The four immediately assumed combat positions, opening their gear bags, switching into bulletproof vests, and donning night vision goggles. After securing their earpieces, they stashed their gear bags inside an oil drum, each grabbing an M16. They exited through the windows, staying close to the walls to avoid drone surveillance while spreading out and concealing themselves behind pre-arranged cover around the factory, quietly observing the enemy's movements.
The sky was shrouded in thick clouds, blocking out the moon and stars, making the night even darker. The factory, lit up like a lighthouse in a sea of ink, was conspicuous in the gloom.
The wind stopped.
Old Five gently tapped his earpiece with his fingertips, and the other three immediately responded in the same manner. The foreign hacker smiled smugly. Fortunately, he had been prepared, tuning the walkie-talkies and Bluetooth earpieces to avoid drone interference.
The four guards stationed outside the warehouse were completely unaware, lazily standing by. One, feeling bored, pulled out his phone to check the time, only to find he had no signal. Confused, he mentioned it, and the other three instinctively checked their phones, all noticing the lack of signal. They finally realized something was wrong.
Earlier, Chu Yuxuan had warned them that if the enemy sent people tonight, they should scatter and run as soon as they noticed, avoiding direct confrontation at all costs. Their priority was to ensure their own safety. If they could help, they should, but if not, it was best to hide.
But now, even though their phones had lost signal, no one had stormed in yet. The four exchanged glances, wordlessly agreeing to move away from the warehouse, slipping into the darkness.
However, as they sought cover, a gunshot rang out, shattering the stillness of the night!
The guards' hearts jolted. It was unmistakably the crack of a sniper rifle! One of them was already down, shot cleanly in the head.
The remaining three, spattered with blood and brain matter, were terrified and fled in panic. Within moments, a dozen men armed with assault rifles charged toward the illuminated factory. They didn't get close but began firing from about 30 meters away.
The group's formation was disciplined, clearly trained professionals.
Gunfire echoed endlessly, and within minutes, the factory was riddled with holes. The overhead lights were all destroyed, and the once-lit building was now plunged into darkness, lit only by the relentless muzzle flashes.
From Old Five's vantage point, he could see the attackers clearly. After a glance, he couldn't help but exclaim, "They've got night vision goggles too! Are we in a firefight with D-cartels in Mexico?!"
Their firepower exceeded Chu Yuxuan's expectations. Night vision goggles weren't exactly rare anymore, as they could be bought online. The assault rifles didn't surprise him much either. What caught him off guard was the presence of a sniper.
This was a fully trained assault team!
"Brother, should we move?" Old Three asked. Normally disliking guns, he now gripped his tightly, one hand in his jacket, his usually honest face tense with nervousness.
"Wait!" Chu Yuxuan replied, his brow furrowing as he briefly closed his eyes, unsure of the status of the four guards.
After the sweeping gunfire ceased, the enemy advanced. Half the team covered the entrance of the factory, while the other half charged inside. At the same time, another sniper shot rang out, followed by a scream as one of the guards, hiding in the shadows, collapsed, his left leg hit. Driven by survival instinct, he crawled desperately forward.
"Bang!"
Another shot hit the guard's right knee, eliciting a heart-wrenching scream.
Chu Yuxuan clenched his fist, knowing the sniper was playing a cruel game.
Just then, Xiao Qing's voice came through the earpiece: "I see the sniper!"
Chu Yuxuan asked quietly, "Did you spot their vehicle?"
Xiao Qing replied, "No... I haven't seen any headlights either. I have no idea where these guys came from!"
With night vision, the attackers didn't need headlights, and it was clear their ambush skills were exceptional.
Chu Yuxuan wasn't waiting for the perfect moment to attack. He wanted to capture them all, preventing any survivors from reporting back to their superiors. If he could impersonate one of their own, it might lead him to their mastermind, which was preferable to torturing any remaining gunmen for information. However, the person controlling the drone still hadn't been located. If they made any move, that operator would undoubtedly escape. Chu Yuxuan didn't have time to overthink. He didn't want the guards to become playthings for the sniper, and the attackers inside the factory were already searching the area. If they discovered Liu Jun wasn't there, they would know it was a trap, making the situation even more dangerous.
"Move!"
At his command, the four brothers acted in unison, each pulling out three grenades from their jackets. After removing the pins and waiting two seconds, they hurled the grenades into the factory.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The factory was instantly reduced to ruins!
At the same moment, Xiao Qing, who had been targeting the sniper, pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
The sound of the shot was drowned by the explosions, and the enemy had no idea Xiao Qing existed, nor did they realize their sniper had revealed his position by toying with his targets. He was dead, taken out with a single shot to the head.
Of the seven or eight men who had stormed the factory, only two managed to escape through the windows in time. One had his legs blown off, while the other, though unharmed, was unlucky enough to roll right in front of Old Three.
Old Three had just stood up to charge but couldn't believe his luck. The captive they needed had fallen right into his lap!
Without a second thought, the burly man knocked the gunman out with a rifle butt, tossed his weapon far away, and, just to be safe, punched him hard in the face, smashing his nose flat. He probably knocked out a few teeth too. Left undisturbed, the guy would likely sleep till morning.
"We got the seed!"
Hearing Old Three's report, Chu Yuxuan wasted no time, shooting down the drone before charging out of cover with guns blazing.
Old Five scanned the area nervously, worried about being spotted, when he noticed Old Four darting like a ghost into the factory, disappearing into the flames.
"This guy!" Old Five couldn't help but admire, then quickly followed suit.
The enemy team was now down to seven or eight men. Despite the surprise counterattack, their training showed. They adapted swiftly, finding cover and returning fire.
Bullets and sparks flew as the two sides engaged in a fierce firefight. Realizing they had fallen into a trap and were up against a more skilled force, the gunmen began retreating in an organized manner, fighting as they withdrew.
However, they focused solely on Chu Yuxuan and his team, unaware that 400 meters away, in the small wooded hill beside them, a petite and innocent-looking young girl was lying in wait with a sniper rifle, patiently waiting for the perfect shot.