Bright Sword: This unit is really ruthless

Chapter 300 I'll arrange it right away

Zhao Gang saw Zhang Ling's determination and finally nodded in agreement: "Understood, Commander, I'll arrange it right away."

Several soldiers immediately packed their equipment, and Zhang Ling led them on foot in the night. The rugged mountain road looked even more precipitous in the dark, and every step required carefulness. However, Zhang Ling had only one belief in his heart - he must find his parents, no matter what the cost.

The night wind echoed in the valley, bringing bursts of cold, but Zhang Ling didn't care. He took every step with great determination, as if these obstacles could not stop him from moving forward. The soldiers followed closely behind him. Although they were tired, they knew that they could not give up at this time.

"Commander, where do you think the villagers might go?" a soldier asked in a low voice, trying to break the oppressive silence.

Zhang Ling stared straight ahead and whispered, "I don't know, but I feel like they are looking for a safer place. This area has been unstable lately, and the enemy is active. They can't just sit there and wait to die."

The soldier nodded, stopped talking, and focused on the road under his feet. Zhang Ling's mind was full of thoughts. He kept recalling the last time he communicated with his parents, trying to find more clues from it.

"Maybe they went to the market not far from here... There are paths leading to safer areas there." Zhang Ling speculated secretly in his heart, but he knew that everything was just speculation. Unless he saw it with his own eyes, all speculations would not make him feel at ease.

A few hours later, Zhang Ling and the soldiers finally arrived at what they thought was their target location - a market in the mountains. It was usually sparsely populated, but recently because of the war, many displaced villagers had temporarily gathered here to seek shelter.

Zhang Ling walked into the market, searching among the villagers who were hiding from the war. His heart beat faster and faster, and his eyes kept scanning every face, trying to find the two familiar figures.

"Commander, look over here!" Zhao Gang suddenly pointed ahead and said excitedly.

Zhang Ling walked over quickly and saw an elderly couple resting by the campfire. Although their faces were deeply marked by time and war, Zhang Ling recognized them at a glance - they were his parents!

"Father! Mother!" Zhang Ling shouted loudly, with uncontrollable excitement and joy in his voice.

The elderly couple looked up suddenly, and when they saw Zhang Ling, their eyes flashed with surprise. They stood up almost at the same time, stretched out their hands, and said excitedly: "Son, you are here!"

Zhang Ling rushed over and hugged his parents, tears finally flowing out uncontrollably. His heart was filled with gratitude and happiness, and all his anxiety and uneasiness disappeared at this moment.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Zhang Ling let go of his parents and carefully checked their conditions, his tone full of concern.

Zhang Ling's mother smiled and shook her head, saying softly, "We are fine, just a little frightened. Thanks to the help of the villagers, we were able to get here safely."

Zhang Ling's father patted his shoulder, with a hint of comfort in his tone: "Don't worry, son, we can still hold on. It's just that your mother is a little tired these days, don't worry too much."

Zhang Ling nodded, his eyes full of gratitude: "Father, Mother, I'm sorry for making you suffer so much. I will never let you go through this again in the future."

Zhang Ling's mother gently stroked his cheek, her eyes full of love: "My child, there is nothing to be sorry about. We know that you have more important responsibilities on the front line. As long as you are safe, we will be at ease."

Zhang Ling held his mother's hand tightly, with an indescribable emotion in his heart. He knew that his responsibility was not only to command the battle, but also to protect his family.

"Father, Mother, I have arranged everything. We will send you to a safe place immediately, and someone will take care of you throughout the journey." Zhang Ling said firmly, his tone revealing an unquestionable determination.

Zhang Ling's father nodded, with a hint of relief in his tone: "Okay, son, go and do your thing without worry, we won't hold you back."

Zhang Ling signaled to Zhao Gang, who immediately arranged for soldiers to escort Zhang Ling's parents. Zhang Ling watched his parents get on the car, his heart full of worry, but he knew that he could not delay any longer. He had to return to the front line and continue to perform his duties.

When the car started slowly and drove towards a safe direction, Zhang Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Ling's friend couldn't afford to eat, so he came to him to beg for food.

As night fell, the lights in the camp were sporadic, and the soldiers were busy preparing dinner. Zhang Ling stood alone outside the headquarters, looking into the distance, but his thoughts had already drifted away. The battle pressure on the front line was huge, and Zhang Ling knew that both the soldiers and the logistics supplies were close to their limits.

At this moment, a figure slowly approached, breaking Zhang Ling's meditation. Zhang Ling raised his head and saw a familiar face. The man was in tattered clothes, with a haggard face, and a hint of embarrassment and helplessness in his eyes.

