I adhered strictly to the strategic principle of advancing when the enemy retreats and retreating when the enemy advances.
"Why are you so wicked? You've swollen my lips from kissing!"
The firelight cast a captivating glow on Qu Xiangyun's delicate face, making her appear exceptionally alluring.
"Don't rush. The night is long, and worse is yet to come!"
The general, long absent from battle, drew his treasured saber and set his sights westward, embarking on a conquest of the stars and the sea!
Only halfway through the journey, Qu Xiangyun suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and, nibbling on my earlobe, whispered, "You... be gentle. Someone's sleeping next to us!"
I glanced to the side and saw Luo Yaqin lying on her side, facing us, fast asleep.
This only made me more excited. The fierce battle raged until just before dawn, when the trumpets signaled retreat.
The next day.
Perhaps it was the pent-up stress of the preceding days finally released, but I woke up not long after.
Looking at Qu Xiangyun's sleeping face, with tear stains still lingering at the corners of her eyes, my heart softened.
Seeing that everyone else was still asleep, I went out for a stroll. If Li Degui were still alive, he would undoubtedly seek revenge.
The most immediate target would be this cave!
We couldn't stay here any longer!
I had to find another place suitable for everyone to live.
Just then, I remembered the former Soviet military base I had stumbled into before. It was spacious and hidden, a good place for a temporary refuge.
With my mind made up, I returned to the cave.
After breakfast, I shared my idea with everyone. Once they unanimously agreed, we began packing our belongings.
As we were about to leave, Shangguan Yao hesitated and said to me, "Lu Ziye, how about I stay behind to guard the place? You all go ahead and check if it's suitable for us to live in. After all, this is just your guess."
I shook my head resolutely. "No, I wouldn't be at ease leaving you here alone. Even if no one seeks revenge, the weather is getting colder, and this cave is no longer suitable for us."
Shangguan Yao raised no further objections.
Soon, we finished packing our things. Led by me, our group headed towards the cave entrance from which I had previously escaped.
Halfway there, Luo Yaqin suddenly pulled me aside, looking at me with a complicated expression.
"What is your relationship with Qu Xiangyun now?"
Her question made me feel a little guilty. I instinctively retorted, "Why are you asking?"
"I saw everything last night!"
Damn it!
Wasn't Luo Yaqin sleeping soundly last night? When did she see anything!
Seeing my silence, Luo Yaqin glared at me fiercely and made to leave.
I quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her into my embrace.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!"
Luo Yaqin struggled fiercely in my arms, her nails digging into my arm.
Annoyed by Luo Yaqin's commotion, I cupped her chin and kissed her fiercely.
Luo Yaqin's eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected me to do such a thing. Initially, she bit her lips tightly, but under my gentle assault, she gradually softened, closed her eyes, and allowed me to kiss her.
I held her and kissed her for a while before pulling away, looking at her with a half-smile.
Suddenly deprived of my embrace, Luo Yaqin instinctively tilted her head up. When she opened her eyes and looked at me, her face flushed red.
I teased her, "Good sister, are you suddenly feeling a little empty?"
Luo Yaqin turned her head away, no longer looking at me, but she stopped struggling.
I chuckled and then gently kissed her again.
Seeing me and Luo Yaqin being so intimate from a distance, Qu Xiangyun called out to us with a hint of jealousy, "Can you two hurry up! What are you whispering about?"
I patted Luo Yaqin's shoulder and said gently, "Alright, we have very important things to do today. I'll explain everything to you tonight."
Luo Yaqin pinched my waist lightly and said coyly, "I don't care. In matters like this, there's always a first come, first served rule. I was clearly here first, and you must give me an explanation for this."
With that, she turned and walked back towards the others.
I had intended to coax her nicely tonight, but what happened later completely ruined everyone's mood!
We hadn't walked far before we reached the entrance of the cave leading to the military base. Looking at the somewhat eerie cave, Shangguan Yao took two steps back in fear.
"Lu Ziye, are you sure this is it? It feels so creepy in here."
I comforted her, "This is the most suitable place we can find right now. We'll stay here for a few days, and then we can move when we find a better location."
Shangguan Yao reluctantly nodded after hearing my words.
As we descended, the air grew colder. A faint scent of blood seemed to permeate the air, and a sense of unease settled in my heart.
It wasn't like this the last time I was here. Could it be the changing weather on the island?
When we reached the cave with the statue, I suddenly realized that the carcass of the black panther I had killed here before had disappeared!
Only a pool of deep red bloodstains remained on the ground.
What the hell? Where did the black panther's body go!
Was it defiled and eaten by some wild beast, or had something even more unimaginable happened?