However, the experts from the research institute only went missing on the fifth day after entering the mountains, and they had only been here a short time. Han Bin opened two cans of food: "Let's eat, and then we'll walk further in."
Old Shang nodded.
After finishing their meal, everyone continued walking. They walked for over three hours, but still found nothing.
Han Bin glanced at Lao Shang, who shook his head. Han Bin's heart sank even further.
Commander Wang's requirement for Han Bin was to bring back the same number of men he led out. So, as it was getting dark, Han Bin told everyone to find a place to set up camp.
After choosing a location, the soldiers began setting up their tents. While setting up the tents, Lao Shang asked Han Bin to set up a separate tent for him on the other side of the camp.
Han Bin guessed that Lao Shang might be performing a ritual that night. After setting up the tent, Han Bin asked Lao Shang, "Uncle Shang, do you want me to keep watch for you?"
"No need. Keep the soldiers away from my tent."
"Okay. You really don't need me to keep watch for you?"
"No need. I want to see if those people are still alive. You are all soldiers, and you all have a strong sense of righteousness. If you are here, the spirits around here won't dare to come over."
"Alright. Then you'll just have to let Xiao Hei keep you company."
"With it here, those spirits dare not come any closer."
Han Bin was a little puzzled. Little Black wasn't a warhorse, was it? However, since Old Shang said so, he'd take Little Black with him. "Then be careful. Call me if anything happens."
"Um."
The soldiers on night watch lit a fire, and Han Bin sat down beside it with Xiao Hei. Throughout the night, Han Bin kept watch with the soldiers while also keeping an eye on Lao Shang's tent.
In the middle of the night, Han Bin saw several whirlwinds enter Lao Shang's tent.
The next day at daybreak, Lao Shang came out of the tent.
Han Bin immediately stood up from beside the fire: "Uncle Shang, are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat."
"Um."
Han Bin took the food and went to Lao Shang's tent. As soon as he entered, Han Bin asked in a low voice, "Are they still alive?"
“They should be alive. Last night I summoned a few spirits and asked them, and they said there were several human presences in the southeast direction. However, they said one of the presences was weakening. That weakening presence should be the group of people who disappeared first.”
"Hmm." Hearing that the person was still alive, Han Bin felt a little relieved. However, he asked, "Do they know how far away those people are from here?"
"have no idea."
Han Bin thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Shang, how about this? Since no one knows which direction to look in, I'll lead everyone to look east first, and then south." If he leads people directly southeast, everyone will definitely ask him why he went that way when they find the person.
"Okay. But we have to hurry."
"I know. Uncle Shang, you should eat first."
"good."
After leaving Lao Shang's tent, Han Bin had everyone eat. After the meal, Han Bin instructed the soldiers to pack up their belongings. Once they were done, Han Bin called them all together: "Comrades, which direction are we heading today?"
The soldiers remained silent.
Han Bin looked at the soldiers and said, “Since none of you know which way to go, let’s head east first. The East is Red, the sun is rising. Let’s circle around this mountain from where the sun rises. If we can’t find it in the east, we’ll head south; if we can’t find it in the south, we’ll head west; and if we still can’t find it in the west, we’ll head north. Comrades, is that alright? If so, raise your hands.”
The soldiers all raised their hands. Since no one knew which way to go, they decided to let the brigade commander choose a direction.
Han Bin looked at the soldiers: "Since everyone agrees, let's set off. However, since we don't know which direction to go, we need to circle all four directions as quickly as possible. Comrades, we won't look for any traces they left today, because we wouldn't know who left them anyway. Comrades, let's sing military songs today. If the missing comrades hear us singing military songs, they will definitely send us a signal. Comrades, let's go!"
Soldiers: "Yes, sir!"
Since there was no need to look for clues, Han Bin led his soldiers on a run. After they started running, Han Bin divided the soldiers into two teams. Once they were divided, Han Bin had the two teams take turns singing military songs.
Old Shang rode Little Black behind the group.
After running for more than two hours, Han Bin told the soldiers to stop and rest.
Han Bin took two water bottles and walked over to Lao Shang and Xiao Hei. "Uncle Shang, here you go."
Old Shang took the kettle from him.
Han Bin patted Xiao Hei's neck: "Are you tired? Here, have some water."
Han Bin tried to give Xiao Hei some water, but Xiao Hei turned and ran away. Han Bin was taken aback: "Uncle Shang, what's wrong with it?"
"It may have gone looking for water."
Han Bin glanced at the water bottle in his hand: "Isn't there water here?"
Old Shang smiled and said, "It won't drink from anyone except Xiaoman."
Han Bin rubbed his nose. Oh well, he got rejected again. Han Bin unscrewed the cap and took a few sips of water. After drinking his fill, Han Bin sat down next to Old Shang on the ground: "Uncle Shang, should I change direction?"
Old Shang thought for a moment and said, "We'll change it again tomorrow. Tonight I'll summon a few more spirits here and ask them. The spirits from yesterday only knew the general direction, but the spirits here might know the exact location of those people."
"OK."
A moment later, Xiao Hei returned. Han Bin looked at Xiao Hei's mouth; there were still a few drops of water on it. It seemed Xiao Hei really had gone to drink water.
Seeing that the two doctors were almost exhausted, Han Fu walked over to Xiao Hei and whispered, "Xiao Hei, I need to talk to you about something. Could you give those two doctors a ride?"
Xiao Hei glanced at the two doctors. One of them was already lying on the ground. Xiao Hei nodded.
Han Bin stroked Xiao Hei's fur. "Thanks."
When the break was almost over, Han Bin went over to the two doctors and said that Xiao Hei could give them a ride, but since Xiao Hei was going to give Lao Shang a ride, they could only take turns giving them rides.
The two doctors were overjoyed to hear that.
When they set off, Han Bin let the doctor who was lying on the ground sit on the horse first. The doctor had never ridden a horse before and was a little nervous at first. But he found that Xiao Hei ran very steadily.
As it was getting dark, Han Bin told everyone to find a place to set up camp.
Han Bin and Xiao Hei kept watch outside all night again.
The next day, before dawn, Old Shang came out of his tent. Han Bin immediately went over to him: "Uncle Shang, you're awake."
"Yes. As people get older, they need less sleep."
"Then let's chat for a bit."
"Okay. Let's go inside the tent and chat, you and me."
"good."
As soon as he entered the tent, Han Bin asked, "Uncle Shang, do you know the exact location?"
"Hmm." Old Shang drew a diagram on the ground with his finger: "They're here."
"Great. I'll head there with my men as soon as it's light."
Old Shang didn't want to dampen Han Bin's spirits, but... "Commander Wang must have been here when he was searching the mountains."
"I know. But having a direction is better than having no direction at all."
"Okay. Once we get to this area, we shouldn't run anymore."
"good."
As dawn approached, Han Bin woke up all the soldiers. After lunch, Han Bin led them out. This time, Han Bin led the way, running the entire time.
Knowing the exact location, Han Bin didn't let everyone rest. Only when they were almost there did he allow them to stop and rest for twenty minutes. After resting, Han Bin led everyone off. However, this time Han Bin ran slower, but his singing voice rose higher.
However, Han Bin sang several songs but heard no echo. Logically, if the missing people were nearby, they should have been able to hear them singing.
Han Bin looked at Lao Shang, who also found it strange. They were making such a racket, and those people were clearly nearby, so how come they seemed not to hear anything?
Just as Lao Shang and Han Bin were wondering, Xiao Hei suddenly stopped.
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