The pipa bone, also known as the scapula, is located on the posterior aspect of the thorax. It is an inverted triangular flat bone situated between the 2nd and 7th ribs.
Legend has it that five hundred years ago, after the monkey king wreaked havoc in the heavenly palace and was apprehended, his pipa bones were pierced, and he was then placed in Lao Jun’s furnace to be burned.
Furthermore, ancient notorious bandits, upon capture, would also have their pipa bones pierced.
This is because once the pipa bones were pierced by iron wire, no matter how immense one's strength or skill, it would be impossible to utilize them again.
Li Qianfan never expected that Luo Huayin would resort to such torture against him!
His expression changed—
Luo Huayin had already raised her hand and struck him heavily on the neck.
The way Murong Mingyuan was knocked unconscious was precisely how Li Qianfan was also knocked out by her.
Buzz—
A drone buzzed and quickly drifted north.
This drone was brought by the Dark Blade. It carried no weapons, only reconnaissance equipment.
Du Junlin stood in front of the former Rhodes team's command post, staring blankly to the north.
Half an hour ago—
The people from the War Demon Temple, escorting Li Qianfan and Murong Mingyuan, sped north on seven snowmobiles, skirting the eastern edge of the Blackwater Forest.
Luo Huayin's choice to retreat north was indeed the most correct.
This was because the east, south, and west flanks of the Blackwater Forest were surely already controlled by the Eastern Land's Dark Blade.
Even if Luo Huayin could easily break through the Dark Blade's blockade with Li Qianfan and the other person as hostages, their subsequent movements would still be closely monitored by Dark Blade (Longxu).
Even if they dared not do anything to them along the way, they could still locate their base.
Once their base was found, the War Demon Temple could be wiped out.
This was not something Luo Huayin wanted to see.
She opted instead to head north, directly into the Arctic Circle.
To the north lay a vast expanse of snow plains. As long as they did not use communication devices, it would be impossible to lock onto them via satellite.
Especially during the current season, when frequent blizzards and strong winds would further conceal their tracks.
Yuan Ting had already reported in a low voice to Du Junlin what Luo Huayin and her group had done to Li Qianfan before their retreat.
Du Junlin remained silent.
But Yuan Ting saw fine threads of blood gradually flowing from the corner of her mouth.
She was grinding her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them!
Only then did she realize—
The little hooligan she had hated for twenty full years had, unbeknownst to her, become a part of her life!
When she heard the news that Li Qianfan's pipa bones had been pierced, Yaoyao felt as if someone had carved out her heart with a knife.
The pain made her unable to breathe.
Yet, Du Junlin maintained a composure and calmness that even frightened herself.
She did not abandon everything and pursue them because of this.
For she knew very well.
The reason Li Qianfan surrendered was to ensure that the Dark Blade would not be massacred by those monsters.
No matter how much she suffered internally, she could not act rashly.
Otherwise, Li Qianfan's sacrifice would be in vain.
"Qianfan. As long as you return alive, even if you become a vegetable, I will take good care of you and serve you for the rest of my life."
Du Junlin murmured softly to herself, then looked at Yuan Ting: "Recall the drone, and recall the brothers tracking north."
"Yes."
Yuan Ting agreed and quickly walked away.
As soon as he left, hurried footsteps were heard from the west.
The Dark Blade members who had been pursuing the defeated Rhodes scattered back.
Their first phase of the mission was complete.
What they would do next was to hold the camp and prepare to intercept the stragglers led by Li Wujiang himself, who were rushing back from the southwest, driving all those remnants into the Blackwater Forest.
Let them also taste the sensation of being trapped within the Blackwater Forest!
"Junlin!"
A cheerful voice caused Du Junlin, who had once again raised her head and was lost in thought, to flutter her long eyelashes.
She turned her head to look.
Who was this?
With a scruffy beard, sunken eyes, and ragged clothes, he looked like a big shot crawling out of a trash heap.
"Junlin!"
Gao Lingwang strode over: "It's Gao Lingwang! Ha, haha! You don't recognize me anymore, do you? Ha, haha."
Given Gao's current appearance, it was not just his former sister-in-law who wouldn't recognize him; even Gao Lingwang's own mother would surely not believe this was her once handsome and dashing son!
Gao Lingwang?
Oh, right, Shen Chongchong's ex-boyfriend.
Du Junlin nodded and continued to stare blankly ahead.
Gao Lingwang, who had dragged Wangzhe along, finally noticed Du Junlin's agitated mood and quickly asked, "Junlin, what's wrong? Where's Qianfan? Where is he now?"
