Chapter 112: The Yearning of All

As the first rays of sunlight broke through, Chen Cao and his group, after making minor adjustments, packed up their weapons and gear. Chen Cao and Jared carried pistols for the assault task, Stanley held an AK-47 for cover fire, while Karissa, armed with a pistol, and Brenda were assigned to logistics support.

Before setting off, Chen Cao specifically instructed Stanley to conserve ammunition unless they encountered a large number of enemies, since Stanley was now the only one equipped with what they considered heavy weaponry.

With hearts filled with longing for wealth and a better life, the group ventured deeper into the jungle, unaware of what awaited them. Yet, none appeared to have a way back.

Mei Mei still lay far away on a hospital bed, requiring a large sum for her surgery.

Stanley’s fiancée was currently receiving treatment in Mainz; once she was cured, Stanley was to marry the elder’s son’s daughter. He had to raise money ahead of time to redeem her.

Jared was even more desperate; returning home meant certain death. With Chen Cao’s permission, he carried a precious gem, which gave him immense confidence. He firmly believed that with wealth, everything would improve.

The jungle remained eerily silent. After two hours of travel, Chen Cao signaled for the group to pause and rest. The place was unnervingly quiet, as if meticulously cleaned—no snakes hanging from trees, no signs of natives.

In truth, everyone’s nerves had long since frayed. A taut string will eventually snap. If they had encountered combat, it might have been easier to endure, but the unsettling silence gnawed at them. What had happened here to render the jungle so quiet? It felt less like a jungle and more like a silent hell, ready to swallow them whole.

While resting, Chen Cao waved to the group.

Karissa quickly pulled water and supplies from her bag to share. Assigning her to logistics was fitting, given her background as a nurse.

“Here,” Karissa said, handing a simple bamboo water tube to Chen Cao, her dazzling blue eyes captivating, her voice filled with charm.

Chen Cao hastily took the tube, turned his head, and drank. Seeing him avoid her gaze, Karissa’s eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment.

Stanley took a gulp of water, swallowing hard. “Hey, boss, we should be deep into the Jinji jungle by now, but there’s not a single sound. What’s going on?”

Jared shook his head. “It’s still early, but even when I came through here before, I never saw the jungle this quiet. It’s really strange.”

Chen Cao wiped his mouth with his sleeve after drinking. “I don’t know. These natives are far craftier than us. They seem to know what we want, but I believe when they do show up, they’ll come in full force.”

Jared nodded seriously, fully convinced, having experienced it firsthand.

Stanley looked discouraged. “But this pace won’t do. We’ll be exhausted, and we’ve wasted so much time already!”

Chen Cao paused, then smiled slyly. “No need to rush. I’ve known for a while they’ve been watching us in secret.” He pointed to the dense canopy overhead.

“Oh?” Stanley and the others instinctively looked up. Leaves trembled slightly.

Chen Cao immediately raised his pistol, aiming at the branches above. “Come down, or I’ll shoot!” He had meant it as a bluff to boost morale but was surprised to find something really there.

He spoke in Mainz dialect, knowing the other side wouldn’t understand. The noise was deliberate—to signal that he was armed and watching. He intended to shoot if the figure showed any hostile move, confident his pistol’s range covered the target precisely.

Not only Chen Cao, but Jared and Stanley also trained their weapons on the rustling leaves.

“D-Don’t shoot! It’s me!” a stammering voice echoed from the jungle. The hesitant tone, combined with the recognizable Mainz words, made it clear the figure understood the danger posed by their guns.

Chen Cao scanned the trees, but couldn’t fix his sights on the hidden figure, who was expertly concealed.

“Stick your head out slowly, don’t move, or I’ll blow your brains out, you understand?” Chen Cao warned, bluffing.

“Please, please don’t shoot. I’ll come down!” The leaves rustled again, and amid the tangled branches, a small boy’s head with black hair appeared.

“You!” Jared gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the gun. The boy was the very one who had lured him and Chen Cao into the trap set by the pygmy natives and their spear-throwers.

“Don’t move, slide down slowly!” Chen Cao sensed Jared’s rising anger and quickly signaled him to hold back.

The boy hesitated, suspicious of the three dark barrels aimed at him.

Chen Cao spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid. We won’t hurt you. Come down—we have food.” He pulled out a piece of smoked jerky from his pouch.

“All right.” With a rustling of leaves, the boy slid down the tree swiftly.

As the boy’s bare foot neared the ground, Chen Cao darted forward and grabbed his arm, flipping him around.

“Ah ha, you little brat!” Jared charged and slapped the boy hard.

The boy’s eyes spun with stars. His frail neck jerked with the heavy slap, blood trickling from his nose. Eyes shut tight, he knew the blow was just the beginning.

“Jared, stop!” Chen Cao shouted, halting his fury.

Jared reluctantly lowered his hand, eyes darting restlessly at the boy, their prey.

Chen Cao softened his gaze, turning the boy gently but holding his shoulders firmly. “Don’t be afraid. The jerky is yours if you just answer my questions, okay?”

The boy wiped the blood from his nose, barely glancing at Jared’s fury. He stared blankly at Chen Cao, especially at the smoked meat in his hand. His throat moved as he swallowed hard. Though appearing thirteen or fourteen, his fingers pressed to his lips like a hungry infant, his eyes gleaming with a vivid green light.

Chen Cao smiled faintly, trying to show kindness. He broke the jerky in half and offered it to the boy.

Without hesitation, the boy snatched the meat, shoved it into his mouth, barely chewing, swallowing it whole like a little dog. Then he stared again at Chen Cao, finger pressed to his lips, silently begging for the other half.

But Chen Cao did not give it. Smiling, he said nothing, simply watching the boy.

Stanley and Jared exchanged mocking looks, while Karissa, feeling pity, said, “Chen, he’s pitiful. Give him the food.”

Chen Cao ignored her and addressed the boy. “Child, you should know the jungle’s law. Maybe it sounds harsh, but survival here means no free handouts. If you want food, you must answer my questions.”

The boy lowered his finger and fumbled inside his animal-skin loincloth.

All eyes fixed on him. Jared raised his gun’s barrel, alert.

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, the boy pulled out a necklace made of animal bones—an object that stirred desire within the group.

“A diamond!” Stanley raised his AK in celebration. Had Chen Cao not forbidden wasting bullets, he’d have emptied a clip here to mark the moment. Jared held Brenda, tears streaming with excitement.

Karissa only raised an eyebrow, silent, her deep blue eyes locked on the necklace.

Chen Cao didn’t immediately take the bone necklace. Instead, he pointed at the boy and made a twisting motion with his hand, signaling suspicion. Memories of Jared’s near poisoning when greedily grabbing a pygmy’s bone necklace still haunted him. These natives were often far craftier than they appeared.

The boy, clever, understood Chen Cao’s caution. He raised the necklace and, turning to a relatively new tooth on it, twisted hard. Everyone’s breath caught in unison.