The group continued on their way.
As time slowly passed, Wolf Valley was left far behind.
As the number of rocks on both sides of the mountain gradually increased, Chen Zhanshan shouted, "We can't go any further! There's a rocky outcrop ahead, not the way to Wolf Valley at all!"
Wu Baoan's nephew, Wu Qian, chimed in, "Yes, Uncle, after passing Luanshigang, and then crossing three or four more hills, you'll reach the back of Nanshan Village. This road is not right."
Upon hearing this, Wu Baoan was shocked and quickly questioned, "Uncle Zhonghou, Da Bao and Zhan Liang's lives are hanging in the balance. How could you lead them astray? This is a matter of life and death. You're trying to kill them!"
Seeing that his scheme had been exposed, Old Man Chen hurriedly tried to defend himself, "Security guard, how could I possibly harm my son? Although this road passes through the rocky hills, it is also the fastest route into Wolf Valley."
Further ahead is the western slope of Wolf Valley, where the mountain path is relatively easier to walk.
If you trust me, hurry up and follow me; if you don't trust me, go back.
Besides, I was just following footsteps. You see, the footprints disappear here, clearly indicating that I went towards the west slope.
Wu Baoan had indeed heard from the village elders that it was possible to go around to the western slope of Wild Wolf Valley from the back mountain of Nanshan Village.
Seeing the old man's confident words, he chose to believe him, after all, no elderly person wants to outlive their child.
He shouted to the crowd behind him, "Time is of the essence, saving lives is the priority, everyone hurry up and follow!"
Old Chen was so angry that he rolled his eyes. These brats were deliberately trying to work this old man to death.
I originally thought I could bypass Wolf Valley and reach Nanshan Village before dawn.
Even if these people found out, he could just say that it was dark and he had turned around, and he could get away with it. Who knew that Chen Zhanshan would actually discover that he had taken the wrong road.
Now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to risk leading everyone toward the western slope of Wolf Valley.
As he walked, Old Chen kept a close eye on his footing, afraid that he might accidentally fall into the ravine.
He was terrified; if a poisonous insect suddenly jumped out and bit him, he would die.
It's all that old hag's fault. She had to be so greedy, and now he's suffering like this.
And these idiots, even during the day, have a slim chance of surviving a trip into Wolf Valley, let alone in the dead of night. It's practically suicide.
Under the torchlight, Old Man Chen suddenly noticed a shoe on the ground.
He was immediately startled. Weren't these the worn-out shoes his son often wore?
How did he end up here? Did a wolf attack him? ...
Although he loved his youngest son the most, his second son was also his flesh and blood.
He dared not think any further, and a wave of sorrow washed over him. He bent down to pick up the shoes from the ground and said in a tearful voice, "Security guard, Zhan Liang is in trouble."
Wu Baoan frowned as he looked at the shoes in his hand. "You're saying these shoes belong to Zhan Liang?"
Seeing this, Chen Zhanshan felt a pang of pain in his heart, and his eyes instantly reddened. "That's right, these shoes belong to Zhanliang. He must have encountered danger, which is why he lost one of his shoes while running away."
As they were talking, they heard a mournful wolf howl.
Old Chen turned pale with fright and said in a trembling voice, "Zhanliang must have encountered a pack of wolves and been torn to pieces by them."
"No, Zhanliang will be fine." Chen Zhanshan shook his head vigorously.
Wu Baoan's expression was grave. "You're right. We can't conclude that Zhanliang was eaten by wolves based on just one shoe. Everyone, spread out and check around to see if you find anything else. Don't go too far."
Everyone held up torches and looked around.
"Uncle, come quick! There seem to be traces of something rolling down the thorns here," Wu Qian shouted from the edge of the rocky cliff.
Wu Baoan and others rushed over and examined the area carefully by the light of the torches. "It really looked like it had been run over by something."
Old Chen craned his neck to look down and shook his head repeatedly. "Zhanliang must have encountered a pack of wolves and panicked, tumbling down the cliff."
He was convinced that his son was doomed, and he felt a pang of sadness.
Chen Zhanshan was extremely anxious. "You all wait here. I'm going down to rescue Zhanliang."
Although Wu Baoan was anxious, he remained clear-headed. The cliff was bottomless, and if he went down rashly, the consequences would be unimaginable if an accident occurred.
He quickly stopped Chen Zhanshan, "Don't rush, let's find a way down, otherwise we won't be able to rescue them."
Upon hearing that they were going down the cliff, Old Man Chen's earlier sadness vanished, and he shook his head anxiously, "What's the point of saving him? With such a high cliff, Zhan Liang would definitely be smashed to pieces if he fell. Going down would be pointless."
"Just listen to me. Now that we know Zhanliang's whereabouts, let's not take any risks. Let's go home, get a good night's sleep, and be well-rested. Tomorrow at dawn, we'll head straight down the valley, collect Zhanliang's body, and that'll be it."
"Uncle Zhonghou, are you even speaking human language?"
Wu Baoan couldn't listen anymore and glared at him angrily.
"Zhanliang is your own son. We haven't even given up yet, how can you give up already?"
Although the chances of surviving a fall from here are slim, we cannot give up now that we haven't found any bodies.
"Security guard, why are you saying such rude things? It's like I'm not worried about Zhanliang dying."
Old Chen looked a little embarrassed, so he pretended to be sorrowful and started to sob.
"I'm saying this for everyone's good, aren't I? Look how dark it is now, what if someone falls down and dies?"
Can you take this responsibility?
Zhanliang is dead now. My heart aches, my liver aches, everything hurts. I just want to hold his body right now and say a final goodbye.
But I can't do that. Everyone is born of parents. If I were to see another accident happen to a fellow villager, I would become a sinner.
How could I face my fellow villagers then? I had no choice but to do this!
Chen Zhanshan was not at all surprised by Old Man Chen's callous words.
After all, he was willing to let himself become a eunuch in the palace, so why would he care about Zhan Liang's life or death?
These heartfelt words may fool others, but they cannot fool him.
Chen Zhanshan snorted coldly, "Village head, I will not give up no matter what. I must find Zhanliang, whether he is alive or dead."
"Zhanshan, you're right. If Zhanliang is still alive and can't be rescued, how desperate he must be."
After Wu Baoan finished speaking, he shouted to the crowd,
"Everyone watch your step and see if there's a way down."
......
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