"But..." Qi Yu looked at the steep slope that seemed to stretch endlessly, his entire being sinking into despair.
Having already sustained such injuries mid-battle, how could they possibly reach the foot of the mountain safely?
The ferocity in Huo Rou's actions made even him tremble. He had only witnessed such killing intent years ago on assassins from country Y.
During their previous exchange, he had also felt Huo Rou's strength. Despite her petite and seemingly delicate appearance, her physical power was astonishing, her courage immense, and her marksmanship precise.
He couldn't help but recall Huo Rou's father. Huo Jinyi had been similar, proficient in everything, possessing both courage and intellect.
However, the difference was that Huo Jinyi exuded righteousness that spanned heaven and earth. He did not possess the ruthless, cold-blooded demeanor that Huo Rou seemed to have, as if she had emerged from hell.
They could win back then.
But today, that was no longer certain.
"Sun," he said, supporting Sun Zhiyuan as they descended, "this time... can we win?"
Sun Zhiyuan pushed aside the weeds in front of him. "We can."
"They must have guessed we're crossing the sea," Qi Yu found it hard to convince himself. "Intelligence might have already deployed their forces. We'll be captured the moment we reach the coast..."
"Sun, perhaps, we should..."
Sun Zhiyuan roughly shook him off. "Qi Yu!"
A soldier who has lost the will to fight is destined only for death.
Qi Yu's dejected expression infuriated Sun Zhiyuan for a moment.
"Forget it," Sun Zhiyuan, unable to bear abandoning the man who had followed him for so many years, revealed most of his plan.
"I already had those men from before infiltrate the mountain, near the foot," he continued without pausing. The mountain wind grew colder, and a shiver tinged his voice.
The gloomy sky gradually darkened, and the mist in the mountains thickened. He glanced up at the overcast sky and tightened the cloth binding his wound.
"We need to hurry. If we can get there, we'll survive..."
Sun Zhiyuan explained his deployment arrangements as he walked.
Qi Yu listened, and a flicker of light gradually reignited in his eyes.
"Country Y's Wu? The Wu, which consistently ranks second among assassin organizations?!" Though he spoke in a hushed voice, his excitement was palpable.
"Mm," Sun Zhiyuan nodded.
He had been prepared. Climbing down this mountain was already difficult, so the less-patrolled coast was the ideal escape route.
To avoid any unexpected events, he had paid a high price to hire top experts forged in the crucible of country Y's assassin organizations for escort.
Country Y, being a coastal nation, meant these assassins were all skilled in seafaring.
This was his confidence.
He would win this round as well.
Qi Yu's gaze towards him changed, filled with even greater trust and respect.
"Sun, you were actually able to hire country Y's assassin organization Wu! We can truly survive this time!"
Those who could survive in the chaotic environment of country Y were undoubtedly not simple individuals, let alone the organization that consistently ranked second on the assassin list.
The subordinates following them also heard the news, and the gloom in their hearts instantly dispersed. Their steps became lighter.
With the backing of country Y's assassin organization, this was no longer a path to certain death! They had initially set out with the mindset of trading their lives for money, but now they had a chance to survive!
As the news spread, the entire team seemed revitalized.
Those trailing behind began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Since they could hire country Y's assassin organization, why not have them escort us all the way? Our brothers could have suffered fewer casualties."
"Do you think it's that easy to hire them?"
"Ah?"
"They rarely act. Being able to hire them for escort is already incredibly impressive. China values peace, and country Y's assassins tacitly avoid missions in China. Those who dare to accept Chinese missions are basically only the number one assassin organization."
"Then why isn't the number one assassin organization here this time?" Chatting in the cold mountain air made it less unbearable.
Those with a slightly better understanding of country Y's situation rolled their eyes. "Just because they're number one doesn't mean you can just hire them..."
In any case, the fact that some assassins from country Y were willing to come this time meant they wouldn't die in this desolate wilderness.
This Political Commissar Sun was not bad.
The brothers silently resolved to continue following Sun Zhiyuan after they escaped.
Qi Yu, walking ahead, was also discussing country Y's assassins with Sun Zhiyuan.
"The coast here isn't far from the border, so they agreed," Sun Zhiyuan took another pill and cleared his throat, answering Qi Yu's doubts.
As for why he didn't hire the number one assassin organization, he did not answer Qi Yu.
He had considered it, but that assassin organization's fees were extremely high. While he had accumulated considerable savings over the years, hiring them would stretch him thin. He had intended to inquire first, but their people were incredibly arrogant. After only a few words, they had rebuffed him, and at the end, they even asked for the target of the mission.
He had never been treated like this before. Coincidentally, Wu had sent a quotation, and he had immediately closed the communication channel with the number one assassin organization.
Hearing his subordinates behind him also start to murmur about country Y's assassin organization, he inwardly scoffed. Did they really think he would escort all of them?
More people meant a larger target. He had already given them the money to buy their lives; these people would leave their lives behind!
Rushing frantically, Sun Zhiyuan finally saw the faint outline of the coastline through the thick fog.
"They're here!" someone reported, rushing to his side.
Qi Yu's expression changed, and he looked back. The direction they had come from was swallowed by the fog, and nothing could be seen clearly.
"Let's go!" Sun Zhiyuan, leaning on his cane, hurried forward, leaving the area to those who had long been lying in ambush.
Huo Rou had already heard about the situation on Qin Ningyi's end via the walkie-talkie.
He had pursued that group and engaged them, but Sun Zhiyuan was not with them.
Therefore, Sun Zhiyuan had to be here!
The thick fog in the mountains obscured their vision, forcing them to tread cautiously.
"Ah—" someone beside her exclaimed, followed by the scent of blood.
"Be careful!" she tensed, on guard.
She had long known that Sun Zhiyuan, for the sake of his life, wouldn't flee so simply. As expected, there was an ambush.
However, the fog in the mountains hindered not only their vision but also the enemy's.
The Jiang family's men initially didn't react, and a few fell victim. Now that they had regained their senses, they all became silent, communicating through their specialized methods, gradually piecing together the situation.
Huo Rou listened to the sounds of breathing around her, gaining a general understanding of the ambush locations. Yet, the formation of the enemy seemed so familiar.
She rubbed her fingers and suddenly recalled a mountain combat plan she had seen in her father's study.
"It really is..." She didn't know how to react. Sun Zhiyuan truly lived up to her father's assessment; he was indeed useless!
She was contemplating how to explain the enemy's deployment to the Jiang family, as these street thugs had no experience with such matters.
If it were her own subordinates...