Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

”Check them for anything useful!”

Han Ruoxi and Bai Lin immediately went forward to search. Soon, Bai Lin pulled a folded map from one of the Rebel Army soldier’s pockets. A line was marked on it with a red symbol.

”This is a transport route!”

Bai Lin looked up at Li Chang’an.

”Looks like our luck is pretty good!”

Li Chang’an took the map and examined it for a few seconds.

”If we follow this route, we might be able to find their base!”

”So what’s the plan? Do we track them directly?” Han Ruoxi asked.

”First, let’s head back to base and report.”

Li Chang’an folded the map.

”Our mission is reconnaissance, not a head-on clash!”

The squad headed back to the base along the same path they came.

”Captain, what do you think? There don’t seem to be any insects along this path,” Sun Yang asked in a low voice, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. He remained on edge despite the lack of any sign of the Insect Race.

”Don’t worry, the insects aren’t in this area,” Li Chang’an replied flatly, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

”However, we need to be careful of the Rebel Army. They might have already spotted us.”

”The lack of any Insect Race members around here is a little unsettling,” Shen Qiuyue said with a frown.

”Maybe the Rebel Army came prepared. We’d best be on our guard.”

”There might be some movement tomorrow,” Li Chang’an said, his eyes flashing, though he didn’t elaborate.

”But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we’ll go back and rest. Tonight, we’ll decide our next move based on the intel.”

The group picked up their pace and finally emerged from the dense forest, entering the base’s outer defensive line.

As they entered the base’s perimeter fence, the sentries glanced at them and gestured for them to proceed.

The squad quickly passed through the checkpoint and headed straight for the base’s command center.

Inside the command room, Commander Chen Hao was standing in front of a projection, carefully reviewing intelligence.

When he saw Li Chang’an and the others enter, he looked up, his expression turning serious.

”How was the mission?”

”Reconnaissance mission completed successfully!”

Li Chang’an unfolded the map and placed it on the table.

”We discovered the Rebel Army’s transport route but didn’t engage their main force. Based on the markings on the map, the supply transport location might lead to further targets.”

Chen Hao glanced at the map and nodded.

”Good. As long as you were able to find the specific transport location, that’s what matters. Your next task is to monitor this route and confirm the enemy’s troop deployment and supply situation.”

”Understood!” Li Chang’an answered concisely.

Chen Hao fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

”The mission is still reconnaissance. Remember, the enemy might not just be the Rebel Army. The Insect Race could be backing them.”

”That’s true,” Li Chang’an replied nonchalantly, though his mind was already planning their next move.

”Also,” Chen Hao began again, ”I heard your squad needs to resupply. After the mission, I’ll put in a request for you. We’ll see if we can boost your combat effectiveness.”

”Thank you, Commander.”

Li Chang’an nodded, then motioned for his team to stand down.

As his squad members left the command room one by one, Li Chang’an remained where he was, already calculating his next strategy. The threat of the Rebel Army and the Insect Race could not be underestimated, but for now, the mission was still focused on reconnaissance; he couldn’t afford to be reckless. He needed to find an opening, an enemy weakness, and only then decide how to strike.

Han Ruoxi walked up to Li Chang’an, a hint of impatience in her voice.

”Brother Chang’an, when do you think we’ll get to fight on a real battlefield? These daily recon missions are boring me to death!”

”There’s never a shortage of challenges on the battlefield,” Li Chang’an replied coolly.

”However, we still have to get the basics right. Rushing in blindly won’t do us any good.”

”But I just feel like this kind of mission is a shot in the dark. We have no idea where the enemy actually is!” Han Ruoxi frowned, clearly unnerved by the uncertainty of the situation.

”If you’re not used to this feeling, you just need more training,” Li Chang’an said, patting her on the shoulder.

”Besides, we’re on recon right now, not a combat operation. We’ll fight later. Once the enemy’s position is exposed, our chance will come.”

”I guess that makes sense,” Han Ruoxi huffed.

