However, from the current situation, it seems that Trench did not seize this opportunity.
When Trench descended from the tree, Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao had already regained their calm, as if unaware of Trench's identity.
Lin Beichen shook himself and stood up; his wound had almost completely healed—much faster than an average person.
He looked into Trench's eyes and explained, "As a cultivator, my body heals a bit faster."
Trench sighed, "I do envy you!"
Yet, he changed the subject, as if saying something wrong, but continued speaking nonetheless.
Lin Beichen keenly caught his mistake—he mentioned the "team."
How could the leader of a mercenary group act alone? Where was his team? This was the key for Lin Beichen to confirm Trench's identity.
Everything is about to end, Lin Beichen silently chanted in his heart.
He was not worried about Barney and the others because he believed Trench wouldn't harm them.
However, being caught in a scheme made him feel extremely uncomfortable, so he sought help from the system: "System, is there anything to break this scheme?"
After a brief silence, the system responded, "Ding, based on the host's request and current Faith Value, the system recommends the 'Token of the Human Heart (single-use)'."
Lin Beichen was surprised that the system would sell disposable items.
He checked his Faith Value then said to Xia Luyao, "We should go."
Then he turned to Trench, saying, "Follow me, I feel the showdown is near." As he spoke, he tossed a new Tracking Talisman into the air, leading them forward.
Xia Luyao looked at Lin Beichen's stern and determined face and couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
And Lin Beichen made a silent vow in his heart: after this ordeal, he must take Dr. Zhou to Port City, where religious control is relatively lenient. He knew he was not disgusted by the scheme itself but by his inability to ensure the safety of his teammates and young disciple. This sense of responsibility made his resolve and determination even stronger.
Meanwhile, Barney and his team had already joined Flying Eagle and the others, bandaging wounds and exchanging their experiences.
Barney felt something amiss—why would the enemy, possessing such great power, spare them?
Flying Eagle and the others were also pondering this issue while the old Daoist grimly revealed part of the truth.
The group was shocked by the old Daoist's analysis and also worried about their situation.
At this moment, a device on Dr. Zhou suddenly sounded, transmitting the enemy's taunts and threats.
They looked around and saw dense crowds emerging on the plains, clearly indicating the enemies were ready for encirclement.
Flying Eagle did not truly intend to go to his death with Barney. He glanced deeply at Barney, a determined glint in his eyes.
"Venomous Snake Squad, listen to my command, break through the encirclement!" he shouted, his voice full of determination and courage.
As soon as he finished speaking, he darted forward like an arrow shot from a bow.
His palms were slightly sweaty, for he knew, this time there was no retreat and no talisman to ward off bullets.
Life and death lay within a moment.
However, in the dictionary of the soldiers of Xia Country, the word "retreat" does not exist. Amidst the hail of bullets, Flying Eagle and the others charged like a fierce tiger down the mountain, unstoppable.
Although the enemy's numbers were vast, in their eyes, they were nothing more than a disorganized mob, easily defeated.
They successfully broke through the encirclement and, looking back, they saw the enemy still methodically tightening their defenses.
Flying Eagle clenched his teeth and solemnly said, "We must find a safe place quickly and rendezvous with the captain and the others!"
At this moment, Dr. Zhou was once again in danger.
Flying Eagle understood that if he brought him along in the breakout, it could endanger Dr. Zhou's life.
Although unaware of the enemy's true objective, it was clear they did not plan to take Dr. Zhou away immediately.
Suddenly, a man in a suit, with polished leather shoes, appeared two hundred meters away.
He smiled, revealing white teeth; although his face showed signs of being sun-kissed, he still maintained a healthy complexion.
This person was unmistakably the enemy leader, Joseph, who had removed his mask.
"Enclosure, aside from people, also requires a little modern weaponry," he said nonchalantly, as if discussing something trivial.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately checked the ground before them with vigilance.
Sure enough, they found signs of disturbed soil; landmines had been planted here!
"This is a meticulously prepared trap for you," Joseph said with a smug smile, a gleam of cunning in his eyes.
Flying Eagle and the others glared with anger; some even raised their guns, ready to shoot the hateful leader down.
However, Joseph was unfazed, calmly saying, "I advise you not to act rashly, or else these landmines won't be polite."
His words made them wary, forcing them to momentarily lower their weapons. Seeing this, Joseph nodded in satisfaction and turned towards a transport vehicle.
Behind the transport vehicle lay a dense forest, seemingly hiding endless secrets.
The group was filled with curiosity and doubts; what was Joseph planning? Why neither kill them nor allow them to surrender?
Suddenly, Joseph's voice came over a loudspeaker: "Oh, by the way, my name is Joseph. Don't you still have an impressive female captain and a little Daoist? Looking forward to their performance."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other with a sense of ominous foreboding.
It seemed this Joseph knew their actions well, each step falling into his calculations.
Meanwhile, on another battlefield, Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao were locked in a fierce struggle.
Facing the enemy's sneak attacks and encirclement, they showed no fear, engaging in close combat and displaying astonishing combat prowess.
However, Trench's betrayal placed them in a predicament.
Lin Beichen looked at Trench's corpse and sighed, "I gave you a chance, but unfortunately, you didn't cherish it."
He turned to Xia Luyao, only to find her unconscious, his heart tightening. Luckily, she wasn't fatally harmed, which gave him a slight sense of relief.
Facing the current crisis and unknown dangers, Lin Beichen took a deep breath and loosened his joints.
He knew the upcoming battle would be tougher, but he had no intention of backing down.
Looking at the pair of National Martial Arts and Muay Thai masters, a hint of battle intent flickered in his eyes, "Since you want to play, let's play!"
When discussing individual skill, Xia Luyao was clearly no match for this opponent. Xia Luyao couldn't predict Lin Beichen's moves and intercept him at critical moments like they could.
Lin Beichen lightly rotated his shoulders as if warming up for the challenge ahead.
The National Martial Arts Master was astonished, looking incredulously at the broken stick in his hand.
He had never thought a seemingly ordinary person could break his stick with sheer strength.
He pulled out a knife from behind, his expression turning serious.
Meanwhile, his brother, the Muay Thai expert, also grinned as he grabbed a stick from behind.
The National Martial Arts Master stared at Lin Beichen, his tone carrying a hint of threat, "Should you really engage, swords and knives have no eyes, offense might be inevitable."
Lin Beichen detected the hint of coercion in his words but remained unmoved.
Suddenly, he launched an attack, saying, "On normal days, encountering gentlemen such as yourselves, I would certainly spar and explore martial arts together."
Before he'd finished speaking, his tone turned cold: "But now you're blocking my path to rescue my allies, so I will show no mercy!"
With that, he had already darted in front of the National Martial Arts Master. The master reacted swiftly, crossing his hands to defend, attempting to block Lin Beichen's assault.
However, Lin Beichen's moves were unexpectedly agile and varied. He threw a punch, rumbling like thunder, yet at the critical moment changed a fist to a palm, pushing at the master's wrist holding the knife.
The palm seemed straightforward, yet concealed a hidden softness. The National Martial Arts Master felt his palm go numb, involuntarily releasing the knife. With a clang, it fell to the ground.