Chapter 7: Setting a Trap (Part 1)

Luo Zhan said, “Everyone, get ready to leave. This place is no longer safe!” Guo Shier was interrupted from his thoughts. He stood up and asked, “Uncle Luo, what’s not safe?” He had been lost in his own thoughts and hadn’t heard what the martial artist had said earlier.
The martial artist replied, “We found a hunting cart in the canyon ahead!”
Guo Shier said anxiously, “Wait… is it really a hunting cart?”
Luo Zhan nodded. “Yes! Just one!” He wasn’t stupid either. As soon as he finished speaking, he guessed Guo Shier’s thoughts and added, “No, no! I must ensure your safety!”
Guo Shier said, “Uncle Luo, don’t refuse right away. Take me to scout first. Hehe, maybe we can find something.”
Luo Zhan hesitated for a moment, unsure what to do. Since Guo Shier had been coming up with plans all the way, everyone now habitually listened to him. He said, “Alright, I’ll take you. But Shier, there’s no need to take action now.”
Guo Shier followed Luo Zhan quietly to a canyon not far ahead. The canyon wasn’t very deep, with gentle slopes on both sides. The hunting cart was parked at the bottom of the valley, clearly visible from above.
Luo Zhan whispered, “I don’t know how many people are in that cart…”
Guo Shier said softly, “They must be here to collect materials… Look over there… There’s one person, um, seems like they’re digging something.”
Luo Zhan said, “Shier, let’s leave. You guys are still too weak. If you get hurt, I won’t be able to explain to the old man.”
Guo Shier smiled faintly. “It’s a trap. Look over there…”
Luo Zhan narrowed his eyes and observed carefully, then cursed under his breath, “Damn it! It’s really a trap!” He could faintly see the shadows of several hunting carts in the distance. “There are at least five hunting carts!”
Guo Shier nodded. “We can still see these. There might be even more we can’t see. Let’s go!” He had originally intended to strike suddenly. If there had been only one hunting cart, he would have urged Luo Zhan and the others to act. But with the situation as it was, he wouldn’t fall for it. The two slowly retreated.
Back at the resting area, Luo Zhan said, “Let’s leave here quickly!”
Guo Shier frowned and thought for a moment before saying, “That doesn’t make sense. Why would they set a trap?”
Luo Zhan was stunned and asked, “Why?”
Guo Shier said with a wry smile, “We can’t leave… Let’s go into the cave! Hurry! Otherwise, it’ll be too late!” His last sentence was shouted.

Luo Zhan trusted Guo Shier greatly. Hearing this, he threw Guo Shier onto his back and shouted, “Take one each… Follow me!” Then he dashed off. The cave was located beneath a cliff not far away, about a few hundred meters from where they were. At Luo Zhan’s speed, it would only take a few dozen seconds to reach it.

As the five Symbol Warriors carried the five children into the cave, several hunting vehicles silently appeared. Unfortunately, they saw Luo Zhan and the others disappearing into the cave.

The cave wasn’t deep, with three bends. The entrance was wide, but the second bend was narrow enough for only two people to walk side by side, while the third bend was even smaller, barely allowing adults to pass. After each bend, there was a space of about a hundred square meters, with a high ceiling.

In fact, this cave was a dead end—there was no way to escape. Guo Shier was helpless too. With Luo Zhan and the five children, they couldn’t withstand the attack of the hunting vehicles. At least here, they could use the terrain to take temporary cover.

After entering the cave, Guo Shier shouted, “Put me down quickly!”

Luo Zhan set him down and said, “It seems they’ve noticed us!”

Guo Shier replied, “That’s right, they’ve spotted us. Leopards, you go in first. Uncle Luo, Uncle Xiaofeng, help me out!” He planned to set up traps first. The entrance bend was too wide to be a good defensive spot, so the first bend had to be abandoned. But he didn’t want those guys to enter easily.

After observing the terrain carefully, Guo Shier said, “Uncle Luo, go to the cave entrance and keep watch. If they come, retreat immediately! Uncle Xiaofeng, help me dig a hole under this boulder!”

Luo Zhan took one of the Symbol Warriors to the cave entrance. There, he saw seven or eight hunting vehicles circling around, scouting the area. He thought to himself, “Could they not have noticed us? No, it seems they’re waiting for someone… There are even more hunting vehicles!”

One hunting vehicle flew low over the ground, and five people jumped out of it. Then another vehicle arrived, with five people jumping out as well. In no time, twenty-five people gathered on the ground, all staring at the cave. Luo Zhan gave up completely, realizing his whereabouts had been exposed and there was no chance of escape.

After planting several explosive symbols in a row, Guo Shier said, “Uncle Xiaofeng, tell Uncle Luo and the others to come back to the inner bend. We need to set up some defenses.”

