Lin Yu looked at the three of them and said calmly, "Given the current situation, you cannot stay in Baiyue Village any longer. It's too close, and you will be caught soon."
Zhang Dashan's face instantly turned pale upon hearing this, and he anxiously asked, "What about Lao Liu? What will happen to Lao Liu?"
Lin Yu sighed helplessly and replied, "I have already contacted him... I urged him to leave quickly, but you should not hold too much hope... The Shadow Guard has many methods that you cannot imagine."
Zhang Dashan's expression grew increasingly grim, filled with anxiety and unease. He knew that Lao Liu was their good friend who had helped them for many years, but under the current circumstances, it was likely that Lao Liu would not be able to escape.
Chunhua gently held Zhang Dashan's hand, trying to offer him some comfort. A hint of worry flashed in her eyes, but more than that was determination: "The most important thing now is what we should do to protect Xiao Yun."
Xiao Yun looked at Lin Yu, her eyes filled with resolve: "Thirteen, what should we do next? Where is safe?"
Lin Yu nodded and looked firmly at the three of them: "We need to find a more secluded place, away from the Shadow Guard's pursuit. I know of a location that is dangerous to reach, but it is our only hope."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "We need to cross this forest and head to a hidden village in the mountains. The terrain there is complex and difficult to track, but we must proceed with caution as we may encounter many challenges along the way."
Zhang Dashan tightly grasped Chunhua's hand and nodded heavily: "Alright, we will follow your lead."
Xiao Yun also held onto Chunhua's other hand tightly, her eyes shining with determination: "Let's go; we don't have much time."
The three quickly packed their things, but Lin Yu sensed something was off. The afternoon sun slanted down on the mountainside, casting dappled light through the trees onto the ground as if watching over the land. An unusual silence hung in the air; even the birds and insects seemed to have vanished, as if the entire world was holding its breath.
Lin Yu furrowed his brow, feeling a strong killing intent pressing in from all directions, as if countless invisible eyes were watching this house. His instincts told him that this killing intent was not an illusion but a real threat. After years of training with the Shadow Guard, Lin Yu had developed an extraordinary sensitivity to such dangers.
He immediately put down what he was holding and scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze like that of a hawk. Every subtle movement was captured by him; the slight rustling of leaves and unusual sounds from the bushes only confirmed his suspicion that there were lurking enemies nearby.
Lin Yu's eyes quickly swept outside the window, observing the situation through the gap. He saw shadows moving deep within the forest, and the killing intent emanated from that direction. Alarm bells rang in his mind, knowing that the situation was dire.
He immediately placed his hand on the knife at his waist and made a quiet gesture, signaling the three to stop moving. Zhang Dashan, Chunhua, and Xiao Yun halted instantly, nervously looking at Lin Yu, unsure of what was happening.
Lin Yu whispered, "There are people outside. Quickly find a place to hide in the house." His voice was calm and firm, making it hard for anyone not to trust him.
Zhang Dashan quickly reacted, pulling Chunhua and Xiao Yun toward a corner of the room. They hurriedly searched for hiding spots; Zhang Dashan found a kitchen cabinet and stuffed Chunhua and Xiao Yun inside while he hid in the shadows beside it.
Lin Yu slowly approached the window, peering outside through the gap. He felt the killing intent growing stronger, as if it could erupt at any moment. He knew he had to remain calm and protect this family. Gripping his knife tightly, his body tensed, ready to face any potential attack.
The house fell into complete silence, with only the hurried breaths and heartbeats of the three echoing in the air. The birds outside seemed to have stopped singing, as if an invisible pressure enveloped the entire mountainside. Every nerve in Lin Yu's body was taut, his gaze sharp as he focused on every detail outside.
At that moment, time seemed to stretch infinitely. Lin Yu knew that if he made even one mistake, the entire situation could collapse. He had to stay calm; he had to protect this family. No matter what happened, he would not allow a tragedy like ten years ago to repeat itself.
Lin Yu continued to observe outside, searching for potential threats. He understood that the enemy might be well-hidden and would not reveal themselves easily. His heartbeat quickened as he heard his own breathing and heartbeat echoing in his ears. Each second felt unbearably long, and this sense of pressure heightened his alertness.
Suddenly, Lin Yu heard faint footsteps coming from deep within the forest. He immediately focused his attention, eyes fixed on the direction of the sound. The footsteps drew closer; Lin Yu could sense that enemies were slowly approaching. He tightened his grip on the knife, ready to confront any possible attack.
At this moment, the three inside also sensed something unusual outside and became even more anxious. They held their breath, trying not to make any noise for fear of attracting the enemies outside. Each person's heart was filled with fear and unease, but they knew that all they could do now was trust Lin Yu—the man who had once saved them.
The footsteps outside suddenly stopped as if examining this small farmhouse. Lin Yu leaned against the earthen wall, striving to make no sound at all. His mind raced as he tried to analyze the situation outside and identify potential enemies.
According to Cao Ling's past habits, he would definitely divide his forces into two teams: one team to pursue him and the other to pursue Xiao Yun. Lin Yu was very aware of Cao Ling's cunning; this person never let his guard down easily. Cao Ling always devised meticulous plans and had absolute execution power. Given the nature of the mission, the team pursuing him should be small, swift, and highly combat-capable, certainly composed of elite members from the Shadow Guard, not mixed with other units.
Lin Yu's gaze peered through the gap in the window, trying to capture more information. He knew that the Shadow Guard operated secretly and efficiently; these individuals were likely elite members under Cao Ling's command. They were skilled in stealth and ambush, and for them, a small farmhouse like this could not hinder their steps.
Lin Yu's heartbeat gradually quickened as memories flooded his mind. He recalled his training in the Shadow Guard, countless life-and-death battles that gave him a profound understanding of this unit. He remembered Cao Ling's cold eyes; every action and every command was so ruthless that it heightened his alertness, making him realize he had to be more cautious and could not afford any carelessness.
He reflected on his years in the Shadow Guard, where he had brushed past death numerous times, deepening his understanding of the current situation. He knew that once the Shadow Guard was mobilized, they would strike with thunderous force—swift and deadly. This realization made him aware that he could no longer rely on past tactics; he needed to find a new way out.
The footsteps outside sounded again, this time slower and heavier, as if each step was carefully probing. They must be looking for the best moment to attack, waiting for an opportunity to take down Lin Yu and the others in one fell swoop.
Suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and silence enveloped the surroundings—a suffocating silence. Lin Yu knew this was a silent standoff; both sides were waiting for the other to show a flaw. His heart was filled with determination; no matter how great the difficulty, he would do everything he could to protect this family’s safety. He gripped the knife tightly in his hand, ready to face the impending battle.
He began to recall every detail from their journey: Xiao Yun's face, Zhang Dashan's steadfastness, Chunhua's gentleness—each memory weighed heavily on him with responsibility. He knew he could not retreat any longer; he could not let them fall into danger again. This time, he would use his strength to change everything completely.
Time seemed to stand still as an invisible standoff formed between Lin Yu and the enemies outside. This battle had already begun psychologically. Lin Yu understood that he must remain calm and find the most opportune moment to protect this family and lead them safely away from here.
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