Thirty minutes later, we arrived near the narrow path of Xuan Yun Mountain. As we prepared to ascend, He Xin sent us a signal. I looked at the screen of my wristband, which displayed the distribution of all Xuan Yun Mountain mercenaries. I noticed most of them were concentrated on both sides of the mountain range; they had indeed laid an ambush.
Fortunately, I hadn't asked everyone to come along, or we would have fallen into their trap. Now I understood why they had brought the monkey up the mountain. It was likely just to lure us into rescuing him, then spring an ambush from both sides and capture us all.
Well done, Polaris, well done, Blood King. But you were wrong, because you encountered me, He Sheng, the Forensic Investigator of Strange Cases: Unnatural Deaths.
I looked at He Bailing. "The organization has set up an ambush on both sides of the mountain range. You and He Jinghui, go eliminate the mercenaries on the mountain. Liu Yuning and I will advance from both sides, using the cover of grass and trees. Is that alright?"
"Fine. Looks like your radar can see the whole picture!"
"Yes, He Xin didn't come, but she's acting as our advisor from behind the scenes!"
"Alright, Master, let's go!"
He Jinghui remained as cool and silent as ever, but he drew his Gentleman's Sword and leaped onto a cliff. He Bailing immediately followed. Her master had moved, so if she didn't, it would be rather embarrassing.
As they moved, Liu Yuning and I exchanged glances. Though we said nothing, our unspoken understanding was profound.
I chose the left side, she took the right. Danger could come at any moment, so we couldn't stay together.
We had both considered the possibility that if one side was harmed in this operation, the other would continue alone, even if only one person remained...
I delved into the tall grass and heard screams echoing from the mountain slopes. I acted as if nothing had happened and continued to walk. I had originally wanted He Bailing and the others to make as little noise as possible, but it seemed to have failed. Reinforcements would arrive soon, so I had to hurry. Otherwise, if they guarded the mountain path, escaping would be troublesome.
I didn't know where Liu Yuning was at that moment, but I arrived alone at the mountaintop. Strangely, I saw the monkey hanging from a tree, bound by numerous vines. His entire body was upside down.
There was no one guarding this area, but there was a treehouse at the top, seemingly made of bamboo. A path led up from below, but it was extremely rugged and impossible to traverse. My mind immediately flashed with a single word: "Climb!"
This wasn't the first time I had to climb like this. For me, it was the only option.
I took a few steps back, then made a sprinting motion. Using the momentum, I managed to leap onto a tree trunk, closing the distance to Dao Zhiyong.
However, he was still far away. He was on top of the treehouse, and I estimated it to be about fifty meters up. This tree was terrifying, likely having stood on Zhen Shui Island for many, many years. If they were foreigners, they would use various tools to climb.
But me.
Barehanded.
Using my own jumping ability, agile movements, and the friction of my palms, I ascended through countless tree trunks. My large movements startled Dao Zhiyong, who had initially shown no reaction. "Master!!!"
"Hold on, I will save you!"
But at that moment, many mercenaries appeared from below the mountain! They raised their weapons and fired in my direction!
"Master, be careful!"
I didn't reply, I could only keep climbing, jumping, and lunging. Each time, I narrowly avoided being hit by bullets. Fortunately, I would reach another tree trunk a moment earlier.
Though it was unbelievable, I truly experienced such a thing. I even wondered if I had the favor of the gods, otherwise, how could I still be climbing a tree in such a situation?
I was almost knocked down. Bullets whizzed past me, and one even grazed my face. But just as a bullet was about to hit me, I flipped and grabbed a railing of the treehouse, diving inside. At this point, I was not far from Dao Zhiyong.
But the barrage of bullets outside continued. If I went out to save him now, I would surely be riddled with holes. There was nothing I could do but wait. I was silently urging them to hurry. After waiting for a while, there was still no movement. During a lull in their firing as they reloaded, I stealthily moved a step. But less than a minute later, I heard the intense sound of gunfire again.
And they seemed to be climbing up. These scoundrels dared to provoke me!
If they reached the tree and surrounded me, it would be all over. At the critical moment, I was ready to risk it all. But then, I heard sounds of jumping from below. He Jinghui and He Bailing arrived just in time, piercing several mercenaries from behind. Liu Yuning also appeared, her figure wielding a submachine gun and firing was incredibly striking, a sight I still vividly remember.
With their help, I also seized the opportunity to raise my weapon and fire. Within a minute, almost all the mercenaries were gunned down. Two tried to escape but were instantly impaled through the heart by He Bailing from behind.
After dealing with them, He Bailing cut the vines and used her Qinggong to catch Dao Zhiyong and bring him down. Then she flew back up to get me, as descending directly was less convenient for me.
"Mr. Song's bodyguards are formidable. You're not bad either!"
"Of course, all coroners are like family."
"Heh heh, you guys..."
"Mission accomplished, let's go!" Liu Yuning reminded us.
Not to brag, but we were all basking in the joy of victory, a little too carried away.
We quickly descended the mountain, anticipating that their reinforcements would intercept us on the mountain path, as it was the only way to leave. He Jinghui, however, traversed the mountain range and circled around to their rear, throwing a grenade. Under its explosion, the three of us opened fire together. He Bailing, though rarely using a submachine gun, wielded it with ferocity, indistinguishable from a female SWAT officer.
Amidst the chaos, the mercenary reinforcements were scattered by us. We took their vehicle and drove down the mountain. Along the way, we also rescued several police officers who were being escorted up the mountain!
I hadn't expected them to still be en route. This time, our manpower increased by fifteen.
Upon returning to the performance company, everyone was exhausted and slumped to the ground as soon as the door was closed. The驻守 police officers distributed food and water to us. Monkey, in particular, was on the verge of starvation and devoured canned food with great gusto.
The newly rescued police officers also ate ravenously, like a storm.
I took a sip of water and coughed before standing up. Looking at them, I said, "Everyone, don't stop. We still have our people in their hands!"
"Master!" Dao Zhiyong swallowed a mouthful of food and looked up at me.