As the Li siblings hurriedly fled the scene, carrying their injured father and the survivor, they covered their tracks as best as they could. However, the Northern Yan soldiers, led by General Tuoba Yun, soon discovered the burning mass grave left behind by the massacre. Tuoba Yun was furious at the audacity of the Chu soldiers who had infiltrated their territory.
"These Chu soldiers are just sacrificial lambs sent here to die, yet they managed to bring two ninth-grade experts with them!" Tuoba Yun exclaimed with a cold expression.
The deputy general quickly deduced the situation. "General, you mean that some of these 'sacrificial lambs' have powerful backing? So, even if they died, their bodies were taken away?"
Tuoba Yun didn't confirm or deny the deputy general's guess but said firmly, "I want you to personally lead the guard unit to pursue them. Even if they are corpses, I won't allow anyone to take them away."
The deputy general nodded and led the guards on the chase. Several tens of li away, the Li siblings continued their desperate flight, carrying the injured soldiers. They had hoped that their careful cover-up would deter the Northern Yan soldiers, but it seemed that the enemy had brought tracking dogs.
"We're in trouble! The Northern Yan soldiers are catching up!" Li Wu Ya warned as she sensed the approaching threat through her mental powers.
"How is that possible? We've been so careful; how did they find us?" Li-San Lang was surprised and puzzled.
Li Wu Ya thought for a moment and then replied with a solemn expression, "They must have brought tracking dogs. The blood from your wounds has been dripping, and even if I covered it with snow, the dogs can still smell it."
"What do we do now?" Li-San Lang looked around anxiously. The main road was no longer safe; it was only a matter of time before the Northern Yan soldiers found their tracks in the daylight.
Li Wu Ya observed a frozen snow valley to the right and made a quick decision. "Let's go into the snow valley!"
The snow valley in December was covered with thick layers of snow, moving inside quite laborious. This was where their light skills would be put to the test.
Li-San Lang and Li Qi Lang carried the two injured soldiers as they hurriedly entered the snow valley, while Li Wu Ya used a tree branch to erase their tracks as they moved forward. Despite their efforts, the Northern Yan soldiers were relentless in their pursuit.
Eventually, Li Wu Ya sensed that the soldiers were drawing near again. "No good, the Northern Yan soldiers are catching up."
"How is that possible?!" Li Qi Lang was puzzled. "We've been so cautious, how did they find us?"
"I suspect they brought tracking dogs," Li Wu Ya explained. "Our blood from the wounds might have betrayed us, and even if I tried to conceal it, the dogs could still smell it."
Li Wu Ya quickly led her brothers to a hidden cave she detected through her mental powers. They hurriedly took refuge inside.
"We need to stop the bleeding on our father and the other soldier. The blood could lead the Northern Yan soldiers right to us," Li Wu Ya said urgently.
After using her healing abilities to stabilize their conditions, Li Wu Ya treated the injured soldiers while secretly using her powers to aid their recovery. Before long, the bleeding from their wounds ceased.
Li Qi Lang couldn't help but be amazed. "Big Sister, Father is fine because he took your heart-protecting pill. But what about this person? What's his story?"
Li Wu Ya looked at the miraculously lucky survivor with a smile. "I think he knows the Turtle Breath Technique."
"Turtle Breath Technique? You mean that technique that makes people appear dead?" Li-San Lang was surprised.
Li Wu Ya nodded. "Most likely. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to evade the Northern Yan soldiers' search."
As they left the cave after ensuring the safety of their injured companions, Li Wu Ya felt confident that the Northern Yan soldiers would no longer be able to track them.
"Now, those Northern Yan soldiers won't be able to find us," she said with relief.
Thinking they could finally leave the snow valley, the Li siblings were disappointed to find Northern Yan soldiers blocking their way once again. They had no choice but to continue their journey within the valley.
After a while, when they attempted to leave the snow valley again, they discovered even more Northern Yan soldiers outside.
"Why are there more and more Northern Yan soldiers?" Li San Lang wondered.
As they advanced, they saw an increasing number of Northern Yan soldiers conducting searches and patrols. Certain areas were heavily guarded.
"Do they really need so many soldiers just to deal with us few?" Li San Lang asked.
"Judging by their cautious demeanor, something must have happened," Li Wu Ya speculated.
"Since there are so many Northern Yan soldiers on the move, we won't be able to get through quickly. Let's find a place to hide first, then we can figure out what's going on," Li San Lang suggested.
The three siblings soon found a cave to shelter in. After settling Li Chang Sen and the injured Chu soldier, Li Wu Ya left to gather information while Li San Lang and Li Qi Lang stayed behind to take care of the wounded.
Seeing Li San Lang constantly watching the entrance of the cave, Li Qi Lang thought he was worried about Li Wu Ya's safety and tried to reassure him. "Brother, Sister Wu Ya is incredibly skilled in light techniques. Even if she encounters the Northern Yan soldiers, they won't be able to catch her. You can trust her abilities."
Li San Lang withdrew his gaze from the cave entrance and looked at Li Qi Lang, touched by his confidence. He patted his little brother's head and sighed, "Over the years, I've often been away from home. I can only stay for a few days during the holidays, and before I know it, you and Wu Ya have grown up."
Li Qi Lang thought he might have hurt Li San Lang's pride by being too capable, so he quickly shook his head and said, "Brother, we are still young. In our family, the person we need the most is you."
