Continuing forward, Sun Jinan suddenly pointed to a broken tree branch and exclaimed, "Company Commander, the break in this branch hasn't completely closed yet; it must have been broken more than ten days ago."

Tang Yue leaned closer to examine it. The wood fibers at the break point were dry and yellowed, but it was clear that it hadn't been too long. "Hmm, they probably lost their water supply back then."

Looking in the direction of the branches, there seemed to be a patch of trampled marks ahead, with the surrounding grass lying askew, as if it had been the site of a fierce battle.

Zhang Dabing carefully parted the grass and found several spent cartridge cases. The cases still bore the marks of high-temperature burning, gleaming a dark reddish light in the sunlight. "These are cartridge cases from our Chinese standard-issue firearms," ​​he said, picking them up and examining them closely.

The three followed these tracks, groping their way through the mountains and forests for a long time. After an unknown amount of time, the trees ahead gradually thinned out, and in the distance, an ancient county town came into view.

Tang Yue looked back at the road they had just traveled, then turned to look at the county town. Sun Jinan took out a map from his pocket and pointed to a mark on it.

"Company Commander, the county ahead is called Shanhe County. I've heard that this county is extremely superstitious. It's clearly marked on the map that you should avoid dealing with this county unless absolutely necessary."

Tang Yue raised an eyebrow. China severely suppresses superstition, yet it's so prevalent in Bianyue Kingdom. Actually, she was quite curious to see how superstitious those people were.

"The trail disappeared around here."

Sun Jinan and Zhang Bing both nodded in agreement. Indeed, the only information they could find was that there was none in this area.

Tang Yue's eyes remained fixed ahead. The county town's walls were mottled and pitted, clearly bearing the marks of not only the passage of time but also the remnants of war. They were covered with various strange symbols and totems, and the city gates were tightly closed, exuding a mysterious and somewhat eerie atmosphere.

As the sun gradually set, its afterglow bathed the mysterious county town, casting it in a mesmerizing hue. Tang Yue wanted to project her consciousness outwards to investigate, but then she remembered something.

Tang Yue turned to look at the two of them. "Since the battalion commander and my father disappeared in this area, do you think it's possible that people in this city have seen them?"

Sun Jinan and Zhang Dabing's eyes lit up; there really was such a possibility. "Company Commander, look at how tightly the county gates are closed. It doesn't seem like anyone would come out. Have they seen anything?"