#394 - Chapter 394: Kill
As night deepened, the forest buzzed with the chirping of insects, adding a touch of life to this desolate place.
The Lin family disciples sat around the bonfire, the firelight illuminating their weary faces.
The difficulties and obstacles of the day seemed to dissolve into silent stillness in this moment of tranquility.
Lin Ziyang sat in the center of the group, playing with an unburnt branch in his hand, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, secretly planning the next leg of their journey.
In this vast mountain forest, every step must be taken with caution, as carelessness could lead to eternal doom.
"Brother Ziyang, this fruit is really effective. I feel like I have energy again!" A young disciple said as he ate, the remnants of wild fruit juice still clinging to the corners of his mouth, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Lin Ziyang smiled slightly, but he was also worried. Currently, they were barely surviving on the natural resources of the mountain forest, but food and water were always a major problem.
Moreover, the dangers in the mountain forest were far more than that. Wild beasts, venomous snakes, and even unknown traps could threaten their safety at any time.
And whether the rest of the Lin family had escaped and would meet at the designated place was also a problem.
"Everyone, don't just focus on eating. We need to take turns keeping watch tonight to ensure safety," Lin Ziyang's voice was steady and powerful, instantly focusing everyone's attention on him.
Several disciples who were usually pampered showed a hint of hesitation on their faces, but they were quickly encouraged by the gazes around them and nodded in agreement.
Here, everyone must learn to be strong and face difficulties.
As the night deepened, the bonfire gradually died down, leaving only a pile of dark red embers.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery moonlight, covering the deep mountain forest with a mysterious veil.
The first watch was taken by Lin Ziyang and two other disciples. They held simple wooden sticks and vigilantly watched their surroundings, their ears catching every subtle sound.
Occasionally, the low roar of a wild beast came from the mountain forest, sending chills down their spines.
"Brother Ziyang, do you think we can survive?" A disciple's voice trembled slightly, obviously filled with uncertainty.
Lin Ziyang took a deep breath, his eyes firm: "As long as we don't give up, we will definitely find it. No matter what difficulties we encounter, the Lin family disciples must face them together and overcome them together."
With Lin Ziyang's encouragement, the other two Lin family disciples also felt more confident.
Unbeknownst to them, two faint black shadows flashed through the jungle not far away.
"Reporting, County Lieutenant, the Lin family traitors have already rested."
"Shall we take action next?"
County Lieutenant Li said indifferently: "Among the Lin family disciples, only Lin Ziyang is outstanding. I will keep an eye on him when the time comes, and the rest will be up to you."
A hint of joy flashed in the subordinate's eyes. County Lieutenant Li was indeed County Lieutenant Li.
This was giving his subordinates a chance to gain merit!
Not daring to neglect, he cupped his fist and said, "Yes, thank you, sir."
"Okay, go."
The night was as dark as ink, and two black shadows moved quickly through the jungle, as if merging with the night.
They were the scouts sent by County Lieutenant Li, who had been following the Lin family disciples all the way here.
"Brothers, merit is right in front of you."
"Whether it's right or wrong, it's all up to you."
"I've given everyone the opportunity."
"Don't blame others if you can't seize it."
County Lieutenant Li's voice rang out in the darkness.
He stood in the shadow of a large tree, his eyes as sharp as a hawk, staring intently at the Lin family disciples' camp.
Upon seeing this, the subordinates secretly rejoiced.
If they could successfully capture the Lin family traitors this time, they would not only be doing a great service to the County Lieutenant, but they would also receive a generous reward.
Thinking of this, they rubbed their fists and were eager to try.
"Sir, should we take action immediately?" A subordinate asked in a low voice, his eyes flashing with excitement.
County Lieutenant Li shook his head slightly, a sneer curling up at the corner of his mouth: "No rush, it's not too late to take action after they rest for a while."
"Remember, we must capture Lin Ziyang alive. I want to interrogate him myself."
The subordinates were startled upon hearing this and quickly nodded in agreement.
