Page 10: Escape

Another three days have passed since the death of the two contracted worker's incidents. As of now, everyone from the union island congregated to finalize their plans. Since it is the "D-day" of their escape, it is imperative to discuss all of the possibilities that may happen. As for who is leading everyone, Ling Tian took that role as Long Bai suggested.

"Today we expect to reach the end of the escape tunnel. Once we punch that wall, call brother Bai immediately so he would be able to hide it with a concealing array. Everybody will stay in stand by for an hour as the two of us (points at Long Bai) will do some scouting outside to make sure that our escape route will be clear. Although we will be running on the other side of this camp, that doesn't mean that no guards will be stationed at its boundaries. When we do the scouting, brother Shoushan will be guiding the rest while waiting."

"Brother Ling Tian, what will happen if someone will notice our escape?"

"If the worst happens, then I suggest brother Shoushan and company head straight to the boundary and cross it until we reach the free nation of Magvel. With the copy of the map that sister Yue gave you, you can follow the outskirts to prevent unnecessary clashes with any of the city guards. If our escape will be discovered, we have at least a day before the city will be informed of our movements. We can use that as a window for escape."

"It can't be helped then. We will be relying on the two of you for our successful escape. If we will be able to escape this place I will personally find a way to repay this debt."

"Well, you can think about that when we will see each other breathing after this ordeal. In the meantime, we just need everyone's cooperation."

The morning meeting was quick as the guards already came to announce another day of work. Everyone picked their tools and walked into the deep tunnels without a grumble. After the incident that took place a few days ago, tension has risen for most of the workers as fear crept into their minds. The picture of their companion being buried alive must have been a fear-inducing experience.

During the past days, the contracted workers together with the other convicts who thought that the incident was natural have succumbed to anxiety due to the perspective of being alive. This thought has lingered in their minds even to this day that made the atmosphere gloomy due to their sunken expressions. The rowdy bunch of workers even during the day became wary of their actions to prevent any unnecessary accidents.

Long Bai and the rest of the group on the other hand didn't have this thought as their kinds are occupied by the idea of escaping the place today. Although most of them were thinking such things, Long Bai on the other hand is a bit disappointed that they never found a crystal vein. The mine must only have fire stone deposits and never a vein.

Because there was no crystal vein, Long Bai was just thankful for the lucky encounter he had on the previous mine. At least, he already had one and besides, the group was able to collect at least 10 kg of fire stones for each member. Considering the number of crystals mined, it also reflected how much digging was done. If an inspector comes to check the area, they might get lost due to the multiple small tunnels made underground. Once they will find this place, they would surely suspect that there is an anomaly since the previous days, Long Bai and the group didn't submit any fire stones at all. In addition, the mine might collapse if it would experience a strong explosion.

In the upper regions, the mining activity became less as compared before. Aside from losing manpower, extreme caution is being implemented. On the contrary, the digging activity on the lower regions became more rigorous. The team that's digging the secret tunnel was so much alive due to the thought of escaping. For five hours, finally, a light came from the opposite of the tunnel. The team that was responsible for such immediately ran towards the secret entrance and informed Long Bai.

The excitement can't be any more obvious as seen from the faces of the rest. Smiles beaming from ear to ear, some even gave out tears due to the joyful event that just happened. The leader of the other school noticed his members being too lax that he got almost caught up with it.

"Ahem..guys, let us not be complacent yet. Let's switch the roles since Brother Ling Tian and Long Bai will be scouting out the escape route. Let's move!" Shoushan announced to his fellow sect members.

Immediately, the juniors followed his instructions and went to their respective stations. Long Bai and Ling Tian on the other hand entered the secret tunnel and sealed both entrances with a concealing array.

On the opposite of the tunnel, Long Bai reaffirmed some of the things they will be doing.

"Brother Ling Tian, we will be moving as silent as we can. If necessary, let's take any guard that would become a hindrance later on."

"I understand. Shall we go?" Ling Tian responded.

The weather is good and the day was so bright that any movements in the open would be sticking out too much. Since it is like this, the two were utilizing the large rocks and crevices of the rocky formations to hide from possible lookouts. It is good that the topography was not too disadvantageous for them as there were scattered trees and plants that cover the area. These trees and small patches of bushes served as cover for them.

As the two traverse the place, they were drawing a line in the map they are holding as a guide for later. Just when they thought such peaceful work would continue, they spotted some guards ahead of them.

"Shh! In front of us, three men looked like were resting. Brother Tian, I'll take the two in the middle who are busy playing something. You take out the man leaning beside the tree on the side."

