These enemies not only excel at close combat, but I'm afraid they are just as competent in field battles as these special forces.
However, what troubles Lin Beichen even more is the question of who exactly is behind these enemies? How did they manage to train such powerful subordinates?
As he pondered, he heard the gunfire from Xia Luyao's direction gradually diminishing.
He decided to go rescue Xia Luyao first, and then look for other possible surviving team members.
When he arrived at Xia Luyao's location, he found that the situation had reversed.
The enemy, after losing about five men, began trying their best to capture Xia Luyao.
However, after taking out three or four enemies, Xia Luyao had to abandon her original tactics and fled into the woods, using the terrain to dodge and counterattack.
On flat ground, the enemy was no match for Xia Luyao, and in the woods, they stood even less of a chance.
Especially when they arrogantly acted in groups of three, they provided Xia Luyao with opportunities.
She swiftly took care of most of the enemies and began pursuing the remaining ones who were trying to flee upon realizing their disadvantage.
Just as the battle was about to end, something unexpected happened. During her pursuit of the last particularly cunning enemy, Xia Luyao was suddenly ambushed.
A gunshot rang out sharply, and Xia Luyao instinctively halted her steps.
A bullet grazed her forehead — if she hadn't slowed down, the bullet would have pierced directly through her temple!
Seeing Xia Luyao narrowly escape a fatal hit, the ambusher emerged with a handgun.
A drop of blood trickled down Xia Luyao's forehead, and then a golden barrier suddenly appeared around her!
The Talisman that Lin Beichen gave her had been activated!
The ambusher looked at the shield around Xia Luyao and said with a bit of regret, "It's really annoying; as long as you're prepared, there's no chance of killing you."
Though he said this, he showed no hurry to leave; rather, he looked at Xia Luyao with interest.
"I've always been curious, if this barrier exists, how do you engage in close combat? Or perhaps... this barrier doesn't stop close combat?"
Facing the enemy's provocation and questions, Xia Luyao did not respond.
She merely pointed her gun coldly at him, showing her stance through action. However, the enemy wasn't afraid and instead vanished from her sight in an instant.
There was a loud "clang" sound as the person's fist fiercely struck the shield.
"Ow... that hurts!" He gasped, then looked at Xia Luyao with a peculiar smile, "You know... I think you resemble the real Joseph more than I do."
Xia Luyao did not respond, just coldly stared at him, unsure of what he was thinking.
Yet, she didn't let her guard down and suddenly fired a shot while the opponent was fully focused.
The man easily dodged the attack, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, "It seems you were just trying to divert my attention."
Faced with the man's agile skills, Xia Luyao instantly realized the opponent's strength was unfathomable.
She decided to use a roundabout strategy, sparring with him while secretly hoping for support from Lin Beichen or others.
"If only Lin Beichen could come," she silently hoped in her heart, meanwhile feeling the heavy pressure from the opponent.
"Is there no one else besides him who can handle the current situation?" she couldn't help but ask herself.
Xia Luyao took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Your actions, your combat skills, remind me of someone."
Upon hearing this, a trace of pleasure flashed across the man's face, but it was soon replaced by worry.
Xia Luyao keenly captured the subtle change in his expression, becoming even more curious about his identity.
She wanted to know how many experts like him existed in their organization.
"Is it based on that story, about him breaking through with a helpless individual, that you judge his strength?" The man's worry vanished instantly, replaced by a mocking smile.
Xia Luyao nodded briskly, knowing there was no need to hide this matter.
"Utterly foolish!" The man suddenly laughed out loud, his eyes revealing an inexplicable meaning, "How could you people believe such messages?"
His gaze became deep and distant, "If he merely escaped by luck, why hasn't he shown up in the Mercenary Realm again? More than him alone managed to escape from being besieged by so many countries."
Xia Luyao's heart jolted, a terrifying thought emerging in her mind.
Her expression turned grave, unable to maintain the composure she had before.
Seeing Xia Luyao's change, the man felt a sense of satisfaction.
He spoke slowly, revealing Xia Luyao's innermost thoughts, "Correct, only two people survived that battle. Because all the others were killed by Joseph."
Xia Luyao listened in shock to this secret, even forgetting to breathe.
Lin Beichen, although powerful, derives his strength from Daoist Art; this unknown power inspires awe but not despair.
But Joseph is different; he's just an ordinary person, yet possesses strength far beyond theirs. Such might is suffocating.
Xia Luyao asked herself if, under an assault by that team of special forces, she could achieve anything.
She had to admit that in even the most optimistic estimate, she could at best barely escape, managing to kill two or three people.