With this thought, the Pinnacle Daoist strode into the woods.
Seeing the Pinnacle Daoist enter the forest, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but rejoice inwardly.
Everything was as predicted, and a good show was about to unfold.
At this moment, Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan, after entering the woods, quickly climbed two large trees.
The Pinnacle Daoist became much more cautious after entering the forest.
His gaze swept around. Although he found nothing unusual, he still stopped.
The Pinnacle Daoist's alert eyes meticulously scanned the movements within the woods, but he absolutely refused to advance a single step.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei became a little anxious. He had spent the whole day on this. If they didn't fall into the trap, wouldn't his efforts be in vain?
Suddenly, he had an idea. Chen Xiaobei stealthily took out his repeating crossbow and gently pulled the trigger at a clump of grass beneath a tree.
The arrow struck the grass, making a faint rustling sound.
The Pinnacle Daoist's gaze sharpened. He glanced at the clump of grass, then suddenly leaped forward like a large bird, soaring towards the treetop where Chen Xiaobei was.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei was greatly startled.
In a moment of desperation, he grabbed his repeating crossbow and fired wildly at the Pinnacle Daoist.
Hearing the sound of sharp blades slicing through the air, the Pinnacle Daoist knew something was wrong. He straightened his body, bent in mid-air, and like a civet cat, pounced towards the trunk of a nearby tree.
Unexpectedly, Chen Dayong was perched on this tree. Seeing the Daoist coming his way, he showed no mercy and unleashed a barrage of attacks.
Hearing another commotion, the Pinnacle Daoist inwardly groaned, realizing he was ambushed. The best course of action now was to retreat.
With this in mind, he exerted force with his legs and plummeted downwards rapidly.
The moment he touched the ground, he pushed off with his toes, leaped forward, covering more than half a zhang.
Seeing him land, Chen Xiaobei breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, the remaining village defense team members, seeing that Chen Xiaobei and Chen Dayong had engaged, disregarded their hiding spots or whether their positions were good, as long as they could see. They vied to pull the trigger towards the Pinnacle Daoist below the trees.
The Pinnacle Daoist heard movement from all directions. He lowered his body and sped towards the edge of the forest. However, he hadn't expected that his escape would lead him to trip a wire.
The Pinnacle Daoist felt something beneath his feet that tripped him, followed by a hissing sound.
What was that noise? He paused for a moment.
But it was only in the blink of an eye that he reacted. He knew it couldn't be anything good, so he quickened his pace to run outwards.
At this time, Liu Rumei was guarding the edge of the forest. Seeing the Pinnacle Daoist about to break free, she became anxious and, with a raise of her hand, unleashed another volley from her repeating crossbow.
Seeing his path blocked, the Pinnacle Daoist had no choice but to leap back.
Seeing that the Pinnacle Daoist was blocked, Liu Rumei quickly hid behind a tree trunk. She knew the power of landmines and tried her best to use the tree trunk for protection.
The other members naturally followed suit, hiding behind tree trunks. They had heard of the power of landmines, even if they hadn't witnessed it.
Two muffled explosions echoed, followed by thick white smoke.
According to the pre-arranged plan, after surviving the explosions, the remaining village defense team members, along with Liu Ce, Liu Tie, and others, holding their repeating crossbows, unleashed a volley of fire into the smoke.
Soon, the sounds from the smoke ceased.
Chen Xiaobei let out a whistle, and everyone immediately stopped firing.
When the smoke cleared, someone lit a torch and threw it beneath the trees to get a better view.
However, to their surprise, the area beneath the trees was empty. Nothing was there.
How could this be? Liu Rumei was the first to jump down.
Huang Ying and Chen Ziyan rushed forward even more eagerly.
The group, holding torches, searched everywhere. Suddenly, Shen Ziyan squatted down.
"Look, there's blood here."
Liu Rumei came forward, dipped a finger in it, and sniffed it.
"The old dog must be injured. Everyone, follow the bloodstains!"
They followed the bloodstains all the way out of the woods. After about a li, they found a pool of blood on the ground. Beyond that, the bloodstains disappeared.
It was evident that the Pinnacle Daoist had treated his wounds here.
And they could sense that his injuries were not minor.
Liu Rumei looked around and said, "Everyone split up and search. Ziyan, Huang Ying, let's head back to Qingniu County together."
After speaking, she beckoned Liu Ce, Liu Tie, and the other skilled fighters, and they continued their pursuit towards Qingniu County.
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei secretly admired Liu Rumei. Why hadn't he thought of that? When injured, the first thought of the Pinnacle Daoist would be to quickly return to the city to recuperate.
Liu Rumei quickly left with Chen Ziyan and Huang Ying, while the remaining members scattered and searched meticulously.
Suddenly, a startled cry was heard.
Then, a torch was seen falling to the ground ahead.
Soon, a sinister voice rang out, "Don't move, or I'll kill him."
Then, Chen Dayong's voice followed, "Don't worry about me, quickly kill him!"
Chen Xiaobei inwardly cursed, "Damn it, all the experts are gone, and this Pinnacle Daoist shows up. This kid is cunning."
But now, all he had were these village defense team members. In terms of martial arts and combat, they were no match for this man. Therefore, there was only one way: to outsmart him.
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and came up with an idea. He quietly took out two short arrows, holding one in each hand.
Then, he took a few steps forward and said to the Pinnacle Daoist, "Let him go, and I'll be your hostage. I'll escort you back to Qingniu County."
The Pinnacle Daoist looked at Chen Xiaobei with disdain. "You, what are you?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly. "I am the village chief of Hetou Village, my name is Chen Xiaobei. He is my villager."
Chen Xiaobei.
Upon hearing this name, the Pinnacle Daoist's eyes began to gleam.
He nodded, and his hand holding the short knife pressed harder against Chen Dayong's neck. "Come closer, and I'll let him go."
"Brother Xiaobei, don't come! Hurry up and kill him!" Chen Dayong shouted loudly.
These words touched Chen Xiaobei deeply.
Indeed, Chen Dayong was a man of mettle. Chen Xiaobei felt a greater sense of respect for him.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and said to Chen Dayong, "Chen Dayong, stop talking. I am the village chief, do as I say."
Just then, the Pinnacle Daoist suddenly spoke, "Chen Xiaobei, turn around and slowly walk backward, closer to me."
Chen Xiaobei felt a sense of relief at this. It wasn't the typical "hands up" situation seen on television. He was merely asked to turn his back.
After all, when your back is to someone, it's indeed difficult to attack them.
Chen Xiaobei held the short arrows in his hands, letting them hang casually, and slowly retreated.
One step, two steps. Just as he was three feet away from the Pinnacle Daoist, the Pinnacle Daoist suddenly made his move. He raised his wrist and lightly touched the back of Chen Dayong's neck.