Chapter 103: Mission

The next morning, Wei Boyang came over with a grave expression and called more than a dozen prisoners into a small meeting room, Qin Yang among them.

“Brothers, there is a mission that needs to be carried out,” Wei Boyang said solemnly.

Qin Yang’s eyes lit with delight before quickly returning to normal. He had not expected that once the Hell assignment was issued, it would even spill over into the real world to help complete it.

“What?” More than ten men were stunned.

Zhao Wu frowned. “General Wei, are you joking? How could we possibly be sent out on a mission?”

“An emergency,” Wei Boyang said calmly. “A terrorist holy war has suddenly broken out. All twelve war criminals have entered our country, intending to join forces with the remaining domestic extremists in a massive act of terror. Looking across the entire nation, you are the most experienced among us, and the other special forces units are tied up with temporary assignments. The rookies cannot complete this independently. So higher command has issued orders: twelve men from Black Prison will form the Battle God Squad and lead the rookies in this dangerous operation.”

“Say it plainly. What’s in it for us?” Qin Yang crossed one leg over the other and rubbed his brow. “Their injuries are still being treated, but twelve men can indeed be deployed. Still, if you’re sending my brothers out to die, I’ll be the first one to object.”

Wei Boyang answered steadily, “Ten of you will be released from prison.”

“Hm?” Everyone froze, then excitement stirred in their eyes, but Qin Yang promptly poured cold water on it. “How reliable is that?”

The others nodded at once. They had not forgotten how Qin Yang had once been hurt by that band of despicable men.

“Completely reliable,” Wei Boyang said, thumping his chest. “Qin Yang, I understand what you mean. This operation is official. There will be absolutely no breach of promise. But there may be danger involved, and only those who survive will be eligible for release.”

The room fell silent again. If the guarantee was absolute, then who should go?

It was not arrogance. They all knew that if one of them were picked at random, that man would have every right to stand among the members of the Battle God Squad.

Wei Boyang said, “You men have tremendous authority within Black Prison. I think the question of who goes should be discussed among yourselves. It is seven in the morning now. I want a definite answer by noon.”

With that, he left.

The dozen or so men remained in silence.

Chen Yao was the first to speak. “I’m old. My body is no longer suited to battlefield movement, but I recommend Qin Yang. He’s the youngest among us and the one who most deserves to get out. Most importantly, Qin Yang has been good to us. We’re all men here. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a fountain, let alone the grace of remaking us.”

The others nodded quietly.

Zhao Wu said, “My leg still hasn’t healed. I won’t go. There are twelve of us going out, but only ten get a chance to leave prison. The spots are too few and there are too many of us. If it comes to it, let’s draw lots.”

“I agree with drawing lots,” said Zhou Qi, the seasoned veteran, nodding in support.

After some discussion, the group was about to go out and announce the matter when Qin Yang suddenly tapped the table, signaling everyone to sit. The others looked at him in confusion.

“If,” Qin Yang said calmly, “and I mean if, I had a way to get all of you out, would you believe me?”

“What?” Everyone was shocked.

Qin Yang raised a hand. “I’m only saying if. The few of you here are not outsiders, so I have no need to hide anything. In twenty-five days, I dare guarantee that the Jiang family will come looking again, because I only provided them with two preliminary prescriptions. I never deliberately toyed with anyone. General Jiang’s condition is extremely severe; the probability of a change is one hundred percent. The prescriptions I gave can indeed prolong his life and even keep him vigorous in old age, but only if heaven allows it. Within twenty-five days, I dare to stake my reputation that his condition will change. If, by then, I propose dissolving Black Prison, do you think that might be possible?”

Chapter 1 of 3

“What?” Everyone was stunned, yet still uncertain.

Chen Yao shook his head. “Not very likely. We...”

“We do have quite a few things tied to us, but most of them are matters from many years ago. Some have even been forgotten. Letting you out would be nothing more than a matter of face for those few people. And precisely because of that, what I, Qin Yang, most want to do is make certain people I dislike look extremely bad,” Qin Yang said, sweeping his gaze around the room. “So I will take part in this mission, but I will be the one least likely to be released. That will provide a contrast for them to choose ten out of the twelve. As for the other eleven, we’ll choose those whose crimes are still entangled in certain conflicts. That way, in twenty-five days, I can secure the greatest benefit.”

“What if they go back on their word?” Zhao Wu asked.

“They won’t,” Qin Yang said with confidence. “Within twelve years, that General Jiang will have to rely on my treatment if he wants to stay alive. If the military still reneges after this operation, I’ll make them watch that old general die before their eyes. Hmph. His standing in the military is unmatched.”

“How do we tell them?” Chen Yao asked, which was already an endorsement of Qin Yang’s idea.

If they could get out, then they had to fight for even the smallest chance. The others all nodded as well.

Qin Yang said, “Gather everyone and hear what they have to say. I think the final decision should still be made by drawing lots. As for the other eleven, I want to select them through a bit of cheating. Keep that secret. The matter twenty-five days from now must also remain confidential. I need enough time to prepare.”

The decision was made. No one objected. They first discussed the eleven men who would go out, then carefully prepared every detail to ensure there would be no mishaps in the drawing of lots. By ten o’clock, they finally left the meeting room and summoned everyone to the gym.

Chen Yao stepped onto the ring and looked at the more than one hundred men below. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Brothers, the military has an operation this time. We are sending out twelve men, and ten of them will be able to leave Black Prison permanently. There are too few spots, so after discussing it just now, we agreed to let Qin Yang take part. First, he is a doctor. Second, he is the one least likely to walk out. That gives us strong protection when choosing the other ten. Third, if Qin Yang really can get out, I think none of you would object, would you?”

