On the way, Basang suggested taking a break at an ice bar. Although Zhuangmu Qiangba wasn't keen, it was quite tiring for the two of them to carry all the luggage for four people; the weather was also stiflingly hot. Ice bars are common in Ecuador, an equatorial country, and are popular among young people. Traditional bars mainly serve ice-based drinks, and with the cool temperatures inside, hiding in an ice bar to escape the heat has become a trend. The three of them entered an ice bar, where Kesa ordered iced drinks for them and told them that even the jungle tribes could now drink internationally famous beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, thanks to changing times. Zhuangmu Qiangba enjoyed the Robusta iced coffee there, while Basang liked the drink made from a mix of various fruits like dragon fruit, tomato branch, golden berry, and banana—it was smooth, refreshing, and fragrant.
After resting for a while, they were about to leave when the ice bar suddenly became noisy. Seven or eight strong men were pushing a woman of indigenous descent into the bar. The woman wore a light blue gauze dress with a wide-open neckline and a silk skirt, with a pair of crystal sandals. She had a slender, graceful figure, tall and petite, exuding a noble, beautiful temperament. She was shouting loudly in a high-pitched voice, apparently very dissatisfied with the men. The strong men were shirtless, with strange patterns painted all over their bodies, their bronze skin and Central Asian features resembling those of Indian people. Kesa whispered, "They're from the jungle, indigenous or from other tribes. Best not to provoke them." He had just said half when he saw Zhuangmu Qiangba had already walked up.
One of the indigenous men was the most burly and stood directly opposite the woman, arguing with her briefly before raising his hand to hit her. Just as his hand went up, it was caught like a vise. The man turned his head to see Zhuangmu Qiangba standing there with a huge backpack, gripping his wrist tightly. Zhuangmu Qiangba was also quite surprised. The indigenous men even had full-face tattoos resembling totems. The burly man had two half-moon-shaped red tattoos under his eyes, resembling fangs extending to his mouth, and an abstract jaguar head tattoo in the center of his forehead, which looked more like a hooked cloud pattern. The other men also turned their heads, each with different facial patterns, likely indicating their rank. The man grabbed by Zhuangmu Qiangba muttered something, which Zhuangmu Qiangba couldn't understand at all. Kesa hurried over and stammered, "He… he… he… he's asking what you want!"
Zhuangmu Qiangba said, "Tell him, men shouldn't bully women!" Kesa stuttered to translate this.
The man smiled, showing his teeth. Suddenly, he exerted force, pulling his wrist back. He then gestured and spoke, making it clear that he wanted to compete. Basang stood by, coldly observing, his eyes fixed on the other indigenous men to prevent them from launching a sudden attack.
Kesa opened his mouth several times but couldn't translate. He clearly didn't know how to phrase it. At this moment, the indigenous woman said, "Thank you. Would you dare to challenge him?" She spoke fluent American English, though her words seemed to favor the indigenous man a bit more.
Zhuangmu Qiangba shook his head, striking a pose that said he wasn't afraid. The indigenous men all made a strange noise, as if laughing and howling simultaneously. The other customers in the ice bar sensed something was wrong and quickly left. Zhuangmu Qiangba initially thought there would be a fight, but the indigenous man swept the glasses off the bar, placed his arm on the bar, and challenged Zhuangmu Qiangba to an arm-wrestling match. Zhuangmu Qiangba, without any hesitation, walked to the bar, and the two of them locked hands tightly. Just as Zhuangmu Qiangba grabbed the man's wrist earlier, he estimated how much strength the man had. He didn't expect to find that the man was much stronger than he had thought. Due to this miscalculation and not using his full strength from the start, Zhuangmu Qiangba was immediately at a disadvantage, his arm forced down to a 45-degree angle. After struggling for a while, he lost. The indigenous men again made their strange howling noises. The man slowly shook his head. Zhuangmu Qiangba gave a cold smile and placed his left arm on the bar. The indigenous men had another round of discussions. The man hesitated for a moment but then extended his left hand. This time, Zhuangmu Qiangba had an absolute advantage, as there were very few people like them whose arms had been specially trained. No matter how much the man exerted himself, Zhuangmu Qiangba's left arm was as firm as a steel pillar, unmovable. The man seemed to understand that Zhuangmu Qiangba's strength was greater than his own and had only won earlier by surprise. He admitted defeat and let go. Then, the indigenous man extended his hand to shake Zhuangmu Qiangba's and patted his own chest and shoulders before patting Zhuangmu Qiangba's shoulder, speaking some words. Zhuangmu Qiangba was surprised by the man's change in attitude. The woman said, "My brother says that our Kukur tribe respects men with strength the most. He is the strongest warrior in our tribe, but he didn't expect you to be even stronger than him. He admires you very much." Kesa sighed in relief.
"Your brother?" Zhuangmu Qiangba was taken aback. The woman smiled charmingly, "Yes. It was a family matter. We had a difference of opinion. But thank you. If you hadn't held him back, I definitely would have been slapped."
Only now did Zhuangmu Qiangba realize there had been a misunderstanding. He glanced at Basang, who wore a "this is what you get for meddling" expression. The woman asked again, "My brother said, are you going to explore the jungle?"
Zhuangmu Qiangba replied, "Yes, we plan to explore the jungle."
