Chapter 22｜High-Level Black Market Hunters Emerge

The squad advanced slowly along the back mountain trail. The terrain undulated, and the forest grew increasingly dim. Dense foliage muffled sounds, absorbed by thick layers of fallen leaves and damp earth.

Li Xing led the way, his steady presence anchoring the squad's centerline. Zhao Yun maintained distance on the left flank, vigilant for lateral threats. Li Yu followed closely behind Li Xing, her gaze sweeping ahead. Zhou Xiaoyu lay prone at a high vantage point, her Type 56 semi-automatic rifle at the ready as she scrutinized the forest's movements. Zhou Yan brought up the rear, moving in a low stance, hunting knife in hand, occasionally examining footprints on the ground.

They maintained formation as they advanced, but the atmosphere on the back mountain grew oppressive. The hunting dogs sniffed the air, tails lowered, clearly alert.

First Enemy Sighting

Li Xing crouched, silently signaling the team to halt.

“Fresh tracks ahead,” he pointed to the fallen leaves strewn with crisscrossing footprints, clearly not left by beasts.

Zhao Yun knelt to examine them closely. “Not scattered hunters. Steady, consistent strides.”

“Black market hunters,” Li Yu murmured.

Zhou Xiaoyu narrowed her eyes, studying the tall trees in the distance. “The footprints extend in a straight line, direction clear. Someone's been stalking along this route.”

Zhou Yan nodded. “And these people won't show themselves easily. We might have just been spotted.”

Li Xing rose slowly. “Keep moving cautiously. Make no sound.”

The team maintained a low profile, advancing slowly, keeping both footsteps and breathing as quiet as possible.

The Enemy's Approach

After traversing a gentle slope, the hound suddenly halted. It didn't bark, merely lying flat on the ground, tail tucked close to its body, nose twitching lightly.

Li Xing crouched down, scrutinizing the fallen leaves ahead. “Someone's watching us.”

Zhao Yun whispered, “How many?”

Li Xing shook his head. “Uncertain. Just know there's more than one.”

Zhou Xiaoyu shifted position quietly, raising binoculars to her eyes to peer through gaps in the branches. “At least three. Height and build are consistent—not amateur hunters. Their movements are professional.”

Li Xing nodded. “Hold formation. Circumvent them slowly. No rush.”

First Warning

Just as the team rounded a small boulder, a tree trunk ahead suddenly rustled. A pebble was gently dislodged, landing with a soft thud on the fallen leaves.

“Someone stepped on something,” Zhao Yun murmured, his hand instinctively gripping the Desert Eagle's grip, though he didn't fire.

“They're not ready for direct contact yet,” Li Xing said calmly. “Just testing us.”

Zhou Xiaoyu murmured in agreement, “It's clear they're very interested in our route.”

Zhou Yan brought up the rear, observing silently but his eyes betraying alertness.

Team Response

Li Xing signaled for everyone to slow down, bypassing the tree trunk and ravine ahead while maintaining solid formation and minimizing noise.

Zhao Yun and Li Yu naturally followed the central axis, their gazes sweeping into the forest's depths. Zhou Xiaoyu moved along the high ground, periodically signaling updates on her observations. Zhou Yan remained at the rear, ready to handle any emergencies.

The entire team moved smoothly and naturally, yet each member sensed the latent hostility surrounding them.

The Enemy's Presence

After advancing further, Li Xing halted and whispered, " Stay together. Keep formation."

Zhao Yun frowned. “Feels like someone's been following us.”

Li Yu agreed. “Sometimes I see movement in the shadows, but when I look closer, nothing's there.”

Zhou Xiaoyu narrowed her eyes. “They're testing our reactions.”

Zhou Yan added from the rear, “They're experienced. Know when to show themselves and when to hide.”

Li Xing nodded. “Keep our pace. Don't rush. Ignore most distractions.”

The hound gave a low, warning bark, alerting the group to faint footsteps ahead. They vanished quickly into the forest's depths.

Daily Advancement

The group moved slowly along the back mountain trail. The trees stood thickly, their fallen leaves forming a deep carpet. Each light step produced a faint rustle.

The five maintained their roles:

Li Xing: Central Command

Zhao Yun: Left Flank Protection

Li Yu: Central Surveillance

Zhou Xiaoyu: High Ground Reconnaissance

Zhou Yan: Rear Guard Monitoring

No loud calls, no reckless moves. The entire team advanced steadily like a well-trained unit, each step deliberate yet natural.

Continued Exploration

As they delved deeper into the back mountains, the slope grew steeper and ravines more frequent. Li Xing reminded everyone to watch their footing. Zhao Yun offered quiet guidance on their stride. Zhou Xiaoyu adjusted her position on high ground to survey the surroundings. Zhou Yan cleared fallen leaves and potential traces at every turn.

Light dimmed within the forest, but the team remained composed. Their pace was steady and synchronized, each member watching each other's back. Step by step, they advanced steadily through the back mountain woods.