Chapter 663 Moonlit Night
As night fell, on the edge of the desolate desert, bonfires swayed in the cold wind, reflecting tired and determined faces. Bai Ye, the leader of the team, stood at the edge of the fire, staring deeply at the body of the little wild donkey not far away. Its life ended abruptly in the previous chase and fight, and now it has become the team's survival dependence. All around, soldiers were sitting or standing, and their silence revealed their complicated emotions about the upcoming "feast".
Bai Ye didn't say much, he just waved his hand gently to signal the soldiers to start working. Several soldiers stepped forward, skillfully dragged the little wild donkey's body to the campfire, and began to skin and remove the bones. The unique fishy smell of raw meat soon filled the air, intertwined with the smell of burning wood, creating an indescribable atmosphere.
"Move quickly, it's almost dawn, and we still have to hurry." Bai Ye's voice was low and powerful, penetrating the silence around him. When the soldiers heard this, their movements became more agile. They knew that in this barren land, every moment of stay might be a waste of life.
As the skin and flesh of the wild donkey were separated one by one, the soldiers began to work together. Some people were responsible for cutting the meat into evenly sized strips, while others were busy looking for suitable branches to build a simple grill. Under the firelight, their figures were busy and orderly, as if they were performing a silent ritual, transforming death into the power of survival.
"Bai Ye, this meat looks quite thin. I'm afraid it won't be chewy enough if it's dried out." A soldier said while cutting the meat, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"It's better than nothing." Bai Ye responded briefly, but his eyes never left the work in hand. He knew very well that he was lucky to be able to find such food in this deserted land, and he had no right to be picky.
As time passed, the strips of meat were skewered one by one and hung on the grill. The flames jumped, licking the ingredients that were about to become rations, making a "sizzling" sound, and the alluring aroma gradually spread. There was a hint of desire in the soldiers' eyes, but more of it was worry about the unknown. They know that although such food can temporarily relieve hunger, it also hides unknown risks.
Finally, the first batch of jerky is finished. Bai Ye was the first to pick up a bunch, blew on the ashes on it, and took a bite. The dry and hard meat slowly softens in the mouth, with a subtle sweetness, which is the most original taste of life. He nodded and signaled the soldiers to start enjoying.
The soldiers stepped forward one after another and took their share. They ate carefully, as if they were tasting a hard-won treasure with every bite. Although dried meat is not as delicious and juicy as fresh meat, for them at this moment, it is already a supreme delicacy.
"Bai Ye, let's have some beer." A soldier suggested, his eyes shining with anticipation. In this desolate place, beer has become their most luxurious enjoyment, which can temporarily forget their fatigue and fear.
Bai Ye did not refuse. He took out several bottles of beer from the package he carried and distributed them to the soldiers one by one. The cold liquid slides into the throat, bringing an indescribable sense of relief, as if the chill and fatigue all over the body are instantly dispelled. A long-lost smile appeared on the soldiers' faces, and the distance between them was shortened at this moment.
However, joy is always short-lived. When the last drop of beer fell into their stomachs, the soldiers returned to reality again. They know that this kind of time will not come often. There is still a long road ahead and unknown challenges are waiting for them.
Bai Ye stood up and glanced at every soldier's face. There was both firmness and tenderness in his eyes. "Brothers, after we have eaten and drank enough, we have to move on. Remember, no matter what difficulties we encounter, we must unite as one and face it together like we did today."
The soldiers nodded one after another, determination shining in their eyes. They know that as long as the white night is there, nothing is impossible. So they embarked on the journey again, leaving behind only the extinguishing campfire and the remains of the little wild donkey, witnessing yet another survival challenge for them in this desolate land.
The night was still dark, and the stars dotted the endless sky, adding a bit of mystery and loneliness to this desolate journey. The soldiers followed Bai Ye's footsteps and stepped on the soft sand in the desert. Every step seemed particularly heavy. The brief joy brought by the alcohol had dissipated, replaced by deep anxiety about an unknown future.
"Bai Ye, can we really find a new home?" A soldier finally couldn't help but break the silence. His voice echoed in the empty desert, carrying a bit of uncertainty and confusion.
Bai Ye stopped, turned around, and scanned every soldier with burning eyes. "I don't know." His answer was simple and direct, but full of power. "But I know that if we stop, we will never find the answer. Only by keeping moving forward can we find new hope."
The soldiers looked at each other, and Bai Ye's words were like a heavy hammer, ringing the alarm bell in their hearts. Yes, they have no retreat and can only move forward bravely, no matter whether it is a mountain of swords, a sea of fire, or an abyss.
The night wind gradually picked up and the temperature in the desert dropped sharply. The soldiers wrapped up their clothes tightly and continued to move forward. Although their steps were tired, their eyes became more determined. They know that they have lost too much along the way, but they have also gained a lot - their perseverance, the brotherhood of life and death, and their endless curiosity and desire for the unknown world.
As the first rays of sunlight penetrated the clouds and illuminated the road ahead, a new strength surged in the hearts of the soldiers. They began to talk about past battles, future dreams, and those beautiful things that they once thought were out of reach. In this journey full of despair and hope, they learned to cherish every moment in front of them and to find light in adversity.
However, the good times did not last long. Just when they thought they could move forward smoothly, a sudden sandstorm broke all the tranquility. The strong wind rolled up the yellow sand all over the sky, covering the sky and making it difficult to breathe. The soldiers held each other's hands tightly, fearing that they would lose their direction in this raging storm.
"Don't panic! Follow the previous training, form a circle and protect each other!" Bai Ye's voice sounded particularly loud and firm in the storm. The soldiers acted quickly, forming a circle according to Bai Ye's instructions, and used their bodies to resist the invasion of the strong wind.
