There was a beam of light in the far distance.

From the light, they could see Salimu’s face.

“He’s alone.”

Someone asked, “Where’s Tu Liang?”

Seeing Salimu’s return, everybody got reminded about what Bai Muchuan said earlier about looking for a method to find a way out of here.

“Captain Bai, how did Salimu find his way back here?”

“We used the silliest method.” Bai Muchuan looked at everyone, and then he took out a dagger and made a mark on a tree nearby. “Leave a mark.”

“…”

The silliest method tended to be the most effective method.

In such a mysterious forest that worked like a maze, if they were to use this method to find a way out, the effectiveness would diminish over time due to trial and error.

However, if it was only used to let those who went out to find their way back, there was no other method in their predicament that was as effective as this!

“Captain Bai—” While they were talking, Salimu had arrived before them.

Bai Muchuan raised his head and looked at him. “Any findings?”

“Yes.” Salimu nodded his head. “Brother Steel went to the lake again—” he replied anxiously.

The word “again” told them the Dark Clan members must be up to something.

It was then when everyone knew that Bai Muchuan had come from the other side of the lake.

They were actually very close to Quan Shaoteng when he was out scouting at the lake.

Bai Muchuan’s drenched clothes was a result of testing the depth of the lake.

Previously, Brother Steel fooled them.

This time, they didn’t expect that Brother Steel would head back to that lake after thinking that they had successfully shaken them off.

Bai Muchuan raised his hand and stroked the wound on his arm, his eyes suddenly brightening up.

“What did they do at the lake?”

Salimu scratched his head. “Nothing.”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. “…”

If they did nothing, why did they go there?

Salimu thought for a while. “They took a rest there. Every now and then, they would whisper into each other’s ear. They also walked along the lake as though looking for something… We’re afraid of being exposed, so we didn’t dare to get too close to them. Due to that, we couldn’t hear what they talked about—”

Walking to and fro by the lake and resting at that spot, what exactly were they up to?

“We observed for around 10 minutes but did not see anything of use. Brother Tu then asked me to report back to you.” Salimu sounded anxious as he spoke faster. “There’s something that puzzles me! Do they have a problem up in the head? They have been leading us around the forest for a few hours, and I thought they were also lost. I didn’t expect that they would head back to that lake…”

He paused for a short while when he suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“Ah! I know why!”

That caught everybody by surprise, and they all looked at him. “What is it?”

Salimu replied, “Do you think they’re hungry and wanted to catch some fish?”

Everyone sighed. “…”

It was unlikely that they were there to catch fish. It was more likely that they were there to catch people instead.

Bai Muchuan had some hesitation after hearing Salimu’s account and stood up.

“Let’s go over there and have a look!”

Brother Steel wouldn’t rest at the lake for no apparent reason.

That place was very cold and the wind was strong. It certainly was not a good spot for resting…

Fishing with their bare hands? Hurhur, only Salimu could come up with something like that.

“There must be something fishy over there—”

Seeing that Bai Muchuan was about to set off, Cheng Zheng interrupted with a frown, “You better not move your arm!”

Bai Muchuan scowled. “Instead of waiting, we should take the initiative?”

…

The teammates who had been sent out to patrol the area were all called back.

The scouts deployed by Quan Shaoteng had also returned.

The primitive method of communicating through relaying a message using a human messenger was both safe and effective.

Although they were not as nimble as the soldiers Quan Shaoteng had led in Red Thorn, the execution of the tasks was good. To Bai Muchuan, he was very satisfied with the result as the environment they were in was very challenging.

Within five minutes, everyone assembled.

They extinguished the fire pit and followed the path Salimu had taken—toward the direction of the lake…

Everyone took turns to carry the sick teammates on their backs.

Naturally, for Xiang Wan who got injured at the leg, she was Bai Muchuan’s responsibility.

With regard to that, Xiang Wan felt guilty about it.

It would have been fine if Bai Muchuan wasn’t injured.

He himself was also injured and the bullet was just removed.

Bai Muchuan did not mind at all, but Xiang Wan felt her heart aching for him.

“I can actually walk on my own…”

“No need!”

“Mine’s a minor injury, yours is much more severe…”

“Tch! Are you looking down on your man? It’s just a small wound, do I have to behave like a delicate woman?”

“A small wound… if it’s a small wound, why did you lie to me and ask for so many kisses?”

“… Didn’t you already say that I’m just lying to ask for more kisses?”

“…”

This guy!

At that moment, Xiang Wan did not know how to express her feelings.

For this incident, both of them went through the same hardship.

If they could get out of this alive, there shouldn’t be anything they couldn’t tide through in the future, right?

Xiang Wan remained quiet while she tilted her head to look at Bai Muchuan’s face. After pondering for a while…

“Sir Little Bai…”

What a gentle form of address.

Bai Muchuan responded with an “Mm” and felt a ticklish sensation on his neck.

Even though Xiang Wan had her hair tied up, as he carried her on his back, her long hair would brush gently on his neck with every step he took.

“What is it?” he asked in a low tone.

Xiang Wan’s arms were around his neck and her voice was as soft as a cat’s mewl.

“You’re so nice to me.”

“…”

“I’m serious.”

Xiang Wan said with sincerity.

“Before I got to know you, I’ve never thought about this.”

“What is it?” Bai Muchuan turned to look at her, his eyes deep and beautiful, as though there were stars in it…

Xiang Wan felt her heart being squeezed at that sight.

This man… is poisonous , she thought.

It felt as though he had touched a soft spot.

She no longer felt afraid of the night sky.

She was willing to walk with him in this darkness till the end of the world.

In this place where they felt isolated from the rest of the world, her heart was the closest to him.

Xiang Wan giggled as she relaxed.

“I’ve never thought I will meet a man who loves me so much!”

“Hur!” Bai Muchuan laughed in a low tone. “You’re getting ahead of yourself. Who loves you?”

Xiang Wan bit her lower lip but couldn’t help showing a smile. “You!”

Bai Muchuan was smiling and turned his head for a look at her. “Have I said that before?”

“You did.”

“When was that?”

“It’s that day…” Xiang Wan smiled as she lowered her head and leaned closer to his ear. “That day you said because you love me, you fell in love with hotpot as well, right?”

“…” Bai Muchuan responded with a sigh instead.

“Why? Are you denying it?”

“I can’t bear to hurt you!” Bai Muchuan shook his head helplessly. “Fine, I love you just like I love hotpot.”

Xiang Wan: “…”

“Since I love it, I have to swallow it!” Bai Muchuan added, “When will you let me eat?”

That again! This guy… indeed, a leopard just never changes its spots.

Xiang Wan looked around her. Everybody was focused on walking and nobody paid attention to them. She smiled and whispered at his ears again, “Sure! Go ahead and eat me!”

“…”

“You’ve no guts, right?”

“… Look, this place is not suitable, right?”

“Hah! It’s exactly as per what Laowu next-door had told me… you’re just a paper tiger when it comes to this.” Xiang Wan lay on his back, thinking that she was perfectly safe after selling out Quan Shaoteng, using his words to tease Bai Muchuan.