The little Japanese were meticulously extracting the Crystal Black Scorpion from Wu Mian Wang Weicheng’s body, and I could clearly hear the sound of sharp blades scraping across his scalp and back. It was an endlessly long night, and listening to those sounds, coupled with all the encounters we’d had, made sleep impossible.

When dawn finally arrived, the little Japanese had finally managed to remove the fragmented Crystal Black Scorpion, and Wang Weicheng's corpse had been defiled beyond recognition by their ministrations. From start to finish, I didn't spare them another glance; I was afraid that if I looked at them again, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from putting a bullet in every single one of them.

These Japanese men had worked all night, yet showed no signs of fatigue. As soon as daylight broke, they all stared at me menacingly, as if expecting me to try and slip away at any moment.

I couldn't be bothered to speak to them; I simply ignored them, stepped over the bodies lying haphazardly on the ground, and walked over to Section Chief Wang. I needed to know if the old man had woken up, and whether he intended to continue pursuing the deserter or call off the chase—those decisions still rested with him.

He was still lying face down, his muscles exposed beneath his torn clothing looking less flushed than they had the night before.

“Section Chief Wang…” I called out softly, testing the air.

There was no response for a long moment. “Is he dead?” A jolt of panic hit me, and I quickly reached out to turn his face over, preparing to check his breath.

Section Chief Wang suddenly opened his eyes without warning, staring at me as my hand hovered near his nose. “Li… Luo?” He spoke first, his voice extremely weak.

His speaking startled me, but I didn't rush to answer. First, I checked his eyes—no anomalies. Then, I carefully examined his face—no swelling. Finally, I looked at his mouth; it seemed he wasn't drooling bloody saliva anymore. Hmm… he appeared to be normal.

Only then did I ask, “Section Chief Wang, how are you feeling?” He shook his head with effort, signaling he was fine. Since he was alright, I decided not to beat around the bush and directly asked what his next plan was. Frustratingly, Section Chief Wang said he didn't know what to do, as the pain in his back was excruciating, but pursuing a deserter was out of the question.

He was the leader, and if he had no ideas, what could I, a mere technical cadre, possibly say? Even if I were in charge, I wouldn't know how to deal with him or Officer Liu. Speaking of Officer Liu, I almost forgot to check on his condition.

As I walked toward Officer Liu’s position, I passed the little Japanese; they were conferring in hushed tones. I couldn't even bother to look at them.

Fortunately, Officer Liu was in better shape than Section Chief Wang. When he saw me coming, he actually greeted me voluntarily: “Technician Luo.”

I continued to examine him carefully for any abnormalities. Confirming that, apart from being extremely weak, everything else seemed normal, I too felt utterly exhausted and pulled out a ration biscuit to replenish some energy.

Before I could even reach the biscuit packet in my pack, that Zhuoma Yangjin came running up to me again. Although she tried her best to smile, it did nothing to hide the utter exhaustion on her face. “Mr. Luo, Yamamoto-kun says he can help remove the scorpion legs from that gentleman’s back,” she said.

“Oh… alright then, go ahead,” I murmured, too weary to deeply consider why they were suddenly being so benevolent.

“However…” Zhuoma Yangjin looked incredibly hesitant, lingering before me, unwilling to leave.

“What is it?” I finally located the biscuit and asked distractedly while tearing open the wrapper.

“Yamamoto-kun overheard you discussing the deserter earlier. You mentioned the deserter’s bizarre condition, and they are extremely interested from a medical perspective.” It was clear Zhuoma Yangjin was trying her utmost to use gentle phrasing. “If they help remove the scorpion legs from that gentleman’s back, Yamamoto-kun hopes you will agree to let them assist in finding the deserter.”

“Hmm?” My nerves immediately tightened again. “Why are the little Japanese so interested in a Chinese deserter? What medical perspective? Don't forget, this is Chinese internal affairs.” I deliberately stressed the word "internal affairs" over and over. Moreover, those detestable Japanese were using Section Chief Wang’s injury to bargain with me again—I utterly despised their underhanded tactics.

