Chapter Fifteen: The Rescue of the Captives

“What? We’re going to rescue them?” The others were taken aback. In their current state, barely able to ensure their own survival, risking a rescue mission for those prisoners was far too perilous.

It wasn’t that they were callous or indifferent to others’ suffering; rather, the difficulty of such an operation was overwhelming. After all the despair they had endured recently, finally having a chance to return alive, they were reluctant to plunge back into irreversible danger.

Lei Bin nodded. “Exactly. I’ve already infiltrated their network and know all their movements. We can seize the initiative.”

Lou Lan frowned. “What’s your plan?”

Though she often wanted to give Lei Bin a good scolding, she couldn’t deny that he was the soul of their team. Without him, they could barely move forward. So now, Lou Lan firmly stood by his side.

Lei Bin smiled faintly, recalling the satisfaction of having outwitted Lou Lan earlier, and swallowed hard. “It’s simple. We capture some of the Empire’s soldiers, put on their uniforms, and disguise ourselves as a convoy escorting prisoners. Once we reach the prison camp, we launch a surprise attack while they’re off guard. This has to succeed. Even if we break through the blockade, their fighter jets will soon catch up, and we won’t get far. Only by disguising ourselves as their people, pretending to escort prisoners, can we boldly travel along the main roads without suspicion.”

Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.

Indeed, even if they broke through the blockade, the enemy’s fighters would pursue relentlessly. Disguising as a prisoner escort was the best option for a group this large.

“And after we rescue those prisoners? What then?” Lou Lan asked again, no longer hiding her reliance on Lei Bin.

Lei Bin chuckled. “After rescuing the prisoners, naturally we’ll have their warships come to pick them up.”

“You don’t mean to hijack one of their warships too, do you?” Someone gasped.

Lei Bin grinned. “Exactly. That’s the plan.”

It was madness. They exchanged glances, considering the plan reckless, yet undeniably the best option.

“Alright, I’m with you.”

“Count me in too.”

One by one, the others were inspired by Lei Bin’s determination, their eyes filled with steely resolve. Inwardly, Lei Bin thought, You think I want to do this? I’m just being pushed by Xing Meng.

Without delay, they began planning to act the next day.

“Which unit are you from?” Lei Bin piloted the mech, leading a large group of prisoners toward the Empire’s blockade. The enemy immediately challenged them.

Lei Bin’s mech automatically responded, “We are the ground forces of the Wind Dragon 253 fleet. We’ve just captured a large number of Federation soldiers and are escorting prisoners to the camp.”

Xing Meng had complete control of their network; fabricating such replies was child’s play.

“You captured so many? Incredible. You must be making a fortune this time,” the voice on the other side said enviously.

Lei Bin replied with a chuckle, “Won’t forget the brothers when the time comes.”

“Ha! Alright, I’ll open a passage for you. Proceed.”

Their unit soon reached the blockade. The guards, smiling amicably, opened a path. Suddenly, Lei Bin’s mech, along with several others and the infantry behind them, unleashed full firepower, attacking relentlessly.

The Empire’s soldiers were caught completely off guard, suffering heavy losses. All armored vehicles were destroyed, and the remaining infantry scattered helplessly, unable to mount any counterattack.

“What’s going on? Why are they attacking us?”

“Could the Federation have captured our mechs?”

“Quick, return fire! Mechs, return fire immediately!” The Empire soldiers shouted desperately for support. But instead of aid, their own mechs turned on them, firing wildly.

Their own machines were now firing on them.

In an instant, all hope was lost. Escape was impossible. They howled in despair, attempting to send distress signals—but Xing Meng intercepted every one, rendering them useless. Within five minutes, the entire allied force was annihilated.

“Haha, this move really works—complete annihilation in one blow.”

“Indeed, thanks to Lei Bin’s clever ambush strategy, we’re unstoppable.”

“But the way Lei Bin controls their mechs is just insane. A talent like him shouldn’t be just an infantryman.”

“Exactly. Even a brigadier general wouldn’t have such skills.”

“I bet he’s a special talent cultivated by some Federation agency.”

“Very likely.”

