Huang Ying only glanced inside, then pushed, and a crashing sound followed. Huang Ying immediately exclaimed with delight, "There's a hole indeed."
While shouting, she unfastened the rope from her body, found a protruding stone, tied the rope to it, and gently swung it down.
Without a word, Liu Rumei grabbed the rope and climbed up. Upon arriving here, she saw it was indeed a hole and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, wondering how many secrets Chen Xiaobei was hiding.
After everyone had climbed into the hole, Chen Xiaobei turned back and piled stones, piece by piece, to seal the entrance. Su Dan Novel Network.
By this time, Ma Xiaoyi and the others had prepared torches and were waiting for Chen Xiaobei to lead the way.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward, found a marker, and said to everyone, "Follow this way and keep an eye out for these markers."
Only then did everyone notice the markers made of piled stones beside them. They just needed to follow the direction indicated.
Seeing this, Huang Ying's face lit up with surprise. She stepped forward, took Chen Xiaobei's arm, and asked, "Brother Xiaobei, did you make all these?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, I made these markers last time I came in. I didn't expect to use them today."
Liu Rumei, following behind, was secretly astonished. How had Chen Xiaobei found such a small hole?
There was silence along the way. After an unknown amount of time, Chen Xiaobei stopped. The exit was not far ahead. Looking outside, the sunlight was dazzling; it was daytime. But it was impossible to tell the exact time.
Chen Xiaobei was about to organize people to climb up again when Liu Rumei stopped him.
"Brother Xiaobei, judging by the time, we've been here for two days and a night. Let's rest first."
In fact, Chen Xiaobei was already extremely tired. But he knew very well that if he stopped to rest now, he would probably sleep for at least a day and a night, which would delay important matters.
Therefore, morale had to be boosted, not dampened. He had to grit his teeth and push forward, descending the mountain in one go.
He smiled and shook his head, "It's alright, I can still manage. Let's eat something here and get out quickly."
This way, they could use the time for eating to adjust their eyes to the outside light, killing two birds with one stone.
After a simple meal, Huang Ying stepped forward again.
She tossed a coil of rope out of the hole.
After a moment, there was a rustling sound outside as the rope landed on dry leaves.
Huang Ying shouted again and leaped up from the ground.
It was impossible to leap up a distance of over ten feet. Just as Huang Ying began to descend, she reached out and grabbed the rope. She lightly tapped her foot on the rope, and her body soared upwards again, heading towards the hole.
Seeing this spectacular scene, everyone cheered. Even the Lotus Cult Leader couldn't help but smile and nod, saying, "Junior Sister, your Qinggong has improved considerably."
After climbing out, Huang Ying tied the rope to a large tree.
Then she waved to those below the hole.
Everyone unanimously recommended Chen Xiaobei to go up first. By this time, Chen Xiaobei was clearly struggling, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.
Huang Ying clearly noticed his difficulty. She reached out, grabbed the rope, and gave a gentle shake and pull.
Chen Xiaobei felt a tremendous force lifting him upwards, as if he were soaring through the clouds, instantly bringing him to the hole's opening.
As Chen Xiaobei stood up, he lost his balance and was about to fall backward. Huang Ying, startled, quickly reached out to pull him.
Now, they had grabbed each other, but both lost their balance and tumbled into the nearby dry leaves with a thud.
Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying ended up face-to-face, mouths touching.
Huang Ying let out a gasp and pushed Chen Xiaobei away.
Fortunately, Chen Xiaobei was the second to climb up, so no one else saw.
Chen Xiaobei also felt a bit awkward. He quickly sat up, his face flushed, "Miss Huang Ying, I, I didn't do it on purpose. I really lost my balance just now."
Huang Ying, flustered, shot him a glare and smoothed her disheveled hair, "You, you kissed me. Will I get pregnant?"
So, that was her concern.
In the past, Chen Xiaobei would have teased Huang Ying. But at this moment, Chen Xiaobei had no mood for it. He said with a serious expression, "Don't worry, you won't."
Only then did Huang Ying heave a sigh of relief and quickly stand up.
Just then, the Lotus Cult Leader reached the opening.
Earlier, from below the cave, she had heard Huang Ying's gasp and didn't know what had happened above. Worried about her junior sister's safety, Tang Lianhua immediately flew up.
However, upon seeing the flushed Huang Ying and Chen Xiaobei, she seemed to understand something. She coughed once, turned her head, and shouted to the crowd below the hole, "It's nothing, it's nothing. Take your time climbing up."
After speaking, she turned back and gave Huang Ying a meaningful smile.
After everyone had climbed out, judging by the sun in the sky, it was past noon.
Without time to rest, the group hurried down the mountain.
At this point, Liu Rumei was noticeably more cautious. She instructed Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang to guard the sides of the canyon, while Liu Ce remained to cover the rear.
Ma Xiaoyi was assigned to clear the path in front, and her own team was deployed.
The Lotus Cult Leader was impressed by Liu Rumei's arrangements.
Following the route described by Chen Xiaobei, the group arrived at a place full of Houttuynia cordata and regrouped.
They were only a few miles from Hetou Village. Chen Xiaobei estimated that Zhu Meng's army would definitely be stationed in the village.
Therefore, they had to change direction and route.
Chen Xiaobei recalled his experience of picking apples on the mountain.
Yes, they could descend the mountain through the deep gully between the two villages. Perhaps there was still a slim chance.
Chen Xiaobei led the group and retraced their steps along the mountain path towards the apple orchard.
By the time they reached the apple orchard, it was already dusk.
There were still many apples on the trees. Chen Xiaobei had no time to pick them, but ironically, they became their delicious dinner.
Eating the fragrant apples, Chen Xiaobei once again explained the route to Wugong Ridge to everyone.
After he finished speaking, the Lotus Cult Leader was the first to step forward, "Since that's the case, I'll clear the path ahead. If we encounter three or five petty thieves, I'll deal with them casually."
She said it lightly, but Chen Xiaobei raised his hand to stop her, "Cult Leader Tang, don't be hasty. If you make a move, they will definitely know that someone has descended the mountain, and they will search thoroughly. If they discover that secret path, we really won't be able to get up the mountain."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, the Lotus Cult Leader sighed, "Fine, let them live a few more days. I'll just scout the path and not make any moves. Is that acceptable?"
Her remark made everyone laugh.
The Lotus Cult Leader clearing the path ahead was undoubtedly the best option. She was meticulous, bold, and most importantly, highly skilled in martial arts. Ordinary situations wouldn't stump her.
Soon, the Lotus Cult Leader returned with intelligence that made everyone tense.
There were guards ahead, and a military camp with bonfires at the end of the deep gully.