The woman said, "Why not go to Brazil? The jungles there are much larger and safer, and they have professional guides. It's already been turned into a resource for tourism." Seeing the awkward expression on Zhuangmu Qiangba's face, she smiled and said, "I'm just asking casually. My brother wants to tell you that if you're exploring here, going west, upstream, is okay, but going south, north, or east is very dangerous." The woman introduced herself as Baba-Tu, and her brother as Honey Bear-Claw. Zhuangmu Qiangba rarely encountered such friendly indigenous people who could speak English. With Baba-Tu interpreting, they chatted for a while longer. Basang reminded them that it was getting late. Zhuangmu Qiangba bid farewell to the group of indigenous people, and Baba-Tu slyly smiled and said, "If you have the chance, you are welcome to visit our tribe." As she spoke, she seemed to recall something, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
After leaving the ice bar, they entered a bustling market area. At some point, a crowd had gathered around a nearby open space, making it impossible to see what was going on inside. A sharp whistle sounded from the crowd's center. Uncharacteristically, Basang moved towards the crowd's edge, and Zhuangmu Qiangba had no choice but to follow him in. In the center of the crowd, they saw a snake charmer, dressed like an Arab with his face covered, wearing a regular checkered short-sleeved shirt instead of traditional Arab attire. In front of him was a bamboo basket, and as the sharp, piercing sound of the flute played, a snake poked its head out of the basket, swaying its body in various movements. A jungle tree monkey perched on the man's shoulder, its big round eyes curiously watching the diverse crowd.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba glanced at the snake and realized it was a highly venomous red-banded coral snake. This species doesn't have very prominent venom glands; both its head and tail are blunt and spindle-shaped, making it appear non-venomous, but in fact, it is extremely poisonous. It was one of the venomous snakes Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team needed to be wary of in the jungle. The coral snake, guided by the snake charmer's flute, raised its head and tail, twisting its body into a striking pose. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for the onlookers. This snake is known for being sinister, aggressive, and easily provoked. It strikes with lightning speed, and a single bite could prove fatal before any medical help could be administered.
The snake charmer continued to play his flute for a while before suddenly stopping. He took out a plump white mouse, seemingly to feed the snake. The mouse was significantly larger than the coral snake, but it was filled with terror at the sight of its natural predator. With its tail gripped by the charmer, the mouse curled up tightly, trembling with fear. With a hiss, the coral snake, like a red lightning bolt, struck the mouse on its back. However, the snake charmer didn't let the snake consume the mouse; he carefully grasped the snake just below its head, prying it away from the mouse. Then, he threw the mouse on the ground. The mouse twitched twice, and within five seconds, it lay still, dead. The crowd gasped, realizing the danger posed by the venomous snake. But the charmer chuckled ominously and reached out towards the coral snake. Even Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba tensed up, but surprisingly, the snake seemed to have some form of intelligence and did not bite its master. It coiled around his fingers, slithered up his arm, and eventually perched on his shoulder, repeatedly nuzzling the charmer's face veil as if it were kissing a lover. The onlookers, caught between fear and admiration, broke into applause. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was shocked; he had seen snake charmers before, but never one who could train a snake to such an extent. This charmer must have some secret techniques, playing a thrilling game of life and death.
When Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his companions arrived, the snake show seemed to be nearing its end. After less than five minutes of watching, the monkey on the charmer's shoulder jumped down and extended its arm like the snake charmer did earlier. The coral snake slithered onto the monkey, coiling around its neck and raising its head above the monkey's head like a hat. The monkey, as if it were unfazed by the snake on its head, picked up a copper plate from the ground and started collecting money from the crowd. The sight of the snake on the monkey's head made the crowd both fearful and wary. They felt compelled to give money, as the cold stare of the coral snake and its hissing made their skin crawl. Some who initially hesitated to pay soon found themselves nervously handing over bills to avoid provoking the snake. The monkey soon made its way to Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba reached for his pocket, eyes on the snake, but his peripheral vision kept an eye on the snake charmer. The man's eyes were filled with a sinister smile, and as if he sensed Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's gaze, he slowly lifted his face veil. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was stunned. What a face! It was covered in uneven pockmarks and scar tissue; the lower eyelids were pulled down by scars, making his green eyeballs bulge as if they were about to fall out of their sockets. His lips were the same color as his scarred skin, stretched and crooked, unable to close completely, revealing a jagged set of teeth. The man gave a ghastly grin, his throat emitting a whistle-like shriek. Just as Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was caught off guard, the coral snake, coiled on the monkey's head, suddenly leaped towards his throat. The crowd erupted in screams.
Seeing the snake approaching and unable to dodge in time, Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba suddenly leaned back, using the heavy mountaineering bag to anchor himself to the ground. His companion, Ba Sang, quickly grabbed the snake's tail and immediately flung it back towards the charmer. The monkey dropped the copper plate, jumped back to the charmer's shoulder in a few swift motions, baring its teeth and screeching menacingly at Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team. The snake charmer, with a ghostly cackle, taunted, "You can't escape." Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was puzzled. Ba Sang, standing beside him, said, "He spoke in French. He said we can't escape."
Several strong men in the crowd began to approach menacingly, and the atmosphere became tense. Many in the crowd scattered to avoid trouble. Kesa, completely stunned, had never encountered such a situation before.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba ordered, "Kesa, find out what's going on. We didn't come here to cause trouble." Kesa stammered for a while but couldn't say a word before one of the men slapped him to the roadside. Holding his face, he couldn't get up, suggesting there was no room for negotiation.
By this point, Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang were experienced fighters. Unless their opponents were specially trained soldiers, regular military personnel wouldn't stand a chance against them. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba kicked the nearest thug to the ground, and as he turned around, an iron rod struck his mountaineering bag, absorbing the impact like hitting a pillow. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba turned back, landing a solid punch that knocked out the thug's front tooth. Ba Sang was just as fierce; trained in various combat techniques by Blue Spider and recently undergone special training, his strikes were ruthless and left his opponents incapacitated. The snake charmer put his face veil back on, leaning on his hand, watching with interest as if he were merely a spectator at a show. When the fight got intense, the monkey would clap its hands and laugh, cheering.
After Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang knocked down seven or eight thugs, the situation became increasingly dire. One of the assailants, taking advantage of their distraction, called over ten more vicious men from a distance, armed with iron chains and rods, advancing aggressively. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang each grabbed Kesa and shouted, "Run!" As they left, Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba glanced back at the snake charmer. He remained indifferent, but his eyes held a mysterious smile, as if to say, "Let's see how far you can go."
The thugs quickly gave chase. At that moment, the indigenous people from the ice bar came out together. They immediately noticed Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his group, greeted them, and then realized something was wrong. They joined forces with Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's group to fend off the attackers. Meanwhile, Li Zhua noticed the snake charmer's snake and went over to question him loudly. Baba-Tu explained that the red coral snake was a sacred creature in their tribe and should not be harmed by others. Suddenly, Li Zhua let out a scream. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was startled; apparently, Li Zhua had been bitten by the red coral snake. The indigenous people fought fiercely, quickly taking down several attackers and rescuing Li Zhua. However, they seemed to have an inexplicable fear of the snake charmer and dared not approach him. After a chaotic fight, someone shouted, and the indigenous people ran off, carrying the injured Li Zhua.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his group followed the indigenous people for a while, not seeing the thugs chasing them. The indigenous people didn't stop, carrying Li Zhua toward the direction away from Putumayo, not even having time to say goodbye to Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's group. Baba-Tu, visibly worried, said, "My brother was bitten by the Red Dragon. He needs immediate treatment. We… we must go."
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba suddenly remembered something and said, "Wait a moment." He pulled out a box of cream from his pocket, saying, "This is snake ointment. The pills are for internal use—one pill per dose, and the cream is to be applied to the wound. It can mitigate the effects of the snake venom." This snake ointment was a purely herbal cream concocted for field military use. While it didn't have the specific antidote effects like a serum, it could alleviate the effects of all snake venoms, making it a lifesaver for urgent care. Baba-Tu glanced gratefully at Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba but said nothing more and left. Kesa reassured them, saying they would be fine since they had their remedies for treating injuries.
The three of them finally made it back to Holmen's place, exhausted. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang discussed the recent events but couldn't make heads or tails of it. They couldn't understand why they had gotten into a conflict with the locals for no apparent reason. They also wondered if the thugs were targeting the indigenous people. If so, why didn't they continue the chase?
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang had no choice but to set aside the incident for the time being and began dividing the purchased tools into four parts. Before they could finish, Zhang Li and the others burst in, looking disheveled. Zhang Li and Yue Yang were covered in sweat, panting heavily, and even Holmen was drenched, his face streaked with dirt and sweat. As soon as they entered the room, Yue Yang blocked the door and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "It seems like they didn't follow us."
Zhang Li dropped his heavy bag on the floor, his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He was too winded to speak. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba quickly asked, "What happened to you?"
The three of them spoke in broken sentences, each offering bits and pieces of their story, and it took some time to piece together a complete narrative. In essence, they had experienced a similar encounter to Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's group—an inexplicable attack by unknown assailants who pursued, blocked, and beat them. "How could this happen?" Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was puzzled and questioned Zhang Li, "Did you provoke someone? How could you have been attacked otherwise? Did you get into an argument while buying weapons?"
Zhang Li protested his innocence. They had conducted their business smoothly, with Holmen being quite experienced. It was on their way back that they ran into those people, who attacked without warning. Zhang Li speculated, "Could they have mistaken us for someone else?" Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba thought to himself, "Could it be that we bought too many weapons and someone wanted to rob us?" He said, "Let's not worry about that for now. What weapons did you manage to get? Let's have a look."
Zhang Li opened his bag, revealing machetes, iron rods, chains, and even a pair of shock knuckles. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was shocked and asked, "What is all this? We're going to trek through the jungle, not start a street fight."
Zhang Li hurriedly explained, "I opened the wrong zipper. These are the spoils of our fight." It turned out that their experience had been almost identical to Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's. Initially, they were attacked by five or six people who, without distinguishing friend from foe, launched an attack. Zhang Li and Yue Yang managed to fend them off, and not wanting to leave empty-handed, they confiscated the weapons of their attackers. However, when another twenty or thirty attackers arrived, Zhang Li and Yue Yang had no choice but to flee.
Zhang Li opened another zipper on his bag, revealing the actual items they needed: a first-aid kit, jungle knives, crossbows, and other tools. Unfortunately, they couldn't get any firearms, possibly because Holmen didn't have the right connections. Yue Yang also opened his bag, which was filled with various tools. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba said, "Quickly sort these out and pack them in our mountaineering bags so we can leave at any moment." The unexpected attacks before they even set out made Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba uneasy, especially that snake charmer on the road who gave him a chilling sense of danger.
Yue Yang, puzzled, asked, "Why are we in such a hurry? Do you think they'll come after us here?"
Ba Sang coldly recounted their own encounter and concluded, "Do you really think this was just a coincidence? This is clearly a coordinated action. Although their motives aren't clear, if we continue to resist, I fear their actions may escalate."
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba nodded in agreement. He had been thinking the same thing. Zhang Li suggested, "Could this be part of the test, a designed challenge for our mid-term assessment?"
Yue Yang immediately dismissed the idea, "No way. These were locals, and they were real thugs." He glanced at Holmen and continued, "And they attacked with full force, as you said, intending to kill us. They wouldn't go to such extremes for an exam. It felt more like—"
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and the others stopped what they were doing and looked at Yue Yang, who continued, "—someone wants to stop us from crossing this jungle."
Everyone agreed this seemed like the most plausible explanation, but they had no idea who would want to do that. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba suddenly recalled Lü Jingnan's warning and felt a chill, thinking, "Could it be them? But why would they go to such lengths?"
Holmen had been silent, his face pale since their return. He seemed lost in thought, becoming more fearful as he pondered the situation. Kesa, noticing his friend's state, asked, "What's wrong? Do you know those people?"