”But I really want to see the strength of the Rebel Army and the Insect Race for myself sooner rather than later. Enough of all this talk!”

”If you really want a fight, I might have an idea,” Li Chang’an said with a faint smile.

”But now’s not the time. We’ll talk later.”

The group returned to their respective dorms to rest and prepare for the next mission.

「That evening.」

The squad assembled, ready for a night exercise on the base’s training grounds.

By the time the training ended, night had already fallen.

Li Chang’an looked at his team members, his tone even.

”Today’s training was acceptable. However, you all need to be even more cautious on tomorrow morning’s recon mission. The enemy hasn’t made any obvious moves, but they could appear at any moment.”

”Brother Chang’an, are you confident?” Sun Yang suddenly asked, his tone slightly teasing.

”Confidence isn’t important. Execution is,” Li Chang’an replied flatly.

”You just need to be prepared. The ability to execute is what matters most.”

”Alright! I’m ready!” Sun Yang said, patting his chest.

”When the time comes, I’ll be sure to hit the enemy with a ’Thunderbolt Strike’ and show them what we’re made of!”

”Don’t get cocky. Your performance on the training ground is what matters,” Li Chang’an said quietly.

”We can celebrate after the mission is complete.”

”Alright! I’ll listen to the Captain!” Sun Yang chuckled, turning to organize his gear.

「At the crack of dawn the next day.」

The Insect Hunter Squad was already assembled next to the base’s armored transport vehicle.

Li Chang’an stood at the front of the vehicle, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over each squad member.

”Is everyone here?” he asked, his voice low and carrying an undeniable authority.

”All here!” Sun Yang was the first to respond, slapping the Pulse Gun on his back.

”Brother Chang’an, don’t you worry. I definitely won’t let you down this time!”

”I hope you keep your word.”

Li Chang’an gave him a passing glance before his gaze shifted to Bai Lin.

”Have the map and recon equipment been checked?”

”Checked and confirmed,” Bai Lin replied while checking his wrist-mounted device.

”The sensors and locators have been calibrated and are ready for use.”

”Very good.” Li Chang’an nodded.

”Han Ruoxi, what’s our Electric Energy reserve status?”

”Fully charged!” Han Ruoxi said, patting the Electric Energy Container on her waist.

”Ready to let loose anytime!”

”Shen Qiuyue, your sword?”

”In good condition.”

Li Chang’an cast a satisfied look over them and spoke one last time.

”Remember, the focus of this mission is reconnaissance, not combat. Our job is to find the Rebel Army’s transport nodes and gather as much intelligence as possible. If we encounter the enemy, do not act rashly. Ensuring a safe retreat is the top priority!”

”Understood!” everyone responded in unison.

Li Chang’an turned and hopped into the armored vehicle, then said to Han Ruoxi in the driver’s seat,

”Let’s move out. Target: the southern transport line!”

Han Ruoxi stomped on the accelerator. The armored vehicle let out a low roar and sped away from the base.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was a little tense. Although Li Chang’an had stressed the nature of the mission, everyone knew in their hearts that a recon mission was never simple.

Sun Yang leaned back in his seat and couldn’t help but speak up.

”Brother Chang’an, you think we’ll run into the Insect Race again on this mission? That last swarm of insects really gave us a run for our money!”

”Don’t overthink it,” Li Chang’an responded flatly.

”The chances of the Insect Race’s and the Rebel Army’s activity zones overlapping are low. This mission’s priority is the Rebel Army, not the Insect Race.”

”That may be true, but who can guarantee it?” Sun Yang shrugged.

”What if we do run into the Insect Race?”

”If we run into them, we deal with them,” Li Chang’an said calmly, then closed his eyes, seemingly to rest and conserve his energy.

The vehicle’s cabin fell quiet for a time, the silence broken only by the occasional sounds of Han Ruoxi at the controls.

After driving for nearly an hour, the armored vehicle finally reached the outskirts of the target area.

”Two kilometers ahead is the transport node area!” Bai Lin announced, reading the positioning data on his wrist-mounted device.

”Stop the vehicle!”