the explosions outside intensified, signaling that the battle had entered a white-hot phase. With the ground trembling, the tension surged. "What is happening?" Chen Shan asked, his brow etched with confusion and worry.

"Why is our artillery firing in that direction?" he asked, his voice laced with unease. "Is that Japanese heavy artillery?"

"Are they mad? They are bombarding their own troops during a charge?"

"I had no intention of engaging, but they dare to provoke us!" Chen Shan, furious, resolved to strike back. "I refuse to let this stand; tonight, I will make them pay."

"But Division Commander, visibility is too low," a subordinate interjected worriedly. "Would this not be a waste of shells?"

Before Chen Shan could retort, Jiang Bai intervened calmly, his face set with determination: "Wasting shells is irrelevant. If we can take down even one enemy soldier, the cost is justified. Do you understand?"

The artillery regiment commander, emboldened, replied, "Commander, I understand your intent perfectly. Executing immediately!" His figure vanished into the night.

Jiang Bai watched him go, his gaze deep, before turning to his other officers: "Order the 13th Infantry Brigade to prepare for combat." His tone was urgent. "If the situation worsens, send reinforcements immediately!" His eyes shone with a firm light, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Jiang Bai knew that if the Japanese broke through the lines, their geographic advantage would vanish, and the artillery positions would face a catastrophic direct assault. Despite the dire straits, he remained composed, though the mix of anxiety and resolve in his eyes reflected the heavy burden of command in such a pivotal moment. Even if they could repel the current assault, the long-term strategic outlook remained grim.