Holmen, visibly shaken, replied, "No, it's just… I feel like some of them might be with Basaka."
Kesa translated for Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his group. Yue Yang asked, "Who is Basaka?"
Holmen explained, "They are a violent faction in this area. They specialize in creating chaos and conflict, opposing the government. I've heard that they have ties to the Drug King of Colombia. It seems like they're an armed force infiltrating from Colombia. But how could they… it doesn't make sense?" He looked up, his eyes filled with suspicion, clearly wondering if these four had any connection to the Drug King.
"The Drug King!" Zhang Li scoffed. "What a joke! This is our first time in your country. Forget about any Drug King; we haven't even seen a poisonous ant here. They—" He suddenly looked at Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba, uncertain whether the young master had any dealings with the Drug King.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba sternly replied, "Impossible. I never engage in illegal activities, nor do I associate with lawbreakers. My business dealings have never extended to the Americas. Alright, is everything distributed? Then pack your mountaineering bags; we need to be ready to leave."
Holmen seemed to hear something and peeked through a crack in the door. His face turned pale as he said, "It's Basaka! Basaka himself is here with his men! You all…" He looked terrified, "You can't stay here; you must leave now! Jump out of the back window before it's too late!"
"How could this be happening?" Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba was filled with confusion. He and Zhang Li peeked through the door crack and saw a wild-looking man leading a group of thirty or forty people armed with knives and sticks, approaching menacingly. It was clear that someone had tracked Zhang Li and his team back here and then informed their comrades to come for revenge. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Zhang Li immediately turned back, each grabbing a large mountaineering bag, and said to Yue Yang and Ba Sang, who were still checking their gear, "There's no time, we have to go!" They pushed open the window and climbed out first.
On the quiet Putumayo River, a small dugout canoe drifted silently. The Amazon River is unpredictable—sometimes hundreds of meters wide and dozens of meters deep, and sometimes as narrow as a few meters and shallow enough not to reach one's knees. Except for these modified dugout canoes, no other boats would be practical. The canoe was divided into four sections by three crossbeams resembling seats. At the front, two armed guards cautiously surveyed the river and its surroundings. Four rowers paddled rhythmically at the back, while two people sat in the middle. One of them, Mokin, was smoking a cigarette. Next to him sat a man with a face like a wrinkled bitter gourd—it was none other than Sores, the snake charmer from Putumayo City. The jungle monkey, wearing a small vest, perched on Sores' shoulder, looking around.
"So, are you satisfied with their performance?" Mokin asked with a smile.
Sores, unimpressed, replied, "Not really. They lack any sense of imminent danger and only react when danger is upon them. If they encounter a situation where there's no escape, they're dead for sure." Seeing Mokin's face darken, Sores added reassuringly, "But their hand-to-hand combat skills are pretty good, almost on par with the soldiers we've trained."
Mokin sighed, "Forget about them for now. What do you think about that place? If it's really there, we might as well not go. It would just be a waste of time."
"So where are you planning to go?"
"To Chalapita. I just received news that in the jungle a hundred kilometers south of Chalapita, Solepus Company, while laying a Colombia-Peru cross-border oil pipeline, uncovered a temple resembling an ancient Mayan pyramid. The company has kept the discovery under wraps, and even the national archaeological teams from the two countries aren't aware of it yet. I plan to check it out first."
Sores hissed with a grin, "You go ahead then. I want to see how their jungle trek goes and assess their abilities."
Mokin's face darkened before he earnestly pleaded, "Please go easy on them. Don't kill them—they are extremely important to me." Sores made a reassuring gesture and then ordered the boat to dock. His withered figure vanished into the jungle like a cold, gray python. Mokin's heart skipped a beat, knowing that at this moment, Sores was at his most dangerous. The ghost of the jungle had returned to his domain.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team ran through unfamiliar streets, carrying their oversized bags. It wasn't so much that they feared Basaka's superior numbers, but more about the potential consequences for Holmen, who had rented them the place. They could leave after the incident, but Holmen would not be able to stay in Putumayo. Leaving now would allow Holmen to deny any involvement. Moreover, if things escalated, it wouldn't just be a problem for a few individuals; it could have broader implications for international relations.
Ba Sang asked, "Where are we going now?"
Yue Yang replied, "We don't know how many enemies there are or what's happening here. This city clearly doesn't welcome us. It seems like we have no choice but to enter the jungle ahead of schedule."
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba added, "But what about the boat?" According to their original plan, they were supposed to travel by water.
Zhang Li confidently said, "We've already arranged to rent a boat near the riverbank; we just need to pick it up a bit earlier than planned."
"Lead the way."
Thirty minutes later, the four of them could no longer see the bustling port. The canoe was about six meters long and two meters wide in the middle, divided into three cross-sections and four compartments. Their bags were placed beside each person so that in case of an emergency, they could secure their belongings. All four served as rowers. Once they rounded a bend in the river, the signs of civilization disappeared, and the environment grew serene. The river water flowed gently, as if time itself had stopped, offering a peaceful respite.
The jungle was deep and impenetrable, filled with towering trees everywhere. North American spruces here could grow up to a hundred meters tall, with diameters of over ten meters and circumferences exceeding twenty meters—so large that it would take seventeen or eighteen grown men to encircle them. Their trunks maintained their thickness from base to top, truly making them the giants of the tree world. The jungle constantly echoed with the calls of unknown birds and beasts, but as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but dense forest, shading out the sun. The four navigated through the river, surrounded by these giant trees. The river became narrower, and it felt like they were sailing through a sliver of sky. Occasionally, one or two macaws flew overhead, their colorful feathers dazzling in the sunlight. The scenery was nothing like the forests of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan that they had traversed; it was an entirely different world.
