Chapter 23: Deteriorating Injuries

However, the first problem Wang Zhong had to face was the growing urge to sleep.

He didn’t know if it was because he was close to Su Fang, but late at night, Wang Zhong began to sweat profusely, and the breath he exhaled was frighteningly hot.

As his body heated up, his brain also became as slow as if it had been filled with lead.

In a daze, Wang Zhong wondered if he had a fever.

He remembered the wound on his shoulder.

He vaguely recalled someone saying the wound was in very bad condition and that he would likely develop a fever soon.

Who said that again?

His mind was too foggy to remember.

His consciousness gradually blurred, and he finally fell completely into a deep sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, the scenery flashing by the window indicated that the convoy was passing through a small town.

In a haze, Wang Zhong heard Prosen speech and immediately snapped awake—his head still foggy, of course.

His first instinct was to draw his gun, but a slender hand held down his weapon, “Don’t worry, they just said ‘be careful ahead, enemy-occupied zone.’”

Because his body felt so awful, it took Wang Zhong a moment longer than it should have to realize that the enemy-occupied zone mentioned by the Prosen devils was our army’s controlled area.

He looked at his watch, but it took him a full second to understand the time: 3 a.m.

It was only three in the morning, but the eastern sky was already turning pale, and Wang Zhong, the southern spud, had never seen the day break so early.

Wang Zhong stared eastward for a few seconds before he remembered to switch to an overhead view to be vigilant of his surroundings.

Before he could switch, Su Fang said, “You have a fever, it’s because of the wound, isn’t it? The mobile field hospital is right behind us and they didn’t even give you any penicillin.”

Wang Zhong, “They didn’t have the chance, they’ve mostly been chased around by the enemy.”

When he spoke, the air coming out of Wang Zhong’s mouth was scorching hot.

When he was silent, he didn’t notice, but speaking made Wang Zhong feel thirsty, so he reached for his water bottle, only to find the broken strap.

Then a water bottle with the cap already off was handed to him.

Su Fang, “Drink more. Sorry, I... didn’t realize you might be dehydrated.”

"Thank you,” Wang Zhong took the water bottle and took a large gulp. Perhaps because he was feverish, he felt like a sponge, absorbing the water as soon as it entered his mouth.

After guzzling water, Wang Zhong felt much better, and he switched to an overhead view, confirming that there were no enemies ahead.

That’s when Su Fang said, “You should get to the rear to recuperate as soon as possible; you look very pale.”

Wang Zhong, “But only after we’ve escaped danger.”

After that, Wang Zhong saw four tanks stationed on a hillside in the overhead view.

He instinctively cried out, “Stop!”

The jolt from the braking almost made Wang Zhong vomit, and he was already feeling very uncomfortable, almost as if his brains were being shaken to a pulp.

Sufang, “How do I get out? Should I climb over the two of you? Sorry, that’s a bit...”

Wang Zhong opened the door, but when he tried to get out, his legs gave out, nearly causing him to fall headfirst.

Luckily, someone caught him in time.

In a daze, he saw familiar silver hair.

Ludmila was supporting his shoulder, asking with concern, “Alyosha, you...you look very pale!”

It took Wang Zhong half a moment to remember Alyosha was a nickname for his own name, Aleksei. Indeed, this girl was very familiar with him.

As he thought this, Wang Zhong released all his strength, leaning on the girl.

Ludmila stepped back to support the weight of the grown man.

After hesitating for a moment, she still asked, “Monk Yeca Neiko sent me to ask why we’ve stopped. What happened?”

Wang Zhong, “There are our armored troops up ahead, we stopped to avoid friendly fire.”

Ludmila looked ahead, her voice filled with doubt, “Ahead?”

At this moment, Sufang poked her head out of the car, looking embarrassed—she had just been blocked by Wang Zhong and couldn’t get down.

Seeing this, Ludmila pulled Wang Zhong back a few steps.

Sufang got out of the car, awkwardly straightening her slightly disheveled clothes, and said, “Uh, I am a Hymn Monk, and according to the rules, I must stay by the side of the highest commander.”

"Oh,” Ludmila nodded, “You’ve worked hard.”

At that time, Yegorov came to report, “The military flag and the white flag are both tied properly.”

"Got it,” Wang Zhong replied, reluctantly leaving Ludmila to climb back into the driver’s seat.

At that moment, his limbs were still without strength, especially his injured right hand, which was limp and made it difficult to even hold a telescope.

Currently, he certainly couldn’t climb back onto the vehicle. Seeing his state, the two girls quickly came over and together pushed him up.

Ludmila, worried, asked, “What are you going to do?”

Wang Zhong, “To establish contact with the tank units to avoid friendly fire.”

Yegorov, “Shouldn’t I go instead...”

Wang Zhong, “No, this is my job. Your soldiers trust you, not me. If I stay, I can’t command them.”

In reality, Wang Zhong’s ability to think was severely limited at the moment; otherwise, he would definitely realize that the most rational action would be to send two volunteers.

Unfortunately, he was not capable of thorough consideration now, and the people around him, after a whole day of maneuvering, had become accustomed to following his orders.

Sergey, with a morose face, “Can’t you switch with me, Yegorov?”

Wang Zhong closed the car door and with a wide sweep of his hand, declared, “Drive.”

Though Sergey appeared to be a timorous wreck on the surface, he still started the engine.

Thus, the car bearing the white flag and the Ante Army Flag drove eastward, facing the dawn.