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墨書 Inktalez
If Jack had other intentions or knew about the third exit, he would have inadvertently revealed it. I had not given up on finding out what he knew.
"Alright then, let's figure out how to deal with the Hakka People so we can make them slip up."
"What do you have in mind? You're the boss; you decide."
I immediately made a stopping gesture.
"Don't use that to annoy me. As the boss, can I order you to provide more information?"
Jack shrugged.
I shot him a disdainful glance and continued, "My suggestion is to let the Hakka People propose our next course of action, and then we choose the opposite direction to see how they react."
Jack lowered his gaze from the ceiling to look at me. "The direction they choose can be anticipated; it should be upstream of the Underground River. The Long-Tailed Monster fled that way, and the Giant Bat's nest is also in that direction. The Underground Cavern is so vast that just suggesting a broad direction won't make them nervous. I suggest we propose a specific location, like telling them we're going to find the Specimen."
I nodded. The fox's tail was finally showing.
"That's an interesting idea; we could even say we're going beneath the Dam."
I saw Jack's eyes light up uncontrollably for a moment, his expression trying to play it cool, but his eyes betrayed him. At that moment, his irises were almost entirely blue, with hardly any white visible.
Jack realized he had let his excitement show and sighed. "I admit I'm very curious about what's over by the Dam. This matter has been tormenting me; I know you have a strong curiosity, and so do I. This time, I must see it for myself, even if it costs me dearly. Otherwise, I'll regret it."
Yes, I had a strong curiosity too, but I couldn't pay the highest price for it, even though I would also regret not doing so. However, I felt that Jack's intense curiosity and willingness to pay any price was abnormal; he must have some ulterior motive.
I slowly shook my head. "What if there's nothing there? Would you believe me?"
Jack nodded.
"I would. Perhaps what I'm desperately wanting to see is emptiness. The Underground Cavern is considered sacred by the Hakka People, as is Tang Yumo. Clearly, this area is not; these Long-Tailed Monsters and Giant Bats inhabit the periphery of their sacred ground. The guardian beasts should be protecting the deepest part of the Underground Cavern, which is across from the Dam—wherever that emptiness lies. And Heimanluo, where the Hakka People reside, should also have a guardian beast. Honestly, my curiosity is growing stronger."
I thought for a moment.
"I agree to search for the Specimen. But I won't accompany you across the Dam. Heimanluo is guarding over there, and we might be able to drive that thing back. Trying to kill it is simply Fang Ye Tan; I can't help you with that. Just like you, we are not mentally prepared to pay the highest price. If you insist on going, go by yourself."
"Fine," Jack readily agreed.
"In exchange, I want to know why you want the Specimen. You're even willing to take great risks for it. And when you see the Specimen, what will you understand?"
Jack fell silent again, deep in thought.
"Some things are just guesses. How about this: when we see the Specimen, I'll tell you our guesses. Maybe..." Jack furrowed his brow and hesitated for a moment. "Trust me; we'll uncover the mystery then."
"I believe you."
We exchanged a solemn glance for a moment, a silent promise between men.
Under Tang Yumo's watchful gaze, I stepped forward. Jack stood outside the circle, trying to act cool with a serious face as he stared at us, resembling more of a security guard or bodyguard.
Xiao Ting and Tang Yumo stood together, no longer pretending to be friendly as they had before. Although there was no overt hostility, it was clear they represented two opposing factions. Xiao Ting was here to keep an eye on Tang Yumo.
Fatty stood next to another Hakka person. That Hakka individual had been kicked half to death by him and was originally curled up on the ground groaning; now he had somehow changed to a prone position. Fatty had one foot on the Hakka person's back, applying who knows how much force, rendering the Hakka person silent as foam bubbled from the corners of his mouth.
I nodded at Fatty, signaling him to come over. To my surprise, he rolled his eyes at me and ignored my gesture, but at least he finally lifted his foot off the Hakka person's back.
I wanted him to step away from the Hakka person; if he kept pressing down like that, he might actually kill him. They were positioned slightly behind Tang Yumo and Xiao Ting, with Tang Yumo continuously watching Jack and me. Thankfully, Tang Yumo didn't notice this; otherwise, it would have created new conflicts.
Seeing that Fatty had released the Hakka person, I decided not to bother with him anymore and turned to Tang Yumo. "Jack and I just discussed that we believe there are many inaccuracies and incomplete information in what you've said. We have decided to proceed with our original plan: finding the Specimen."
"No way!" Tang Yumo reacted more strongly than I had anticipated. "We must kill the mutated creature as soon as possible."
"What if I disagree?"
"Then we'll handle it ourselves. Although this task is challenging for us, it's not impossible."
"You haven't grasped the situation here; you don't have the right to act independently. You must follow us, especially you. Our decision is based on collective action."
"Are you keeping us around as hostages? That's unnecessary. We’re family, and we won’t have a chance to leave anyway." Tang Yumo looked at me coldly, her words sharper than ice as she concluded with, "If you still hold any illusions about this, I advise you to give up on that hope."
"I am a person who keeps my promises. Even if you betray me, I will still insist on retrieving the Specimen we left behind. This mission must come to a conclusion."
"What if I disagree?"
Tang Yumo echoed my sentiments. Compared to my calm and flat tone, her words sounded harsh and filled with anger. It was a display of false strength; I wasn't worried, as the initiative was in my hands.
I let out a few cold laughs.
I intended to create a greater psychological pressure on her before completely extinguishing any of her delusions.
But I had forgotten about Fatty, who was more adept at expressing his views through action. As my laughter lingered in the air, another sound pierced through: the dragging of a long knife across the ground.
As Tang Yumo and I turned to look at the source of the sound, Fatty's long knife was already pressed against the neck of the lying Hakka People. Before I could shout, Fatty withdrew the knife, its blade sliding across Hakka People's neck with a 'thud.' Blood immediately gushed from Hakka People's neck.
(To Be Continued...)
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