Chapter 137: A Dark and Stormy Night, Running Through the Jungle!
Entering the jungle, Qin Feng carefully surveyed his surroundings. The dense foliage stretched out all around him. He glanced down at his body, covered in grime and emitting a foul stench. He felt uncomfortable and thought to himself that perhaps he could find a river nearby to cleanse himself—only then might he feel better.
Qin Feng searched through the jungle and soon discovered a secluded stream. He quickly washed off the filth and felt an invigorating freshness flood over him. He gathered some dry wood and built a small fire to dry his clothes. Afterwards, he resumed his search for Su Yun, hopeful of finding her.
He also sensed that enemy pursuers might be lurking in this jungle. He needed to be cautious if he wanted to survive and locate Su Yun safely.
Taking a pistol from his backpack, Qin Feng loaded the magazine with bullets, chambered a round, and kept the weapon ready for any combat that might arise.
Moving cautiously through the jungle, Qin Feng barely detected any enemies. He wasn’t sure if they had retreated or if they simply hadn’t encountered him yet. He resolved to remain vigilant, knowing that only by being careful could he effectively confront any foes and survive.
He recalled Su Yun’s words: “The battlefield is ever-changing, and no place is absolutely safe. Only with extreme caution can one survive and fight effectively.”
This jungle was the battlefield, and Qin Feng understood this well. He reminded himself to stay alert and keenly observe his surroundings. Only then could he survive and fight successfully.
Time passed swiftly; a full day went by until night fell, shrouding the jungle in darkness. Hunger gnawed at him, and he began searching for food. Though he longed to make a fire and roast something, the constant threat of enemies forced him to eat raw. He tore into a wild chicken, its taste gamey and the blood unpleasant, but survival demanded it. Food meant life; he needed nourishment to sustain his strength for the battles ahead.
After eating, Qin Feng felt somewhat relieved from hunger. He drank from his canteen. Having found no sign of Su Yun today, he resolved to continue his search tomorrow. Scanning the area, he found a large tree to climb for rest. Just as he was about to ascend, a gunshot suddenly rang out.
The shot was neither very close nor far away, and Qin Feng instantly became alert. He sensed extreme danger, a grim aura of combat surrounding him.
He thought he must have misheard but listened again carefully. No mistake—it was definitely gunfire, stark and unmistakable. He wondered in disbelief, “Why is there gunfire here? Could it be that the captain and the others haven’t left this place?”
Previously, Qin Feng had drawn the enemy away, but he wasn’t sure if they still lingered in the jungle or if Zhan Ying’s group had safely returned to the main troops.
“I don’t know if it’s the captain and the others. I need to check it out. If it is them, I’ll assist,” he thought anxiously. He quickly slung his backpack on and gripped his pistol tightly, then stealthily moved toward the source of the gunfire.
The jungle was pitch-black at night, especially beneath the canopy. It was so dark that hands could barely be seen, making movement difficult. Had Qin Feng not grown up in the forest and become familiar with nighttime terrain, he might have struggled to navigate in such darkness.
Faint moonlight filtered through in places, lending some visibility. Perhaps due to the effects of the Dragon Elixir he had taken, his vision seemed sharpened. After every few steps, Qin Feng carefully scanned the surroundings, ensuring no danger lay ahead before proceeding.
After some time training, Qin Feng had learned certain jungle survival principles. He no longer charged recklessly but moved with caution, understanding that vigilance was essential to counter sudden threats and overcome challenges.
He also knew he must remain silent to avoid alarming the forest creatures or alerting enemies. Only then could he remain safe.
If he encountered foes, he could launch a surprise attack, catching them off guard and gaining the upper hand.
Suddenly, another clear gunshot echoed from afar.
“About nine o’clock, roughly a thousand meters away,” Qin Feng quickly estimated from the sound. Adjusting his direction, he cautiously advanced, intent on uncovering the situation. Knowing one’s enemy is the key to victory.
After about five minutes of swift movement, Qin Feng reached a small hill. The gunfire came from the direction of a larger hill ahead, covered in thick underbrush and dense shrubs. Most of the view was obstructed, making it nearly impossible to clearly observe the area beyond. Charging in blindly would be extremely dangerous.
He needed to remain careful and thoroughly survey the surroundings to better handle any emerging threats.
Finding a vantage point was crucial for a clearer view.
Qin Feng spotted a tall tree nearby and without hesitation, climbed swiftly into its canopy. From there, he observed intently. Judging by the gunfire, it appeared to be a jungle chase—one side fleeing, a group in pursuit. The identities of both sides were unknown, and the combatants unclear.
He decided it was imperative to understand the situation first.
The night was pitch-dark, with clouds obscuring the moon, leaving only faint moonlight filtering through the dense foliage. In the jungle, Qin Feng saw figures running with astonishing speed. Their rapid movement caused the surrounding trees to sway, evoking a chilling atmosphere. The persistent gunfire added a grim tension to the forest.
Suddenly, birds scattered in alarm, their frantic flight signaling the danger they sensed. They no longer wished to hide in this perilous place, having witnessed comrades felled by bullets—a terrifying weapon indeed.
About two minutes later, Qin Feng spotted a shadow darting through the undergrowth ahead, moving with incredible speed. Each step was precise and sure, landing firmly before springing forward. Qin Feng watched in amazement, thinking, “This is a master, truly a skilled expert.”