Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Go back and bring out the specimens from the Underground Cavern. Protecting the ecological balance of the Underground Cavern is our responsibility as the Hakka People, and it is also your responsibility. Don't you realize that?"
I scoffed at Tang Yumo's statement. The Hakka People might have a duty to maintain the balance of this Valley and the Underground Cavern since it was their home, and they needed to do so for survival. But that had nothing to do with me, especially since there was no trust established between us, and there was even a sense of hostility.
Although I would return, the most urgent matter at hand was to leave this place, tend to the injured, and find Cao Mingzhe.
"I'm sorry." Since Tang Yumo considered me the leader, I clarified things on behalf of everyone to save her from holding onto false hopes. "Our primary mission right now is to get out of here. I can provide you with the location of where the backpack was lost, but I won't go back again. You need to handle your own matters. Besides, I believe you have the capability to do so."
"The area of the Underground Cavern is vast; without someone to guide us, we won't be able to find it. Your information about the location isn't very helpful. You must go back and assist us in finding that specimen. At least, the person who discarded the backpack must return. That person is you, right?"
"Heh heh." Fatty sneered. "Finally showing your true colors. The person you want is Qiangzi, right? Going around in circles just to keep Qiangzi here? Let me tell you, that's not going to happen!"
"Why not?" There was no doubt that Fatty's words hit home. But I wanted to know more about the reason behind it. The Hakka People's interest in me exceeded my understanding. "Why me?"
"I think you've misunderstood. We don't need you; what we need is to retrieve the specimen. It's just a coincidence that you were the last person in contact with it."
"Then how do you explain the Zip Line?" I pointed at the empty Beipan River. "I don't believe this Zip Line could take all our lives. If we were to cross it, as long as you're willing, it could at least kill one person. Who do you want dead?"
"How could you have such a strange idea? If we wanted to kill your people, why would we cut off the Zip Line in advance? The truth is, you concealed the fact that you brought other species into the Underground Cavern. To remedy this, and to leave you with no choice, I cut off the Zip Line. As for the ability to sever the Zip Line, it is a means of self-protection for us, the Hakka People. Not only now, but from the very beginning of its existence, we have had the capability to cut it at any time."
I could only respond to Tang Yumo's nonsense with a scoff.
"Do you think that without the Zip Line we would be helpless? Let me tell you, that would disappoint you."
With that, I walked over to Jack, took the Satellite Phone from his backpack, and dialed a number. I hadn't expected to use the phone so soon. According to our plan, we were supposed to contact the Search and Rescue Team from Hong Kong after crossing the river and reaching another mountain village. Now we had to do it earlier than expected.
Soon, someone on the other end picked up. "Sister Tang?" A voice with a Hong Kong accent came through.
"This is Zhang Jianqiang. Are you with the Search and Rescue Team from Hong Kong?"
"Yes. I'm Captain Li. Is Sister Tang safe? And Mr. Jack?"
"We're fine, but there are two injured. Where are you? We're by the Beipan River; the Zip Line is down and we need assistance."
"Hold on, someone wants to speak with you."
There was a moment of silence on the other end before a familiar voice came through.
"Zhang, it's Cao Mingzhe."
"Cao," my voice caught in my throat. It had been so long since I had heard from him. Not hearing his voice made me feel as if I were in another world.
"Hello, Old Cao. How have you been? What have you been doing all these years, and how did you end up here?"
A long sigh came from the other end of the line. "It's a long story; let's discuss it when we meet. What's going on over there? Why has it taken so long for us to hear from you?"
I emphasized the current situation to him and urged him to come closer to our location. It was easy to find. The zip line on the Beipan River had few remnants left, and the Search and Rescue Team had the capability to obtain this information, so they would quickly determine our position.
However, we couldn't seek official assistance; our team was too complicated in composition. The Lao people and Vietnamese had simply crossed over illegally. We couldn't afford to be exposed. If only we could call on the Forest Police; they had helicopters and could swiftly get us out of this predicament. Nevertheless, the Search and Rescue Team from Hong Kong was well-equipped and had rich rescue experience, so meeting up with them was only a matter of time.
To my surprise, after learning about our situation, Cao Mingzhe insisted that we re-enter the Underground Cavern. As for our injured members, he believed that as long as those who entered the Underground Cavern were fine, those remaining on the Ground would be safe. The Hakka people lacked the courage to strike at us directly.
Moreover, Cao Mingzhe echoed Tang Yumo's sentiments about not disrupting the ecological balance of the Underground Cavern. This meant we needed to retrieve the specimens lost in the Underground Cavern as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.
"I'll be waiting for you outside. There’s a lot I need to tell you; trust me, there won't be any problems. And there will be unexpected discoveries."
Cao Mingzhe's words seemed confident, but I didn't know where his confidence stemmed from. My own lack of confidence came from my distrust of the Hakka people.
In fact, there was also concern in Cao Mingzhe's words regarding the Hakka people. He believed they lacked the boldness to strike at us directly, which indicated he understood that they harbored intentions to harm us.
I knew that as long as our main fighting force remained intact, the Hakka people wouldn't trouble the injured left on the Ground. But Cao Mingzhe didn't know where my backpack had gone missing, and I feared returning to that place to face that massive Heimanluo creature. Frankly speaking, without better preparation, I had no confidence at all in retrieving my backpack from it.
"Wait a moment. I can't make this decision alone; I need to discuss it with my teammates. Also, can you confirm our location? How far are we from you?"
"Captain Li is currently locating you via GPS, and you will have your position shortly. However, I stand by my opinion."
I fell silent for a moment. "I'll get back to you." Then I hung up the phone.
Throughout the call, I kept my eyes on Tang Yumo. Likewise, she was watching me. She must have known I was seeking support, which would undermine her plans. Yet her gaze was not frantic; instead, she seemed to be gaining confidence. This puzzled me.
At the moment I hung up, Tang Yumo suddenly said, "This is fate; you have no choice."
With her words, a one-meter-long arrow shot down with a 'thud,' embedding itself in the Chessboard Stone beneath my feet.
(To Be Continued...)
Comment 0 Comment Count