When Xu Qing burst out of the dense forest, he looked utterly wretched.
He was covered in blood from head to toe, his hair in disarray, his gaze unfocused, his steps so unsteady that he looked ready to collapse at any moment.
He staggered into the camp and plunged headfirst to the ground before everyone. Then, forcing himself half upright, he rasped, "Captain Qi is surrounded... southern forest... the river bandits set an ambush... hurry... hurry and save them—"
His voice came in broken fragments, as though he had spent his very last scrap of strength.
After saying that, his body swayed as if he were about to faint, yet he stubbornly held himself up.
He lay sprawled on the ground, trembling all over. He truly looked like someone who had risked his life to escape and seek help.
With a wave of Commandant Du's hand, soldiers immediately rushed over to help Xu Qing up, while someone else brought him water.
Xu Qing took the waterskin and gulped down two mouthfuls, only to choke and cough violently.
Commandant Du turned to look at Lin Mu.
Lin Mu stood where he was, his expression shifting unpredictably.
He had seen clearly who had come running over.
It was actually Xu Qing!
Xu Qing was still alive?
His fingers unconsciously clenched around his sword hilt as countless thoughts surged through his mind.
Where were Lin Cang and the others? Had they not blocked the forest exit? Or had they never encountered him?
Or had they... encountered him, but failed to kill him?
Impossible!
Using patrols as an excuse, he had arranged for them to intercept Xu Qing in that direction. There was only one path through the dense forest back to camp; Xu Qing could not possibly have gone around them. Lin Cang