Although inwardly displeased by Gui Jianchou's taunting words, I had to admire his ability to manage his subordinates. Returning to the convoy, he didn't speak but simply gestured, and his men knew what to do.
In the time it took to brew a cup of tea, a perfect camp appeared before us. All the vehicles were positioned end-to-end, with gaps seamlessly sealed by barbed wire. Strange bottles and jars hung from it. After these were set up, some men placed iron discs in front of them.
"They've really spared no expense! They even brought anti-personnel mines," Wang Defa said, looking at the black discs.
"Anti-personnel mines? Isn't that a bit overkill for dealing with mountain spirits?" Zhang Dabiao asked.
"..."
From the direction of Qingfeng Mountain, an opening wide enough for two vehicles to pass side-by-side had been cleared. Machine guns of an unknown make were mounted on each side, turning the camp into a veritable fortress.
Observing the equipment and layout, Zhang Dabiao scoffed, "This isn't just for defending against mountain spirits; even a reinforced company couldn't take this place. Is this for dealing with evil spirits, or for attacking and defending a fortress?"
"They're here to deal with mountain spirits and any other potential situations. Old Wang must have told them about the previous mountain spirit attack on the camp, so it's not unreasonable for them to be cautious."
"But why are they keeping us outside the perimeter? Are they using us as bait?" Zhang Dabiao was so angered by Gui Jianchou's actions that his eyes were about to spew fire. First the mockery, and then shutting us out. I'd seen people look down on others, but never to this extent. It was truly excessive.
As for Gui Jianchou's actions, I could understand. Zhang Dabiao, Wang Defa, and I were outsiders. Gui Jianchou led a team that had likely rehearsed dealing with emergencies countless times. Our inclusion would be like adding a grain of sand to a gear, inevitably disrupting its smooth operation. We were those grains of sand...
"Forget it, Brother Zhang. They have their reasons. We'll just watch. Anyway, we're just here to make up the numbers, why bother with them?" With that, I prepared to pack my things and move away from them.
Zhang Dabiao grumbled a curse and picked up his belongings, following me towards the foot of the mountain. Yue'er was still in the car at the foot of the mountain, recuperating. Being cautious of them could only be beneficial.
Wang Defa looked at us heading towards the mountain, then at Gui Jianchou's camp, a look of indecision on his face. Finally, he gritted his teeth and followed us.
Seeing him follow, I looked at him in confusion. "What are you doing with us? You should be with them; you're comrades!"
Wang Defa wore a wry smile. "I know you're upset, but you don't have to say it so harshly, do you? We've faced life and death together, and I'm not on the same team as that guy. You're not going to make me camp out in the wilderness alone, are you?"
Wang Defa's words made him sound so pitiful, as if he were about to burst into tears to express his feelings.
Zhang Dabiao chuckled sinisterly. "Old Wang, aren't you afraid that Gui Jianchou will trouble you later?"
"Trouble is a future problem. Let's deal with the immediate one first. Who knows if we'll even make it down the mountain alive?"
We couldn't use the vehicles, so we found some dry wood and stones to set up simple beds, and pitched tents outside.
Sometimes people say, "When you're down on your luck, even drinking cold water will get stuck in your throat." I didn't want trouble, but trouble sometimes seemed eager to find me.
Just as we were preparing our temporary shelter, one of Gui Jianchou's subordinates found us.
The man was about my age, but his arrogance was even more pronounced than Gui Jianchou's.
"Old Wang, our captain wants you to come over."
"He wants us to go over? Did he say why?" Wang Defa's face showed displeasure, but his voice was perfectly calm.
"Just go over when he asks you to. Why so many questions?"
"Oh, my temper! Who does he think he is? He wants us to go over? On what grounds?" Zhang Dabiao was already fuming, and now being ordered around like a subordinate by someone else only intensified his anger.
I was also quite angered, but I remained silent, wanting to hear what else he had to say.
The newcomer looked Zhang Dabiao up and down and said, "Just go over when you're told to. Why all the nonsense?"
His words, let alone Zhang Dabiao, even I was enraged. Before I could retort,
Zhang Dabiao sprang up like a carp, and at the same time, his Pishandao was already slashing out. Fortunately, he still had his senses and used the flat of the blade, not the edge.
"I've been wary of you for a long time." As he spoke, he retreated, leaning back to avoid the blade. At the same time, he reached for his waist, and a dark gun barrel pointed directly at Zhang Dabiao's head.
"Come on, draw your sword! See if I dare to shoot you dead?"
Seeing the gun barrel pointed at Zhang Dabiao, my face changed drastically. This was no child's play. If he so much as twitched a finger, Zhang Dabiao's head would be gone.
"Don't get excited. We're all on the same side. Don't be impulsive. Put the gun down, and let's talk things through." Their confrontation was incredibly swift. It wasn't until the gun was at Zhang Dabiao's head that Wang Defa reacted. Sudan Novel Network
"Who's on the same side as him? Didn't you just want to chop me with your sword? Come on! Let's see if your sword is faster, or my gun?"
Zhang Dabiao's expression darkened slightly, and he said softly, "Are you sure your gun is faster than my saber?"
"Of course... You don't believe me, you can try..." Before he could finish, he stopped. He felt a chill in his lower body. Looking down, his eyes widened.
At some point, a saber had appeared beneath his crotch, the blade pointing upwards. His pants had been cut open, and the cold sensation was from the blade.
Guns were fast, but in this situation, it wasn't about speed. Even if he shot Zhang Dabiao dead now, he would live the rest of his life in regret, for he was about to become the last eunuch.
"Kid, why don't you try shooting?" Zhang Dabiao didn't take the gun seriously at all. As he spoke, he even lifted the saber slightly, making the young man instinctively stand on his tiptoes.
"You dare... I..."
"What do I not dare to do? I'll count to three. At worst, you shoot me dead, and I'll make you the last eunuch. One, two..."
Before he could say "three," the youth had pulled the gun away from Zhang Dabiao's head. He didn't have a girlfriend yet, and he had a long life ahead of him. He didn't want to become a eunuch. If he really became one, it would be better to be killed by a single blow.
"That's more like it. Drawing swords and guns is so unpleasant, isn't it?" Wang Defa said, reaching out to grasp Zhang Dabiao's wrist, signaling him to sheathe his saber and not escalate the situation, as it would be difficult for everyone to resolve otherwise.
"Kid, let me teach you something. Next time you use a gun, stand further away. Within seven paces, your gun is not faster than my saber..."
The youth's face turned red and then white. Finally, he suppressed his anger and said, "I've learned my lesson."
"I apologize for my tone earlier. Our captain wishes for you to come over and provide a detailed account of the mountain spirit attack. We would be honored by your presence."
"Alright... We'll be there shortly..."
Seeing my agreement, the youth bowed in a cupped-fist salute and turned to leave. However, before he left, he glanced at Zhang Dabiao. Although he said nothing, he still seemed somewhat unconvinced.
"Let's go! Let's see what this guy wants to talk about..."