Chapter 94: You Are One of the Finest Special Forces Soldiers I Have Ever Met!

"That's good. I suggest you have your people set up ambushes around the area. This misty forest covers a large territory. If you spot any sign of them, inform us immediately. If you really can't find them, then I'll send my men in," Red Skull said, sensing the complexity of this fog-shrouded forest and the need for caution.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng was sprinting swiftly through the foggy woods. Suspecting the mist might be poisonous, he tore a strip of cloth from his own clothes, soaked it with water from his canteen, and tied it tightly around his nose and mouth to keep the fumes from entering. He ran forward, agile as a monkey, leaving fleeting afterimages through the dense undergrowth, his speed astonishing.

This forest, veiled in mist, was perilous. Only by moving quickly could he hope to find the captain and the others in time.

A cold wind swept through, shaking loose leaves from the branches. The forest felt desolate and chill, a place of biting cold, especially in winter.

Suddenly, Qin Feng spotted a large serpent lurking in the undergrowth. Its head was triangular, emanating a cold, menacing presence.

"A viper?" Qin Feng was startled. He instantly sensed a mortal threat. The snake was three or four meters long, its colors vivid—yet the brighter the hue, the more dangerous it seemed. The snake, tongue flickering, began slithering toward him, its movements exuding an eerie, bone-chilling aura.

"What does it want? Is it trying to eat me?" Qin Feng wondered, eyeing the snake. It appeared to regard him as prey, either driven mad by hunger or perhaps delirious from the cold. Whatever the reason, it looked fierce and predatory.

"Come on, then. Let's see who prevails," Qin Feng thought calmly, knowing that the greater the danger, the more essential it was to remain composed and weigh his options for survival.

The viper crawled to within three meters of him, its cold eyes fixed on Qin Feng and its tongue flicking, as though ready to unleash a savage strike.

Qin Feng, understanding the nature of snakes, braced himself for the attack.

In the next instant, the viper lunged at him like a vivid arrow, its speed almost blinding.

With a swift motion, Qin Feng slashed with his combat knife. A cold gleam flashed; blood spattered. The snake was cut clean in two, struck right at its vital spot. Though its head was severed, the body, carried by momentum, coiled tightly around Qin Feng.

"Damn, it's wound around me so tightly—break!" Qin Feng tugged fiercely at the snake's body, which, deprived of its head and the spark of life, soon loosened. He tore it off.

He exhaled sharply, relieved to have dealt with the venomous serpent. Without quick action, things could have turned dire.

"I need to keep moving, see if I can reach the captain and the others faster," Qin Feng thought, dashing off again at breakneck speed. In the forest, his fleeting silhouette seemed to fly, so fast it was barely perceptible.

After about fifteen minutes, Qin Feng spotted a mark on a tree, so well-hidden it would be nearly impossible to notice without careful observation. He recognized it as a sign left along the way by the third squad, Warhawk and his group.

A faint smile crossed his lips. The captain and the others were likely within a kilometer. He was getting close.

He mimicked a birdcall—a series of low coos. To the unwary, it might sound like any bird, but to those in the know, it was a contact signal.

Moments later, a similar “coo” echoed from about eight hundred meters away.

“It’s them,” Qin Feng thought, elated. His heart leapt at the prospect of reuniting with his team.

He crept forward silently. Soon, ahead in the dense brush, he saw a figure moving stealthily. At first glance, it seemed just another shrub, but on closer inspection, Qin Feng recognized the telltale outline of a man in camouflage—a ghillie suit. As the figure approached, Qin Feng realized it was none other than Shadow.

"Shadow?" Qin Feng called out in delight.

"Qin? Is that really you? You made it! What about the pursuers?" Shadow greeted him, relief evident in his voice. He knew Qin Feng’s rear-guard action had been dangerous. Now, seeing him safe, Shadow felt a weight lift from his heart. Qin Feng’s speed had paid off; he had shaken off the enemy.

“They’re outside. This forest is shrouded in poisonous mist. They fear being poisoned and don’t dare follow. They’re lying in ambush on the outskirts and could come in at any moment, so we need to stay alert. That’s the only way to fight them effectively,” Qin Feng explained.

Shadow nodded. “I don’t think they’ll rush in for now. That’s also what Captain Warhawk believes. None of us think the enemy will take such a risk. The captain says this place is dangerous but, in a way, that makes it safer for us. More often than not, the most dangerous places are the ones that offer the best protection.”

The two shared a brief exchange and then moved deeper into the woods.

Once inside, Qin Feng saw that everyone was concealed amidst the thickest undergrowth, hidden so well as to be nearly invisible. He joined them, and they all breathed a sigh of relief to see him arrive safely, glad he had made it through.

“Qin, you did well. You’re the best rear guard I’ve ever seen among special forces,” Captain Warhawk said with admiration. He was deeply impressed by Qin Feng’s performance, especially as this was his first overseas mission. The captain also felt fortunate to have brought Qin Feng into the third squad. As their designated sniper, Qin Feng had already proved invaluable: when the enemy gave chase, he struck from a distance, deterring their advance. Now, with his resourcefulness, he had also managed to delay the pursuit and allow the team to withdraw safely. Qin Feng had become an indispensable asset.

Without him, their situation would have been far more perilous.

"Captain, I was just doing my duty," Qin Feng replied.