Xiao Feng went out to call for help, while Guo Shierun turned without hesitation and entered the second bend, carefully observing the terrain. This bend was over two meters high, about ten meters long, and one meter wide, with the narrowest part being less than a meter. The passage was curved, making it impossible to attack from the outside directly due to the bend blocking the view.

There was also a talisman warrior accompanying Guo Shierun. He said, “Uncle Yan, help me up.”

Uncle Yan’s name was Yan Ge, a quiet middle-aged man. Hearing this, he nodded, placed his hands under Guo Shierun’s armpits, and lifted him up with effort.

Guo Shierun placed a flame talisman in a small rock crack and then a blast talisman in another. There were countless rock cracks on the stone walls on both sides of the passage, and he placed one-time-use attack talismans in each one, which made Yan Ge feel chilled. In such a narrow space, the effect of an attack talisman detonating would be much more severe than in the open field.

The exit of the bend was also narrow, with a protruding rock beside it. Guo Shierun said, “I’ll go onto that rock so I can attack those coming out of the cave. Uncle Luo, take someone and hide on the other side of the entrance. Uncle Xiao Feng, draw the enemy’s attention from the front. Uncle Yan, lead your men and be ready to provide support at any time. Baozi, take Shi Tou, Chen Bing, and Chen Hong and hide inside.”

Huo Bao refused this time. He said, “Shierun, the rock you’re standing on is big enough for us to climb up too. We can use our talisman bows to support the uncles. We can’t just do nothing!”

Hong Shi said, “Yes, Shierun. There’s no reason for you to take risks while we hide!”

Chen Bing added, “With our four talisman bows and such close range, it’s enough to take care of one person!”

Guo Shierun couldn’t help but smile and said, “Alright, let’s go up together!” He knew he was influenced by his past life, instinctively wanting to keep children away from battles. But this world was different—here, children had to fight from the day they were able to wield weapons.

The protruding rock beside the cave entrance was large enough for six or seven adults to stand on, so the five children didn’t feel crowded there. The position was excellent, allowing them to directly attack those coming out of the cave. With two talisman warriors like Yan Ge drawing the enemy’s attention from the front, Guo Shierun and his group’s attacks would be most effective.

Five children stood on the rocks, each holding a magic bow—excellent magical weapons—all with arrows loaded in their quivers, ready for battle at any moment. Guo Shier said, “Leopards, be careful when shooting. Don’t fire all at once in a rush; take turns. After shooting an arrow, step back and reload. Hehe, in other words, shoot in line. That way, there won’t be gaps. Ah, right, I remember Xiao Hong brought a fishing net…”

Chen Hong was excited. The usually shy and easily flustered girl showed no fear at all. Holding her magic bow with anticipation, she said, “There’s a fishing net? I’ve never used it before. Shier, what do we need it for?”

Guo Shier was overjoyed. He had brought the fishing net intending to make fish soup. He asked, “Who knows how to cast a fishing net?”

Hong Shi raised his hand. “I do! I’ve caught fish before!”

Guo Shier said, “Xiao Hong, give him the fishing net. Follow my orders later—when I say, cast it… just cast it! Hehe, this is going to be fun. Shi Ti, make sure you’re accurate—aim right at the entrance!”

Hong Shi unrolled the fishing net and placed it at his feet, wrapped the throwing rope around his wrist, and picked up his magic bow. “No problem! Shier, I promise to throw it right above the entrance!”

“They’re coming! Everyone, hide well!”

Luo Zhan, holding a magic sword, and another martial artist hid near the entrance, while Xiao Feng, Yan Ge, and two other martial artists hid under the rocks. Guo Shier led the four children on top of the rocks, holding a stack of disposable attack talismans.

Footsteps were heard, indicating the enemy’s caution. A head poked out of the entrance. The person glanced to the side and was instantly terrified.

Luo Zhan raised his magic sword the moment the person turned. The moment the person saw him, Luo Zhan smirked mockingly and swung his sword. The man recoiled in fright, but despite his speed, the sword still scraped his head, tearing off a large piece of skin. The man screamed in pain and fell backward.

When the man poked his head out, Guo Shier saw half of his body and immediately shot a fireball talisman without hesitation, hitting the man’s chest precisely. But he soon realized why fireball talismans were considered the worst—they couldn’t even hurt anyone, which made him furious enough to curse.

Two dark figures rushed in at incredible speed. Luo Zhan shouted and swung his sword. Xiao Feng rushed forward silently, wielding a magic spear and charging with fierce determination. Guo Shier waved his hand lightly, and Huo Bao shot an arrow, followed by Shi Ti, then Chen Bing. By the time it was Chen Hong’s turn, Huo Bao had already reloaded, ready for the next round of shooting.

Five arrow bolts were shot in quick succession, causing those who followed to hesitate. With just this brief delay, the two who had rushed in first were already killed, and a strong smell of blood filled the air. Those behind were frightened and hurriedly retreated.