Since they were going downstream, none of them bothered to row vigorously. They only occasionally adjusted the boat's direction and were mostly engrossed in admiring the exotic scenery on both banks. When they reached a shallow area, the river was so clear that the bottom could be seen, with various colorful fish swimming leisurely among the stones. Even though they had been instructed to memorize the dangerous creatures and had reviewed materials on South American wildlife, they couldn't name most of the fish. Watching the fish swim freely in the water, they felt relaxed; the weather seemed cooler, and their minds more at peace. They even felt a strong urge to jump into the water and swim with the fish.
Since someone was steering, Zhang Li laid down his oar, put his hands behind his head, and lay back comfortably, looking up at the narrow strip of sky above. "This is even more thrilling than a trip to Hainan Island. At this rate, it looks like we'll reach our destination ahead of schedule," he said contentedly.
Yue Yang dipped his hand into the water, playing with the gentle current, and teased, "Looks like someone's having too much fun to even think about going home."
Zhang Li responded, "I remember someone saying this place was full of dangers and traps. I guess actual experience is the only way to test the truth."
Ba Sang, steering the boat with his oar, let out a cold snort. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba said, "We've barely left Putumayo; we're not even ten kilometers away. We're far from entering the real jungle. If this place were already dangerous, the people of Putumayo wouldn't be able to sleep soundly every night."
Yue Yang looked up at the sky and said, "The sun is about to set. Our immediate concern is finding a place to camp."
Zhang Li suggested, "Why don't we dock nearby and set up camp?"
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba disagreed, "No, the people from Putumayo couldn't find us and might still be searching. Even if we decide to camp, we should pick a hidden spot deeper in the rainforest."
Talking about being pursued, Yue Yang pondered, "It's really strange; we have no clues at all. How did we end up crossing paths with drug traffickers?"
Ba Sang said coldly, "We encountered drug traffickers right at the start, and you're still not alert? You're lying there carefree, but if it were me, even the slightest rustling in the wind would make me break into a cold sweat."
Zhang Li sat up straight and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Ba Sang replied, "This area is the stronghold of drug traffickers. They're active in the jungle and are more familiar with the layout of the rivers and dense forests here than the government or scientific research teams. Otherwise, how would they successfully smuggle drugs across borders? Dealing with them is more dangerous than facing the local government." This was based on Ba Sang's experience as a former poacher.
Zhang Li's expression didn't change, but he asked nervously, "Are you serious, or are you just trying to scare us?"
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba confirmed, "No, Ba Sang is right. From now on, the danger level of traveling on this river is at least double what we anticipated."
Yue Yang remarked, "That's really dangerous. If it's true, they might send a motorboat with seven or eight armed men, with a couple of grenade launchers and a machine gun, and they'd blow us to pieces if they caught up with us."
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba smiled and said, "It's not necessarily that extreme—" But his words were abruptly cut off by Zhang Li, whose face turned pale as he stared blankly ahead. He said firmly, "No, it's exactly that extreme!"
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba turned around in surprise to see a speedboat slicing through the river, churning up a white wake as it raced towards them. On the deck, they could see several armed men, and the thick black barrel mounted on the front of the boat was unmistakably not just for show.
"No way!" Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba exclaimed. The four of them began frantically paddling, and although they were going downstream and rowing with all their strength, the gap between human power and mechanical power was vast. As they watched, the speedboat quickly gained on them.
Fortunately, the Putumayo River had a complex network of interconnecting channels. The four of them took full advantage of their small boat's agility, maneuvering into narrower passages and emerging on the other side to evade pursuit. But in doing so, they soon lost track of which river channel they were in. Moreover, the channels were only a few meters apart, and while the trees could block some bullets, escaping beyond the enemies' line of sight to abandon the boat and flee into the jungle wasn't an option. Eventually, they emerged from a small river channel, only to find that their pursuers had come around the other side. After rowing a few hundred meters, they couldn't find any more small creeks along the banks, so they had to brace themselves for a speed race against the speedboat—a contest they were bound to lose. The speedboat rapidly closed the distance. Zhang Li complained incessantly, "Whoever said this river was only suitable for rowing boats—I was such an idiot to fall for the boat seller's tricks! If only we had a speedboat too, at least we wouldn't be at a disadvantage in speed, and we wouldn't be in this mess now!"
The speedboat wasn't flying a Colombian or Ecuadorian flag. The uniforms of the armed men were distinct, but their weapons were undoubtedly formidable. As they drew nearer, someone on the speedboat picked up a megaphone and started shouting. Though the words were incomprehensible, the gist was clear enough: "Stop! Pull over, or we'll shoot!"
Yue Yang, sitting in the front row, paddling as he muttered, "These are… these are Colombian guerrillas! Oh my God, what on earth is going on here?"
Zhang Li forced a smile and said, "It seems this place really doesn't welcome us. This is terrible—bad luck right from the start."
Ba Sang said coldly, "Guerrilla forces are different from government troops. If we're captured, the chances of survival are slim."
Yue Yang nodded in agreement, having studied the local situation before they set out.
The chasing boat was getting closer. Seeing no reaction from the small boat ahead, someone on the speedboat fired a burst of bullets, creating several columns of water next to the small boat. Everyone knew this was just a warning; if they didn't stop and pull over, the bullets would soon be aimed directly at them. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba glanced at everyone and ordered, "Let's surrender. We'll pull over."
There was no doubt—none of them were prepared, with their cold weapons still packed in their bags. They had no means to fight back, and if they didn't surrender, they would likely be riddled with bullets.
At this point, Ba Sang remained remarkably calm. He said, "Don't stop. Keep paddling. If we can hold out for another two minutes, we might have a chance." Up ahead, the waterway suddenly took a sharp right turn. Their chance of success depended on this sudden turn.
Zhang Li hesitated and asked, "Are you sure? I haven't even had a girlfriend yet. How confident are you?" Despite his words, his hands never stopped moving the oars with quick precision.