While coordinating the Dark Blade's assault, he had learned from the Dark Blade members on the way back that the battle in the Blackwater Forest was critically linked to Li Qianfan.
Upon hearing this, Wangzhe had also cried out in excitement.
He had insisted on having a few hundred drinks with his good brother.
Faced with Gao Lingwang's repeated questioning, Du Junlin remained as silent as a block of wood.
"Li Qianfan is in trouble!"
Gao Lingwang and Wangzhe exchanged a look as their hearts sank.
They saw Yuan Ting, who had just delivered his orders, walking over quickly.
The two men hurried to meet him, their tones urgent as they pressed for Li Qianfan's whereabouts.
A few minutes later—
Gao Lingwang stumbled violently and sank heavily to the snow.
Wangzhe, supporting himself on a shipping container, slowly slid to the ground.
They had never imagined that just as their side achieved a great victory, Li Qianfan would have to be captured alive by the enemy!
"Yuan Ting."
Du Junlin spoke: "Send a medic to check on them (and Hammer and the other four). Escort them back to the country before tonight."
"Yes!"
Yuan Ting raised his hand and saluted.
Wangzhe, however, exclaimed, "No! I'm not going back! I want to stay here and fight alongside you!"
Gao Lingwang remained silent, sitting dumbfounded on the snow, gazing at the sky.
Du Junlin ignored Wangzhe and, with her hands behind her back, walked briskly towards the team's infirmary.
The sky was already bright.
The Dark Blade members who had finished fighting were clearing the battlefield, searching for any hidden enemies, and rescuing the wounded.
Because the Rhodes team had collapsed so quickly, they had offered little resistance, which effectively prevented major casualties for the Dark Blade during the frontal assault.
However, even so—
One Dark Blade member was forever lost on the Blackwater Forest battlefield, and eight Dark Blade members were wounded.
After all, the Rhodes team had over 130 members, and crucially, they had all been armed before their rout.
The Dark Blade launched their assault in an open snowfield without cover. As long as the enemy fired, they could inflict casualties.
After the battle, with one-sixth of the Dark Blade injured, it could be considered normal from a certain perspective.
In this battle.
Aside from those killed by Li Qianfan, a total of 92 enemy soldiers were shot dead on the spot.
There were only those killed, no surrenders.
The Dark Blade refused to accept the enemy's surrender!
Du Junlin first visited the wounded, ensuring they were not in life-threatening condition, before going to the body of the fallen Dark Blade member.
This Dark Blade member was part of the sixth squad.
At this moment.
Tong Gang, the leader of the sixth squad, was kneeling on the ground, arranging his comrade's appearance.
The other members of the sixth squad were also present.
Du Junlin stood before the body and silently removed her hat.
"Salute—"
After Tong Gang finished tidying up his comrade and covered him with a white sheet, he let out a hoarse roar.
Clatter!
All the Dark Blade members present raised their hands in salute.
The atmosphere was somber, yet no one wept.
The concept that war involves death had long been deeply ingrained in Du Junlin and the others.
Especially on the battlefield, they would not weep!
After seeing off their comrades, they would continue the mission their comrades had left unfinished.
After attending to her fallen brother, Du Junlin took Tong Gang to the area designated for the hostages' recuperation.
Inside a large shipping container.
Zheng Shu and the other women were now dressed and holding bowls, eating with their heads bowed.
They didn't notice Du Junlin standing at the doorway.
This meal was the first time they had been able to eat heartily in two months.
As they ate, silent tears flowed down their faces.
Looking at these gaunt women, Du Junlin's gaze was indifferent.
She didn't hate these women, but she certainly didn't feel close to them either.
Simply put—
Du Junlin would risk her own life to save these women!
But after saving them, she would absolutely not treat them as family.
Saving them was Du Junlin's duty.
Nothing more!
"Tong Gang."
Du Junlin observed them silently for a moment, then instructed: "In half an hour, lead the sixth squad to escort these women home."
"Yes!"
As Tong Gang saluted, the female influencers finally noticed Du Junlin.
They looked at the cold yet heroic Du Junlin, inexplicably thinking of a phoenix—
And then a common hen—
They quickly lowered their heads and resumed eating.
Sigh.
Du Junlin sighed inwardly and, as she turned, asked Tong Gang: "Where are the so-called 13 noble families and 26 young masters currently?"
Before Tong Gang could speak—
Du Junlin heard a man's roar from another shipping container: "Where is your leader? Have him come see us!"