When Zhuoma Yangjin heard me elevate the matter to the height of international politics, she froze for a moment.

I was displeased with her for acting as a mouthpiece for the Japanese without taking a stand, so I simply looked at her coldly, waiting for her to fabricate an excuse for a reply.

After a pause, Zhuoma Yangjin seemed to make a decision and said, “Because you mentioned earlier that the deserter’s footprints were perfectly uniform as he fled, and you tracked them all the way here, coupled with the fact that some of you here have been infected by the Crystal Black Scorpion… Therefore, I have every reason to believe that the deserter has also been invaded by the Crystal Black Scorpion.” She said "I," not "we" or "they," which felt slightly suspicious.

“You… believe?” I drew out the question.

“No, no… I misspoke… I misspoke. Yamamoto-kun and the others said that. I don’t know anything,” Zhuoma Yangjin quickly explained, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Since she was clearly determined to conceal something, I lost the patience to press further and simply dismissed her to find Section Chief Wang: “Section Chief Wang is awake now. I can’t make this decision; go ask him.”

Zhuoma Yangjin did not go to Section Chief Wang. She stated plainly, “If you do not agree to let Yamamoto-kun and his group assist in finding the deserter, then Yamamoto-kun wishes you to understand his necessity in standing by and letting the gentleman suffer, because experts in Japan are urgently pressing them to take the Crystal Black Scorpion back to the country.”

It was naked blackmail, but unfortunately for them, this old man wasn't taking the bait. I snorted coldly and fell silent, concentrating on eating my biscuit.

It was Section Chief Wang who took up the conversation then: “Fine… fine… let them take the things out of my back first. It’s killing me… it hurts like something is growing into my flesh…” As he spoke, he couldn't help but groan in agony. It seemed that, no longer under Wu Mian’s control and having regained self-awareness, the pain was unbearable.

Zhuoma Yangjin hurried over and relayed the words back to Section Chief Wang. Unable to bear the pain, he quickly agreed. Only then did Zhuoma Yangjin go back to report to the Japanese. Following that, Yamamoto and a short, lean man carrying the tools used the night before to extract the Crystal Black Scorpion walked toward Section Chief Wang. I watched their every move with cold eyes, simultaneously loathing the Japanese for taking advantage of his predicament and despising Section Chief Wang’s lack of backbone. Was it just pain? If he endured it, once they got down the mountain and back to the barracks, wouldn’t the mighty military region have a competent doctor to treat him?

While busy, Yamamoto struck up a conversation with Section Chief Wang in halting Chinese. As the scorpion legs were pulled out one by one, Section Chief Wang’s piercing screams continuously assaulted my ears. I truly wished I could walk over and slap him twice just to shut him up; he was disgracing the honor of Chinese soldiers in front of these little devils.

...

Finally, Section Chief Wang stopped screaming, and I enjoyed a brief moment of quiet. However, this quiet didn't last long. “Little Luo…” His voice was no longer as utterly weak as before.

I walked over slowly and asked, “What is it?”

“I’ve made up my mind… we cannot let the deserter go… Yamamoto says if we find the deserter, there is a chance to completely cure my injury… If I go down the mountain now, I will have severe sequelae…” Section Chief Wang spoke breathlessly, but with firm resolve. “So, you will stay with me, along with Yamamoto and the others, and continue to search for the deserter. The rest will return to the station down the mountain.”

No way. He wants to go himself, fine, but he wants to drag me along too? Furthermore, those bastards were brutal enough to skin and dismember a Wu Mian who was already dead. If that deserter is still alive, and his head is truly invaded by the Crystal Black Scorpion… what kind of methods would these devils use against him?

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

“No, I’m not going.” I glanced at Section Chief Wang, then turned and walked away, completely ignoring him.