Chapter Ten: The Advancing Squad

Hearing the screams echoing in the night, Chen Cao sensed trouble brewing. Though he had just escaped the jaws of the giant python and was deeply reluctant to involve himself in yet another mess, he gripped his dagger and took a few cautious steps forward.

"Damn it, I guess I’ll risk it all tonight!" Chen Cao muttered through clenched teeth, moving toward the source of the cries. But he hadn’t gone far when a fierce roar tore through the darkness, drowning out every sound in the jungle.

Chen Cao stopped in his tracks, feeling his legs tremble once more. Having grown up watching wildlife, he recognized the roar instantly. "Damn, that’s a bear!"

He instinctively turned away. "This is madness. No way—I can’t afford to get hurt. I need to call for backup!"

Just as Chen Cao was searching for excuses to retreat, he heard the rustling of leaves in the nearby bush.

"Who’s there?" Chen Cao gripped his dagger, alert.

"It's you, Brother Chen?" The voice came from a round head poking out of the grass. Chen Cao recognized it as Zhou Hongye, the little fox.

"Yes, yes, it's me. What happened just now?" Seeing it was Zhou Hongye, Chen Cao relaxed.

"It’s nothing, really. We just encountered a bear. Young Master Chen and the giant bear took care of it. I couldn’t help but shout. You missed it—it was spectacular!" Zhou Hongye leapt out of the grass, smacking his lips in admiration. As he approached, he noticed the dagger in Chen Cao's hand and exclaimed, "Brother Chen, were you about to come rescue us?"

"Well, yes, that’s right!" Driven by pride, Chen Cao lied, feeling his eye twitch as he spoke.

"Wow, Brother Chen, you’re so loyal. But what’s with the blood on you?" Zhou Hongye spotted the streaks on Chen Cao’s face.

"Oh!" Chen Cao felt as if he could float. "It’s nothing, just took care of a giant python, that’s all!" He deliberately drew out the word "giant" and pointed to the snake carcass nearby.

"Damn, it’s huge! Brother, you’re amazing!"

"Ah, it’s nothing, just a minor thing, haha..."

"Zhou Hongye, why are you wandering around? Didn’t I tell you to gather dry wood?" Young Master Chen emerged from the trees, his combat suit smeared with mud, a lingering fierceness in his eyes.

He paused upon seeing Chen Cao.

"Captain, look! Brother Chen just killed a giant python!" Zhou Hongye spoke with a tone of worship, causing Chen Cao to puff out his chest with pride.

Following Zhou Hongye’s words, Young Master Chen glanced at the python’s body on the ground. He walked over, picked up a stick, examined the carcass, then stood up and said to Zhou Hongye, "It’s getting late. Everyone’s already exhausted. Hurry and find some dry wood. Otherwise, we won’t be able to travel tomorrow!"

"Yes, Captain!" Zhou Hongye saluted respectfully.

Young Master Chen nodded authoritatively and turned back into the jungle.

Captain? You called him Captain? Chen Cao was stunned, but it was clear that in less than an hour, this distinguished Young Master Chen had already become the soul of their team.

"He’s incredible. We’re all newbies stumbling through the jungle, quick to die. Only he’s had field combat training, so he’s temporarily acting as captain," Zhou Hongye explained, then added, "But Brother Chen, you’re amazing too!"

"Ha, ha, it’s nothing, just a minor thing!" Chen Cao laughed, scratching the back of his head.

As Chen Cao basked in his pride, Young Master Chen poked his head out of the bushes and added, "Next time you encounter a python, don’t rush in. Hit it at the seventh inch—stab its heart, understand? Also, these vapor sticks are crucial medicines for emergencies. Don’t use them carelessly, got it?"

Without waiting for a reply, he disappeared into the bushes, leaving Zhou Hongye and Chen Cao staring blankly after him.

"Well, I’ll go gather firewood now!" Zhou Hongye, ever resourceful, laughed and followed Young Master Chen into the woods.

"This kid really doesn’t let anyone save face," Chen Cao grumbled, feeling his cheeks flush.

