Chapter 438

Andrew Smith couldn't suppress the grin on his face as he stepped out of the commander's office. Who would have thought the marriage application he'd been carrying around would get approved just like that? The document, stained with sweat, watermarks, and even a few dark red blood spots, had made the commander's eyes glisten with emotion.

"You rascal..." The commander shook his head before signing with a flourish. "Go on. We'll get your marriage certificate processed after the troop rotation."

Andrew snapped a crisp salute, his steps noticeably lighter as he turned away. He touched the breast pocket where the application rested, still warm from his body heat.

But his joy shattered the moment they crossed the danger zone.

The route was eerily quiet today. The supply convoy moved without encountering a single obstacle—not even the distant echo of artillery. Sitting in the passenger seat, Andrew's frown deepened with each passing mile.

"Something's wrong," he told the driver. "Step on it."

The bad news arrived as soon as they finished unloading at camp. A returning convoy had hit landmines—three vehicles obliterated instantly.

"Minefield?" Andrew shot to his feet, slamming his palm onto the tactical map with a loud crack.

The reconnaissance team's report was worse. The enemy had secretly littered the mountain pass with dense clusters of mines—four different types, each with varying sensitivity levels, making clearance nearly impossible.

"Captain, Private Liu..." The soldier's voice broke. "He lost his legs."

Andrew's fist crashed onto the table. This was a vicious tactic. With supply lines cut and no way to evacuate casualties, their highland position would soon run out of ammunition and provisions.

"Assemble the engineering platoon!" he barked. "I want a clearance plan before dawn."

Outside the tent, the night was ink-black. Andrew pulled out the marriage application, studying it under the moonlight again and again.

This time, it was truly do or die.