Chapter 428

A cat standing up isn't that rare; Peijie had seen plenty in his own village, but he had never seen a cat stand up, solemnly holding an automatic pencil, sneaking out of the darkness.

At that moment, Peijie even forgot to be afraid, just frozen there.

Noticing Peijie's oddness, that person quickly turned around.

Too bad, just as he moved, a bullet had already shot toward him; the gun he had raised halfway could no longer be lifted, and the other hand that had been gripping Peijie's collar also loosened.

How could there be someone else?!

How did they appear? Why didn't I hear any sound?!

Now he finally understood why his few companions outside had been silently taken out. Impossible to guard against; he hadn't even seen the opponent's face.

He had thought that in such a relatively closed place, no one could slip in silently. He had thought that even if he couldn't escape, at least he could drag another life down with him. He had thought…

The person shot had many thoughts in that instant, but also many they didn't have time to think.

He felt as if just now he had been slammed by a much stronger man charging at him, then continuously punched and kicked. He seemed to have an illusion, as if he were still in the womb unborn, and also felt his lower body detach from his original body, then lose consciousness. This series of sensations actually happened only in that instant.

Peijie was still a bit dazed, mechanically turning his head to look at the person fallen on the ground, then turning to look at the black cat holding an automatic pencil. He then jumped back abruptly, retreated several steps, and continued alternating his gaze between the fallen person whose fate was unknown and that black cat.

Zheng Tan is now feeling troubled.

He had originally still planned to quietly take care of the last person without letting Peijie know, deliberately choosing a position with his back to them to fire, but he didn't expect that when Peijie was being held, he would actually turn his head!

Just now Zheng Tan was still worried that the Electric Shock Bullet might also injure Peijie, but now it seems the Electric Shock Bullet can only take down one person at a time.

Zheng Tan touched the pen's body; there was still one Electric Shock Bullet in the rear cylinder. Judging from just now, the Electric Shock Bullet works well—one shot puts someone down instantly. Should I give this kid another, then later say it was a hallucination when he wakes up?

Peijie shivered, suddenly feeling a bit cold. He looked around, thinking to himself that it must be because he had been staying in the cloth tent without seeing sunlight, which gave him this eerie feeling.

It was also because of this shiver that Peijie came to his senses.

No matter what problems this black cat has, Peijie's most desired action right now is to escape from here!

Inside the cloth tent, a bloody smell permeated. This was from that person just now killing four animals; now that Peijie has come to his senses, smelling the mixed stench and bloody odor makes him want to vomit, but he also doesn't dare to simply lift the cloth tent and run out, for who knows if there are dangerous people outside?

Left with no choice, Peijie once again directed his gaze toward Zheng Tan.

"Hei... Hei... Hei Tan?" Peijie stammered, managing only these few words.

Zheng Tan slipped the pen back onto his back, decided for now not to knock down Peijie, and also kept one bullet as a backup, in case the few people previously knocked down wake up they could also use it—being able to handle one is better than none. As for Peijie having just seen his own actions, Er Mao and Wei Leng should have long known he differs from other cats, and Peiliang, since he saved his son, surely wouldn't repay kindness with enmity? Being fellow disciples with Er Mao and Wei Leng, their character should be reliable. Life comes first; secrets and such, they would likely choose to keep them.

Never mind, no need to think more; escaping this place is the top priority. Peijie is fairly smart, not rushing straight out, which made Zheng Tan somewhat satisfied. Knowing right from wrong, being able to choose the safest and most correct method, keeping a secret should be fine, right?

Zheng Tan first crawled out of the cloth tent to look around, also scanning the vicinity; the person previously tied up in the tent still showed no movement, remaining as before. Zheng Tan also jumped onto a nearby tree to observe the surroundings, then returned to the cloth tent.

When he turned his head to look inside the cloth tent, Zheng Tan couldn't help but twitch his whiskers, discovering that Peijie had already taken the gun and dagger from the hand of the person fallen on the ground; judging by how he was fiddling with the gun, this kid probably still thought he could fire two shots.

