Twenty miles southwest of Eagle Sorrow Cliff, within a dense forest covered by trees fifteen or sixteen stories tall.
Coughing and bleating sounds drew nearer.
Several hundred burly Antlered Black Sheep, each as tall as a person, ambled over.
Shang Huan rode backward on a black sheep, looking deeply worried. "We can't keep doing this business."
The Wushan Six Siblings, likewise seated atop black sheep, all turned to look at Shang Huan, making his whole body tense.
Shang Huan tried not to look at the others and addressed only Lu Ku. "Brother, something's been off lately."
"Someone's investigating us? Kill them," Ai Ji said carelessly.
Shang Huan shook his head with a bitter smile. "It's precisely because no one has tested us that I think something's wrong."
"Ever since we started this business, plenty of people have been making inquiries, openly and in secret."
"But lately, those people have suddenly vanished. That isn't normal."
"Someone much stronger has likely stepped in. They're trying to wipe us all out in one go!"
Lu Ku looked thoughtful. "The Patrol Institute?"
"Can't be. We work for the Patrol Institute ourselves. We haven't heard anything about a major operation," Ai Ji said, scratching his head.
"Then we'll stop for now," Lu Ku decided at once.
Shang Huan let out a long breath. "Wise as always, Brother."
"Maybe I'm overthinking it. But we don't have Mr. Gongsun backing us up. If something really happens, we'll be in trouble." Shang Huan smiled bitterly.
The others could not help nodding.
Just as each of them was lost in thought.
Shi Xian suddenly spoke. "Someone's here! It's Li Dechao, the Patrol Institute's chief!"
Everyone's expressions changed at once.
"Behind him... Zhao Shaoyuan?!" Shi Xian, usually cold and composed, went pale.
Lu Ku's pupils abruptly contracted. "Run!"
On