79 Chasing the Escapees (2/2)

While sprinting through the forest at an incredible pace, Xiao Luo looked down and remarked, ”You should really be grateful that you have such a good father!” If Chu Yunxiong had not recognized his worth, he would not have accepted this assignment.

Hearing this, Chu Yue was stunned speechless. Xiao Luo had been sent by her father, Chu Yunxiong, to watch over her?

So, it was no coincidence that the figure that she and Bai Ling had seen that night so closely resembled Xiao Luo? Was that why Xiao Luo acted so strangely in school? Was he always following her? Everything that had transpired thus far could be explained if Xiao Luo's purpose here was to ensure her safety.

Just then, it all clicked.

A strange emotion welled up from deep within her—an indescribable mix of feelings.

A low shout brought her back to reality: ”Hang on tight!”

Xiao Luo jumped up mid-sprint, leaping like a wild tiger, and bounded over a small stream that spanned three-yards.

Chu Yue experienced the jumping motion distinctly. It felt like playing on a swing, but far more thrilling and stimulating because she could see a 7-to-8-yard drop downstream. The meandering creek in these lofty mountains flowed into a waterfall deep in the forest.

”Aaah!”

She could not hold back her scream and tightened her grip on Xiao Luo, afraid she might fall.

”Can't you women do anything other than scream?” Xiao Luo's expression was unsympathetic as he criticized her.

Chu Yue was irked to the point of tears. She replied while looking up at him grudgingly, ”I don't want to, but I can't help myself. It's just too scary.”

”If you're scared, then just close your eyes!” Xiao Luo barked haughtily.

Biting her lip, Chu Yue burrowed her face into Xiao Luo's chest.

”Target acquired, roughly 500 yards straight ahead. Lock and load. Prepare to engage!” Eagle relayed his orders to the squad. He tightened his grip on his firearm and sped up his pursuit.

Xiao Luo was well aware of the men pursuing them. The mercenaries of the Blackwater company were tenacious. If he were by himself, shaking them off would be a piece of cake, but it was much more difficult with Chu Yue. Even if he ran at full speed, he could not get away from the lightly equipped members of the Red Scorpion Mercenary Corps.

He needed to think of a plan!

Xiao Luo looked at his surroundings with a furrowed brow as he brainstormed a way out of this. It would be great if he could deposit Chu Yue in a safe location. Alone, he was fully confident of his ability to kill the mercenaries chasing after him.

As he ran, he spotted another small river. The banks were muddy due to shrub growth, and anyone walking along it would be quickly covered in dark mud.

That's it!

Xiao Luo had a flash of inspiration. He looked down at the beauty in his arms. He would let her suffer a little and get his revenge for that time when she'd humiliated him at the party.

...

”Do I really have to hide here? It's so cold!”

Autumn had just passed, and the weather was cool. It was neither cold nor hot, but the water from the river that flowed down from deep in the mountains was icy. Following Xiao Luo's instructions, Chu Yue was lying half-buried in the mud. She was shivering from the cold, as she pleaded piteously to Xiao Luo.

”Unless you want to get chewed up and spat out, you need to stay hidden right here.” Then, handing her a hollow reed tube, Xiao Luo reassured her sincerely, ”Just give me forty, no, twenty minutes to deal with these mercenaries. Then you can come back out.”