The sandstorm lasted for a whole day. When night fell and the storm finally stopped, the soldiers were exhausted. They slumped on the ground, breathing in the fresh air, their eyes full of relief for surviving the disaster.
"We... we made it!" a soldier shouted excitedly, his voice full of the joy of victory.
"Yes, we made it." Bai Ye smiled and nodded, his eyes were both relieved and expectant, "But this is just the beginning, the road ahead is still long. We have to keep moving forward until we find the place that belongs to us."
The soldiers supported each other and stood up. Although they were exhausted, their hearts were filled with unprecedented strength. They knew that as long as they were united, nothing could stop them from moving forward.
In the following days, the soldiers experienced more challenges and tests. They crossed the endless desert, climbed over the steep mountains, crossed the turbulent rivers... Every difficulty and obstacle made them more convinced of their beliefs and goals.
However, during this long journey, they gradually discovered the other side of the world. They encountered different races, different cultures, different beliefs... These strange faces and voices made them feel curious and scared. But Bai Ye always reminded them to be vigilant and respectful, and to accept this diverse world with an open mind.
By chance, the soldiers discovered an ancient village hidden in the mountains. The residents here are isolated from the world and live a self-sufficient life. They received the soldiers with hospitality and shared their wisdom and skills. The soldiers learned a lot of valuable knowledge about survival, nature, and human nature here.
"We are not alone." Bai Ye said to the soldiers by the campfire one night, "In this world, there are many people like us who are looking for homes and pursuing peace. As long as we have hope and move forward, we will definitely find a place that belongs to us."
The soldiers nodded in agreement. They knew that although this journey was full of hardships and difficulties, they also gained growth and friendship. They believed that no matter what difficulties and challenges they encountered in the future, they would be able to work together until they found the home that truly belonged to them.
So they set out on the journey again with their hearts full of longing and expectations for the future. The body of the little wild donkey has long become a fragment of their memory, reminding them to cherish life and respect nature, and also making them more determined in their beliefs and goals - to find their own sky in this vast land.
As the sun rises and the moon sets, the soldiers continue to move forward in their endless journey, and every step seems to be on the edge of time, which is both a farewell to the past and an exploration of the future. The end of the desert seems to be forever out of reach, but their beliefs are like an oasis in the desert, always guiding the direction.
One evening, when the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky golden, an unusual object suddenly appeared in the soldiers' sight - an abandoned vehicle, lying alone between the sand dunes, the body of the vehicle was covered with thick sand and dust, and it looked old and vicissitudes.
"Look! There's a car over there!" A soldier shouted excitedly, pointing to the front, his voice echoing in the empty desert, breaking the long silence.
The soldiers quickened their pace and ran towards the car. Their hearts were full of curiosity and expectation. After all, in such a desolate place, any trace of human intervention could be the key to their survival.
When they finally stood in front of the car, they were shocked by the scene in front of them. This was an old jeep. Although the body was badly damaged, it was still possible to see that it was once strong and durable. The windows were broken and the tires were deflated, but some parts in the engine compartment seemed to be intact.
"We may be able to fix it!" A soldier who knew a little about machinery said excitedly, with a gleam in his eyes, as if he had seen the moment when the vehicle restarted.
Bai Ye nodded in agreement. He knew that in this resource-scarce desert, a vehicle that could drive would greatly enhance their survival ability. So he ordered the soldiers to start dismantling the abandoned jeep and looking for all available resources.
The soldiers acted quickly, and they divided the work and cooperated. Some were responsible for dismantling the doors and roof, while others went into the engine compartment to try to find parts that could still be used. Although the work was arduous and challenging, their hearts were full of hope and motivation.
As time went by, the jeep was gradually disassembled into piles of parts and metal frames. The soldiers carefully screened these parts, collected the useful parts and prepared them for subsequent repair work. In the process, they also found some unexpected treasures - several boxes of unopened canned food, several barrels of fresh water and some basic repair tools.
"Great! These supplies are simply life-saving straws for us!" A soldier shouted excitedly, holding an open can in his hand, with a satisfied smile on his face.
Bai Ye looked at the busy figures and smiles on the faces of the soldiers, and felt a little relieved in his heart. He knew that this was not only because they found a jeep that could be repaired and a batch of valuable supplies, but more importantly, they showed a spirit of unity, cooperation and perseverance in the process.
As night fell, the soldiers sat around the campfire, sharing the harvest and joy of the day. They talked about how to repair the jeep, how to use these supplies to improve living conditions, and future plans and goals. Although the road ahead is still full of unknowns and challenges, their hearts are full of hope and strength.
In the following days, the soldiers began the arduous repair work under the leadership of Bai Ye. They used the tools in their hands and the parts they found to repair every part of the jeep bit by bit. Although they encountered many difficulties and setbacks in the process, they never gave up. They encouraged and supported each other and overcame one difficulty after another together.
Finally one day, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and shone on the desert, the engine of the jeep roared in the cheers of the soldiers. Although the sound was a bit harsh and unstable, it was like a song of victory that resounded through the sky. The soldiers jumped on the jeep and cheered and hugged excitedly, as if all the hardships and efforts at this moment had been rewarded with the best.
Bai Ye stood aside and watched all this quietly. There was both relief and expectation in his eyes. He knew that this repaired jeep would not only greatly improve their ability to survive, but also become a solid backing for them to explore the unknown world. More importantly, it witnessed the deep friendship and solidarity between the soldiers. This spirit will always accompany them forward no matter how difficult and long the road ahead is.