A deafening boom filled the air, followed by thick smoke engulfing the scene.
The crowd scattered in panic, and then several more booms echoed.
The immense commotion and billowing smoke terrified Zhang Yu, who remained prostrate on the ground, not daring to move for a long time.
From within the smoke, wails and cries could be heard intermittently; these were the sounds of the injured.
It wasn't until the smoke had largely dissipated that Zhang Yu finally rose from the ground and lit a torch.
Seeing him light the torch, the others also began to get up.
The scene before him left Zhang Yu utterly stunned. The only word to describe it was tragic.
To put it in two words: excessively tragic.
Four or five people lay motionless on the ground. Three or four more, though standing, had soot-blackened faces.
Two others lay groaning in pain.
Even Xiao Jiu, who was known for his swift reactions, had an injured arm, from which blood dripped continuously.
Zhang Yu quickly ordered people to tend to the injured, while he himself stepped forward to examine the scene closely.
The landmines had been buried in the crevices of rocks. Flying debris had left deep craters.
Naturally, he was bewildered by this phenomenon beyond his understanding. He squatted there for a long time, contemplating, before finally sighing. Su Dan Fiction Network.
"Fortunately, fortunately, there are no such things in the forest. Otherwise, we would have been in grave danger."
At this moment, Zhang Yu was solely focused on his narrow escape and didn't even have the courage to investigate who had set off those firecrackers.
Meanwhile, within the Jujuyuan forest, Chen Xiaobei had clearly witnessed the situation of the two firecrackers.
Like a boot dropping to the ground, Chen Xiaobei couldn't quite articulate whether he felt joy or sorrow.
It was clear that the others had also seen this.
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun looked astonished. "My dear minister Chen, what is the situation with those two points of light?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed. "That is a message from my villagers. We have likely lost control of that steep slope, meaning our retreat has been cut off."
"What?" Ma Biao's heart immediately tensed. While Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun might not grasp the severity of the situation, Ma Biao understood it all too well.
"That can't be right. According to the plan, Steward Liu Ce should have been guarding that area."
But Chen Xiaobei knew in his heart that even if Liu Rumei had stayed, what difference would it have made? People make mistakes, and Ma Biao was unaware of the actual situation.
Chen Xiaobei chose to downplay the gravity. "Military advisor Ma, no need to rush. We will ascend the mountain tomorrow, and we can discuss matters further when we descend."
...
Liu Rumei received the news of the lost steep slope at dawn.
The news filled her with self-reproach. If only she had provided Liu Ce with more men, or if only she had stayed to guard it herself.
But there was no regret medicine in the world. What was done was done; thinking about it now was useless.
At this moment, Zhou Quan, standing nearby, could not help but speak. "Miss Liu, we should hurry back and retake the steep slope. Otherwise, His Highness the Crown Prince will not be able to descend."
Liu Rumei, however, shook her head slightly. "No. The Crown Prince can only reach the summit today. Descending will be tomorrow night's affair. Even if we retake it today, there is still a day's time, and too many variables exist."
"We should still hold the rope bridge according to the original plan, to ensure His Highness the Crown Prince can return safely from there."
At this point, Zhou Quan had no better option than to obey Liu Rumei's command.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, accompanied by Chen Xiaobei and Ma Biao, had already reached the summit of Mount Qingniu.
Ma Xiaoyi, consulting the map, pointed out the dragon's eyes, body, and head on the mountain to Xiao Jingyun.
After examining it, Xiao Jingyun repeatedly nodded. "Marvelous, marvelous! Mount Qingniu, with its spiritual essence and captivating beauty, is truly a celestial realm and a blessed land."
Chen Xiaobei pointed to the location of the dragon's eye and said to Xiao Jingyun, "That is where the dragon's eye is. The former King's personal guard, Sima Wushuang, and the supreme Daoist have both visited there."
Xiao Jingyun's interest was piqued. "If that's the case, shall we visit it after descending?"
Chen Xiaobei also wished to go. After all, rainbows had appeared there multiple times, and according to Sima Wushuang, there was a pond and many large birds.
Based on Sima Wushuang's description, those birds were likely swans.
For swans to find a spring in the mountains was nothing short of a miracle.
At this very moment, the Lotus Sect Leader also received news that Zhang Yu and his group had gained control of the steep slope.
This news filled her with immense joy.
Once her main force arrived today and secured the steep slope, Xiao Jingyun would be unable to escape Mount Qingniu, even if he had wings.
Around noon, Xiao Jingyun descended to the rope bridge and rejoined Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei also reported the news of the lost steep slope.
To her surprise, Xiao Jingyun showed no concern whatsoever, not even a change in his expression. He merely said indifferently, "This King already knew of this last night."
What?
Liu Rumei looked at Ma Biao, then at Chen Xiaobei, with astonishment.
Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to explain that he had arranged for people to monitor the situation.
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei felt a flicker of admiration for Chen Xiaobei. Simultaneously, she keenly realized that this method of communication was far more efficient than what she currently knew.
She resolved to seek Chen Xiaobei's guidance on this matter after descending.
At this point, Zhou Quan spoke. "Your Highness, a group of bandits is tracking us, and they have also occupied the steep slope. I fear we may not be able to descend."
Xiao Jingyun, however, remained composed and pointed ahead.
"Let us proceed forward and see what the dragon's eye area holds."
Just then, Liu Rumei's expression became serious. She bowed to Xiao Jingyun and said, "Your Highness, perhaps we should eliminate the twenty-odd people behind us first, so they don't keep track of our movements."
Xiao Jingyun frowned, thought for a moment, and then nodded slightly.
"Very well." As he spoke, he turned to Chen Xiaobei.
"My dear minister Chen, where do you think would be a suitable place to set an ambush?"
Where would be a suitable place to set an ambush? Chen Xiaobei pointed to the rope bridge.
"The most suitable place for an ambush is, of course, here."
"After they cross, a few men can guard the bridgehead, trapping them on the other side."
Xiao Jingyun nodded.
"But how do we lure them over?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly.
"Having come this far, who would give up the opportunity to see the mountaintop? As long as we descend with great fanfare, they will definitely cross the rope bridge."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Xiao Jingyun exchanged a look with Liu Rumei, and both of them smiled.
Chen Xiaobei's idea coincided perfectly with Liu Rumei's thoughts. As for Xiao Jingyun's smile, it was born from his genuine admiration for Chen Xiaobei. He was someone who remained calm in the face of adversity and could devise appropriate solutions—precisely the kind of person he needed.
"Very well, let us descend as my dear minister Chen suggests. We will go down now."
As per the trio's discussion, Ma Biao, along with Ma Xiaoyi and others, set up an ambush nearby.
Chen Xiaobei left Chen Dayong and Chen Daqiang behind. As soon as the enemy crossed the rope bridge, they were to immediately plant two landmines at the bridgehead.
Although the destructive power of two landmines was limited, their primary purpose was to deter the enemy. After stepping on a landmine once, they would surely lose the courage to do so a second time.