County Lieutenant Li had always been a man of his word.
His demand to capture Lin Ziyang alive clearly had a deeper purpose.
At this time, in the Lin family disciples' camp, everyone except the three on watch had fallen into a deep sleep.
Lin Ziyang sat by the bonfire, his eyes like torches, constantly maintaining vigilance.
He vaguely felt a sense of unease in his heart, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason.
"Could it be that I'm overthinking it?" Lin Ziyang muttered to himself, trying to dispel the haze in his heart.
Just then, a subtle sound suddenly entered his ears.
"Who's there?" Lin Ziyang suddenly stood up, his eyes like lightning, scanning his surroundings.
At the same time, the other two disciples on watch were also awakened, and they picked up their weapons, ready for battle.
"Not good, the government soldiers have caught up!" Lin Ziyang's heart sank, and he immediately realized the urgency of the situation.
He quickly issued a warning to the other Lin family disciples, while instructing the disciples on watch to prepare for battle.
However, it was already too late. With a burst of hurried footsteps, dozens of government constables poured in from all directions, surrounding the Lin family disciples.
County Lieutenant Li's figure also emerged from the darkness, his face devoid of any expression.
"Seize them!" County Lieutenant Li's voice echoed in the night sky, carrying an unquestionable ruthlessness.
Faced with the sudden turn of events, the Lin family disciples were in chaos,
But they quickly gradually regained their composure under Lin Ziyang's calm command.
They stood back-to-back, forming a circle,
Some were panicked, some had fierce expressions,
Some were trembling slightly, their bodies following commands, but their mouths were cursing.
"Everyone, don't panic, stay calm!" Lin Ziyang's voice rang out in the crowd, like a calming needle, stabilizing everyone's minds.
If they lost their footing at this time, then there would really be no chance of winning.
The government constables pressed closer step by step, the knives and spears in their hands flashing with a cold light, the atmosphere tense to the extreme.
County Lieutenant Li stood aside, watching all this coldly, as if everything was under his control.
"Lin Ziyang, you are the only outstanding member of the Lin family. How about I exchange a few moves with you?" County Lieutenant Li's voice echoed in the night sky.
Lin Ziyang sneered upon hearing this: "County Lieutenant Li, the people in your government are just afraid that the news will leak out."
"The Red Lotus Sect's army will arrive in Qingxi County soon."
"How long can you hide this kind of news?"
"If you are greedy for wealth and honor, just stay in the county seat. Why come and block the Lin family's path to survival?"
County Lieutenant Li's face darkened, and he shouted angrily: "Bold! Attack! Capture them!"
With County Lieutenant Li's order, the government constables surged forward like a tide.
The Lin family disciples fought back desperately. For a time, the flash of knives and swords and the shouts of killing shook the sky.
But these pampered rich young masters,
Whose martial arts realm was obtained through drugs,
Could bully ordinary people.
How could they be a match for the government constables who had steadily trained step by step?
Under the fierce offensive of the government constables,
"Pfft!"
A Lin family disciple's good head flew into the sky.
The scene of corpses separated and blood splattering directly shocked most of the Lin family disciples.
And after that, the scene became even more chaotic.
A trace of determination flashed in Lin Ziyang's eyes.
At this time, only a desperate fight could break through the encirclement.
"Everyone, listen to me, we will break through in different directions. Save whoever can!" Lin Ziyang's voice rang out in the crowd,
The remaining Lin family disciples nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
This was currently the only chance for survival.
So, at Lin Ziyang's suggestion, the Lin family disciples began to break through in different directions.
Relying on their familiarity with the terrain, and under the leadership of Lin Ziyang, whose blood surged and whose palms ignited with flames,
They charged left and right in the government constables' encirclement, looking for a chance to escape.
But how could it be so easy?
Under County Lieutenant Li's secret benefit, the Lin family disciples were killed on the spot one by one.
Only Lin Ziyang was left, a trapped beast still fighting.
