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墨書 Inktalez
"Are you crazy?"
I shouted, only to realize that Fatty wasn't crazy; this was his usual state. However, this was not what I wanted to see. I didn't want him to get caught up in danger, especially in his current condition, where even escaping from danger would be difficult.
"I'm sorry, but the place we're going to is very dangerous. We don't need any casualties or burdens. If you think you have the strength, then take on the responsibility of protecting your teammates."
"Either we all go together, or none of us goes. I'm not forcing you; it's your choice."
Fatty's words made my head spin, but Xiao Ting's sudden remark nearly pushed me over the edge.
"And I'm coming too. Just like Gangzi, you can choose."
With that, the two of them celebrated by leaning in and giving each other a high five. In that moment, I saw a glimmer of moisture in Fatty's eyes.
"Then I'll go back to the Village with Lao People. There, I can get news from you as soon as possible."
Immediately after, Jack's concluding remark pushed this already headache-inducing situation to its peak. I felt like my head was about to explode.
"I informed them to take us back."
Tang Yumo wasted no time. After achieving what she wanted, she immediately turned and walked toward the Zip Line connection point below.
The slope from where we were to the bottom was steep, yet she moved as if it were flat ground, practically gliding down. It was as effortless as drinking plain water, making me feel embarrassed about myself.
It seemed this girl was not as fragile as she appeared.
"Fatty! No, not you first." As soon as Tang Yumo left my side, I became furious. "I'm Xiao Ting. Why are you following me? You've been to that place before; our backpacks are just sitting in Heimanluo's den. This time, there’s bound to be a commotion. I can handle it alone. If I can bring back specimens, great; if not, I won't just sit there and wait to die. I'm not the best at other things, but when it comes to escaping, I'm no worse than them. If it comes down to it, I'll just push the Hakka People in front of me as a shield. You following me will only complicate things."
"Stop bragging. I'm just worried you won't be able to go through with it."
"What do you mean 'go through with it'?"
"Do you really think the Hakka People will be so obedient as to act as your shield? When danger strikes, they'll probably push you out first. With your indecisive nature, by the time you're able to harden your heart, you'll likely be thrown into a pack of wolves. Just make up your mind; if you decide to go, then I have to follow you—no discussion."
"Damn it, fine. But Xiao Ting can't come; I can't handle taking care of two people at once."
"I can take care of myself," Xiao Ting said, clearly displeased with my assessment, finally seizing the opportunity to speak up.
"I disagree. Fatty, you should talk some sense into her. This is ridiculous."
Fatty turned to Xiao Ting. "Are you sure you want to go?"
"Of course."
"Then go ahead."
"Damn it, Fatty, your IQ just dropped into the negatives again. Can you think before making a decision? And who gave you two the authority to decide this? There's no discussion here; Xiao Ting cannot go!"
To dissuade Xiao Ting from her thoughts, I turned my face directly toward Jack.
"Why go back to the Village? Isn't it better to wait for the Search and Rescue Team here? I've contacted Cao Mingzhe; they can find us here. It won't be quick, but it won't take long either. The Hakka People were able to cut the Zip Line for crossing the river; they can do it again for the one we need to escape. Have you considered that we might get trapped inside again?"
"I think so. Someone has to be ready to pick you up. How can they do that from here? This time we've established contact with the Search and Rescue Team; having them as a second rescue squad should make the Hakka People more cautious and less likely to do something outrageous."
Just as Jack finished speaking, I saw A San climbing up the steep ridge like a monkey.
“Brother Qiang, Hakka People, we need to go back to the Village. Is it true?”
I nodded. “We are going to the Underground Cavern to retrieve something that was lost. Fatty and I will go down; you all wait for us in the Village. While I'm gone, follow Jack's orders and don't cause any trouble. As soon as we come out, we leave immediately.”
Xiao Ting saw my firm refusal, with no room for negotiation, and immediately ran over to Fatty, practically treating him like a god. However, Fatty looked troubled, frowning as he whispered something to Xiao Ting.
I understood right away. Fat Man was simply using me as a scapegoat.
I knew Fatty's temperament well; he was someone who had no concept of embarrassment. Especially towards me—though we were best friends, he could still betray me like a true friend would. In modern terms, he was just a total backstabber.
The scene before me was clear; he didn’t want Xiao Ting to get caught up in greater danger, but he himself was fine with it, pretending to be the good guy while making me play the bad cop. How could I not be angry?!
My gaze hadn’t shifted from Fatty and Xiao Ting when I heard A San’s strong protest.
“I’m not going back. It was hard enough to leave that cursed place; going back will make it even harder to get out again. Brother Qiang, that Village is too sinister; let’s not go back. Spare me! I’ll go back to Wu Qitai; there’s nothing here but an ancient tomb. Tell him not to make things difficult for you and settle your transaction with him. How about that?”
I looked at the Vietnamese with a sorrowful expression and let out a cold laugh.
How could I possibly let Vietnamese walk away alone? Even if I were to let him go, I would make sure he took Lao People with him. They came together, so they should leave together. But given the current situation, Fumi was incapable of acting alone and had to rely entirely on A San and Buasong for help to get out of here.
I could imagine that if I left Fumi and Buasong in A San's care, Vietnamese would definitely ditch Lao People and run off by himself. I did not want to witness another tragedy unfold.
"You are my responsibility, and I must take care of you. At the very least, I will ensure you get across the border. Until then, you must stick with me; it is my duty."
I spoke these words with an air of righteousness, making a gesture to A San that required no argument. Then I picked up the Satellite Phone, turned around, and dialed a number.
The person who answered was Cao Mingzhe. "What have you decided?"
"It's not just me; it's all of us, including the Hakka People. This is essentially a collective decision."
I made a sarcastic remark and informed Cao Mingzhe about our current situation and decisions.
"You all need to move towards my current location. Regardless of the circumstances, we still have to rely on the Hakka People's Zip Line to leave the Village. You should come over early to pick us up and retrieve the Specimen.
We will be leaving here soon."
"Who is going down?"
"I."
"And who else?"
"A girl named Tang Yumo from the Hakka community. And my buddy."
"Is it just the three of you? No other Hakka people?"
"I'm not sure. There should be others, I guess. The one in charge here is Tang Yumo; she doesn't have the specifics. We probably won't know the details until we get to Hakka Village. Is there a problem with just the two of us going down?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment.
"If there's an old acquaintance named Luo Jin going down as well, keep your distance from him."
(To Be Continued...)
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