Chapter 105: Setting Out Once More

Night had deepened, and the room was filled with faint, shadowy light, rapid breathing, and a thick, pungent scent of blood.

The dead lay scattered in various postures—some clutching their throats in agony, others with eyes wide open, and a few still wearing faint smiles. Yet, there was no doubt: they were dead, utterly and completely. Otherwise, Chen Cao wouldn’t be here calmly speaking to Jared.

Amid the dim light, though Jared knew these were corpses, his eyes flickered with terror. He understood that among the dead was the police chief, the mid-level officer of the Anthony family in this area, along with five of his men. They would never let this go easily. Most importantly, Jared was black—fated from birth to be among the lower class. This was intimately tied to the Anthony family’s control over the local black population; they would never forgive him.

At that moment, seeing Jared’s rapid breathing, Chen Cao pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and handed it to him before lighting one for himself.

Jared accepted the cigarette greedily, as if it were a treasure, momentarily forgetting that Chen Cao had reported him. He inhaled deeply, taking half the cigarette at once.

Chen Cao drew a slow puff. He didn’t usually smoke, but now, to soothe Jared’s nerves, he had to.

After a drag, Jared’s mood seemed to improve. Chen Cao finally spoke: “Is it good? Remember what you said today? Cigarettes are a luxury here. Don’t you want to smoke better ones? Don’t you want to get out and see the world?”

Jared frowned, taking another drag, then looked at Chen Cao, saying, “You had this all planned, didn’t you? You started scheming from the airport.”

Chen Cao held the cigarette between his fingers, spreading his hands in denial. “You’re not dumb—you just needed a catalyst.”

Jared exhaled smoke, inhaling deeply the blood-soaked air, his gaze fierce. “I’m not dumb, but I made the same mistake any poor man would—greed. I said, why’d you buy that pile of junk from me? Turns out it was to lure the cops here and steal their weapons. It’s brutal but clever, confident.”

Chen Cao smiled. “Keep talking—I’m growing more impressed with you.”

Jared smoked his cigarette to the butt, exhaling smoke. “You had the plan all along. What else could I say? I’ve become part of your scheme—I’m the guide you need.”

Chen Cao stood, still smiling, and bent down to lift Jared from the floor. “Jared, do you know what kind of life you’re living? Here… your sister is doomed sooner or later. And you? You’ll end up like today, beaten to death by the Anthony family’s cops, ending your life. Don’t you want to change your fate?”

Jared, nearly two meters tall, looked down at Chen Cao, whose shoulders barely reached Jared’s chest. Yet, facing Chen Cao’s sharp gaze, Jared felt small and insignificant.

They stood silently amid the room of corpses.

After a long moment, Jared finally said, “Let’s go. No shots fired yet, but the station will soon discover what happened here.”

Without wasting words, Chen Cao turned and stepped outside, telling Stanley, who was curled up in a corner, “Let’s move. We’ll count weapons at the rendezvous.”

Stanley peered inside, cocking his gun with caution. “Boss, did the deal fall through? Should we kill this black guy?”

Before he finished, Jared appeared, carrying his sister Brenda, who was unconscious from overdosing on drugs. He stared coldly at Stanley and said, “Who did you say you wanted to kill?”

“Let’s go!” Chen Cao cut in, anticipating another argument.

“Hey, black guy, I saved your life and I’m taking you to get rich. Don’t be ungrateful—at least carry some gear!” Stanley grumbled behind Chen Cao, yet he did not hand over his weapons to Jared.

The three vanished into the jungle.

Amid the rustling leaves stirred by the breeze, the calls of wild animals foraging, and the chirping of insects, they ran several kilometers before Chen Cao stopped under a towering ancient tree. Jared, still carrying his sister, looked at Chen Cao in confusion. “Why stop here?”

Chen Cao said nothing but snapped his fingers in a short, rhythmic pattern.

Moments later, the bushes near the tree quivered slightly, and golden hair emerged as Karissa crawled out, her anxious sapphire eyes wide with concern.

She immediately approached Chen Cao, worriedly asking, “Are you hurt?” She reached out to check him over.

But then she noticed Jared behind Chen Cao and quickly withdrew her hands, feeling embarrassed.

Chen Cao reassured her, “I’m fine. But Jared’s sister might have overdosed on the drugs. I don’t know if we can find any herbs to ease it. Though I’ve studied herbs during training, Karissa is a nurse—and after spending time with her, I know she’s not just any nurse but an excellent one. So I have reason to ask her about this.”

Karissa blinked and moved to Jared’s side, reaching toward Brenda’s forehead. Jared instinctively turned his body away.

She did not mind but softly said to Jared, “Let me check, okay? We’re all on the same side now. No need to worry.”

Jared glanced at Chen Cao. Since leaving his home, he had already decided this young man’s place in his life. He didn’t know how dangerous the road ahead would be, but he knew staying there was certain death.

Chen Cao nodded at Jared, then motioned to Stanley to unload his weapons on the spot.

AK assault rifles, Czech submachine guns, and three standard pistols—this group clearly had firepower beyond what police should possess. Aside from a shortage of ammunition, the haul was substantial. Chen Cao was satisfied.

After quickly inspecting the weapons, Chen Cao beckoned Jared, who was still nervously watching his sister. Once seated, Chen Cao said, “Jared, since you’re with us, I won’t lie—we’re all fugitives. But if this mission succeeds, I’ll arrange a safe place for you where you can live like a wealthy man.”

Jared stared at Chen Cao’s calm expression, then nodded seriously, revealing his white teeth. “I thought about it on the way. Since I’m doomed anyway, might as well take a chance. I also believe if you hadn’t killed me and are willing to take me and my sister along, it means I’m useful. So tell me, what can I do?”

Chen Cao smiled faintly. “I can tell you don’t trust me, but you have to, because you have no one else to trust. Understand?”

Jared looked at the young Asian man before him for a long moment, then nodded reluctantly.

“Alright, then let’s begin.” Chen Cao quickly assigned roles. “Stanley, you stick with the AK—you know it best.”

Stanley snapped his fingers with a grin. Growing up in a jihadist group alongside such powerful rifles made him perfectly suited for it.

“How about the Czech submachine gun? Jared?” Chen Cao handed it over.

Jared caught it expertly and pulled back the bolt. “No problem.”

“Okay, three pistols remain—one for Karissa, one for me. Ammo is limited; until we get resupply, no wasting bullets.” Chen Cao holstered two pistols on himself. “Jared, I guess you know this rainforest well. You’ll be our guide. But to improve our chances of reaching the destination and winning our battles, starting today, you all need to train harder. Got it?”

Unlike Stanley, Jared recognized Chen Cao’s serious expression meant this was no longer a simple game. They would have to conquer the jungle, face unknown enemies, and handle unforeseen dangers.

Both men nodded simultaneously.

Chen Cao said, “Good. You’re on watch.”

He then walked over to Karissa, who was intently examining Brenda. Only in this focused work could she recapture the feeling of being a white-clad angel and, for a time, forget the hatred for her father’s murderers.

As Chen Cao approached, she turned her golden hair and asked, looking at the pistol in his hand, “Is this for me?”

“Yes. Things have changed. Given the current situation, it will be hard to carry her out. But her tuberculosis isn’t severe, and she can still move. You’ll have to take extra care from now on.” Chen Cao handed her the pistol.

Karissa noticed Chen Cao’s slightly distant eyes as he spoke, but when he placed the gun before her, she returned to reality and smiled softly. “It’s alright. This is my duty. I’m glad to put my skills to use.”

The Flame King 105_ The Flame King full free reading_ Chapter 105: Setting Out Again—Updated!