Spy Wars: Strong Agents Who Are Ruthless and Talk Little

Chapter 396: A shortcut to escape danger

Under Su Ming's guidance, the two men followed the stream. The water was icy cold, but it effectively masked their scent. They groped their way forward in the pitch darkness, frequently looking back to check if any pursuers were following. Su Ming's every step was incredibly light, as if he had become one with the night, while Shen Ling gritted her teeth, trying not to fall behind.

Finally, when they reached an open area, Su Ming stopped. He quickly looked around, and after confirming that it was temporarily safe, he released Shen Ling's hand and let her lean against a large tree to rest for a while. Shen Ling was already soaking wet, her breathing was rapid, and she could hardly lift her legs.

"We can't stop for too long now. They'll soon discover the stream's cover," Su Ming whispered, his tone slightly more relaxed. This moment of respite, though brief, gave them the strength to continue their escape. He gazed at the pitch-black forest in the distance, mentally forming his next plan.

"Su Ming, can we really escape?" Shen Ling's voice was still weak, revealing a hint of uneasiness. She stared at Su Ming, as if hoping to find some kind of affirmation in his eyes.

"Yes." Su Ming offered no further explanation; his answer was brief and powerful. At this moment, he chose to firmly trust his intuition, for it was their only hope of survival.

In the darkness, the wind began to grow louder, as if the earth were whispering of impending danger. Su Ming took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He knew clearly that every step forward would determine their life or death, and he had to lead Shen Ling out of this land of death.

"Let's go." Su Ming didn't hesitate any longer. He took Shen Ling's hand and continued to move deeper into the dense forest. His eyes gleamed with a resolute light, a determination to survive at all costs.

The inky darkness of the night obscured their tracks, yet it also concealed an unknown danger. Yet, Su Ming's heart remained tense. He knew the true test had only just begun.

Su Ming and Shen Ling struggled through the dense forest, their footsteps mingling with the rustling of leaves like a heavy symphony. Su Ming's ears were constantly alert, picking up any movement. He knew the pursuers behind him wouldn't give up easily. He had no time to worry about his already exhausted body, and he couldn't let Shen Ling notice his inner tension.

"Su Ming, I... I really can't take it anymore..." Shen Ling's voice was choked with sobs. Her strength had long been exhausted, and the muscles in her legs felt like they were burning. Every step she took was like a knife cutting. She fought hard to hold back the tears, but the helplessness in her heart surged like a tide.

Su Ming paused and turned to look at her. In the moonlight, he saw Shen Ling's pale face, tears glistening in her eyes. Her lips were chapped, and beads of sweat covered her forehead. She looked like she might collapse at any moment. Su Ming's heart tightened slightly, but he knew he couldn't show any hesitation or weakness at this moment.

"Hold on a little longer, there's an abandoned air-raid shelter not far ahead," Su Ming said calmly, his tone firm, as if the shelter was truly just out there. In reality, he wasn't sure if there was one, but he had to offer Shen Ling some hope, or else she might completely collapse.

Shen Ling gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and forced herself to nod. "Okay... I'll follow you." Her voice was weak but firm. Although her body was nearly broken, she still had a strength deep within her that refused to give up easily. Along the way, she had already learned perseverance from Su Ming.

Su Ming stared into Shen Ling's stubborn eyes, a dull pain in his heart. He realized he was dragging a girl who could barely walk on, fleeing. And it was all because of him—he had dragged her into this endless escape. However, now was not the time to dwell on responsibility; he had to focus on each step.

"Follow me closely, don't fall behind," Su Ming said calmly, turning back. Then, he quickened his pace again, like a wild beast chasing the hope of survival in the darkness. Shen Ling gritted her teeth and followed, her legs already numb, but she didn't dare let herself slack off. She knew that if she stopped, their fate would be completely sealed in darkness.

The wind whistled in their ears, and the shadows of the trees passed by them like ghosts. Su Ming's heartbeat quickened, and each breath was a sharp breath. He kept reminding himself to remain calm, but the anxiety deep within him coiled around his will like a venomous snake. He knew the pursuers were not far behind, and they had to find a safe place to hide before being discovered.

"Su Ming, listen..." Shen Ling suddenly grabbed Su Ming's arm, trying to lower her voice. She seemed to have heard something. Su Ming immediately stopped, holding his breath, trying to catch the faint sound. From a distance, he could hear the deep barking of dogs, as if a pack of vicious dogs were running wildly in the darkness.

"Damn it... They actually brought tracking dogs." Su Ming gritted his teeth, a flicker of anxiety crossing his heart. He had thought that using the stream to mask their scent would delay the enemy, but he hadn't expected them to be so cunning. Their situation had become even more precarious.

"What should I do?" Shen Ling's voice was filled with obvious panic. Her face was filled with exhaustion and helplessness, and she could no longer pretend to be strong. She had never been so close to collapse, and this long escape had almost completely broken her will.

"Don't stop! Keep running!" Su Ming's voice was cold and resolute. He wouldn't hesitate. He suddenly grabbed Shen Ling's wrist and practically dragged her forward. Every step he took was filled with a desperate determination, the desire to survive that only those in desperate situations possess.

Shen Ling followed closely behind, no longer asking questions, for she understood that at this moment, she had no choice but to follow Su Ming. She felt the arm pulling her forward, and an inexplicable sense of security welled up within her. No matter what, this man had never given up on her, and this steadfastness allowed her to see a glimmer of hope even in the darkest moments.

The two men ran furiously through the dense forest, heedless of the branches that scratched their skin or the thorns that treaded beneath their feet. Relying solely on their mutual trust and tacit understanding, they continued their journey through this unknown darkness. Su Ming's mind raced, trying to recall every detail on the map, hoping to find a shortcut out of danger.

"There's a cave up ahead. We can hide in it," Su Ming suddenly said. He remembered seeing some of the terrain in this area during a previous mission. If the cave was still there, they might be able to get a moment's respite. Even so, his heart remained tense, as this chase left no room for error.

Shen Ling no longer had the energy to consider whether Su Ming's words were credible. She could only choose to believe him unconditionally. Her vision began to blur, and her breathing felt like it was burning, each breath carrying a piercing pain. But she knew that if she relaxed, endless darkness and death would await them.