Meng Lang and the other two exchanged puzzled looks, feeling at a loss for the scene before them.

If the person running away was heading downhill, it wouldn't be so surprising, but running into the bamboo forest was essentially seeking death, wasn't it?

The underground experience left Meng Lang and the others with a lasting trauma, a deep-seated fear of the unknown.

The vast bamboo forest before them was opaque from the outside, who knew if there were predators like wolves or tigers hiding within?

However, on second thought, it seemed to make sense.

If they ran downhill, they would definitely be caught by Xiao Feng and others.

Hiding in the bamboo forest, waiting until everyone left and then sneaking away downhill greatly increased the chance of escape.

Thinking of this, someone else couldn't resist and sprinted into the forest.

At this moment, Meng Lang didn't even bother to shout and stop them.

Although he called himself the leader of the cannon fodder, he actually had no real authority, especially after the one-eyed man died, his words carried even less weight.

"Aren't you going to run?" Meng Lang looked at the young man in front of him with some surprise.

The young man shook his head and honestly replied, "I don't dare."

Meng Lang laughed, "I remember you, you're called Wu Yu, right?"

"Yes, I didn't expect Brother Meng to remember me." The young man nodded and admitted, taking the opportunity to get closer.

In fact, the cannon fodder recruited by the one-eyed man had no connection with each other; even though they were in the same team, nobody really knew anyone else, and their conversations were very limited, probably fearing any trouble from gathering together.

Just as the two were having a heated conversation, Xiao Feng's voice came through, "If you're going to run, run quickly, if not, keep chopping bamboo."

Meng Lang and Wu Yu exchanged a glance and continued diligently chopping bamboo.

Not far away, Zhao Guo'an puzzledly asked, "Aren't you planning to chase those two cannon fodders?"

"Why bother?" Xiao Feng said uninterestedly, "Rather than having them mess up at a critical moment, it's better to let them go. Those who leave aren't scary; the real ones to be wary of are those who stayed."

Zhao Guo'an looked thoughtfully at Meng Lang and Wu Yu chopping bamboo with all their might in the distance. Out of four, two ran away, and the fact that these two stayed indeed raised suspicions.

However, maybe they just didn't dare to run?

After a while, Meng Lang, carrying a pile of chopped bamboo, said to Wu Yu, "Why don't you sort it out first? Just grab some bamboo leaves and wipe it off; it's really uncomfortable sitting with it in your pants."

Wu Yu looked at the dark green stain on the back of his butt and grinned, "No worries, it's long dried by now."

"..." Meng Lang.

...

The campfire was quickly lit, and everyone sat around the fire, basking in its warmth.

Under the dazzling starlight, with the bright flames, even the chilling wind ceased its howling for a moment, creating a peaceful and warm scene.

Not far from the large campfire, there was another small one. Two people sat facing each other by it, none other than Meng Lang and Wu Yu.

Although Wu Yu's back had already dried, having anyone sit next to him would definitely cause some discomfort, so they simply sent the two cannon fodders away.

Xiao Feng took out his phone, considering calling Du Qingyue to report that he was safe, but after thinking, he decided against it.

First, it was already the early morning, and the other party must be resting.

Second, he had just called a few days ago to say he'd be out of contact for a while, and then calling again after just a couple of days to report safety seemed indecisive.

"Ah, comfort!"

Zhao Guo'an lay down directly, hands folded behind his head, staring at the starry sky, wearing an indescribable expression of ease.

Of course, in Xiao Feng's eyes, that expression deserved a smack, indicating the beating wasn't thorough enough.

"We are at the mountain top, so be careful of scorpions when resting,"

Zhao Guo'an sat up immediately, glaring at Xiao Feng, "Can you stop mentioning scorpions?"

Xiao Feng looked innocently, "I'm just reminding everyone to be careful, what's wrong with that? Oh... sorry, I forgot you were stung by a scorpion, I'll pay attention next time."

Then he pretended to be surprised, "But that's not right either, if I can't mention the scorpion, what word should we use to replace it? Everybody, any suggestions on a suitable term?"

"Me me me, let me go first," the little girl eagerly raised her hand, "We can call it the 'poisonous creature that harmed Old Zhao'."

Xiao Feng nodded satisfactorily, "Very good, it perfectly avoids the word scorpion, yet everyone understands the meaning, I agree!"

"Yay!"

The little girl made a victory gesture and then extended her palm to high-five Xiao Feng in celebration.

Xiao Feng gave a couple of dry coughs, "So let me say again, while resting, keep an eye out for any poisonous creature that harmed Old Zhao."

Zhao Guo'an's face turned black; fortunately, the sting was from a scorpion. If it had been a duck, would it be said a duck harmed him?

That would be infamously hard to shake off... although, ever since someone took a picture of him with his pants down, he seemed to be in a perpetual state of not being able to clear his reputation.

After annoying Zhao Guo'an, Xiao Feng started inventorying the remaining supplies. In terms of food and drinks, it was originally prepared for half a month, now three-fifths remained.

This consumption wasn't significant, as they had also shared some with Hu Zhenqing and the cannon fodder in between, it was quite an achievement to still have this much left.

After thinking about it, Xiao Feng called Gong Kaishan.

"What's up?"

"The people you sent before, they can be withdrawn now."

Having emerged from the cave, there was no need to return the same route, so blocking the cave entrance was not a concern.

Xiao Feng wished someone else would venture inside, facing the same hardships they endured.

However, Gong Kaishan's tone seemed helpless, "Can't withdraw them."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't have the authority anymore; I've been removed from the core team, just like you, I'm now a reserve member, though I can't guarantee how useful that status will be to you, either."

Xiao Feng frowned, "What happened?"

"It's a long story; let's discuss it when you come back, face to face."

With that, the call ended.

Xiao Feng held his phone, falling into prolonged silence.

Gong Kaishan was removed from the core team?

Why?

Xiao Feng thought it was possibly related to him, but that should only be part of it.

The reason was simple; if it was just because of him, Gong Kaishan would have said so directly, no need for it being too complicated to explain.

Moreover, the one capable of giving this order, without doubt, was Xue Nuofu.

But what reason would Xue Nuofu have to do such a thing?

Clearly, these couldn't be figured out just by sitting here and pondering.

Xiao Feng sighed, tossing a piece of bamboo into the fire. He had hoped for a peaceful, secluded life back in Jiangcheng, but now it seemed unlikely.

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