"Zhang Ling, it's me... Can you recognize me?" The man's voice was hoarse, as if he took a lot of effort to speak.

Zhang Ling was stunned, and then a trace of surprise and disbelief flashed in his eyes: "Wu Ren? Is it really you?"

Wu Ren smiled awkwardly, scratched his head, his eyes full of apology: “It’s me, Zhang Ling. Long time no see, I didn’t expect to see you in this situation.”

Zhang Ling looked at Wu Ren in front of him, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. Wu Ren was his college classmate, and the two had a good relationship, but after graduation they each took different paths. Zhang Ling joined the army, while Wu Ren stayed in his hometown to farm. Unexpectedly, after many years, they would meet again in such a situation.

"Wu Ren, why are you here? Why are you... like this now?" Zhang Ling couldn't help but ask, his tone full of concern and confusion.

Wu Ren sighed, his eyes dimmed. "Zhang Ling, don't mention it. The fields at home were destroyed by the war, and there was no food to harvest. Most of the people in the village have fled, and I can't hold on any longer. So, I really have no other choice, so I thought of coming to you... to ask for food."

Zhang Ling felt a pang of pain when he heard this. He knew the cruelty of war, but when this cruelty actually happened to someone he knew, it still made him feel heartbroken. His friend, former classmate, had now fallen to such a state, which made Zhang Ling's heart full of guilt and self-blame.

"Wu Ren, you shouldn't come here alone. It's too dangerous." Zhang Ling's voice was low and his eyes were full of worry.

Wu Ren forced a smile and shook his head: "Zhang Ling, there is nothing we can do. The war is spreading, and the roads are full of refugees and fleeing civilians. It is not easy to find a bite to eat. I know you are here, and I feel relieved when you are here."

Zhang Ling took a deep breath and nodded: "Come on, let's eat something first." He ordered the soldier next to him, "Go to the kitchen and get some food, preferably some meat."

The soldier left. Wu Ren looked at Zhang Ling, a trace of gratitude and shame flashing in his eyes: "Zhang Ling, I never thought that I would have to rely on you to save me in the end. We had agreed to do something together, but in the end..."

Zhang Ling waved his hand and interrupted Wu Ren: "Don't talk about this, Wu Ren. The most important thing now is that you can arrive here safely, nothing else matters. We are not here to eat, but to protect more hometown elders like you."

When Wu Ren heard this, tears welled up in his eyes. He lowered his head and choked up a little: "Zhang Ling, I know, I know you are doing great things. But these past few years... have been really hard for me. Every day I don't know if I can have enough to eat tomorrow, and every night I worry whether the enemy will attack the village. Many people in the village can no longer hold on. They either starved to death or were forced to flee their homes. There are not many people who can survive."

Zhang Ling felt a sharp pain in his heart. He knew that Wu Ren's words were not exaggerated. The pain and despair brought by the war had deeply eroded the lives of these civilians. He slowly reached out his hand and patted Wu Ren on the shoulder: "Wu Ren, this war will end. When everything calms down, we will have a chance to rebuild our homeland. I will do my best to help you."

Wu Ren nodded, holding back tears: "Zhang Ling, I know you are a good person, you will definitely help us. But I am afraid that it will be too late..."

Zhang Ling's heart tightened. He knew that Wu Ren's worries were not unreasonable. The cruelty of war is that it never waits, and often completely destroys everything at the most vulnerable moment. However, Zhang Ling knew that no matter what, he could not let this despair spread. He must stick to his beliefs, lead his troops, and protect these innocent people.

Soon after, the soldiers brought hot meals. The simple rice and a few pieces of bacon moved Wu Ren to tears. He took the bowl and chopsticks, thanked them in a low voice, and then ate voraciously. Seeing Wu Ren eating so eagerly, Zhang Ling's heart was filled with sorrow and helplessness. He knew that this was not just a meal, but the continuation of Wu Ren's life.

"Wu Ren, eat slowly, there's no rush, take your time." Zhang Ling said softly, trying to make his tone sound calm.

Wu Ren nodded, but still couldn't slow down. His hands were shaking slightly, obviously he had been hungry for too long, and his stomach was already empty to the limit. Zhang Ling saw this and felt more and more painful.

After finishing his meal, Wu Ren finally calmed down a little. He raised his head and looked at Zhang Ling gratefully: "Zhang Ling, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I might not have survived."

Zhang Ling shook his head, his eyes full of determination: "Wu Ren, you don't have to thank me. You are my friend, and I have the responsibility to help you. Tomorrow I will arrange for you to take temporary refuge in the rear, and when the war situation stabilizes, you can consider your next plan."