Strongest Soldier King

Until the morning of the second day, all the pursuit teams returned, bringing back some captives. The battle results were quickly tallied — sixty-three enemy captives, thirty of whom were injured. The Hook Tribe had lost two hundred and fifty-three people in this battle, with over a hundred wounded, about a quarter of the total forces. Such heavy casualties made Luo Zheng feel ashamed and angry, and he dared not face Hook. Fortunately, Hook did not blame Luo Zheng.

Luo Zheng had Hook interrogate the captives separately to clarify each person's identity. With so many deaths, Hook was smoldering with anger and beat those who refused to speak, violently venting his fury. This managed to loosen the captives' tongues and reveal their true identities.

The situation was quickly summarized for Luo Zheng. He did not expect the two people who ambushed the cave to be the Snow Bear Captain and Vice Captain. The Snow Bear Special Forces team of ten members came over, leaving only two; the rest were all killed in action, with no survivors. Luo Zheng gained some respect for these Snow Bear soldiers who were willing to die for their mission.

Among the captives, the presence of Japanese people was expected. Luo Zheng did not anticipate there being people from Yue Country, Korea, the Philippines, Yin Country, and Malaysia. Even though these are small countries, they are all neighbors around Huaxia Country. This was thought-provoking; if the device fell into the hands of the coalition forces and Huaxia's military secrets were leaked, wouldn't these neighboring countries become even more arrogant?

Luo Zheng immediately reported this situation to Hong Meihua, who also inferred many things from the identities of these individuals. She agreed to report it immediately; the heart of neighbors attempting to seize the device is condemnable, and it must be guarded against.

There were no Bloodsuckers or Tang Tian among the captives, which disappointed Luo Zheng. At noon, everyone packed up and took all captives as they headed toward the Hook Tribe. Along the way, Luo Zheng and Lan Xue exchanged opinions, discussing the next course of action and gradually forming some ideas.

On the afternoon of the third day, the team returned to the Hook Tribe. Luo Zheng saw that the Hook Tribe was in a larger valley full of densely packed wooden cabins with a single entrance, fortified with some blockhouses and dark fortresses. The team's return did not bring joy to the tribe's people; instead, there was a heavy sadness. So many deaths, even to those accustomed to life and death, was a hard price to bear.

Hook arranged for Luo Zheng and others to rest in a wooden cabin and had Lang Sen tie all the captives to wooden stakes in the tribe square. The stakes were as tall as people, thick enough for one person to embrace, arranged in a bizarre shape. Luo Zheng did not understand but did not stop Hook's actions.

Soon, the tribe people gathered near the square, and the Wizard led a group of people dressed peculiarly to dance and sing in the square, as if they were conducting some kind of ritual. The tribe people remained silent, watching quietly. Faintly, Luo Zheng felt a heavy and oppressive atmosphere spreading overhead in the square.

"It seems like they are blessing and bidding farewell to those who died in battle," Lan Xue said in a low voice.

"It's possible. They fought for us, and we must make amends for them. Until things here are resolved, I won't go back. You take them and evacuate first while the enemy hasn't counterattacked. Hurry and escort the device and the wounded brothers back to the country; I can stay alone," Luo Zheng said in a low voice.

"Didn't we already discuss this? If we leave, we go together; if we stay, we all stay. The brothers' injuries have recovered well, a few more days of rest and they'll be fine. As for the device, protect it well, and if worst comes to worst, destroy it," Lan Xue refused without hesitation.

"The mission is paramount," Luo Zheng seriously reminded in a low voice.

"I understand the reasoning. Why me? You go escort them; I'll stay. If you're not at ease, you can come back later," Lan Xue said in a low voice.

"Alright, let's not discuss this matter," Luo Zheng said helplessly, his eyes seriously watching the ceremony in the square, continuing to think about the response plans ahead.

The ceremony lasted a full hour before the people dispersed. Luo Zheng and others returned to their assigned wooden cabin. Hook brought some people over, including the old Wizard and the old Hook. Everyone sat around; Hook seriously said, "Old friend, the captives' identities are special. Please tell me how we should respond next."

"I'll be with you until this matter is resolved," Luo Zheng earnestly declared. Seeing Hook translating his words in a low voice for the people beside him, he continued, "We need weapons and medicines, all of which can be obtained from the captives. You make demands, and I will pass these demands to the countries of these captives, asking them for compensation. What do you think?"

Hook communicated with the people beside him for a while, his expression relaxing somewhat, and gratefully said, "Thank you for your help. We'll leave the specifics to you; we have no experience in such matters."

"The enemy invaded the tribe, and the tribe's rightful counterattack holds water internationally. With this moral high ground, my country can press other nations diplomatically or otherwise, ensuring they dare not retaliate too brazenly. But the countries won't give in; they will certainly send more people over. So, I need weapons — trade captives for weapons. With captives in hand, the enemy dares not attack. Once we have weapons, we'll have enough combat power not to fear the enemy. During this time, we'll be here and train everyone," Luo Zheng stated seriously.

"Okay, how do we trade?" Hook asked gratefully.

"We have sixty-three captives, trade each for a hundred M4 rifles. This gun suits jungle warfare, and its accuracy is much better than the AK series. Sixty-three people means six thousand three hundred M4 rifles. For each rifle, ask for ten rounds of ammunition, also, each person gets an additional 100 grenades. What do you think?" Luo Zheng proposed.

Hook calculated the quantity; such a huge arsenal would easily allow the entire tribe to rearm, making him very pleased, and he nodded approvingly, "Leave it to you then."

"Alright, what I just said is just the baseline. I'll ask for as much as possible. Captives must not die; they are trained elites from various countries worth this price. Not exchanging them would discourage their country's warriors. So, we don't need to worry too much, but defense can't be neglected. Use all the ammunition, setting traps around the valley. Remember the boiled feces? That stuff works well," instructed Luo Zheng.

"Okay, we follow the usual rules; my people will obey your people's command," Hook happily agreed.

Once the plan was settled, Luo Zheng let Ghost Hand and Mountain Eagle lead the team, with Zhou Gang and five others assisting, taking Hook's people to prepare. The enemy could come at any time, and they must be as prepared as possible. Once everyone left, Luo Zheng immediately contacted Lan Xing, doubling the baseline and notifying the captured countries in Hook's name. However, do not make it public; making it public would make countries unwilling to compromise for the sake of face, exacerbating conflicts and disadvantaging everyone.