Yue Yang also said, "I haven't noticed any way to shake off our pursuers yet."
At that moment, Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba also noticed something and said with renewed vigor, "Now, give it everything you've got! Get ready to stop. When I shout 'Stop,' everyone paddle in the opposite direction!"
Zhang Li, ducking to avoid stray bullets as the speedboat fired another burst, muttered, "What's going on? What did you guys notice? Don't push your luck here!"
The water's speed noticeably increased, and the rowers on the small boat could all feel it. It even seemed like they were beginning to widen the gap between them and the speedboat. Behind them, the speedboat also started firing indiscriminately, speeding up and closing the distance to less than ten meters, close enough for them to see the shoulder patches on the armed men's uniforms. Bullets flew wildly, hitting the small boat in multiple places. Some bullets even grazed them. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba felt a sharp sting on his arm, realizing he had been nicked by a stray bullet. He wasn't sure about the others' injuries.
Just as they rounded the bend in the river, Zhang Li kept his head low and suddenly asked, "What's that noise?" A strange sound grew from faint to thunderous in just a few seconds, changing from a gentle trickle to a roaring rush of water.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and Ba Sang both smiled simultaneously. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba shouted, "Stop!" The four of them paddled against the current with all their might. Suddenly, Zhang Li and the others felt the boat lift into the air!
That natural sensation of falling caused a sinking feeling in their stomachs. Water splashed up around them, and Zhang Li realized—waterfall! The small wooden boat and its passengers plunged downwards at a steep angle. The speedboat following closely behind wasn't so fortunate. In mid-air, Zhang Li saw the speedboat shoot over their heads like a bullet, with the crew's screams filling the air. A moment later, he heard a gurgling rush of water as his body was submerged about a meter or two, then buoyed back up to the surface.
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba surfaced, spitting out a mouthful of water. He shook his head to clear the water from his eyes. Ba Sang, Yue Yang, and Zhang Li also emerged from the water, their small boat spinning on the edge of the waterfall's first tier.
It was a terraced waterfall, with five levels, each about three to four meters high, and a platform four to five meters wide, with a depth of around four to five meters. Thanks to their combined effort to paddle in the opposite direction at the last moment, the small boat had fallen nearly flush against the waterfall and landed on the first tier. The speedboat, with its tremendous momentum, shot past all five levels, crashing into a giant tree on the riverbank. The sound of the explosion likely occurred the instant Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team hit the water, and now all that remained were flaming wreckage pieces.
Only three of the guerrillas managed to escape the speedboat, landing on the third tier, dazed and disoriented. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba and his team quickly disarmed them. With a language barrier, it took some effort, but ultimately Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba decided to release the three prisoners, allowing them to return on their own. The captured guerrillas were visibly terrified. They were aware of the habit within their ranks of releasing captives only to shoot them from behind for amusement. Naturally, they feared the same fate. They would take a few steps and look back until they reached the cover of the jungle, then sprinted away desperately.
Ba Sang, holding a captured M16, frowned and said, "This isn't good. If they make it back, they'll report our location, and we'll become their primary target for elimination."
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba replied, "I know, but what else could we do? Kill them? I couldn't do that. We'll have to take things one step at a time."
Zhang Li, soaking wet, climbed out of the water, his face beaming with excitement, "Not a bad haul! Not bad at all!" He and Yue Yang had found two more bodies on the fourth tier, along with additional weapons and ammunition. With this, they now possessed an AK-47, an M16, a Steyr rifle, two M4 carbines, and four B76 automatic pistols. Apart from the six pistol magazines, each rifle had about sixty rounds of ammunition, making them look like a fully equipped special operations team.
Yue Yang surfaced, a Bucks Scorpion knife clamped in his mouth. He climbed ashore, revealing even more ammunition, and panted slightly, "This isn't a good thing…carrying so many weapons, if we run into government forces, they'll think we're drug traffickers or guerrillas. And if we encounter guerrillas or drug traffickers, they'll assume we're government soldiers. That's bound to cause big trouble. We've just started, and we've already run into both drug traffickers and guerrillas—these are the two largest and most dangerous factions in the jungles of Ecuador and Colombia. How did we get so unlucky?"
Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba said, "For now, we'll traverse the jungles of Ecuador. The Colombian guerrillas wouldn't dare cross the border river recklessly. They'd likely only send small groups of armed forces after us. In that case, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. The jungle is so dense; they may not be able to find us."
Zhang Li suddenly realized the severity of their situation, which far exceeded the scope of their initial mission planning. He looked around at their surroundings and said, "But, after all that weaving around in the river, we don't even know if we're in Colombia or Ecuador right now!"
Ba Sang checked the compass on his watch and said, "We need to head southeast. But now isn't the time to study the map. I'm worried they might use hunting dogs or something similar to track us down. Our immediate priority is to continue downstream for a few more kilometers. There are many waterways here, so they can't possibly search both banks simultaneously. That way, we can avoid the dogs tracking us. Come on, let's get the boat down there. I checked, and despite the bullet holes, it shouldn't affect its load-bearing capacity."
Stepping into the boat, Zhang Li said, "Regardless, having weapons is better than not having any. At least if we encounter armed forces, we can put up a fight. We won't end up being chased like that again." He glanced at the M4 in his hands and added, "These weapons are well-maintained. Once they dry off, they'll be ready for use. But speaking of that, Ba Sang, how did you know there was a waterfall here?"
