Strongest Soldier King

The sky gradually brightened, and as the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon and bathed the sky above the primordial forest, casting their glow into the ravine, Luo Zheng felt even more tense instead of relieved. The ravine was densely packed, heads of wolves bobbing up and down, numbering not less than two hundred, their arrival time unknown. The White Wolf King was nowhere to be seen. This multitude made Lan Xue and the others in the cave gasp in relief, secretly grateful they chose to hold their ground in the cave last night instead of retreating. With so many wolves, no matter how strong their combat abilities, escape seemed impossible.

"What do we do with so many of them?" Lan Xue whispered worriedly, seeing no intention from the wolf pack to leave.

Luo Zheng was also taken aback by the wolves numbering more than twice his expectations. Even attempting a forceful breakout in broad daylight seemed difficult, and even if they luckily broke through, the losses would be severe, making task completion unlikely. Thinking of this, Luo Zheng's expression grew more worrisome, his mind racing to calculate a way out.

"We'll have to charge through," Ghost Hand cautiously suggested, watching the wolf pack.

"No rush, let me think. Everyone, eat some rations and check your equipment," Luo Zheng said.

As soon as Luo Zheng finished speaking, he noticed the wolf pack becoming agitated. After a long howl from the White Wolf King, the wolves quieted down, then dispersed, opening a path. Following this, Luo Zheng saw an even more peculiar sight: the White Wolf King proudly walked forward, followed by over a dozen people, as if the White Wolf King was leading the way for them. A few wild wolves growled impatiently; the White Wolf King fiercely glared at the growling wolves, making them silently cower to the ground, not daring to move.

What was even harder for Luo Zheng to accept was the girl following behind the White Wolf King, a girl Luo Zheng would recognize even if she turned to ashes — Tang Tian, daughter of the Wolf King, head of the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group, and sworn enemy. In the past, Luo Zheng had to deliver himself as a hostage in a life-threatening situation to save Lan Xing, escaping by a hair's breadth thanks to Little Lang's unexpected rescue; otherwise, he would've long turned to dust.

Enemies are unusually enraged upon meeting; Luo Zheng instantly tightened his grip on his sniper rifle, aiming it furiously, a chilling killing intent erupting, causing the air to feel several degrees colder, making it hard to breathe. Everyone around looked at Luo Zheng in surprise, following his furious gaze to see Tang Tian, those who knew her visibly rattled.

"Don't be so tense," Tang Tian said loudly with a charming smile as if she were an innocent girl next door, giving off an unthreatening vibe.

But Luo Zheng knew Tang Tian better, growing more alert and quietly said, "Looks like we might not get out of this. Killing her would at least eliminate a national threat temporarily. Follow my command to act."

Just then, Tang Tian suddenly darted behind a large rock, as if knowing Luo Zheng intended to act, while shouting, "Surprised you're not dead. When I heard the news, I thought Sam Country was deceiving me, but you really are alive. Seeing you makes me happy. So, in this situation, are you seriously considering my previous proposal? That offer still stands."

"What proposal?" Lan Xue asked, puzzled, looking at Luo Zheng.

"To become her strategic advisor, assist her, on the condition that she marries me," Luo Zheng said coldly, his killing intent intensifying, recalling the memory of jumping into the river to escape, nearly feeding the fish, and shouted, "Tang Tian, surprised you survived too. Do you remember the time when my woman chased you into abandoning your subordinates to flee alone?"

Lan Xue couldn't help but laugh upon hearing, casting a disdainful look at Tang Tian.

"Seems there's no room for negotiation between us; only one can survive in this world, right then, don't blame me, considering this situation, do you think you still have a chance?" Tang Tian said calmly, unruffled.

"When you caught me, didn't you also believe I didn't have a chance?" Luo Zheng retorted coldly.

"Then I look forward to seeing what happens," Tang Tian sneered.

"You got intelligence from Sam Country, seems you've struck some deal with them, right? Is it that your so-called Demon Extermination Alliance has also come? In the end, you're just a pawn of Sam Country, sent to stall us, so they can seize what is ours. Am I right?" Luo Zheng said sternly, his ear pricked.

"You're as astute as always, but alas, clever ones often die young. You're trapped in the cave; even without my attack, I could trap you to death. To be honest, I am quite looking forward to you creating a miracle once again," Tang Tian replied indifferently.

"Any way out?" Lan Xue asked quietly.

"When the Wild Wolf pack was here, we didn't have a chance to escape. Now with her arrival, and the dozen people with her, there might be more ambushing to respond outside; less than a twenty percent chance of breaking out; we need to think of a solution, that White Wolf King is a variable. If the White Wolf King is taken out, the wolves would scatter, and we would have a chance. Rather than being trapped here, it's better to take a gamble; even if hunted down later by the Wild Wolf pack, it's better than dying trapped in this cave. What do you say?" Luo Zheng whispered.

"Leave the White Wolf King to me. I refuse to believe it can hide forever. While it can endure, others might not. Once it appears to appease the other wild wolves, there'll be a chance to take it out," Mountain Eagle proposed, snapping out of his shock unequivocally.

"Good, be careful," Luo Zheng whispered. Outside, the fierce wild wolves plus Tang Tian's entourage, the key to escaping lies on the White Wolf King. It's uncertain if an opportunity will arise; we can only gamble. If there's no opportunity by nightfall, Luo Zheng intends to forcefully break out by night, each escapee counts, better than the entire group being trapped in this cave. But Luo Zheng kept these thoughts to himself, not wanting to shake the team's resolve.

"How about we make a deal?" Tang Tian's voice rang out again.

"What deal? Let's hear it," Luo Zheng nonchalantly responded, still searching for the White Wolf King's figure.

"I'll assist you in retrieving what you seek, and in exchange, you come with me. Sacrifice yourself to save your squad and mission; how about it? Two hundred wild wolves plus the fifty elite mercenaries I brought should be more than capable of achieving that. Think it over before you answer; success or failure, life or death, hinges on your decision," Tang Tian said calmly, as if discussing an unrelated matter. After countless trials, Tang Tian has matured significantly.

"No way," Lan Xue resolutely declared.

"Right, together in life or death," Ghost Hand and Mountain Eagle quickly added from their resolve.

Yet Luo Zheng hesitated; a soldier must sacrifice anything to complete a mission, not to mention the lives of so many brothers depend on his decision. Tang Tian continued, "If you all die, what of the mission? Are you willing to forsake national interests for personal grudges? What about your duty? Your commission? Are you still soldiers?"

"Bastard," Lan Xue and Mountain Eagle retorted angrily, losing their composure slightly, pulling the trigger towards Tang Tian's hiding spot.