Tracking

My mind began to feel heavy, and I knew that Zhao Min had been parasitized by the Gu worms in the same way. Determined not to be controlled by them, I gritted my teeth and tore off the Gu worms on my arm. However, more "ghost faces" leaped down from the rock walls, rushing towards me with great force. Just as I was about to faint, suddenly the surroundings loosened, and my vision gradually cleared. I strangely discovered that the Gu worms were voluntarily detaching from my body and rushing in a certain direction.

Old Wan and Zhao Min slid down the iron chain, and when they reached us, they quickly pulled me and the nearly unconscious Li Xin into the cave. As I looked back, I saw that Han Sheng had somehow lured the Gu worms towards him.

I broke free from Big Head's grip, anxious, and said, "We need to save him."

Big Head pulled me, shouting, "We can't let his blood go in vain. Trust Han Sheng, let's go first."

Watching Han Sheng surrounded by the tide-like Gu worms, I almost cried. I wanted to rush over, but Old Wan advised, "Young Master, now is not the time to play the hero. Think of the bigger picture."

"To hell with the bigger picture! Can you all leave with peace of mind?" I yelled like a madman, wanting to go over. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed before my eyes, a palm struck my neck, and I felt my mind go blank, fainting away.

I didn't know how much time passed; I slowly opened my eyes. My neck was a bit sore, and I moved my eyeballs. The surroundings were dimly lit, probably by a dimmed flashlight. Big Head sat beside me, and upon seeing me awake, he opened his mouth to say something but ultimately remained silent, just placing a water bottle next to me.

I sighed. In reality, I didn't blame him. Now that I had calmed down, I knew their actions were correct at that time. Even if I had gone over, it would have been one more casualty. But thinking about Han Sheng made my chest feel suffocated, and I couldn't help but want to cry.

I was not suitable for being a young master. I had already made up my mind; after getting out, I would return to Qinhan Hall and honestly be a handyman.

Originally, there was still some food in Li Xin's backpack, but it was lost when we came out, so all of us were now hungry.

Despite Zhao Min and Old Wan trying to advise me several times, I politely declined. I understood the reasoning but couldn't accept it.

After resting, we continued forward, walking along the rock wall for about six or seven hours. Finally, we emerged from the Fox Tiger King's corpse well. Big Head told me that he had left marks along the way, and Han Sheng would surely find his way out. I smiled and agreed; we all knew the chances of surviving were very slim.

This path was different from the one we came in through, and judging by the traces, it might have been the road used to transport large materials initially.

With no provisions left and little water, everyone moved wearily, especially Li Xin, who, perhaps due to excessive fright, started running a fever again. Towards the end, everyone walked silently, heads down, conserving energy.

In a recess on the road, we unexpectedly found a few broken bowls and bottles. It seemed this place was originally a supply station. Big Head rummaged through them but found nothing substantial to fill our stomachs. It was just psychological comfort.

I sat in a corner, pulled up the collar of my jacket, and planned to rest for a while. Big Head came over and asked how I was.

I didn't have the energy for idle chatter, nor the mood, so I shook my head. He looked at me, hesitated for a moment, and with a serious expression, said, "I feel like someone is following us. Of course, it's just a feeling."

I gave him a skeptical look, pulled down my hat to sleep, but he turned me around, saying earnestly, "Don't stay silent. I'm not joking with you. In theory, it should be easy after coming out, but I always have an uneasy feeling, not at ease."

"Don't be superstitious. If it were some monster, it would have attacked us long ago, especially with our current state. Initiating a conflict, we would almost certainly be in trouble. If it's a person, is it tracking one of us or something else?"

Big Head wiped his knife, muttering to himself, "Stay or leave, it's up to you. I don't care. If there's anything, this blade will handle it."

After another rest, we continued to move forward. Big Head asked us to go ahead while he stayed behind, keeping an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously. I told him not to play tricks. According to my estimation, we would be out in another day at most.

Big Head frowned, "What about you staying back, keeping a lookout?"

Thinking about having someone sneaky tailing us, I felt a chill down my spine and quickly shook my head, "Love to stay if you want, but don't target me."

Big Head wiped his knife and muttered, "Stay if you want. You're too unadventurous. Whatever it is, I'll handle it when the time comes."

After resting for a while, we got up to continue. Big Head suggested we go ahead, and he would catch up, claiming he needed to relieve himself. I gave him a look, warning him to be careful.

After walking for five or six minutes, Old Wan wondered why Big Head hadn't caught up yet. Afraid of some accident, he suggested going back to check. I volunteered, taking the flashlight from Zhao Min. She told me to be careful, and I just acknowledged with a grunt, taking out a glow stick.

Not even a few hundred meters out, a green dot suddenly lit up in front. I waved my hand, thinking it was Big Head with a glow stick. However, as I looked closer, I found the green light swaying irregularly, not like the normal gait of a person.

My heart skipped a beat, fearing something happened to Big Head. I quickly covered the glow stick, afraid to expose my position. The green dot, without a light source, also froze.

My breathing became rapid. Apparently, the entity had seen me. Just as I was about to retreat quietly, Big Head's sneaky voice came from that direction, "Is that Little Cao, huh?"

Relieved to hear his voice, I scolded him, "What are you doing?"

He limped over while complaining, "Don't mention it. Crouched there for half a day, legs went numb."

I asked him, "Did you see clearly?"

He hobbled over, his face looking a bit off. I asked again, "Did you see it or not?"

Seemingly hesitant, he glanced back and said, "To tell you the truth, I didn't see anything because that thing could see me."

"What?" He hushed me, whispering, "After you guys left, I crouched at the corner, wanting to see who was so ignorant. At first, no one was around,

 but in less than two minutes, I seemed to hear a faint breathing. Honestly, I'm not sure if I heard it or not till now, but I felt like something was approaching. However, just for that split second, it disappeared, as if it had also sensed me and didn't come any closer."

Surprised, I said, "Are you saying it has night vision goggles? Maybe it's a night owl."

He shook his head, "Not just any night owl. I could feel that it has its own thoughts. I think 'it' is tracking us."

Thinking about someone, not quite human or ghost, following us, I felt a chill. I asked involuntarily, "What's its purpose?"

Big Head rubbed his knife, muttering, "I wanted to ask you. This kind of brain-teasing stuff has always been your job. I've kept my precious brain cells for the olden meter. Now it's your turn to think."

We analyzed as we walked back. The three words "get out" that Big Head repeatedly mentioned kept swirling in my mind. Suddenly, I slapped my forehead, "Right! 'It' wants to get out!"