Ba Sang looked at Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba, who was gazing back at the waterfall. Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba explained, "From the debris floating in the water, you could see that their speed had noticeably increased, indicating an elevation drop up ahead. And through the trees, you could tell that the dense forest thinned out significantly up ahead, suggesting the likelihood of a cliff or waterfall. But since we didn't hear any loud noise, I assumed the waterfall's drop wasn't too high. If we paddled against the current, the small boat could fall nearly flush with the waterfall. As for the speedboat behind us, being powered by a motor, even if they saw the waterfall, they wouldn't have time to turn. My plan was that once we were in the water, we'd have a chance to change our situation. I didn't expect the waterfall to be like this. But Ba Sang, how did you notice the waterfall ahead of time? When you warned us, the water's speed hadn't changed much."
Ba Sang replied, "It was the mist. The mist from the waterfall caused the sky above it to change color. You could easily see it through the trees. Also, in such a narrow river channel, they had no way to turn. They would have to shoot past us."
The boat began drifting downstream again. Onboard, the four of them checked their injuries. Most were just grazed by shrapnel, and the only one hit by a bullet was Yue Yang. However, he was fortunate; the bullet struck the knife holstered at his waist. Yue Yang had already swapped out the damaged, low-quality hunting knife for the Bucks Scorpion knife they had seized.
For the next hour, they had no mood to enjoy the scenery. They continued downriver, rowing with all their might. They estimated that they had covered another ten kilometers when they found a shallow area and docked. They pulled the boat ashore, camouflaged it well, and marked its location. They destroyed their tracks and released a scent in the air to confuse tracking dogs. After completing these precautions, the four of them, exhausted and carrying their large packs, headed deeper into the jungle.
Yue Yang looked at the sky. The moon hung high, but the sky was as bright as day, with no sign of darkness. He confidently said, "Even if they got the news, they probably wouldn't come chasing after us at this time."
"Yes." Zhang Qiangba agreed. All four of them knew that although night fell late here, once it was fully dark, experienced jungle dwellers wouldn't venture deep into uncharted territories. Many nocturnal animals would already be on the move, and they could pose very dangerous threats to unfamiliar visitors.
The jungle was dense with vegetation. Although they had done extensive research, faced with a forest that held seventy percent of the world's plant species, most of what they saw were plants they couldn't name. Tall, straight trees stood proud with massive, umbrella-like canopies; their branches intertwined, making the already dim twilight even darker. Occasionally, unknown animal calls echoed from deep within the woods—some melodious and gentle, some sharp and loud, some hoarse and deep. The variety of sounds created a natural symphony that was neither chaotic nor noisy but rather rhythmic and harmonious. However, within a twenty-step radius around them, there was a notable absence of animal sounds. Now and then, a rustling or the shadow of a small creature would dart back into its burrow, while the jungle's inhabitants watched these unfamiliar guests with caution from the shadows.
The four moved in a square formation: Zhang Qiangba at the front and center, Zhang Li and Yue Yang on either side, and Basang bringing up the rear. This arrangement was primarily to handle any large beasts or surprise attacks.
That day, they had flown into Quito at dawn, taken an eight-hour drive to Putumayo, gone on a shopping spree, and then immediately gotten into skirmishes with local drug dealers and Colombian guerrillas, without a single chance to catch their breath. Even with their robust physiques, carrying a heavy load of 30 to 40 kilograms made it difficult to breathe. Zhang Li gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, can we stop now? How much farther do we have to go? Something feels off with how the gear was distributed; I feel like my pack is heavier than yours."
Zhang Qiangba replied, "Could it be that it got waterlogged?" Although their hiking backpacks had double zippers and waterproof coatings, it wouldn't be surprising if they had taken on water during the intense plunge down the waterfall.
Yue Yang said, "No, we're too close to where we landed. If we cook here, we'll be discovered." In the wild, it's nearly impossible to cook without creating smoke, and a straight column of smoke is a sure way to give away one's position. Therefore, they had to find a deeper, more concealed spot in the jungle. The foliage would filter the smoke, making it less visible to distant enemies. Moreover, choosing a campsite was a matter of utmost caution; in this tropical rainforest, there were over seventy or eighty known poisonous species, along with countless dangerous carnivores. A moment of carelessness could be fatal.
They moved deeper into the dense forest, where the sky was already dark. Yue Yang surveyed the surroundings, and Zhang Li measured the distance between several large trees. Yue Yang asked, "Shall we camp here? What do you think?"
Zhang Li threw his heavy pack onto the ground, exhaled deeply, and said, "Not bad, let's camp here." Surrounding them were densely packed trees, each tens of meters tall, spaced about four to five meters apart. Beneath the trees were low-lying bushes, mostly thorny and spiky plants, with some patches of nameless grass no more than three inches tall. In such an environment, large carnivores couldn't easily push through the underbrush, and snakes couldn't conceal themselves. At least the risks posed by the jungle creatures were minimized.
Setting down their packs, the four of them, like children on a spring outing, momentarily forgot about the dangers of being pursued and began to release their pent-up energy. Zhang Li and Yue Yang used machetes to clear a space among the bushes and built a stove using mud and branches. Meanwhile, Zhang Qiangba and Basang were busy elsewhere in the woods. After a few chases, they returned with a captured Tasmanian devil. Not daring to use firearms recklessly, they had dispatched it with throwing knives. The campfire crackled, the wood popped, and even without seasoning, the half-charred aroma made their mouths water. Despite having various modern instant foods, compressed rations, and nutritional supplements in their backpacks, experience had taught them to preserve those supplies whenever possible for emergencies.
The water they drew from the river was purified through sedimentation, filtration, and boiling, then half-buried in the ground to cool. It carried a faint earthy fragrance, refreshing and soothing. After lying on the ground for a bit, Zhang Li gulped down half a bottle of water and then leapt to his feet. "Can we set up the camp now?" he asked. The four of them started moving again, some sitting, some standing.