Li San Lang: ...
Li Qi Lang continued, "Let me tell you honestly, Brother, although I seem impressive, I'm just a paper tiger. I'm good at light techniques because I'm not skilled at close combat and can only train in light techniques to escape if needed."
"Brother, you are truly amazing!" Li Qi Lang added emphatically, afraid that Li San Lang might not believe him.
Li San Lang was well aware of his younger brother's situation and found his efforts to comfort him both amusing and heartwarming.
Half an hour later, Li Wu Ya returned. Li San Lang quickly asked, "What's happening outside?"
Li Wu Ya glanced at the Chu soldier lying next to Li Chang Sen and said, "A group of Chu experts infiltrated the area. The increase in Northern Yan soldiers outside is to capture them."
Li San Lang frowned. "How is that possible?"
Li Wu Ya pondered, "Yes, it's strange. Our father and the others are obviously a suicide squad sent by Chu. There shouldn't be anyone coming to assist them, unless..."
Li Qi Lang asked, "Unless what?"
Li Wu Ya looked at the Chu soldier again. "Unless there's someone important among them. Otherwise, those experts wouldn't risk their lives coming here."
She approached the Chu soldier's face and wiped away the dirt with a handkerchief, revealing a handsome and delicate young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old.
Li Wu Ya caressed his face and examined his hands, muttering, "This guy's skin is so smooth; he looks like he's from a wealthy family."
"Also, he knows the Turtle Breath Technique."
Martial arts were traditionally passed down through generations, and profound techniques were only accessible to a few individuals. For Li siblings, it was an extraordinary stroke of luck to obtain two boxes of martial arts manuals from the Northern Yan spies.
Li Qi Lang asked, "Could the people those Chu experts are looking for be him?" He pointed to the injured young man they had rescued.
Li San Lang also found the situation quite coincidental. "Regardless of who he is, since he's still alive and we've encountered him, we must take him with us."
Li Wu Ya pondered, "If those people can draw away the Northern Yan soldiers, we can leave during the chaos."
At the same time, outside the pit where Li Chang Sen's body was found, a dozen black-clad figures emerged from the pit and left with serious expressions.
"What should we do? All the bodies are burned beyond recognition; we can't tell who's the young Marquis Cai," one of them said worriedly.
"What else can we do? We'll just report the truth when we get back."
"But if we don't bring back Young Marquis Cai, the Governor might not be pleased with the outcome."
"We've done our best. The Governor should understand."
"Brother, Qi Lang, hurry, carry the injured. Let's leave quickly," Li Wu Ya instructed.
"What's wrong?" Li San Lang asked.
"Chu experts and Northern Yan soldiers are fighting. With them drawing attention, we can take advantage and escape," she explained.
"That's not good. There are still dozens of Northern Yan soldiers at the checkpoint," Li San Lang replied.
"We can't worry about that now. Let's charge through directly," Li Wu Ya said.
Before Li San Lang could respond, he saw Li Wu Ya leap forward in a few steps and, in a series of movements, neutralize the Northern Yan soldiers at the checkpoint with leaves flying all around.
Seeing Li Wu Ya charging ahead, Li San Lang immediately joined the battle while Li Qi Lang followed closely, using his soundwave technique.
Before long, they had dealt with the Northern Yan soldiers at the checkpoint.
"Let's go!"
On the city wall of Dielian Pass, Cai Jian Cheng anxiously watched the direction of the Northern Yan camp, with Zhuang Yu Tang standing behind him, looking solemn.
Cai Jian Cheng knew Ta Ba Yun too well; he was ruthless and would never spare those who had burned their provisions. There was no chance of leaving anyone alive, and anyone who fell into his hands would face a dead end.
Cai Jian Cheng might have to bury his son; even if the personal guards brought someone back, it would probably be the body of Young Marquis Cai.
"General Governor!"
Zhuang Yu Tang hurriedly supported the swaying Cai Jian Cheng. He wanted to say words of comfort, but he didn't know what to say.
At a time like this, no matter how much others said, it wouldn't lessen the Governor's grief.
Not long after, the black-clad figures appeared in front of Cai Jian Cheng and Zhuang Yu Tang.
"General Governor, we arrived a step too late. After Ta Ba Yun killed everyone, he set the pit on fire. We couldn't identify Young Marquis Cai's body. Please punish us," one of the figures said.
Cai Jian Cheng swayed and felt his chest convulsing with pain, almost unable to speak.
Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away from Dielian Pass, behind a snowdrift, Li San Lang and Li Qi Lang watched Li Wu Ya curiously.
"Five Ya, why did you let those black-clad people return to Dielian Pass before us?" Li Qi Lang squatted down next to Li Wu Ya and asked in surprise.
Li San Lang also wondered, "Yes, it seems odd. What's the difference between us returning first or later?"
Li Wu Ya glanced at the lucky young man they had saved. "I just wanted to see if those black-clad people were looking for him."
"If he is the one they are seeking, his identity must be extraordinary. By rescuing him, we're saving him and his family's benefactor."
Li Qi Lang became confused, "What does it have to do with us returning first or later?"
Li Wu Ya looked at him and replied, "The difference is significant. Returning first, they may be grateful, but not overly so. But if we return later and make them experience the joy of regaining something lost, their gratitude towards us will be even deeper."