Chapter 248: 248, Special Investigation Department's anti-espionage measures! (Third update, requesting monthly votes)

The snow fell heavier and heavier, "Ren Xiaosu gazed at the weather and sighed.

"It's said that right after the disaster ended, it was even colder," Li Qing panted as he walked through the snow, saying, "Some elders say that in those years, they had to store enough food for an entire winter in advance. If the food wasn't enough, they'd store tree roots. No one could go out during winter."

The snow in the mountains slowly covered the soles of their feet, then their ankles, and finally their knees.

This heavy snow came too fast and too urgently, leaving even the Shen Ji Camp officers hesitating whether to continue forward.

He checked his GPS, and when he saw it was still functioning normally, his heart slightly eased.

But the mountain paths were already narrow dirt roads, and now the snow had buried them. If someone accidentally stepped on a stone, they'd sprain their foot. Fortunately, the snow was soft enough that the sprain wasn't too severe.

Ren Xiaosu pushed through the wind and snow to the front of the group, shouting at the Shen Ji Camp officer, "We can't go any further—the snow is too deep for everyone to move!"

But the Shen Ji Camp officers ignored this, as their nanobots continuously provided strength assistance, so they didn't struggle much.

Moreover, walking slowly like this, the nanobot energy was more than sufficient. Not to mention they carried wireless charging equipment on their backs.

Wireless charging equipment was standard for the Shen Ji Camp regular troops, an essential item in warfare.

Earlier, the Shen Ji Camp officers had insisted on advancing through the snow, determined to proceed. If they suddenly changed their minds now, wouldn't that be too embarrassing?

One Shen Ji Camp officer coldly said, "If we can't reach the target on time, who will take responsibility—me or you?"

Ren Xiaosu didn't want to argue further, instead saying, "Switch people to go ahead and trudge through the snow. Have you ever seen how wolf packs move through snow? They have to constantly rotate members to go ahead and create footprints, making it easier for those behind. Each combat squad takes turns breaking the snow, and the march becomes much easier!"

After hearing this, the Shen Ji Camp officers glanced back at their ranks, where the private soldiers looked exhausted.

The officers exchanged glances, and one said, "We'll do as you say—each combat squad takes turns leading for fifteen minutes, and no one is allowed to slack off!"

Once this order was passed down, the entire marching column, which had been moving forward like a swarm of bees, turned into a long, narrow line.

Ren Xiaosu breathed a sigh of relief—this at least reduced some burden and made the march more orderly.

Suddenly, the Palace in his mind said, "Mission: Help the fallen comrade catch up with the unit."

This mission left Ren Xiaosu stunned—there was no one lagging behind now. Moreover, this bunch of losers had sold him out before; why should he help them?

Just then, Ren Xiaosu noticed someone from the rear of the column running into the mountains. He immediately felt something was wrong—this was a deserter trying to escape!

Previously, Liu Taiyu's reinforced company had been supervising to prevent desertions.

But now Liu Taiyu had been unconscious all along, and the reinforced company wasn't managing well. Moreover, the soldiers had to take turns carrying Liu Taiyu, and Ren Xiaosu felt they might just abandon Liu Taiyu on the road as a deserter.

Ren Xiaosu watched the man run toward the mountains, and at that moment, only one thought crossed his mind: Does a deserter count as falling behind?

Of course it does!

Many had seen the deserter, and just as others were about to act, they suddenly saw Ren Xiaosu dart out, and his speed on the snow was no slower than running on flat ground!

Within less than half a minute, Ren Xiaosu had caught the deserter and even confiscated his weapon.

Dragging the deserter's leg back toward the column, Ren Xiaosu earnestly comforted him, "The mountains aren't safe either—if you run in there and something happens, what will you do?"

The deserter was desperate: "I won't run anymore—let go of me, and I'll stand up and walk myself!"

As Ren Xiaosu dragged the deserter, leaving a deep furrow in the snow, he didn't really want to use force. Although the man had sold him out the day before, it wasn't worth Ren Xiaosu's effort to do anything to him.

Moreover, deserting was purely because the man wanted to survive—there was nothing wrong with that!

So, Ren Xiaosu merely disarmed him without striking anyone.

But was it wrong for Ren Xiaosu to complete the mission? He hadn't done anything wrong either!

Another thing Ren Xiaosu wasn't lying about—if someone entered the snowy wilderness alone at this time, death was certain.

At least he had never entered the mountains during a blizzard before.

Ren Xiaosu called out to the others, "Keep moving—don't be deserters, understand?"

As he spoke, he approached the reinforced company and said, "Though the Deputy Battalion Commander is unconscious now, you must fulfill your duties, right?"

The reinforced company soldiers carrying Liu Taiyu were a bit confused—how could this vagabond be so lenient?

Ren Xiaosu looked at the Shen Ji Camp officers and said, "If someone escapes now and is discovered by other troops, all your efforts will be in vain."

The Shen Ji Camp officers thought this made sense and turned to the reinforced company soldiers, saying, "Go—keep the entire unit under control. Anyone who deserts will be shot on the spot!"

Li Qing watched Ren Xiaosu's back and sighed, "I don't know what schemes our squad leader is up to, but his ability to persuade people is truly impressive..."

But just then, someone in the column suddenly collapsed in the snow. Those passing by didn't even glance at him, and even his fellow combat squad members didn't bother to help.

Ren Xiaosu sighed inwardly—he had thought catching the deserter would complete the mission, but it turned out to be more difficult than before.

Before he could finish sighing, another person fainted in the column.

These people weren't pretending—after all, the Shen Ji Camp had just issued an order, and deliberately delaying now could get them shot.

Ren Xiaosu walked over and directly shouldered the unconscious man, saying to Chen Wudi, "This is helping others, right? You carry the other one and move forward first."

Ren Xiaosu kept waiting for the Palace to notify him that the mission was complete, but the Palace remained silent.

Yet Chen Wudi was quite pleased—being able to do good deeds with his master and act as a hero felt quite satisfying.

Soon, Chen Wudi was carrying two people, and Ren Xiaosu had to explain to others that his friend was naturally strong...

Though the strength to carry two people was rare, there were many vagabonds on the outer wall coal mines who could do it, which was understandable.

But if it were more, it probably wouldn't work...

The Shen Ji Camp officers were shocked: "The Special Reconnaissance Department is really strict in preventing spies—no wonder all combat units fear them!"

...

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