Zhang Li took tools out of his backpack and selected a large tree with a trunk about one meter in diameter. The branches started around fifteen to sixteen meters up. He looped a thick rope around the tree and tied it to his waist. Grabbing both ends of the rope, he braced his feet against the trunk, using the rope to help himself stand on the tree trunk. Then, with a shake of his hands, the rope began to inch upwards. This process of shaking the rope and climbing continued until he reached a height of about ten meters. He chose a spot and hammered in a rivet, tightened the screws, and the rivet expanded at the tip, firmly anchoring itself into the trunk. Next, he attached a titanium alloy tube to the other end of the rivet and extended it section by section like a telescopic antenna. Meanwhile, the other three were repeating similar steps on different trees. Four tubes converged at the center of the four trees, forming a cross. Then, another four tubes connected the trees to form a square. Zhang Li continued upward, reaching a fork in the branches. He suspended himself upside down and secured the cross-section of the tubes with a socket joint. The result was a solid base.
Yue Yang and Basang brought back vine-like plants from other trees and the ground, hanging them on the square metal frame. Then, they gathered branches to reduce the gaps in the metal frame and sprayed it with a solidifying adhesive. Zhang Li jumped in the middle of the platform a couple of times, but not a single leaf or speck of dust fell, signaling that it was secure. The four of them then began constructing their shelter on this base. Once it was done, they had a ten-square-meter camouflaged treehouse.
For most people, this would have been quite a task, but for Zhang Qiangba and his team, setting up a treehouse in the air was no different from pitching a tent on flat ground. It took them about ten minutes to complete everything. If necessary, they could even extend the roof of the treehouse up to three or four meters high, making it possible to cook and stay inside the tent.
Yue Yang finished up by erasing the traces of their fire on the ground. Then, he sprayed a colorless chemical agent on the tree trunks, two meters above and below the camp, to prevent harmful insects or animals capable of climbing trees from disturbing their shelter. Task completed, he jumped up to the treehouse. Next to the shelter, they left a lookout platform about half a square meter in size, close to the trunk.
The tent was sprayed with camouflage colors and covered with some natural foliage, making it appear quite secure. However, Basang insisted that someone stay on the lookout, volunteering himself. He took a Steyr rifle and went out to stand guard. The other three, inside the treehouse, turned on a lamp and began studying the map. The cartographic map was not sufficiently detailed, so they needed to use satellite photos to determine their exact location. After comparing several maps, they concluded they were still in Ecuador and set the direction for the next day's journey.
Meanwhile, Veto had contacted Mo Jin, informing him that the guerrilla forces had suffered significant losses and that the situation was now beyond his control. The guerrillas had obtained information about Zhang Qiangba's group and had issued a kill order. For all of this, he could only apologize to his friend, saying there was nothing more he could do to help.
It was now completely dark. The people inside the camp had fallen asleep, while outside, Basang, holding his Steyr rifle, dozed off. The surroundings were eerily quiet, save for the occasional chirping of insects. Meanwhile, less than two hundred meters away from the camp, in the depths of the dense forest, a giant tree was bathed in a silvery glow under the moonlight. But on the trunk of this giant tree, something horrifying was silently unfolding. Spiders. Spiders of all kinds. Some were as large as a human palm, while others were as tiny as a grain of wheat. They came in a variety of colors: some were black like polished coal, some were a vivid red like freshly spilt blood, and others a blue with a sinister gleam. It was as if they had all been invited to a grand feast, converging en masse on this massive tree, tightly clinging to its enormous trunk. The tree, standing over twenty meters tall and with a diameter of more than two meters, now appeared to be wearing a furry spider cloak. Amidst the branches, there stood a gray figure—it was none other than Suorisi. He stood still, staring intently at the dark camp ahead, holding a book-sized device in his hand. Smiling, he muttered, "Hmm, not bad. Their camouflage is pretty good. It wouldn't be easy to spot them with the naked eye." The snake attack on Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba in the market was merely a distraction. What Suorisi truly needed was the malleable tracking tack in Bu Qi's hand. When Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba dodged the snake's attack, the tack had firmly embedded itself in the sole of his hiking shoe.
Undaunted by the terrifying creatures around him, Suorisi murmured, "They look quite exhausted, Bu Qi. If we attack now, they probably won't survive, right? None of them will make it out alive, will they?"
The monkey on his shoulder, wearing a flowery vest, shook the branch above its head and bared its teeth with a light "chirp-chirp." A few spiders lost their grip and tumbled from the tree. Suorisi reflected on how even someone like Ben could show such earnestness. What exactly did this group know that could pique Ben's interest to this extent? "Clang!" After much thought, Suorisi finally snapped the lid shut on the small stove-like box in his left hand. Without the source of the scent, the spiders seemed to awaken from a trance. Bewildered, they realized they were on the same tree as their natural enemies! The tree became a frenzy, spiders scattering in all directions like ants in a disturbed nest. Several spider species that preyed on other spiders wasted no time attacking their fellow arachnids. Suorisi, recalling an amusing thought, let out a grim smile and said, "But we can't let them off too easily, can we? Let's go, Bu Qi."
The monkey in the vest leaped first, grabbing a branch and skillfully swinging to the next tree. Suorisi drew out a long whip and, with a whoosh, expertly coiled it around another tree trunk, swinging lightly into the distance. His gray figure, illuminated by the moonlight, looked like a bat. Despite his withered frame, he possessed an unimaginable, almost demonic strength.
However, what Suorisi did not know was that inside the tent, Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba lay wide awake, his eyes wide open. He sensed danger, a danger unlike any he had ever felt before. This intense unease and heightened sense of alert were indescribable, even making the surrounding insect sounds terrifying. He wasn't someone who got nervous easily, but the feeling this time was far more intense than when he had encountered the highland hamsters in Kekexili. The only other time he had felt something like this was when he had seen those snake-like eyes.
Only after Suorisi left did Zhuo Mu Qiang Ba's tensed muscles finally relax. Although he didn't quite understand why, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his chest. However, his clothes were already soaked with sweat.