Just a few minutes ago, Xiao Pihai was still crying and hiccuping, but now he acts like a victorious boss, and Zheng Tan suddenly understands why the people from Peiliang's family could never control this child.

Having a gun, Peijie is no longer so afraid; he has actually played with a hunting rifle before, there are several old hunters in the village who learned to hunt with hunting rifles, and Peiliang also taught them. Although the gun he now holds differs from those of the village hunters, he is not unfamiliar with this feeling. Some children are born unafraid of such things, and instead accept them more readily.

For Peijie now, the gun is still somewhat heavy, holding it takes effort; while Zheng Tan was away, he remained vigilant of the person fallen on the ground, fearing that the person might jump up again.

Upon seeing Zheng Tan, Peijie's face lit up; he had now figured it out, no matter what this cat's background, as long as everyone is on the same front, based on this cat having just saved him and knocked down that steel-like strong enemy, it is trustworthy.

When Zheng Tan was outside, he had already loaded the last Electric Shock Bullet into the pen, and the cylinder for loading bullets was also put back into the treasure box; thus, now he carries only a pen on his back, but Peijie's attention is not on that, so he didn't notice any difference.

Zheng Tan tilted his head, signaling Peijie to follow, then lifted the unfastened cloth barrier and crawled out.

Peijie also followed Zheng Tan in crawling out; when he emerged, he made a bit more noise, but since his size wasn't that of an adult, he barely managed to crawl out. After coming out, he also didn't forget to keep hold of the gun.

Zheng Tan led the way in front, while Peiliang followed carefully behind. Knowing his hearing was inferior to Zheng Tan's, he simply followed silently, without doubting Zheng Tan's judgment.

Zheng Tan remembered where those few people he had knocked down were located; he now only needs to avoid those spots and then lead Peijie away.

As they were walking, Zheng Tan suddenly stopped. His ears twitched, and he looked toward a direction diagonally ahead.

Seeing Zheng Tan like this, Peijie quickly found a place to hide, thinking Zheng Tan had discovered an enemy.

Zheng Tan gave Peijie no instructions, but quickly jumped onto a nearby tree and looked that way. Although many trees of varying heights blocked the view, he could still see several moving silhouettes, the leading one being that brownish-yellow patch.

Feeling pleased inside, Zheng Tan simply stopped moving forward, lying on the tree branch to watch that side.

Peijie, hiding behind the bushes, found Zheng Tan's reaction puzzling. But soon he thought of a possibility.

"Hei Tan!" Peijie whispered, seeing Zheng Tan look over, he continued: "Is it my dad and them who have come?"

Zheng Tan thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Ha!" Peijie couldn't help laughing out loud. He sprang out of the bushes, using the same tree Zheng Tan had just climbed, and also climbed up.

As Peiliang ran over with his heart in his throat, he saw Peijie that little rascal carrying a gun and hugging the trunk of a tree. Looking at them, he grinned widely, laughing happily.

Peijie's clothes were already filthy, looking quite disheveled; from playing too much and constantly running under the blazing sun outside, his little face was tanned black, smeared with much mud and grass scraps, his hair also messy and disheveled, like a refugee. Seeing this, Peiliang felt a sourness in his eyes, rushed over, caught Peijie who jumped directly down from the tree, and held him tightly in his arms.

Seeing Peijie healthy and sound, missing no arms or legs, although his appearance was a bit miserable, it was nothing serious, his spirit was also fine; Er Mao and Wei Leng breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Leng first sent a reply to the elders' side, so they wouldn't worry, though he didn't say much, knowing the situation here was somewhat complicated.

"It's good as long as there's no problem." Peiliang felt a bit choked up, after taking several deep breaths to calm down, he then checked Peijie's injuries, finding only some minor scrapes, no other harm, and felt relieved. He handed over some of the food he had brought, applied some medicine to Peijie's wounds, and then asked: "Who captured you? How did you escape?"

