At this moment, Chen Xiaobei stood at the mountain god temple, gazing at the starry sky, motionless for a long time. He lit a large firecracker, its explosive flash illuminating the small patch of sky directly above him.
Because he was looking up, he couldn't determine how high it had risen, nor whether it could be seen from the foot of the mountain.
In comparison, Zhang Qian and the others standing on the steep slope had a higher vantage point and a greater chance of seeing it.
According to Chen Xiaobei's agreement with the village guards, if the guards on the steep slope could see his firecracker, they were supposed to light one in response.
Indeed, after waiting for a while, Chen Xiaobei saw a ball of fire appear in the night sky in the distance.
Based on the distance, the journey from the mountain god temple to the steep slope was at least thirty li.
Furthermore, the mountain god temple offered a wide view.
Therefore, it was reasonable to be able to see the firecracker ignited on the steep slope.
When Chen Xiaobei appeared on the steep slope, his face filled with excitement, everyone erupted in cheers. The village guards jumped and cheered around him.
"Village Chief Xiaobei, the firecracker you talked about was truly beautiful, such a large ball of fire."
"Yours wasn't bad either. I saw it very clearly from the mountain god temple," Chen Xiaobei's words caused the crowd to cheer again. The next crucial part was whether it could be observed from the foot of the mountain.
After Zhang Qian and the others departed, Chen Xiaobei's mind was restless, repeatedly contemplating the plan with Liu Ce and when would be the best time to implement it.
He reached into his bundle and touched the stone bomb. The gunpowder was already filled, and the fuse was attached. It was just waiting to be tested.
Meanwhile, Sima Wushuang and the Pinnacle Daoist were in a rather sorry state.
After three days of effort, they had finally emerged from the fallen leaves area overnight.
However, the price was heavy. All their drinking water was gone, and their dry rations were finished.
On the last day, if they hadn't been lucky enough to catch a wild goat, they would have gone hungry.
As dawn broke, they reached the end and looked up to see another sheer cliff ahead. Sima Wushuang felt a chill in his heart.
The Pinnacle Daoist's disappointment was understandable. In his opinion, the canyon should have led directly to the foot of the mountain.
But now there was no other choice. If they turned back, it would take another three days, so they had no choice but to grit their teeth and climb.
The Pinnacle Daoist still used his superb Qinggong to climb up with the rope and then lowered it down. Sima Wushuang, left to cover the rear, secretly lamented how infuriating this mission was. He thought of how wonderful it would be to live a life of luxury, enjoying delicacies and being surrounded by beauties by the State Preceptor's side.
He secretly resolved that after descending the mountain, he would find an excuse to have the State Preceptor send someone else. He would not endure such hardship anymore.
After climbing up and following the mountain path down, the Pinnacle Daoist felt that something was not right. This path seemed familiar.
"Great Hero Sima, didn't we travel this road when we came up the mountain?"
At his reminder, Sima Wushuang's heart also jolted.
Yes, it did feel a bit familiar.
Seeing a patch of forest ahead, the Pinnacle Daoist gestured for everyone to enter and rest.
"Great Hero Sima, if I remember correctly, we should still be above the mountain god temple. Therefore, I suggest we send someone to scout ahead first before we make any decisions."
In front of everyone, Sima Wushuang showed great respect to the Pinnacle Daoist and immediately agreed. "Very well, Daoist Priest, please rest here. I will scout ahead."
The Pinnacle Daoist, however, shook his head and waved at the two men standing beside him.
These two men immediately bowed and withdrew outside the forest.
"Great Hero Sima, why must you personally handle such a trivial matter?"
Sima Wushuang sighed inwardly. He had wanted to find a retreat, but had his thoughts been seen through?
"Daoist Priest, I feel more at ease only when I see things for myself."
The Pinnacle Daoist smiled slightly. "It's just scouting ahead, what is there to be uneasy about? Just wait here with peace of mind."
Chen Xiaobei and his group waited idly on the steep slope, chatting idly behind cover. Suddenly, the sentry sounded an alarm. Someone was coming.
Chen Xiaobei cautiously peeked out. He saw two people approaching from a distance, walking stealthily and looking around furtively. He couldn't help but feel disappointed. They were here to scout.
Even Ma Xiaogang, standing beside him, couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, only two people. Not enough to fill our teeth."
Chen Xiaobei's mind, however, raced. He said to everyone, "Quick, everyone hide. Don't let them discover us. Pretend we've already retreated."
The group retreated more than a li and hid in a small grove of trees. Just as they concealed themselves, the figures of the two men appeared on top of the steep slope.
The two stood on the steep slope, looking around. They even picked up stones and threw them into the nearby bushes, startling a swarm of small flying insects.
After observing for a while, perhaps detecting no abnormality, the two then descended by rope and quickly left.
Seeing them gone, Chen Xiaobei quickly signaled for everyone to prepare for battle.
Meanwhile, in the small grove, Sima Wushuang and the Pinnacle Daoist's hearts sank upon hearing the report.
After traveling for three days and three nights, they still hadn't passed the steep slope and had to go through that gate of hell again.
However, when they heard that the people guarding there had retreated, a look of joy appeared on Sima Wushuang's face.
"Daoist Priest, let's hurry. We'll feel at ease once we pass that point."
The Pinnacle Daoist looked at him, secretly calculating. This young man seemed a bit nervous.
The famous swordsman of the martial world was so timid. This surprised him.
Without delay, everyone packed up and hurried towards the steep slope.
They were still two li away from the steep slope.
A bird call sounded from the adjacent woods. It sounded like any ordinary bird call, but the Pinnacle Daoist frowned.
He was about to speak, but after a moment's thought, he held back. He deliberately slowed down, falling behind.
Sima Wushuang and the others, anxious and hurried, arrived at the foot of the steep slope and looked at the single remaining rope.
Just as Sima Wushuang was about to climb, the voice of the Pinnacle Daoist sounded from behind him.
"Great Hero Sima, come here. I have something to say."
Sima Wushuang looked at him in surprise. Although very unwilling, he turned and came to the Pinnacle Daoist's side.
"You all go up first. I'll cover the rear with Great Hero Sima." The Pinnacle Daoist waved his hand, and more than a dozen guards immediately began to climb the steep slope.
Chen Xiaobei, at this point, was somewhat disappointed. He had originally thought he could take down Sima Wushuang, but unexpectedly, at the last moment, the Pinnacle Daoist had called him over to cover the rear.
But reality did not allow him to think too much, as the first person was about to climb up.
Well, killing one is a gain. Let's see who lasts longer.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei waved his hand.
More than a dozen people swarmed forward and stood at the top of the steep slope, unleashing a volley of repeating crossbow bolts downwards.