"There's no time to delay, I'm preparing to set out immediately."
Luo Jun had strong tracking abilities, and he was confident that he could catch up with the indigenous scout, because from his deduction, that scout must have been observing Jones and the others from long ago.
If that was the case, the scout must have come and gone many times, and couldn't have kept observing for two whole months in one stretch.
Over these past two months, he likely conducted repeated reconnaissance missions multiple times without anyone detecting him, so he naturally wouldn't have laid any traps along the way, and might have even brazenly cooked game along the trail to replenish his energy.
After all, he was alone on this scouting mission and would need several days to return, and the food he carried wouldn't be enough, so he would even hunt in the surrounding area to sustain his daily expenditure for reconnaissance.
Since that indigenous scout came to observe Luo Jun and the others' final campsite last night, he must have completed the final stage of his reconnaissance.
Therefore, he had no need to hurry back, and if he traveled at night, he would need to rest during the day, while eating and drinking would also require making a fire.
As long as Luo Jun followed the right path, he would definitely be able to track down that indigenous scout.
Luo Jun returned to the tent, filled a military canteen that he hung on his body, and also prepared a dagger, pistol, and a rifle.
Additionally, he brought some roasted bear meat and nuts.
Upon seeing Luo Jun about to leave, Li Shi hurried over and asked, "Uncle, where are you going?"
"I need to deal with some trouble. You all go with the Captain and the others and leave this place first to avoid being attacked."
The reason Luo Jun wanted them to leave was out of concern that the indigenous scout might have other troops nearby who could be mobilized to attack them directly.
Moreover, if Luo Jun failed to catch up with that indigenous scout, he definitely wouldn't have enough time to come back and notify them. If they stayed here waiting foolishly, they might be attacked by the indigenous troops.
"Then you must come back safely..."
Li Shi really wanted to go with him, but she was well aware that she wouldn't be able to help at all.
Going along would only slow Luo Jun down.
Lorna and Jenny also came over after overhearing what Luo Jun said, and could only urge him to be careful.
After Luo Jun finished preparing, he donned a ghillie suit and headed into the woods.
Since that indigenous scout was walking barefoot through the forest, leaving no footprints on the ground covered in fresh fallen leaves, it wouldn't be easy to find other traces of his passage.
However, since he wasn't wearing shoes, he would have had to choose paths with flat terrain, fewer rocks, and relatively soft ground for walking.
So Luo Jun did have a very clear tracking method.
Soon, Luo Jun found some other footprints about 500 meters away, and by connecting the line between the first and second set of footprints, he could determine the direction the target was moving.
This was crucial.
Because Luo Jun couldn't track the indigenous person by scent like a dog, he definitely wouldn't be able to easily find footprints again along the way.
This method allowed him to determine the tracking direction, and then look out for any footprints along the route to avoid going astray.
After all, that indigenous scout couldn't have walked in a straight line, going around any mountains, rivers or rocks in his path.
So the footprints along the route would become fewer and fewer.
However, there was no need to worry about this, because when the indigenous scout returned from observing his target's location, he would have two choices: either return to his reconnaissance rest area to pack up before heading back to base, or head straight back to base.
In the former case, Luo Jun could easily find the place where he rested, while in the latter, he could directly determine the direction of the indigenous scout's base.
Regardless of which option, the indigenous scout would need to return directly to his main base, so the first step would be to confirm the direction. Once the direction was confirmed, he wouldn't veer off course in the short term.
In other words, Luo Jun could analyze the footprints left behind to deduce the correct direction of the indigenous main base.
No matter how the indigenous scout deviated or went around obstacles, it was simply a winding path between the starting and ending points on a straight line distance.
With this tracking mindset, Luo Jun wouldn't get lost.
These skills were something the Captain and the others couldn't possibly possess, so the task of tracking the indigenous scout could only fall to Luo Jun. Otherwise, Luo Jun could have stayed behind to set up defensive traps.
As Luo Jun walked, he pondered that the trap Jenny previously fell into was definitely not set by the mercenaries. The response from the mercenary observer Luo Jun had interrogated earlier was clearly misleading, concealing the truth about the existence of the indigenous people!
Even Jones was unaware of this.
"They're really cunning!"
Luo Jun hadn't expected that observer, even after being interrogated to the point of death, to still try to deceive him. If he had known about the existence of the indigenous people earlier, he wouldn't be in such a passive position now.
At this time, the Captain had called all the women back.
Upon hearing from the Captain that they had to return to the seaside, the women couldn't help but complain, as they knew the journey would be very difficult.
It wasn't until Lorna stepped in and explained it to everyone one more time.
She also told them that it was her bodyguard Luo Jun who had bravely ventured alone into the forest to deal with those indigenous people, in order to protect everyone, and they didn't even know if he would return alive.
Lorna reasoned with them.
Under Lorna's guidance, they became clearly aware of how great a sacrifice Luo Jun had made for their sake, while they were simply relocating.
This was not a difficulty at all.
Lorna's eloquence, by making them compare their situations internally, caused each of them to feel grateful towards Luo Jun, with some even praying for him on the spot.
Seeing the women start packing up, the Captain finally breathed a sigh of relief and approached Lorna.
"Governor, your words are indeed effective."
Lorna shook her head, "It's because everyone's awareness is strong. After all, these are extraordinary times, and we can't afford to be lax."
"The Governor is right. Now we can only hope that Mr. Luo returns safely. He is the only one among us capable of leading us to survive. We can't afford any mishaps."
The Captain was equally concerned about Luo Jun.
Lorna, Li Shi and the others felt the same way. Originally, if Luo Jun wasn't looking after these people, it wouldn't have been too difficult for the four of them to hide in the deep mountains for six months.
After all, Lorna knew very well what Luo Jun's capabilities were.
But now, in order to protect everyone, Luo Jun had to do some more dangerous things.
With Luo Jun leaving their side, Lorna's heart was indescribably flustered, but as a leader, she was long accustomed to concealing her inner state.
She always presented a strong, confident, and rational demeanor to others.
This was one of the charms of politicians, especially female politicians. That composure and poise was something most noble women didn't possess.
This quality alone was enough to make most men not dare to harbor any fantasies about such women, so these women were the high-level goddesses in most men's hearts.
It was already a great honor for ordinary men to be able to gaze upon their faces.
No one would dare harbor any thoughts of desecration towards them.
Originally, Li Shi had been disrespectful towards Lorna, thinking that Lorna's beauty and figure were the only things attracting Luo Jun. But until Lorna displayed that unique elegance and composure in front of everyone, even Li Shi herself was almost enthralled by her.
Not to mention those ordinary men and women.
This was the unique charm of a leader!
Now Li Shi no longer dared to express her admiration for Luo Jun, because she felt her love was too lowly.
She was just one person who returned to the tent to tidy up the bearskins, her only hope being that Luo Jun would definitely return safely. Even if he didn't belong to her at all, she didn't want anything to happen to him.