Peijie wiped his nose on Peiliang's clothing, then raised his hand to point at the tree.

Peiliang looked up in that direction and saw a familiar black cat lying there.

Er Mao and Wei Leng had an "as expected" look, but they were still curious about exactly how it was done.

When questioned, Peijie felt torn, wondering whether to speak or not.

"Let's first go find the people who captured Peijie." Er Mao said.

To look for people, only Zheng Tan can lead the way.

Er Mao had Dashan rest first; this journey had truly exhausted Dashan, climbing trees made him slip, but only in the trees did he feel safe.

Dashan rested, while Zheng Tan took Er Mao and Wei Leng over; Peiliang temporarily stayed here to watch Peijie and Dashan.

Half an hour later.

On the open ground beside the tent, five people were tightly bound and thrown there; Wei Leng held five bullets for study, all taken from the bodies of those bound before him.

Tsk tsk, Wei Leng said to Zheng Tan: "You're so **, does your cat father know?"

Zheng Tan squatted nearby, head lowered, counting ants on the ground, not responding. Anyway, he had earned merit this time, nor did he seek thanks from Wei Leng and them; as long as he helped smooth things over, given how long they've known each other, Er Mao and Wei Leng should know the Jiao Family's low-profile strategy. Zheng Tan only needs to hide his achievements and fame.

Meanwhile, Er Mao took the pen Zheng Tan had just been carrying on his back to study it; beside him lay an open box that Zheng Tan had already opened, letting them see what was inside.

Wanting Er Mao and Wei Leng to help clean up, Zheng Tan chose to explain more details, so that after these two clarify the situation they can make up a story to tell others, serving as an explanation for this incident.

"Where did they get this thing?" Wei Leng looked at Er Mao; the box had been brought along by Er Mao all the way.

"I heard it was a gift from a little kid in the capital to the black coal." Er Mao was also shocked: when did children's toys evolve to this extent? We'll have to inquire about it from the Jiao Family when we go back.

"Alright, I'll go call Senior Brother Pei and the others to discuss how to make up this story." Er Mao put things down, stood up, and walked into the woods.

Hearing Er Mao's words, Zheng Tan relaxed; although Er Mao sometimes behaves oddly, since he said this, he will surely follow through.

When the person hit by the Electric Shock Bullet wakes up again, they feel their whole body twisted; they hear someone speaking but can't make out what it is, their muscles still twitch, multiple spasms, their face feels as if they've been injected with a shot of novocaine, their lips tremble but they can't utter a word, the lower lip feels like it's weighed down by a several-dozen-pound scale weight.

Seeing the person who had taken his son away showing signs of regaining consciousness, Peiliang showed no mercy, throwing a punch straight at them.

The person who had just regained consciousness fainted again.

Actually, Peiliang also wanted to beat this person up badly, even thought about quietly finishing them off in this remote wilderness, but later he dismissed the idea—he could pursue legal channels to have them sentenced to death or imprisoned for life, but he couldn't just take matters into his own hands here. Peijie was still around.

While Er Mao and the other two were discussing how to fabricate the story, Peijie was thinking about how to get back the gun that his father had confiscated.

"Dad, give me the gun; I don't need the bullets!"

"No."

Peijie objected, "This is what I turned in!"

Peiliang didn't even look at him, replying, "Cut the crap."

Peijie stubbornly tried to argue, but he choked up and still didn't speak; this indeed wasn't entirely what he had turned in—it was only after Hei Tan knocked the opponent down that he snatched it from their hand. But no matter how you say it, he himself had personally taken it from the enemy's hands.

Zheng Tan watched as Peijie started jumping around again, messing about, and thought: This kid's memory is truly terrible—something ordinary people couldn't manage; if it were other kids his age, they'd probably have already sought psychological counseling to work it out. (To be continued...)