“No objections!”

Dongfang Hao was the first to shout.

The others followed with nods and words of agreement.

“But there are too few spots, and I know all of you want out,” Chen Yao said. “So this time we’ll draw lots. Before we do, if anyone has anything to say, speak up.”

The first to step forward was Wu Ya. He waved a hand and laughed. “I won’t take part in the draw. I’m not familiar with battlefield work. A brute like me is better suited to boxing. Shooting guns can be forgotten. Besides, I don’t have much to leave behind.”

“Me neither. I won’t take part in the draw.”

“Leave the chance to the other brothers.”

In the blink of an eye, more than twenty men declared that they would not participate. Qin Yang and the others nodded silently. None of those twenty or so were among the eleven they had already chosen, and at the same time their hearts felt heavy. After all, this was a chance to leave, a chance to gain freedom.

“I won’t go either. Even if I got out, I’d just be an unemployed drifter,” Dongfang Hao said with a grin as he stepped forward. “I’ve gotten used to life in Black Prison. I haven’t been out in so many years that I don’t even know what the outside world looks like anymore. If I go out and starve to death, then I’d really be a tragedy.”

“True enough. Even if we got out, what would we do? I’d rather be beaten to death than work as a bodyguard. I came in here after killing some greedy rich bastard.”

“Hm?”

Qin Yang frowned, got to his feet, and said, “You may be worried that Black Prison has turned you into products of the system, leaving you unable to survive outside. I, Qin Yang, can tell you with absolute certainty that this will not happen. For the ten who are able to leave, I will write recommendation letters for all of you. I’ll arrange jobs that satisfy you, and I’ll provide housing. My family may not have much of anything else, but we do have some money. Some of you may already know that the Sea Dragon Group was built up by my father. I’m sure there’s at least one position among the thousands that you’d like. If not, I’ll give you a ship and send you out to sea as pirates.”

Laughter burst out all around.

Once that issue was settled, the others also said a few words, and then the lot drawing was confirmed. With Qin Yang and the others quietly helping to cheat, the ten men were chosen very quickly.

The captain was Zhou Qi, the most experienced of them all. No one questioned or opposed that. Perhaps his combat strength was not the strongest, but whether in single combat or battlefield command, he was the obvious first choice, and he was also the captain of Black Prison’s squad.

The deputy captain was Cheng Mu, skilled in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, and a man who had commanded special operations on many occasions. His fighting strength was likewise among the very best of the hundred-plus men.

Qin Yang was the doctor and could provide emergency medical aid. His battlefield experience might be limited, but his ability in one-on-one combat and in completing individual missions was by no means inferior to anyone else’s. His ability to evade the police manhunt in a county-level city was proof enough of that.

The fighters included Dongfang Hao, Gao Di, Ge Yun, and others.

“Damn it, don’t disgrace Black Prison,” Zhao Wu said bluntly. “If I’m still alive and see any of you, and you die before I do, I’ll kick your heads in even if I have to go to hell to do it.”

“Weapons. Gear.”

Wei Boyang brought the twelve men into camouflage uniforms, then led them to the armory. There, the latest newly developed weapons were laid out in all their varieties, far surpassing what Qin Yang had once used during his bloodbath in Fengyang County. The others all chose their weapons very熟练ly. Qin Yang first picked up a tiger-tooth combat knife, strapped a pistol to his body, then selected two more pistols, a Type 95 rifle, a Type 92 sidearm, a helmet with night vision, communications, guidance tracking, heat tracking, bulletproof composite gear, and even camouflage netting. He armed himself from head to toe.

While the others were checking their firearms, Qin Yang set a box down on the table.

Everyone paused and asked, “What is that?”

“Some pills and hemostatic bandages I made when I was bored,” Qin Yang said, opening the box. Inside were a dozen or so medium-sized containers. Once he laid them out, there were also small cases and medicinal plasters. “The blue box contains pills to refresh the mind. Take them when you’re about to lose consciousness. The red box contains life-saving pills. Do not use them unless you’re at the point of losing your life. The black box contains antidote pills. They can ease the effects of most poisons and neutralize several common toxins. The plasters are for stopping bleeding. If the wound is too large, you can ignite the plaster with fire and apply the black medicinal paste to the wound. It will stop the bleeding within three seconds. Used together with anti-inflammatory medicine, they’re as good as it gets. Even if the wound is deep, I’m confident none of you will bleed for three hours.”

“Good stuff.”

Everyone quickly put the boxes away. These were things that could save their lives at critical moments.

Just as they were preparing to set out, they saw Wei Xiaoran standing timidly by the doorway. The men all smiled kindly and headed toward the exit to wait. Wei Boyang patted her shoulder without saying anything.

Qin Yang rolled his eyes and walked up to her. “Didn’t I tell you to take a leave and go traveling? Why are you back again?”

“I heard you were taking part in the mission, so I wanted to come and see you.” Wei Xiaoran took a talisman from her pocket and placed it in Qin Yang’s hand. “I asked for this at a temple. Keep it with you.”

“Thank you.”

Qin Yang hung the amulet around his neck. Seeing that she still looked worried, he smiled. “I’m not going off to die. You don’t need to worry so much.”

“It’s your first time on a battlefield. It’s very dangerous,” Wei Xiaoran said, shaking her head. “This isn’t something to joke about. Do you think they’ll really let you out this time?”

“No,” Qin Yang said with a shake of his head, smiling. “I’m still reluctant to leave you.”

“You’re still talking nonsense.” Wei Xiaoran pinched him in displeasure. “You must come back alive.”

“Mission guaranteed.”

Chapter 3 of 3