Chapter 68: Encounter in the Forest
As the approaching figure drew closer, Helan Xiaoyue’s lips curled into a charming smile.
Zzzzt!
A surge of electricity crackled through the air, and the figure collapsed instantly.
“Sister Helan, up in the trees again?”
A teasing voice rang out—it was the Electric Baton Guy.
Rolling her eyes, Helan Xiaoyue jumped down from the tree branch.
“All taken care of?” she asked softly.
“Yep, just some small fry,” he shrugged, grinning.
“Grab them. We’re leaving,” she ordered.
The Electric Baton Guy nodded, effortlessly picking up Yu Tianqi and Yu Ling from the ground.
______
Fang Xiaocao lay in her sleeping bag, clutching a switchblade tightly in her hand. Though her eyes were closed, her mind was actively recalling everything she knew about hypnosis.
Even last-minute cramming was better than doing nothing!
She figured that preparing on the fly was still better than giving up.
Outside the tent, Zhi Qi stood guard, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
In the deep mountains, wild animals were plentiful. If no one stood watch, there was no telling when a wild beast might pounce on one of their teammates and drag them away.
Hearing Zhi Qi’s steady footsteps, Fang Xiaocao felt a little more at ease. At least Zhi Qi was reliable.
If that scar-faced freak came, she wouldn’t be fighting alone!
______
Meanwhile, Wan Xiaozhou and Yun Luoshu walked through the forest.
Wan Xiaozhou frequently bent down to pick up dry branches and placed them into Yun Luoshu’s arms.
They had a clear division of labor—Wan Xiaozhou gathered firewood, and Yun Luoshu carried it.
Suddenly, Wan Xiaozhou froze mid-motion, maintaining a bent-over stance without moving.
Noticing this, Yun Luoshu blinked in confusion.
“Xiaozhou, what’s wrong?” she asked curiously.
“Shh. Don’t talk. Crouch down,” Wan Xiaozhou whispered.
“Ouch, I think I pulled my back,” she added, exaggerating her voice.
Yun Luoshu was startled but followed her instructions and crouched down.
“Xiaozhou, what is it?” she whispered.
“Someone’s here,” Wan Xiaozhou murmured.
“When I say run, we run straight to the camp,” she instructed.
“Alright,” Yun Luoshu agreed, though she remained puzzled.
Before setting out, Fang Xiaocao had told her to obey Wan Xiaozhou no matter what. If she didn’t understand something, she should follow orders without question.
She might ignore others’ advice, but when it came to Fang Xiaocao, she listened.
Seeing Yun Luoshu’s obedience, Wan Xiaozhou was slightly surprised. She had been wondering how to explain things to this big, clueless girl.
“I’ll count to three. When I say go, we run.”
“No matter what you see or hear, just keep running straight to camp.”
Wan Xiaozhou gave another set of instructions.
“Okay, I’ll do as you say.”
Yun Luoshu nodded.
“Three!”
Wan Xiaozhou shouted in a low voice and bolted.
Yun Luoshu hesitated for a moment before instinctively following.
But in the back of her mind, she was still wondering, Where did one and two go?
Wan Xiaozhou, who had trained in fitness and martial arts for years, ran like a nimble rabbit through the forest.
Although Yun Luoshu was an athlete, compared to Wan Xiaozhou, she was like a clumsy bear.
She could barely keep up but had no chance of overtaking her.
Rustle rustle…
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Yun Luoshu flinched and instinctively turned her head—before remembering Wan Xiaozhou’s warning.
“Don’t look back… No matter what happens, don’t look back…”
She panted as she repeated the warning to herself.
Wan Xiaozhou, several meters ahead, heard her muttering and slowed down slightly.
She found Yun Luoshu amusing—a big, naive girl who was surprisingly obedient.
If she could, she didn’t mind looking after her.
That is, as long as it didn’t put her own life at risk.
Rustle rustle…
The footsteps behind them grew closer.
Wan Xiaozhou’s expression became grim.
From the sound, she could tell—the pursuer was highly skilled.
Glancing at Yun Luoshu, she clenched her jaw and slowed down further until they were running side by side.
At the same time, she reached for the knife at her waist, gripping it tightly.
“Luoshu, no matter what happens, just keep running, okay?”
Wan Xiaozhou spoke softly, her breathing steady despite their sprint.
“Okay…” Yun Luoshu panted.
“Good. No matter what you hear, don’t be afraid.”
“When you reach the camp, don’t wait for me. Just tell everyone to run immediately. I’ll catch up later.”
Before Yun Luoshu could respond, Wan Xiaozhou slowed her pace again, letting her pull ahead.
“Don’t blame me…”
“If I don’t stop him, you’ll die.”
Watching Yun Luoshu’s retreating back, Wan Xiaozhou whispered to herself.
Without hesitation, she flung her knife backward.
Whoosh!
The blade sliced through the air.
At the same moment, Wan Xiaozhou veered off the path and vanished into the dense foliage.
She didn’t need to turn around to know that her attack had missed.
That only confirmed one thing—the pursuer was even stronger than she had expected.
Fighting him wouldn’t be impossible, but the cost might be too great.
So, Wan Xiaozhou made a decision—she abandoned Yun Luoshu.
She believed that her thrown knife had served as a warning.
If the pursuer had any sense, he wouldn’t chase her but would go after Yun Luoshu instead.
Without her protection, Yun Luoshu was just an easy target.
Catching her was only a matter of time.
Reaching the camp?
Ha…
That was just a lie to keep Yun Luoshu running.
Hiding in the foliage, Wan Xiaozhou scaled a dense tree in mere moments, blending into its leafy canopy.
From there, she silently observed the path below.
She wanted to see—who was this pursuer?
Rustle rustle…
Footsteps approached.
A man stepped into view.
His build was unremarkable, clad in a cheap windbreaker.
But when Wan Xiaozhou saw his face, her heart nearly stopped.
What kind of face was that?
Even a demon from hell would look tame in comparison.
As the man passed her tree, he suddenly paused.
Slowly, he turned his head upward.
And then—he smiled.
A twisted, terrifying smile.
Wan Xiaozhou’s heart skipped a beat.
She realized—she had been discovered.
(End of Chapter 68)