“By the way, his surname is Lei. I heard all the Lei family heirs came to inspect Base Three. Could he be one of them? If a Lei family member has this ability, it wouldn’t be surprising.”

“True, maybe Lei Bin is a secretly trained heir from the Lei family, covertly sent to Base Three for reconnaissance.”

“Hmm, best to stay on good terms with him—his prospects are limitless.”

Listening to their wild guesses, Lei Bin thought bitterly, “What the hell do I have to do with the Lei family?”

Today, Lei Bin led his men out of the jungle. Using the signal from an Empire mech, he lured some enemies to the jungle’s edge and eliminated them. Then he stripped their uniforms, outfitting his soldiers in Empire attire. They seized several blockade points, capturing armored vehicles and mechs, pressing forward relentlessly.

Because Xing Meng had thoroughly cracked the enemy’s network, the Empire never suspected Lei Bin’s forces were Federation soldiers. Thus, their advance was nearly effortless, with minimal casualties and enormous gains.

Especially now that Xing Meng could fully control enemy mechs. When the Empire realized the betrayal, their own machines were already killing their troops, plunging them into chaos.

“All right, drive off the intact armored vehicles and mechs. We keep moving,” Lei Bin ordered.

“Yes, sir!” came the enthusiastic response.

From being hunted like stray dogs to now enjoying security and even striking back against the Empire, winning military honors, Lei Bin had established immense prestige.

Of course, all credit went to Xing Meng.

Thus, the group marched resolutely toward the camp holding Federation prisoners.

Xing Meng intercepted all signals reporting their movements. The military high command was completely unaware that a unit was ruthlessly slaughtering Empire forces on the ground.

To the Empire soldiers, they appeared as their own, striding arrogantly along.

***

Meanwhile, in the Federation capital’s old district, an extraordinarily luxurious flying craft descended from the sky. Disregarding all traffic rules, it landed directly on a street.

Passersby hastily moved aside, cursing its arrogance. How could it land here without fear of injuring someone?

But when they saw the craft’s military license plate, all fell silent. Such a plate was reserved for privileged individuals.

This was a military vehicle, and its owner was a high-ranking military figure.

People stood at a distance, whispering and speculating why such a dignitary had come to this rundown area. There seemed little to attract someone so important here.

The craft’s door opened, revealing an elderly man dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. He descended a polished metal ladder.

The man was thin with darkish skin—not African, but East Asian. His hair was completely white, yet his spirit remained sharp. His eyes burned brightly, though his brow was deeply furrowed, as if burdened by heavy worries.

After he stepped down, several stern-looking men in black suits emerged from side doors. Their expressions were grave, their postures rigid and upright—like towering pines. Those with some insight would recognize this as a distinctly military bearing, the mark of specially trained soldiers.

Having such elite bodyguards indicated the old man’s extraordinary status.

One of the guards hurried forward, whispering to the old man, “Butler, the Third Young Master… he’s inside.”

The old man glanced at the guard and said calmly, “It’s the Third Young Master.”

“Yes, the Third Young Master,” the guards responded, startled yet respectful. This statement carried great significance: the once lost Third Young Master was returning.

The Lei family’s recent troubles weighed heavily on these loyal bodyguards, trained from youth by the family. If the Lei family fell, it would be a fatal blow, potentially expelling them from the Federation’s political stage.

Yet the Third Young Master’s reappearance rekindled hope. They had a new figure to serve.

At first, they had been puzzled why they were ordered to investigate a drunkard in the old district.

But upon uncovering his true identity, they were stunned. The former Third Young Master of the Lei family, Lei Xingfeng—the military’s top swordsman—had not died. He had been hiding here all along.

This revelation thrilled them.

They also understood that Lei Xingfeng’s concealment here meant the Lei family had abandoned him, explaining why the guard hesitated to call him “Third Young Master.”

Indeed, the title was taboo in the Lei family, punishable if spoken.

But now, even the butler Lei Huan used the title, signaling the family’s readiness to welcome the Third Young Master back. Their former idol was returning, and with him, new hope for the Lei family.

The guards led the way as residents of the old district retreated respectfully. Soon, they arrived at a low, ramshackle hut and halted.