As Chen Xiaobei predicted, they descended the mountain along the winding path.
After traveling about ten li, they were discovered by the Lotus Sect's hidden sentinels, who immediately reported back.
The Lotus Sect leader, concealed in the shadows, watched Xiao Jingyun and his entourage depart. Once they were far enough away, Chu Han was the first to stand up.
"Sect Leader, should we follow them? When we join forces with Brother Zhang, we can ambush the Crown Prince on Green Ox Mountain and capture him."
The Lotus Sect leader chuckled and shook her head. "No rush, no rush. They can't escape us anyway."
"Before I came, the Princess specifically instructed me to personally ascend to the summit and see what this Dragon Vein, which everyone is fighting over, truly looks like."
"But we don't understand Dragon Veins," Chu Han said, bewildered.
"So what? As long as we sketch out the terrain map, the Princess can find someone to interpret it."
Chu Han and the others fell silent. The Lotus Sect leader signaled for her followers to hurry towards the mountain summit.
Ma Biao, hidden in the shadows, saw that people were indeed coming up the mountain and secretly admired Chen Xiaobei's seemingly prescient abilities.
Ma Xiaoyi meticulously counted all the heads, totaling twenty-four.
After they had all crossed the suspension bridge, Ma Xiaoyi whispered, "The one accompanying that woman is from the Chu family. His name is Chu Han, known in the jianghu as the Flying Needle Saint Hand."
"He has mastered the art of the bull-hair needle to perfection. Everyone, be extremely cautious if you encounter him in the future."
Only after they had disappeared completely did Chen Dayong and his men rush out and set up two landmines at the bridgehead.
Once everything was arranged, Chen Daqiang pulled out a firecracker and lit it.
Although it was daytime and the flames were not visible, the sound could be heard.
The area was open and wild, and Chen Xiaobei and his group had already moved about twenty li away.
At that very moment, the Lotus Sect leader was leading her people forward when she suddenly heard a muffled sound from behind.
She turned her head and saw a faint wisp of blue smoke rising from the direction of the suspension bridge.
This was no natural phenomenon; it must have been caused by the Crown Prince, Xiao Jingyun.
"Could they have discovered us?" Chu Han immediately became nervous.
The Lotus Sect leader smiled calmly. "So what if they have? They should be more concerned about how to cross the steep slope now."
"But Sect Leader, if they hold the suspension bridge, it will be difficult for us to escape!"
This remark jolted the Lotus Sect leader. She consulted the map again, her brows furrowed, and her expression became serious.
"According to the map, there are indeed no other routes."
She pondered for a moment and then had an idea.
"Xiao Jingyun led a large contingent down the mountain. Even if someone is guarding the suspension bridge, their numbers will be limited. We'll charge over there now and deal with the enemies at the bridgehead first."
With that, she led her followers back towards the suspension bridge.
However, as they stood on this side and looked across, the area was empty, not a soul in sight.
The Lotus Sect leader couldn't help but shake her head. "Did we make a mistake? There's no one on the other side."
She then turned to one of her subordinates and said, "You, take two men and go check it out."
The subordinate nodded, called two others, and they hurried across the suspension bridge.
Perhaps thinking everything was calm, the three men moved swiftly. Before long, they had reached the opposite bank.
But the moment they stepped ashore, they triggered landmines.
With a tremendous "boom," followed by billowing smoke, the man in front was caught off guard and blown into the abyss by the immense force.
The other two were either killed instantly or severely wounded. One of them, enduring excruciating pain, turned to flee back, but after a few steps, he too stumbled and fell into the deep valley.
This sudden turn of events left the Lotus Sect leader aghast.
In the blink of an eye, three of her subordinates were dead. What kind of magical device was this?
Something far beyond her understanding instilled great fear in her.
But as the sect leader, she quickly regained her composure after a moment of panic.
"Chu Han, you and your men will guard this area. Since we cannot cross, neither can they."
"I will go to the summit first to finish drawing the map of Green Ox Mountain."
She then turned to a young woman beside her. "Jasmine, this canyon is long and has sheer cliffs. Take your men and scout up and down. See if there are any other routes. If you find one, report back to us immediately."
It was evident that this explosion had made the Lotus Sect leader abandon the idea of forcing their way across the suspension bridge.
Half an hour later, Chen Xiaobei and his group arrived at the suspension bridge. After hearing Ma Biao's report, Xiao Jingyun gave Chen Xiaobei a thumbs-up. "Everything happened exactly as you predicted, my esteemed minister. You are truly a divine strategist."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. "Your Highness, these are just normal deductions. I don't know why you praise me so highly."
Liu Rumei crouched down and looked at the blown-up Lotus Sect disciples. Their bodies were blackened, and their clothes were tattered. She couldn't help but feel a surge of shock.
It was truly fortunate that Sima Wushuang had survived at that time.
Liu Rumei cupped her fist and said to Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, as per the original plan, we'll leave a few people to guard here and head to Dragon's Eye first."
"Although we've temporarily trapped the enemy, we cannot afford to be complacent. If they manage to contact the people at the steep slope, reinforcements may arrive."
This statement reminded Xiao Jingyun and Chen Xiaobei. Indeed, if he could use firecrackers to transmit messages, then could the people on the other side have their own unique channels?
Therefore, it was best to quickly assess the situation at Dragon's Eye and then search for an exit.
Although he hadn't been to Dragon's Eye before, Chen Xiaobei navigated in the direction of Dragon's Eye based on his memory. As he walked, he pondered that a vast mountain like Green Ox Mountain couldn't possibly have only one way down.
Looking at the directions, Hetou Village was located in the northeastern corner of Green Ox Mountain, while moving forward from Dragon's Eye would lead to the western side of Green Ox Mountain.
Therefore, it was worth the risk to try.
By noon, everyone had reached the Dragon's Eye location.
The moment they appeared, several large birds by the pool took flight in alarm.
Looking at the clusters of bird feathers around them, Chen Xiaobei understood what Sima Wushuang had said: they had eaten many birds, causing the birds to become fearful upon seeing people.
While Xiao Jingyun and his entourage were examining the terrain, Chen Xiaobei, along with Chen Dayong and Chen Daqiang, quietly gathered the bird feathers and buried them in a nearby spot.
Liu Rumei, witnessing this scene, felt an inexplicable sense of warmth.
Chen Xiaobei was showing respect and reverence for all living creatures.
Xiao Jingyun circled the pool and then surveyed the surrounding woods, exclaiming sincerely.
"This is truly a marvel! To have such a clear spring on this vast mountain."
"It is truly worthy of being called Dragon's Eye."
"Your Highness, shouldn't we be heading down the mountain now!" Liu Rumei reminded him softly.
Xiao Jingyun nodded, waved, and called Chen Xiaobei over.