kvmb Chapter 247 Assassination of Zhang Liang 9
Chapter 247 Assassination of Zhang Liang 9
Liu Sheng and the others cautiously made their way forward through the dimly lit cave. The cave was cold and damp, filled with an old, musty smell. Every now and then, a few black bats would swoop down overhead, emitting sharp, eerie cries.
As they walked, Liu Sheng and his companions encountered another fork in the road. Faced with this complex terrain, they exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of which path to choose. After a brief discussion, they reluctantly decided to split up again to increase their chances of finding a way out.
Time ticked by, and Liu Sheng and the others wandered aimlessly inside the cave for a long time, but still couldn't find the exit. Just when everyone was starting to despair, they suddenly heard a shout from afar: "We've found the exit!" This shout was like a ray of light in the darkness, instantly lifting everyone's spirits. Liu Sheng immediately led the rest of the group towards the direction from which the sound came.
When they reached the so-called exit, they indeed saw some clear footprints on the ground. However, a full hour had passed since they lost track of Zhang Liang, and catching up with him would likely not be easy. But Liu Sheng did not give up; he gritted his teeth and decided to continue following the footprints.
At this moment, the sun was high in the sky, its blazing rays melting the snow that covered the earth. Zhang Liang's situation, however, was far from optimistic. Having trudged through mud and water for so long, he was covered in mud from head to toe, filthy. Coupled with not having eaten or drunk anything all morning, and having to endure fear while desperately trying to keep going, his body was already at its limit. Finally, Zhang Liang's vision went black, and his body went limp as he collapsed, unconscious.
Meanwhile, Liu Sheng's team dwindled in number for various reasons. Some got lost in the intricate caves, while others had to rest halfway due to exhaustion. Despite this, Liu Sheng resolutely continued his arduous journey, following Zhang Liang's footsteps. His feet were soaked in water, making each step incredibly painful, but he ignored it all, his mind focused on only one thing—finding Zhang Liang as quickly as possible. And so, Liu Sheng, with his small group, continued his arduous search through the winding, dark caves.
And so, Liu Sheng trudged on for another full hour. Suddenly, he noticed that the once clear and orderly footprints ahead were becoming chaotic and disordered. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that these footprints did not belong to one person, but were left by several different people. Looking around, the snow had been trampled beyond recognition, a scene of utter devastation.
Seeing this scene, Liu Sheng couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt and worry. He wondered to himself, what if Zhang Liang had encountered other people here? If so, then Zhang Liang had either been unfortunately captured by those people, or he had voluntarily left with them. Either way, it would undoubtedly be extremely disadvantageous for their operation.
However, given the circumstances, Liu Sheng knew he was powerless to do anything. After all, they had come in too much haste and hadn't brought enough food supplies. By now, everyone was starving, their stomachs rumbling constantly, and their legs felt like lead, making every step incredibly difficult.
Just then, one of his men came up to Liu Sheng, panting, and said, "Sir, let's rest for a while! We really can't walk anymore."
Liu Sheng glanced back at his companions, who also looked exhausted and walked with unsteady steps. Although he was extremely anxious, he finally nodded helplessly and replied, "Alright, let's rest for a while. However, we urgently need to replenish our food. Pick a few of you who are in better physical condition to go and hunt some game nearby to fill your stomachs."
Upon receiving Liu Sheng's order, the subordinate dared not delay. He immediately selected several seemingly energetic companions from the crowd, and the group hurriedly turned and headed into the depths of the forest. Liu Sheng, on the other hand, slowly squatted down, staring blankly at the vast expanse of white snow before him, his mind racing with thoughts: when would reinforcements finally arrive?
The group quickly lit a campfire, and Liu Sheng warmed himself by it, each lost in their own thoughts. Time flew by, and soon the hunters returned excitedly. They carried several plump rabbits and colorful pheasants, their faces beaming with the joy of their catch.
Several men quickly built a roaring fire and roasted their hunted game over it. As the fire grew stronger, the rabbit and chicken meat began to emit an enticing aroma. The soldiers who had fallen behind and become separated from the main force saw the rising smoke in the distance and, following its guidance, finally managed to find their unit.
Everyone gathered around the fire to share this hard-earned food. Although the roasted meat had no seasoning and tasted almost nothing special, for the hungry crowd, filling their stomachs was the most important thing. Moreover, this substantial amount of meat was indeed very filling, giving everyone a significant boost of energy.
After a hearty meal, Liu Sheng stood up, clapped his hands, and signaled everyone to prepare to continue. He led the others along the remaining footprints on the ground. However, after being trampled by so many people, the footprints on the ground were becoming increasingly chaotic. Even so, relying on his years of experience and keen observation, Liu Sheng was still able to accurately determine the direction the footprints pointed and resolutely continue along the correct path.
About half an hour later, the group suddenly spotted a small village in the distance. Looking at the faint outlines of the houses, Liu Sheng thought to himself: based on the clues we have so far, Zhang Liang has most likely entered this village. Therefore, he decisively left some men to guard the village and await reinforcements, while he led the rest of the group, quickening their pace towards the village.
Meanwhile, in a dilapidated hut in the village, Zhang Liang, who had been unconscious, was slowly regaining consciousness. She slowly opened her heavy eyelids, her vision still blurry. As her eyes gradually adjusted to the surrounding light, she was horrified to find three strange men staring intently at her! This sudden situation startled Zhang Liang, and she instinctively tried to back away. However, due to her hasty and violent movement, she bumped into an old woman sitting behind her. The woman cried out in pain, muttering, "Oh dear, how come this girl has so much strength?"