I cannot fathom why the Mohe would launch a precise attack at this juncture, using the shrimp soldiers and crab generals of the Sea and Mountain Monster Clan to sweep the area from north to south. Longyue likely doesn't know we are at Jinjiling, only that we are in the vicinity of Fenghuangtai. Thus, she dispatched the monsters along the mountain paths to push forward. The previous wave of monsters might not have been the only one; there could be others heading in different directions, as we are situated on the tip of a peninsula, which isn't very large.
Based on this assessment, if Longyue and her group cannot find us, they might exert pressure on Fenghuangtai, capturing Old Thirteen and the others to force information out of them about our whereabouts. Besides the Hengshui Sect, the Shenfeng Gate is the second source of intelligence.
"Alright, shall we have them leave and join us?" Yaoyao asked.
"No, not to Laobie Bay. To the city. We can split up and hide," I said, worried that Old Thirteen and the others might be tracked.
As for Shao Chen's men, they don't need our concern; I trust they can handle themselves.
I called Dianna up. After hearing my analysis, she pondered for a moment and said, "How about I try to talk to Longyue?"
They know each other, though Dianna is neutral.
"There's no need for that, is there?" I asked.
"I'll listen to you," Dianna chuckled.
"Let's go. We're leaving here," I said.
Yanan had already dressed. We descended the mountain on foot and headed towards another nameless hill to the west. There were also traces of fortifications here, but it hadn't been developed and wasn't suitable for habitation. It likely wouldn't attract the Mohe's attention.
Moreover, looking south from this mountain directly leads to the coastline. Even if Longyue pursued us, we could simply enter the sea. Yanan could take me into the water in ten seconds. Once in the sea, it would be Dianna's domain.
Therefore, I decided to stay here and observe Longyue's movements.
This time, I didn't dare to smoke. The three of us hid in a ruin, peering towards Jinjiling through the broken firing slits of a dilapidated battery.
After about five minutes, within the field of vision of the Qi observation technique, Longyue's grape-purple aura finally appeared. Besides her, there were over a dozen more purple auras. Perhaps some of them were sent to intercept us from the perimeter?
Before long, Longyue led her group to the mountaintop. She scanned the surroundings. I instinctively pulled my head back. Although Longyue doesn't possess the Qi observation technique, her eyesight and hearing are exceptionally sharp. I feared she might spot us.
Nothing magical happened. Longyue observed for a while, muttered something to her subordinates, and then they descended the mountain on foot. A short while later, a convoy of vehicles returned the way they came from the foot of the mountain. However, I counted and the numbers were off. Three experts with purple auras were missing. They were likely left behind at the fortress or the hidden harbor. Due to the obstructing mountain, I couldn't see their auras.
It seems my decision to go to Laobie Bay, rather than waiting for them to leave before returning, was the right one. They had their sights on us.
As long as they found the fortress, it wouldn't be difficult to guess we were here. We left in such a hurry, leaving behind many traces of our presence. With Longyue's abilities, she might be able to determine I had been here based on a piece of clothing.
After they left, I mentioned that they had left three experts behind. Yanan immediately asked, "Should we take this opportunity to..."
I weighed the options and decided it wasn't necessary. If we eliminated those three, Longyue would undoubtedly intensify her surveillance of this area, and we would have no chance of returning. If we let them go, they would likely watch until tomorrow night. Seeing no one appear, they would assume we had moved on and would stop monitoring this location.
After my explanation, Yanan gave me a thumbs-up, saying, "You're still the best, thinking so thoroughly!"
"It's called foresight," I praised myself.
"Then let's go. There's nothing here to linger for, at least for now." Yanan seemed to be trying to say something sophisticated, but her literary skills fell short.