To avoid smoke and open flames, Young Master Chen had people gather smooth marble slabs. He sliced the snake meat into thin pieces with his dagger, laid them on the stones, and slowly smoked them over a small fire.

The giant bear seemed born for slaughter. Bare-chested, he spun his dagger with astonishing speed, quickly gutting the bear. In just over half an hour, it was reduced to a skeleton.

"Damn, we’re killing a protected species. If we’re caught, we’ll be sentenced!" Chen Cao watched the bear’s skillful butchery and turned away, eyes squeezed shut. Even so, he caught a whiff of an alluring aroma.

Chen Cao inhaled deeply.

In the newly formed team, there were two frail-looking girls, Yu Hongxiu and Wu Lanqian, Captain Chen Diwen—Young Master Chen—the giant bear, Zhou Hongye, a short but well-built boy named Bao Li, and finally Chen Cao himself. Yu Hongxiu had already fainted once from disgust after witnessing the bear being gutted, and now she was trembling against Chen Cao’s shoulder, resting.

"So tempting!" Chen Cao reminded himself that he was in the army, but wicked thoughts kept creeping in. He remembered the gift Zhou Hongye had given him, still in his pocket. Maybe… No, no.

He shook his head, but the more he did, the more mischievous thoughts surged.

Despite his inner turmoil, Chen Cao gently patted Yu Hongxiu’s delicate shoulder with the softest voice, "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid..."

Slices of meat sizzled under Zhou Hongye’s skilled hands, and the aroma quickly filled everyone’s nostrils. Their stomachs, already empty and exhausted, rumbled loudly. Yu Hongxiu, beside Chen Cao, opened her eyes wide, gulping down saliva, her blue eyes shimmering, seemingly forgetting that this was their most hated snake.

Indeed, in harsh conditions, survival can overcome barriers and fears.

Chen Diwen lifted a piece of well-roasted snake meat from the stone with his dagger, and under everyone’s eager gaze, popped it into his mouth. The others, all teenagers, could hardly resist the temptation of food, and soon rushed in to devour Zhou Hongye’s roasted meat.

"It's a pity we have no salt. Without salt, we’ll soon lose strength," Chen Diwen said, chewing, brows furrowed.

The others, however, paid no mind and cheered as they wiped the meat clean.

With their bellies full, sleep came easily. Soon, Zhou Hongye and the others were dozing against rocks and tree roots.

Chen Cao did not sleep. He knew he was not the only one awake; in this bleak and eerie place, yesterday’s world of bright lights felt like a distant memory.

He leaned against a stone, removed his jacket, and gently draped it over the sleeping Yu Hongxiu and Wu Lanqian. Half-shutting his eyes, he watched the three companions still awake.

The giant bear, Chen Diwen, and Bao Li—the boy of average height and looks but unmistakable presence—each occupied a corner, silently tending to their tasks.

The giant bear was working on the bear skin, carefully scraping meat from the fur with his dagger, smiling broadly for once.

Chen Diwen kept watch, scanning the surroundings with the air of a true leader.

Bao Li, who looked to be around twelve, was quietly striking a sturdy tree trunk with his fists.

"Since we’re all awake, let’s talk," Chen Diwen said softly, almost speaking to himself, his eyes fixed on his dagger, projecting a heroic aura far beyond his age.

Chen Cao made no reply.

"Brother, are you calling me?" The giant bear paused his work and looked at Chen Diwen.

"Brother? Just hours ago you two were fighting tooth and nail, and now you’re calling him brother!" Chen Cao thought to himself, opening his eyes to observe the youth, whose demeanor was just as unruly as his own.

Chen Diwen did not answer, only shook his head, denying the giant bear’s assumption, and glanced toward Chen Cao, who was pretending to sleep nearby.

"Any instructions?" Chen Cao knew he couldn't avoid it. For some reason, this guy always seemed able to see through people.

Chen Diwen did not reply, but beckoned Chen Cao with a finger and stood, walking toward the shadows.

Tch! Chen Cao had little respect for spoiled rich kids used to good living, but he still got up and followed Chen Diwen.

"This team is mine. Don’t cause trouble for me," Chen Diwen said, his voice low but firm, in the darkness.

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