nycdaug Chapter 150: Chasing the Shadow
Chapter 150: Chasing the Shadow
Lei Tao followed the faint tracks left by the ninja and the pilot as they fled, darting through the dense forest like an agile cheetah. His eyes were firm and sharp, not missing a single clue. His steps were light and swift, each one deftly avoiding the crisscrossing tree roots and protruding rocks on the ground that would slow him down.
After tracking for a moment, Lei Tao calmly analyzed the situation. He knew that blindly pursuing them in a straight line would be difficult due to their late start and the enemy's rapid pace. He paused, bent slightly, and carefully observed the surroundings and the direction of the footprints. Combining his understanding of the surrounding terrain and Japanese troop deployments, he concluded that the ninja and the pilot had most likely fled back to the county town. After all, the county town contained a Japanese stronghold, where they could find shelter and support, and the complex environment could allow them to conceal their movements.
Lei Tao made a decisive move, deciding not to blindly follow the existing trail. Instead, relying on his familiarity with the area, he quickly planned a shortcut to the county town. He turned and ran towards a small hill nearby, which was slightly higher. He wanted to climb up and observe if there was any unusual movement around, and also to better determine the direction of his route.
After climbing the hill, Lei Tao gazed into the distance, catching sight of the outline of the county town in the distance. He took a deep breath, determined his bearings, and plunged into the valley on the other side of the hill. The sparse vegetation in the valley facilitated his progress, but it also presented hidden dangers, such as the occasional deep ravines and steep downhill slopes. Lei Tao moved cautiously through the valley, sometimes leaping over narrow gullies, sometimes sliding rapidly down the slopes, constantly alert to the sounds and movements around him, fearing he would miss the ninja and the pilot.
To more accurately track the whereabouts of the ninja and the pilot, Lei Tao suddenly stopped and quickly retrieved several Hummingbird drones from his Bagua Gyro. He expertly activated the controls, and with a gentle hum, the Hummingbird drones slowly ascended into the air. Lei Tao stared intently at the control screen, his fingers expertly moving across the keys, directing the drones to disperse and conduct reconnaissance.
After half an hour of reconnaissance with the Hummingbird drone, with its battery half depleted, Lei Tao's gaze remained fixed on the control panel. Finally, he spotted the ninja and the pilot at the foot of a cliff three kilometers away. In the video, the ninja was intently tending to the pilot's wound. With swift and steady movements, he retrieved various first aid supplies from his bag. He carefully examined the pilot's injuries, then gently wiped the wound with a sterile cotton ball, removing any blood and dirt. Then, the ninja skillfully bandaged the pilot, occasionally speaking to him, seemingly offering comfort. The pilot lay on the ground, his face slightly pale, his brow furrowed in pain, but his eyes held a resolute look as he cooperated with the ninja's treatment.
Lei Tao witnessed this scene and quickly changed his mind. Rather than risk killing the pilot or even struggling to capture him, he thought, it would be better to follow them. Perhaps following them would lead to the Japanese airfield nearby. If they could find it, they could use the advanced weapons they had acquired from the Bagua Gyrosphere and, through careful planning, stealthily destroy the airfield and its parked aircraft. This would temporarily eliminate the Japanese air threat and significantly impact the overall battle situation.
Lei Tao carefully guided the drones back in sequence. After all the Hummingbird drones were safely recovered, he began crafting a ghillie suit from the vines and weeds that dangled from the jungle. He patiently intertwined and bound the vines and weeds, and soon, a ghillie suit perfectly blended into its surroundings. Lei Tao gently draped it over his shoulders, instantly blending in with the jungle backdrop and achieving perfect concealment.
Then, lowering his body, he cautiously scrambled toward the ninja and the pilot. He began with a cat-like gait, tapping the ground lightly as he swiftly weaved through the trees. When he encountered a low branch blocking his path, he used the momentum of his sprint to roll over it in a single, smooth forward roll. As he rose, he used his hands to maintain his balance and continued forward. Then, a wide ravine appeared before him. He accelerated his run, leaping high into the air, stretching his body in the air like a soaring eagle, effortlessly crossing it. He landed on his toes first, then crouched down to cushion his fall, the movement seamless and soundless.
While traversing a forest, Lei Tao detected a subtle movement in the trees. Pausing momentarily, he looked up and saw a squirrel hopping among the branches. An idea struck Lei Tao. He crouched down, picked up a small stone, and, with remarkable stealth, tossed it gently toward the branch where the squirrel lay. The stone struck the branch with a subtle clatter, startling the squirrel, which fled toward another tree in Lei Tao's direction. Seizing his moment, Lei Tao, just as the squirrel leaped into the air, grasped it with lightning speed. The squirrel struggled fiercely in his grasp, but Lei Tao quickly bound its limbs with a thin vine to silence it. He intended to use the squirrel's subtle movements to confuse any enemy's eyes and also serve as a backup "bait" in case of emergency. From there, he quietly approached his target, relying on these jungle sprinting maneuvers and clever strategies.
Finally, Lei Tao arrived at a thorn bush about two hundred meters away. It was a well-hidden spot, thick with thorns and dense leaves, making it an ideal hiding place. He crouched down and carefully parted the bushes, moving as quietly as possible to avoid making any noise that might attract the enemy's attention. Then, he slowly slipped inside. Under the cover of the thorns, Lei Tao crouched low, his eyes fixed on the ninja and the pilot through the gaps between the thorns.
The ninja seemed to sense someone approaching, looking around warily. He spoke to the pilot in Japanese, "He seems to be catching up. I'll distract him. Stay here and don't move. Give me your coat..." The pilot, though concerned, quickly took off his coat and handed it to the ninja. The ninja took the coat, quickly donning it, and in a flash, sprinted in the opposite direction of the pilot's position, deliberately making a loud noise, breaking branches and kicking up fallen leaves, in an attempt to mislead the pursuer. Lei Tao, witnessing this from the thorn bush, pondered the ninja's intentions, but his eyes remained fixed on the pilot's hiding place, undeterred by the ninja's deceptive actions.
After a while, seeing no unusual movement, the pilot began to grow restless. Cautiously, he emerged from his hiding spot and surveyed his surroundings with vigilance. Lei Tao remained motionless. The pilot quietly rose to his feet, as if searching for the ninja's presence or perhaps seeking a more secluded location. Every movement was slow, fearing any noise or warning of his presence. Soon, the ninja realized he was unchallenged and returned to the pilot's side. Just then, Lei Tao smiled at the squirrel in his hands, untied its ropes, and gently dropped it into a tree near the ninja and the pilot. Freed, the squirrel frantically leaped and dove through the branches, making a few noises and commotions. This sudden movement caught the attention of both the ninja and the pilot, their gazes drawn to the squirrel's direction. Upon realizing it was a squirrel, their tense nerves instantly relaxed. The pilot helplessly complained to the ninja in Japanese, "That's it?"
The ninja didn't respond to the pilot's complaint, only a slight frown, still a touch of uncertainty about this minor incident. He glanced around again, his eyes wary and searching, searching for any sign of lurking danger. The pilot, rubbing his wound and muttering, began to gather his gear, preparing to continue. Lei Tao's reaction reinforced his conviction that they were anxious to get going and wary of their surroundings. He continued to lurk in the brambles, patiently awaiting their next move.
After a moment, the ninja stood up and motioned for the pilot to follow. They began to advance slowly in one direction, their steps light and slow, pausing periodically to observe their surroundings. Lei Tao cautiously emerged from the thorn bushes, using the cover of trees and grass as he began to quietly follow them. He kept a distance from the ninja and the pilot, his eyes fixed on their figures and his ears alert for any other threats...