"Alright, I'll go position myself near that guy. I'll be taking it out with your cue." Ling Tian replied.

Ling Tian then carefully approached the tree behind it. As he crawled slowly behind the tree, he readied his weapon to slash the neck of his victim. Just as he was able to get into position, he received the go sign after he signaled that he was ready.

Just behind the large tree, Ling Tian quickly moved with his movement skill, swung his sword on the neck of the unsuspecting man, and watched as the head separated from the body. There was no time for a scream since death was instantaneous. Just as he finished his work, he looked at the other two in the middle. Thinking that he might need to help, he saw the heads of the two being punctured like a barbeque by two thin blades, Long Bai's rapier and stiletto, instead. The slim and sharp blades entered from behind the head and exited on the forehead of the victims.

Compared to his messy kill, Long Bai's actions we're looking clean with the little amount of blood spilled. Although both of them made the kill, Ling Tian was still amazed that Long Bai managed to hit the two from a distance first even though he was the first one to move. At that moment, he just realized how much the gap was between their mastery in the movement skill they both possess.

After confirming that the three were done in, Long Bai asked Ling Tian to bring over the corpse of the man he killed as he placed the other two inside the pocket world. Leaving the corpses will just attract beasts so better that he would keep them first in the pocket world. The blood that splashed on the ground was also covered with dirt to prevent any beasts to be attracted to it.

The two continued the scouting for another 20 minutes and they finally reached the entrance to the beast lands, the border gap between the two countries that span at most 500 kilometers. They chose not to follow yet the main road that the previous group used since some people in there might spot them when the news of their escape spreads. Using the map, they managed to map out the best route towards the beast lands which they would follow during the escape.

"Brother Ling Tian, I'll be returning to the mines while you wait for the team here. You can make some initial scouting in that forest where we will be entering once the entire group will arrive here. At most, the whole team will be able to reach this place in an hour since there will be a lot of movements."

Ling Tian understood Long Bai's intentions. With a simple gesture of confirmation, Long Bai disappeared in front of him. It's not that he disappeared but with his speed, he seemed like he disappeared in an instant. A few seconds ago, he thought that he was looking at the real Long Bai but then realized that what he was seeing was a mirage copy when the image dissolved or disappear into thin air. The thought of such speed makes Ling Tian so excited since he knew that in the future, he will be able to experience such skill as long as he continues his training.

Long Bai on the other hand swiftly moved from tree to tree with the most minimal sound that can't even be heard by simple hearing. Maybe the only thing that might be able to detect the sounds of his movements would be a person who has reached the pinnacle of the earth realm.

The trip that was supposed to take 30 minutes only took less than two minutes since the path was already cleared. Now, before the next shift of guards can come, they need to make the run.

Long Bai entered the secret tunnel back to the rest of the group members. After making sure that there is no anomaly, he exited the entrance and showed himself up to the rest.

"Everyone, the time has come. Copy the route indicated here in your copies. In a minute, we will commence the plan. Is everyone here?" Ling Bai asked as he looked at everyone's eager eyes.

"Yes, we have been waiting. Shall we start?" Shoushan replied.

Long Bai nodded. After confirming everyone's presence, Shoushan's group went first to the secret tunnel.

"Brother Bai, how about brother Ling Tian?" Ah Mu asked with concern.

"He's waiting at the entrance of the beast lands. Sister Yue, Brother Ah Mu, since we three are far faster than Shoushan's group, we will be on the rear as guards. In case someone will notice us, we will deal with them until we will be able to buy enough time. Will you do it?"

Long Bai felt stupid after asking the last question as the two replied with a confirming smile. To ask if they will do the right thing was dumb of him.

"Alright then. You two go first and follow them. I'll stay behind just in case someone will come and check. I'll follow after a minute here."

Following Long Bai's instruction, the two gave the go signal to the team ahead. If someone was outside, the scene would have been magical as ten or more people seemed to be coming out from the ground. With Shoushan in the lead, the rest were keeping up with his speed. Back at the mine, the while members were intentionally working slowly to save up their energy just for this moment.

Yue and Ah Mu on the other hand were casually following behind since they are using their movement skill. Since they have essence replenishing pills, there's no worry for utilizing their essence.

Just when they were able to reach 400 meters away from the mine, everyone heard a loud sound from a horn.

!

"Brother Shoushan! We've been discovered! Don't stop running. We'll buy you some time!" Ah Mu loudly yelled towards the escaping members.