Looking at Kang Pangzi's half-smile, I felt an urge to pull out my Yin Tie Mu ruler and smack his face a couple of times. This damned fatty was truly detestable, having done nothing but bad deeds.
But I knew now was not the time for revenge. Although they had lost one person, the others were unharmed and hidden in various places. If we made a move, we would be at a disadvantage.
I walked past Kang Pangzi and looked at Li Jian, who was hiding behind a tree. He was staring at me. Seeing me look his way, he waved his hands a couple of times, signaling me to hide.
Everything was clear now. Kang Pangzi must have been arranged by that old fox Li Jian to monitor us, for fear that we would escape.
After one of his subordinates was killed by a mountain spirit, the man with the full beard did not show much anger. He merely glanced coldly at his fallen companion and then ordered his men to open fire on the mountain spirit.
*Tattat--*
*Boom--*
The fierce gunfire and the explosions of rockets instantly filled the valley, startling countless birds.
At the same time, the roars of the mountain spirit leader echoed through the valley, but more so were the terrified cries of the mountain spirits.
Seeing this, Kang Pangzi gave me a smug, meaningful look and then sat down not far away, his expression clearly stating that he was here to watch me.
I said nothing in response. Instead, I retreated a bit further, just enough for Kang Pangzi to see me but not hear what we were saying.
Zhang Dabiao seemed a little worried about the border guards' actions.
"Brother, if they keep fighting like this, all the mountain spirits will be killed. Do you think the reason someone is stopping us from entering the mountains is true or not?"
I smiled and shook my head. "Mountain spirits are not that easy to kill. I guarantee that if anyone enters the valley, they will die."
Hearing me say this, Yue'er became interested.
"How do you know those people can't kill the mountain spirits? With weapons like that, I can't even deal with them. How can they possibly handle it?"
Yue'er's words left Zhang Dabiao and me dumbfounded. What was she thinking? Who would try to fight bullets with their bare bodies? It was like throwing eggs at a rock.
Perhaps sensing she had said something wrong, Yue'er explained, "I was just using a metaphor. Do you understand metaphors?"
I withdrew my gaze and, considering the layout of the valley, said gravely, "They have lived in this valley for who knows how many years. They are definitely more familiar with the situation inside than those border guards. Furthermore, the dense trees and rampant vines inside mean that even if there were a dozen more rockets, they wouldn't be able to do much to them, unless troops were sent to flatten the area. Otherwise, the mountain spirits would win in the end."
With the suppression of the rockets, the man with the full beard appeared full of confidence. He waved his hand to those following him and was the first to charge into the valley. Instantly, the screams of mountain spirits and the roars of their leader echoed from within the valley.
The 'tattat' of gunfire never ceased. After they charged in, Li Jian and Fang Niuzi stared nervously at the valley. Even Kang Pangzi kept glancing towards it.
Hei Zi and the others guarded the entrance to the valley with their guns, partly for backup and partly to prevent mountain spirits from suddenly rushing out and harming people.
In my opinion, those who charged in were no different from seeking death. Although their strength seemed considerable, fighting mountain spirits in a forest, even with the help of modern weapons, would result in a fifty-fifty chance of victory in my eyes.
If Kang Pangzi hadn't used his蛊虫 (gu worms) to stun most of the mountain spirits earlier, our small group wouldn't even be enough to fill the mountain spirits' teeth.
While we were talking, the gunfire in the valley gradually weakened, with only a few sporadic shots, seemingly telling me the outcome of the battle.
This made me frown.
The battle ended so quickly? Were these border guards all special forces soldiers capable of fighting a hundred men?
But even if they were special forces, they shouldn't have dealt with the mountain spirits so easily.
As I was pondering where the problem might lie, Hei Zi ran over from ahead.
"Mr. Xiao Song, Old Li wants you to come over. We are preparing to enter the valley."
"Yes! I understand. I'll be right there."
After Hei Zi left, Zhang Dabiao couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Your complexion doesn't look too good. Are you worried about those border guards?"
I shook my head. "I'm not worried about them. I just feel that this battle is somewhat strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes."
"Mountain spirits are at the overlord level in the forest, not to mention there's a mountain spirit leader among this group. Its strength is no less than Bai Ling'er's. Even though these border guards are equipped with advanced weapons, it's unlikely they can completely eliminate the mountain spirit pack in such a confusing environment."
My analysis made Zhang Dabiao pause. "Then what do you mean?"
"We'll act according to the situation. I fear those border guards have already been completely annihilated."
Just as I finished speaking, a white light suddenly flew down from the nearby bushes.
Seeing this, Zhang Dabiao's Pishandao (劈山刀) was already raised, but he stopped halfway. Bai Ling'er's voice rang out.
"Big傻 (sha), are you planning to fight me?"
At Bai Ling'er's address, Zhang Dabiao pouted in anger and let out a cold snort as a response. He knew he would usually lose an argument with Bai Ling'er, and perhaps he felt some guilt towards her.
Seeing Zhang Dabiao remain silent, Bai Ling'er naturally didn't say anything else. Instead, she turned her gaze to Yue'er.
Fearing Bai Ling'er might say something unpleasant again, I quickly reached out to grab her, but she nimbly dodged.
Seeing this, I quickly said, "Ling'er, this is Fifth Princess's friend. Don't speak carelessly."
I had privately asked Zhang Dabiao about Yue'er's skills. His answer was that she could fight three, or even four, Zhang Dabiao's. Such terrifying skill would be more than enough to deal with the sealed Bai Ling'er.
Who knew my worries were completely unnecessary? Bai Ling'er didn't say anything excessive. Instead, she said something that almost made me collapse.
"Sister Yue'er, you've become even more beautiful." As she spoke, Bai Ling'er flew onto Yue'er's shoulder, her little head affectionately rubbing against Yue'er's cheek, making me envious. Sudan Fiction Network.
"You little thing, where have you been? Why do you smell of blood?"
Facing Bai Ling'er's affection, Yue'er gently stroked its little head and asked.
"Hehe... Sister Yue'er's nose is still so sharp. I was just observing the battle in the valley, and you can smell the blood on me. You're amazing."
Facing the mutual praise between the human and the snake, I felt dizzy. They already knew each other, and I was worrying for nothing. However, I also gained a piece of information: it was highly likely that those border guards had been annihilated.
"Ling'er, you said you just came from the valley?"
Bai Ling'er seemed a little unhappy that I had interrupted their mutual flattery.
"What's wrong?"
"Are all those people dead?"
"More or less. There's still a big bearded man who isn't dead, but when I came back, he was only clinging to life."
"..."