Under a tree, on a tree, the spider and I faced off for several minutes, realizing that rescuing Xiao Shu would be quite difficult. Since the spider was still perched overhead, if I were to bend down to free Xiao Shu from those ensnaring silk threads, it would certainly seize the opportunity to rush over and spit venom. At that point, both Xiao Shu and I would be reduced to ashes, burned beyond recognition as if doused in concentrated sulfuric acid. Therefore, to truly liberate Xiao Shu from the spider's clutches, it had to be driven away first.

After much thought, a plan struck me—risky, perhaps, but in this moment of crisis, it was the only way to try. Clutching the torch, I circled the tree until I spotted a branch hanging low enough from the canopy to be within reach. I grabbed hold of that branch and shook it with all my might. I shook until the entire tree violently shuddered and swayed, and the spider atop the crown could no longer remain still. It propped itself up on its forelegs, arched its hind legs, and leaped directly onto the casing of Xiao Shu’s cocoon. Seeing my opening, I raised the torch and swept it across the top of the cocoon, like an autumn wind clearing fallen leaves. This sweep proved effective; realizing I didn't fear harming the hostage, the spider showed a degree of caution and quickly retreated from the cocoon's apex to the edge. I pressed my advantage, continuing to sweep the torch toward it; wherever it moved, I swept, and trails of burning hair smell wafted up everywhere the flame touched, damaging the cocoon considerably. Fortunately, I knew just how much force to apply, sparing Xiao Shu's body from being scorched.

Only when it finally scurried from the cocoon to the ground did I let out a slight sigh of relief, keeping the torch trained on it to drive it further away. By then, the candle wax had almost entirely burned off, and the flame was significantly smaller than before. The spider, noticing the weakening fire, sensed an opportunity for a counterattack was not far off and remained stubbornly in place.

With no other recourse, I needed an unconventional move to secure this victory. I tore off my shirt and flung it over the spider's back. Unfamiliar with the cloth, it instinctively clung to the obstruction, daring not to make a sudden move. I took the torch and lit the four corners of the shirt. The flames quickly caught hold. Just as the torch sputtered out, a roaring fire erupted from the shirt. At first, it tried to escape from beneath the fabric, writhing underneath. I used the tree branch to jab wildly at the bulging areas. Before long, the struggling ceased beneath the cloth, and a foul odor of scorched protein drifted into the air with the wisps of smoke. That vile creature was finally dealt with.

I let out a long, deep breath and walked over to Xiao Shu, examining the horrifying cocoon shell. I initially thought about tearing it away by hand, but reconsidered; if this substance could bind Xiao Shu so tightly that she was immobile as a wooden doll, it must possess incredible adhesive qualities. Touching it directly might result in me being stuck fast, just like Xiao Shu.

So, I looked around again and found nothing useful other than the tree branch and the Swiss Army knife that had fallen to the ground. I picked up both the branch and the knife, using the branch to hook the silk strands and the knife to sever them, operating much like using a Western fork and knife—the left hand to secure, the right to cut—it was quite efficient. In a short while, I had cut away the upper half of the cocoon. Then, using the branch, I coiled the severed silk into a large ball and painstakingly cleared it from Xiao Shu’s body.

“Are you alright?” As I removed the final layer of silk, I saw Xiao Shu’s fingers twitch and asked softly.

“You try being bound like this sometime, standing stiffly for half an hour, then you’ll know if I’m alright,” Xiao Shu complained with a hint of weary frustration.

In the middle of speaking, I accidentally smeared some silk onto my hand. This webbing was immensely sticky; a gentle pull wouldn’t dislodge it. I had to yank hard to tear it free, ripping away a piece of skin in the process. I clutched the torn flesh, unable to speak for a long moment from the pain. No wonder Xiao Shu was paralyzed upon contact; this stuff was stronger than 905 glue. Clearing the last vestiges of silk from her body, I realized, was going to be a monumental undertaking.