Rustle~

The footsteps, drawing closer and closer, were extremely light but densely packed, like a large swarm of ants moving homes. If you weren’t careful, you might miss it.

Cheng Haoyue kept his nerves taut, refusing to allow himself any moment of negligence. Thus, he continuously paid attention to the surroundings’ sounds: the insects chirping, the grass swaying, leaves fluttering and falling... all of them falling into Cheng Haoyue’s ears and heart.

The moment that faint rustling movement appeared, Cheng Haoyue was visibly startled. He thought to himself: Here they come.

Finally, they are here.

Not too early, not too late, and with the timing estimated by Ji You, the difference was less than a minute.

By this time, Cheng Haoyue didn’t know how to write the word ’admire’ anymore. Or perhaps, Ji You shouldn’t just be described with admiration, but with awe!

The reactions of the others were slightly less sharp than Cheng Haoyue’s, but when they received his alert, they all began to listen carefully. Their expressions suddenly lit up with excitement!

Here they come!

The lambs delivered to our door, here they come.

Thus, everyone lifted their spirits, counting the time. Listening to those rustling noises drawing closer.

Closer!

Almost there.

Five meters, three meters, one meter...

Cheng Haoyue heard the trembling sound coming from his own bones! Excitement!

He silently glanced at He Nu, who was lying prone alongside him. This was the same He Nu who Ji You brought into the enemy camp but didn’t keep around like Liu Jia, He Yu, and Wang Xin. Instead, he left He Nu at the Seventh Team’s camp from the start and didn’t bother with him anymore.

Previously, after hearing about He Nu’s situation, Cheng Haoyue actually felt a bit sympathetic towards him. Such a good fighter, a strong combatant, only to be tossed at the camp as a gatekeeper, turning into a grandpa security guard.

How could one not sympathize?

The crucial point is, this He Nu is quite silly and honest, never protested, but diligently executed the task Ji You assigned to him — guard the gate,

When Cheng Haoyue reached the Seventh Team’s camp of the enemy again, he truly thought that He Nu was just a guard, but —

It turned out He Nu was not just a guard. He also carried a crucial task, one that could even decide the outcome of this battle.

That task was digging a hole.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as openly digging a hole, but setting traps.

Cheng Haoyue raised his hand to rub his forehead, realizing his naivety. Ji You, being as smart as Zhuge Liang, with brilliant resourcefulness, how could he leave a strong laborer like He Nu unused?

Ahem.

Cheng Haoyue furrowed his brows, exchanged a glance with He Nu, who gave him a reassuring look.

Cheng Haoyue steadied his heart, gestured towards the team.

[Prepare—]

He Zhen, along with Jack, led a large group to a low hillside. Seeing that apart from the back of the slope, everything around was flat and visible at a glance, He Zhen gestured for the group to stop.

Cheng Haoyue’s heart tightened.

Just half a meter more.

Just a half meter more, and this group of people would fall into the trap’s encirclement.

What to do?

Cheng Haoyue, lurking less than 100 meters from the low slope, felt a trace of anxiety. He also heard the slight restlessness beginning to rise among his teammates behind him.

Inadvertently, Cheng Haoyue caught a glimpse of He Nu’s face beside him; that honest face was surprisingly calm, as if completely unbothered that the enemies may not fall for the trap. Cheng Haoyue’s mind steadied, realizing he couldn’t show lesser composure than He Nu. That wouldn’t do! He was originally stronger than He Nu. He was the captain of these dozens of people, personally appointed by Ji You!

How could he not withstand any small storm?

Cheng Haoyue regained his composure, his breathing became steady again, he lightly gestured, and the team, influenced by him, gradually returned to calm.

Then.

Everyone held their breaths, motionless.

He Zhen and Jack stood where they were. He Zhen softly said, "Beyond this small hill is the Seventh Team’s camp range?"

Jack nodded, "Yes." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Jack was the squad leader of Team 5 in Camp 6, invited to support Team 6. Although Team 6 and Team 7 were neighbors, Jack wasn’t familiar with people from Team 7. He just recognized Shaun, the leader of Team 6, and after hearing Shaun’s plan, Jack thought there were indeed benefits to be gained, so he agreed happily.

Jack knew this was the Seventh Team’s territory because he had sent someone to investigate before. Plus, Lester also gave a rough idea, so he confidently nodded, adding, "The Seventh Team’s location is the best among several teams around here, easy to defend and hard to attack." If it weren’t for Ji You of the Seventh Team siding with Shaun, Jack would have loved to take this place himself.

Yet, that idiot Shaun, having had such a good spot, didn’t develop it or fortify it, instead leaving it aside.

Since Shaun temporarily wasn’t using it, if they could wipe out the enemy this time, maybe he could persuade Shaun to let him have this area?

Jack rubbed his chin, starting to make his own little calculations.

He Zhen didn’t comment on this; he squinted, surveying the surroundings.

The flat ground could easily expose their group’s position.

So, they should retreat the main force behind the small hill first and then infiltrate slowly in batches.

Mhm.

That’s the plan.

He Zhen softly said, "Jack, take your men and go around behind the hill."

Ordered by He Zhen, Jack wasn’t displeased. After all, He Zhen was Marshal He’s great-grandson, a child nurtured by the military elite, taught by renowned mentors; his decisions at least wouldn’t be wrong in the big picture.

Jack promptly nodded, "Alright."

Jack led his teammates, immediately going around behind the hill.

The entire team shrank behind the hill, quickly hiding their figures. Next moment, Jack popped his head out halfway, giving a signal to He Zhen.

[All clear.]

Seeing this, He Zhen felt somewhat relieved. Then he dispatched another 10-man team to infiltrate.

At the same time, Cheng Haoyue, witnessing all this, felt his heart sink.

The enemy wasn’t advancing in bulk, but dispersing into small groups. This was very discomforting because the trap was set at a specific location. The enemy had to step into the designated range to launch an ambush.

If there was even a slight deviation—

Cheng Haoyue instinctively glanced at He Nu beside him, finding him still as calm as ever, which steadied Cheng Haoyue’s heart again.

Now Jack and his group were extremely close to their personnel. If they just glanced back a bit, they could even see them. If any of his teammates couldn’t resist moving slightly, it might expose them.

Cheng Haoyue tightly clenched his palms, cold sweat began to bead on his forehead, and in an instant, his face was covered in sweat.

Damn it!

This is too exciting!

Damn exhilarating! Even more exciting than battling a Star Beast!

The next second—