80: Chapter 80 Undercurrents and Unyielding Stance: Want to Play dirty? We'll Play Along to the End!

On a giant electronic screen, several slightly blurry photos that looked like candid shots were being displayed.

In the photos, South Wa soldiers were clumsily operating javelin missile simulators under the guidance of American instructors.

Some soldiers even carried the launch tubes backward, causing the nearby American instructors to have expressions like they were constipated.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The Bald Eagle is really going all out this time."

Zhang Cheng held a teacup and leaned against his desk, watching the comical scene on the screen. Not only was there no panic on his face, but it even carried a hint of a playful smile. "javelins? M4s? Individual radios? Is this a clearance sale of their inventory? Or do they think my collection is missing a few pieces of American equipment?"

Old K stood to the side, his posture as straight as a pine, his voice still in that cold, mechanical tone: "Sovereign, according to intelligence analysis, the quantity of this equipment is considerable, enough to arm two elite regiments. With that twenty-man advisory group, the combat effectiveness of the South Wa forces will indeed see a significant boost in the short term. Especially their anti-tank capabilities, which pose a certain threat to our armored units. The precision and penetration of American equipment should not be underestimated."

"Threat?" Zhang Cheng put down his teacup and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the barracks under expansion outside, which was the station of the First Mechanized Brigade. "Threats are relative. Give a monkey a gun, and it still won't become a hunter. Does Bao Youxiang think he can turn the world upside down with these few firesticks? Naive."

He turned around, his eyes instantly becoming as sharp as a blade. "However, since they've made their move, we can't pretend not to see it. Despise the enemy strategically, but take them seriously tactically. Old K, pass down the word: adjust the recent training subjects for the Mechanized Brigade and the Tank Battalion."

"Increase combat drills under complex electromagnetic environments, and... anti-tank missile evasion and countermeasures." Zhang Cheng tapped his fingers on the desk. "Tell the brothers not to think they're invincible just because they have tanks. If they really encounter 'javelins' in the future, don't be startled. Have those technical backbones study how to use terrain and smoke grenades to deal with these things. Just treat it as free sparring."

"Yes!" Old K recorded quickly, then changed the subject. "Additionally, regarding that 'Hellfire' squad that infiltrated..."

"Oh? Those few rats?" Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow, a hunter's light flashing in his eyes. "Found their location?"

"Locked in." Old K pulled up a satellite map of the Pangkham urban area, marked with several blinking red dots. "They are very cautious, disguised as a geological survey team and a wildlife research group, currently scattered across several safe houses in the east and north of the city. Their movements are very secretive, with extremely strong counter-reconnaissance capabilities, even avoiding most of our overt surveillance. 'Phantom' provided some information on the squad leader, 'Tombstone'; this man is a master sniper, skilled at creating chaos and long-range decapitation."

"Interesting." Zhang Cheng rubbed his chin. "Want to play at decapitation operations? Trying to cause trouble under my nose? This bunch has gotten used to bullying weaklings in the Middle East and thinks Northern Myanmar is their backyard too?"

Li Lanzhi sat on the nearby sofa, a document in her hand, her face full of worry. "Brother Cheng, should we... directly send the Special Operations Team to arrest them? These people are too dangerous; staying in the city is like having time bombs. If..."

"No rush." Zhang Cheng waved his hand, a cunning light flashing in his eyes. "Catching a few rats is easy, and shooting them dead is even simpler. But I want their masters behind them to know that this place isn't somewhere they can just come and go as they please."

He walked up to Old K and whispered instructions, "Strengthen the security of the headquarters and key facilities, especially the anti-sniper system—keep it running 24/7. Use that... 'Sky Eye' system we recently redeemed as well. But on the surface, act as if we know nothing; don't alert the enemy. Let them think they haven't been exposed, let them think they have a chance."

"I want to see what kind of foul plot they're brewing. Once they've set the stage, we'll step up and play the lead."

"Also," the corner of Zhang Cheng's mouth curled into a cold arc, "notify 'Phantom'—Erica. Give her a chance to redeem herself through service. Have her cooperate with the security department to analyze 'Hellfire's' operational patterns. The ones who understand killers best are always other killers. Tell her that if she does well this time, I'll let her see her sister."

"Understood." Old K nodded. "Regarding the military movements to the south, do we need to make targeted deployments?"

"Of course." Zhang Cheng walked back to his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface. "Bao Youxiang wants to train his troops? Then I'll add some spice for him. Tell the frontline troops to make a big scene! Frequently have 'accidental discharges' or drone 'reconnaissance errors' across the border. Keep him constantly on edge, making him think I could attack at any moment. Let's see how long he can hold out! Let's see if those green recruits of his will mutiny!"

"Additionally," a cold light flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes, his tone becoming meaningful, "tell Zhao Gang that the Bald Eagle's claws are reaching too far. If the Dragon Country has any 'phased-out' electronic warfare equipment or 'obsolete' jamming gear, we are short of it here—very short. We can trade minerals for it, trade intelligence for it, or even trade the 'confessions' of American military advisors for it."

Li Lanzhi's eyes lit up. "You want to..."

"Since it's a proxy war, let's all play together." Zhang Cheng sneered. "The Bald Eagle provides guns, and the Dragon Country provides shields. Plus the equipment in my hands... I want to see what kind of waves these Americans can stir up in this quagmire of Northern Myanmar! Trying to turn Northern Myanmar into the next Syria? In your dreams!"

He had absolute confidence. The two million points in the system were his greatest source of assurance. If he didn't want it, let alone a 'Hellfire' squad, even if the real US special forces came, they would still have a few teeth knocked out!

"Pass down the order!" Zhang Cheng's voice echoed in the office, carrying a murderous aura of war. "The entire army is to raise its combat readiness level! Relaxed on the outside, tight on the inside! This is a tough battle, and it's also the true fame-making battle for our 'Kokang National Army'! If anyone lets me down, they will be dealt with by military law!"

"Yes!"

With the issuance of the order, the entire Pangkham, and even the entire North Wa, began to operate silently yet powerfully, like a precision war machine.

On the surface, it was still a scene of peace and prosperity, with construction in full swing. The common people were still talking about this year's harvest and the newly opened shopping malls.

But in the shadows, countless pairs of eyes opened, countless muzzles were raised, and countless traps opened their maws.

That 'Hellfire' squad, which thought it was being stealthy, had already stepped into a carefully woven death trap from the moment they entered Pangkham. And Bao Youxiang to the South Was still dreaming his pipe dreams, unaware that what awaited him would be a lesson even more painful than before.