Actually, it's not that surprising.
No seasoned Special Forces member truly believes in God.
If there really was a God, Africa wouldn't have endured so much slaughter.
"Alright, I'll go try to talk to him."
With that, Maria left the church hall and went outside to find Father Jose.
Song Heping and Danny walked out of the hall and stood on the veranda in front of the church, leaning against the railing, looking at the entire village.
Danny asked, "You're from the Special Forces?"
Song Heping didn't deny it and nodded, "You are too."
Danny extended his hand, "My name is Danny."
"I'm Song Heping."
The two shook hands, and that was it.
Both looked out for the rules since they shared the same background.
Asking which unit the other was from would yield no answer.
Unless the other was willing to tell.
Otherwise, don't ask to avoid awkwardness.
"Sergeant!"
Jiang Feng came running from the village entrance.
"Is Hou Xing's surgery done?"
Song Heping nodded, "It's done."
Jiang Feng said, "Then let's go quickly. It's not safe to stay here. I just asked around; those militants were here this morning. A few were killed by this carpenter. Thirty more came just now, but we drove them back. They'll surely return, probably with more men. Staying here means certain death."
Song Heping agreed with him.
Staying would indeed mean death.
However, after a moment of hesitation, Song Heping decided to delay their departure, "Let's wait a bit, at least say goodbye to our hosts before we leave."
Jiang Feng appeared anxious, constantly looking around.
"We're unfamiliar with the terrain here. We don't know the situation, nor the militants' deployment. It's like blindness; who knows when they'll come back? Let's go quickly!"
Just then, Maria and Father Jose returned.
Father Jose walked towards the church with his head down.
Maria kept trying to persuade him.
The scene resembled a daughter persuading her stubborn father.
Father Jose walked silently into the church.
Song Heping exchanged glances with Jiang Feng, who gestured for him to hurry up and say goodbye.
Song Heping had no choice but to go into the church.
Maria was still trying to persuade him. Song Heping went up to them and interrupted Maria, "Maria, Father Jose, I want to say goodbye. It's time for us to leave."
Father Jose glanced at Song Heping, his murky eyes filled with desolation.
"Alright, you should leave. Staying isn't safe."
"If you know it's not safe, why aren't you leaving!?" Maria grew anxious, "You know staying means certain death!"
Father Jose sighed and made the sign of the cross on his chest, "Well, if I truly die, it is God's will."
Song Heping looked at the devout old man and couldn't help but say, "Father, I believe avoiding disaster is a normal human response. God would approve of you doing so. Does God want to see you die?"
His words carried a hint of sarcasm.
It was how Song Heping vented his contempt for religion, influenced by the scenes he had witnessed on the road.
Father Jose said, "Maria, you should leave with them. They have strength in numbers. I can tell, Song, you are all fighters. Take the villagers north or to Ethiopia, give everyone a chance to live."
Song Heping said, "I don't understand. Leaving here is harder for you than dying? It's just moving; is it that difficult?"
Suddenly, he smirked coldly, "Do you believe I can tie you up and take you away?"
Father Jose was shocked, "How could you!? Even if you tie me up, I won't thank you. I would rather die in front of you!"
"Damn!"
Song Heping was completely at his wit's end.
"Maria, you see, it's not that I don't want to do the right thing. He's like this; I can't manage him. Farewell, and good luck to you."
With that, he didn't waste any more time. He stepped outside and called Jiang Feng and Antonov in to carry the still groggy Mr. Hou out to the car.
"Danny, what do you plan to do?"
Before leaving, Song Heping asked Danny.