A Three-Person Journey
Only the five action team leaders knew that Li Bai and the two Thai Demonesses might receive special permission from the local authorities to leave early.
They had reached an unspoken agreement not to spread the news, to avoid stirring up unnecessary speculation and unsettling everyone for no reason.
After all, favors were limited. It was only natural for Li Bai to bring two other people along, and the two Demonesses weren't Chinese; they were there to provide friendly support, so there was nothing wrong with their leaving first.
People feared not scarcity but unfairness. Inevitably, someone might get stuck in a rut, turning green with envy and jealousy. If they insisted that Li Bai keep calling in favors so everyone could leave together, then setting aside the fact that they'd already used up their favors, there was a good chance they'd only anger the local authorities. A person who wasn't satisfied with what they had could swallow an elephant whole; if they were offered a favor and refused to appreciate it, then no one would be allowed to leave. They'd all have to stay a few more days!
And even if they were unhappy about it, what could they do? The Amazon rainforest was full of uncivilized people, and it wasn't Chinese territory. Acting however they pleased would only give others something to hold against them and make things worse.
In fact, they had food and drink here. No one had beaten or mistreated them. They just couldn't wander around freely, and at most they'd have to stay for a few days before regaining their freedom. It wasn't a matter of whether they were losing out or not.
But there were all kinds of birds in a big forest, and there were always some people who