bookcurios Chapter 346 The Pre-Dawn Raid
Chapter 346 The Pre-Dawn Raid
Mu Yao was wrapped tightly in Mu Qingcheng's robe, her body still trembling, but her eyes were fixed on Mu Qingcheng, as if afraid that she would disappear in the blink of an eye.
"Sister Mu... I really... am I not dreaming?"
Mu Qingcheng took her cold hand and warmed it with her palm. "It's not a dream, Mu Yao. I saw the mark you left behind. You're so smart! I recognized it as your mark at a glance because no one else would write the numbers I gave you."
Tears finally rolled down Mu Yao's cheeks, but she forced a smile, weak yet bright, a faint resemblance to her former self. "I know... my sister will understand... she will come to save me..."
Duan Muchen leaned back against the rock, catching his breath, and laboriously bowed to Mu Qingcheng: "Miss Mu... your kindness... I will never forget..."
"Young Master Duan, there's no need for such formalities. Conserving your energy is the most important thing," Mu Qingcheng said, looking at Liu Liu.
Liu Liu reported in a low voice: "Young Master Duan mainly suffers from external injuries and weakness, and Miss Mu Yao also has mostly external injuries, plus not eating enough and being frightened. They are both fine for now, they just need to go back and rest!"
After listening, Mu Qingcheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the gradually whitening eastern sky. The long night was about to pass, and once it got light, the pursuers would catch up!
The road ahead is still long and fraught with danger. But the most important thing is that she found Mu Yao. She gently patted Mu Yao's shoulder and said firmly!
"We'll rest for a bit, then continue. We must reach the next safe point before dawn. After that, I'll take you home."
The mountain wind swept through the forest, bringing the chill of the mountains before dawn and ruffling the disheveled hair on the foreheads of the survivors.
Mu Qingcheng knew that only by safely sending the brother and sister, who had gone through so much hardship, back to Jiangzhou could she truly have the confidence to make her next move in the game.
At this moment, their journey is likely fraught with peril, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to complete her mission!
Liu Liu quickly provided the Duan siblings with basic first aid and treatment. After a short rest, the group prepared to head to the next safe location.
Mu Yao clung tightly to Mu Qingcheng's clothes, as if they were her only lifeline at that moment. Duan Muchen struggled to his feet, and with every movement, the pain from his wounds made him break out in a cold sweat, but his eyes were resolute, unwilling to become a burden any longer.
"Let's go!" Mu Qingcheng stood up first, and Liu Liu quickly came over and carried Mu Yao on her back. Mu Chen was extremely grateful.
The group once again plunged into the jungle, heading towards their pre-selected "next safe point".
The gray-white hue on the horizon spread quickly, and a faint light began to appear in the forest. While visibility improved, it also meant a surge in their risk of exposure.
Sure enough, when they reached a relatively open valley, they heard faint shouts and barking from behind!
"Oh no! They've released their hounds; they'll find us sooner or later!" Liu Liu's expression changed.
"Walk along the stream! Quickly!" Mu Qingcheng made a decisive decision.
Although it was almost June, the mountain streams were still icy cold. Without hesitation, the group jumped into the stream, the water instantly soaking their calves. They staggered forward, trying to dilute the scent with the water and render the hunting dogs ineffective.
However, the pursuers were clearly more familiar with the terrain than they were. When the hounds reached the stream, they found no trace of them. The leader immediately ordered his men to split into two groups and flank them from both sides of the valley.
As soon as Mu Qingcheng and her companions stepped ashore, the sound of arrows piercing the air suddenly rang out!
"Watch out!" Liu Liu shoved Mu Yao behind a boulder, then drew her sword from her waist and deflected an arrow aimed at Duan Muchen with a clang. The other guards also drew their swords to protect the flanks, knocking down a few more arrows.
The figures of the pursuers were already moving through the woods, numbering no less than several dozen.
Mu Qingcheng said in a low voice, "Liu Liu, don't linger. Let's continue along the original route and run northeast."
Liu Liu deflected the arrows and turned back to shout to Mu Qingcheng, "Master! You all go first, I'll cover the rear!"
"Six! Six!" Mu Qingcheng cried out in alarm.
"Go quickly!" Liu Liu's tone was resolute. With a flash of sword light, she took the initiative to meet the two nearest pursuers. Her sword movements were light and ruthless, instantly forcing one man back and injuring another, buying precious time for their retreat.
Mu Qingcheng gritted her teeth and said to the two guards beside her, "You two go and help her!"
After that, she practically dragged and supported Mu Yao as they ran forward. Fortunately, the guards Yun Qing assigned to her were all highly skilled in martial arts, but the enemy outnumbered them and kept firing arrows, so eventually someone was injured.
Finally, with Liu Liu's cover, they escaped to a safe point!
Meanwhile, Liu Liu and his companions fought and retreated, using the terrain, trees, and pursuers to their advantage.
Just as they retreated to a steep slope, preparing to use the terrain to escape, Liu Liu, with her sharp eyes, suddenly caught a glimpse of a man who looked like the leader among the pursuers holding not a sword or knife, but a strangely shaped short blade that resembled a hook or a sickle.
The design of this weapon instantly reminded Liu Liu of "Yama, the King of Hell, demanding life".
This discovery gave her a jolt, and a nameless fire ignited within her!
Alright! Last time, I suffered because I wasn't armed and you beat me half to death. This time, I'll show you my new sword! It was designed for me personally by my master.
"You guys go first!" Liu Liu dismissed the guards.
She threw out several smoke pellets she carried with her, and as the pursuers were thrown into disarray, she darted into their ranks like a swallow, wielding her sword to take several lives. She especially needed to deal with the hunting dogs, otherwise their hiding place would be found sooner or later!
Therefore, Liu Liu injured a few more people. After dealing with the hunting dogs, he did not linger in the fight. Taking advantage of the chaos, he leaped across the thick grass at the bottom of the steep slope and disappeared without a trace in a few leaps.
She quickly shook off her pursuers on her own, not daring to linger. Following the signs, she finally arrived at the hidden cave and met up with Mu Qingcheng before dawn.
Inside the cave, Mu Qingcheng anxiously looked around. When she saw Mu Yao return with blood on her shoulder, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. Mu Yao rushed over and hugged her tightly, sobbing silently.
"I'm fine, just a superficial wound."
Liu Liu smiled at Mu Qingcheng, then gently patted Mu Yao's head. She quickly checked the camouflage at the cave entrance and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming it was safe.
Mu Qingcheng calmed herself down, applied medicine to Liu Liu's wound, and then turned to discuss with everyone: "This place is very secluded, we are safe for now. Let's rest for two hours, replenish our strength and water, and leave after dark."
No one objected; everyone tacitly leaned against the rock wall, closed their eyes, and rested.
Mu Yao leaned directly against Mu Qingcheng, and Duan Muchen scolded her in a low voice helplessly, "Mu Yao, come here to your brother, don't disturb Miss Mu's rest!"
Ever since she met Mu Qingcheng, Mu Yao has been like a piece of rice cake, wanting nothing more than to stick to Mu Qingcheng.
Mu Qingcheng rubbed her shoulder and said, "It's okay, let her lean on me. Mu Yao must be terrified. This will make her feel safe!"
Duan Muchen leaned against the cave wall, stole a glance at Mu Qingcheng, and immediately lowered his head again, his eyes welling up with tears.
They were siblings separated from their parents at a young age simply because they were the children of a prince. They lived alone in the capital, relying on each other for survival. Who cared about their feelings?