Chapter 77: 77, Qing Consortium

Weren't we just chatting so freely because we thought we had mastered the forest's secret?

But now, what is happening? The sound of iron chains dragging grows nearer—what creature drags iron chains, was it once imprisoned by them, and now has broken free?

What is this Jing Shan, and why do such eerie events occur here?

The dragging sound seems drawn to the firelight in the cave, slowly approaching the forest's edge.

Ren Xiaosu, Yang Xiaojin, and Xu Xiancai all released their firearm safeties, even assuming aiming positions toward the source of the sound.

In an instant, Yang Xiaojin noticed Ren Xiaosu's movements were remarkably professional, even strangely familiar!

This sense of familiarity came with an inexplicable comfort, like a perfectionist finally arranging the blocks before them.

Yet now, she could not indulge in such thoughts, for the master of the chains had already crawled to the forest's edge.

Those in the cave strained to discern what approached, but the problem was the figure remained hidden in darkness, never revealing itself.

A *pat* echoed from the forest—Ren Xiaosu felt a wave of nausea, realizing it was the creature's saliva dripping onto the leaves below!

"Once it appears, fire immediately," Xu Xiancai said: "Our combined firepower can seal all paths leading to the cave in moments. Then I can send my shadow to engage it."

"Agreed," Ren Xiaosu whispered, thinking if the creature proved too formidable, he would not bother concealing his shadow.

Those leopard-sized wildcats and boar-like beasts had vanished without a trace, but Ren Xiaosu knew—only an overwhelming, irresistible force could drive such ferocious beasts from the forest.

His breaths grew longer, his emotions calmer; he no longer heard his heartbeat or breath, focusing instead on the rustling of wind and grass within the forest.

Perhaps in the next moment, the forest's secret would reveal its true face.

Yet to their surprise, when the chains rang out again, it was the creature's master departing.

"What's going on?" Xu Xiancai frowned: "Could it be afraid to leave the forest?"

The three maintained their aiming stances, fearing it was merely a feint—Ren Xiaosu mused: "It's likely it dares not leave. After all, the cave is only ten meters from the forest. Didn't the beasts treat this place as refuge before?"

The dragging sound faded into the distance, and the three finally relaxed slightly: "It seems we were too optimistic. Jing Shan's secrets are not so easily uncovered by mere speculation."

"The forest must also be flawed, or there are other horrors," Ren Xiaosu said: "Otherwise, how to explain Xu Xia's corpse vanishing without a trace?"

"You rest," Xu Xiancai said: "I'll take the first watch tonight. After midnight, you two relieve me."

Though he spoke thus, Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin silently agreed to split the night—one guarding the first half, the other the latter.

Seeing this, Xu Xiancai sighed inwardly, still the untrustworthy one.

No further incidents occurred that night. At dawn, as the first ray of sunlight pierced the sky, Ren Xiaosu heard distant footsteps returning to the forest—these beasts seemed accustomed to seeking shelter by night and returning by day. Could it be the chain-bearing beast slept by day?

Ren Xiaosu rose, stretching lazily, when a sudden, thunderous explosion erupted deep within Jing Shan.

The blast came so abruptly, startling him.

Those inside the cave rushed out: "What happened? What's going on?!"

"Was it a volcanic eruption in Jing Shan?" someone asked.

"Doesn't sound like a volcano," Xu Xiancai shook his head: "More like human explosives."

If Xu Xiancai was uncertain, Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin were certain—for Ren Xiaosu had long since replicated Yang Xiaojin's advanced explosives-making skills, complete with countless trial blasts.

From the sound, Ren Xiaosu was certain—it was the unmistakable noise of a cone-shaped directional charge blast.

Such charges, akin to armor-piercing shells, violently carve into hard ground using the Monroe effect, directing explosive force to gouge massive pits.

This sound differed starkly from "cluster charges" or "linear charges."

Cluster charges are wrapped explosives, used to demolish single fortifications or buildings with immense power.

Linear charges are pipe-like detonators.

Ren Xiaosu knew—if he could discern it, so could Yang Xiaojin. Someone was blasting tunnels deep in the mountains!

Why dig tunnels? Could the depths of Jing Shan truly conceal a great secret?

"Didn't you mention other teams coming to Jing Shan?" Ren Xiaosu turned to ask Xu Xiancai.

"Yes, likely the Qingshi Group," Xu Xiancai replied: "After all, they hold the actual management rights to the 112th Bastion. Other factions would struggle to bypass them to reach Jing Shan."

Ren Xiaosu instinctively glanced at Yang Xiaojin—so her quiet arrival here was also for Jing Shan's secret?

To this day, Ren Xiaosu never knew Yang Xiaojin's hidden cards, beyond her flawless marksmanship. This duck-bill-hatted girl must have other means.

"Come on, we must hurry," Xu Xiancai said reluctantly: "By the sounds, the Qingshi Group has deployed their formidable armed forces from the 112th Bastion. We must reach there before they uncover the secret."

"Aren't you courting death?" Ren Xiaosu stared at Xu Xiancai: "Knowing they've reinforced their numbers, yet still dare to charge in?"

Xu Xiancai fell silent for a long while: "We're already here."

Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin exchanged glances, unsure why those words seemed to hold a strange power...

"Besides, do we have a retreat?" Xu Xiancai asked: "We can't go back—only forward. If we reach there and see no chance, we'll circle around the Qingshi Group, exit through their path. I trust the route they've cleared is safer than returning..."

This was true—given their use of explosives, the path to the 112th Bastion might already be swept clean by the Qingshi Group...