Ambush

After entering the correct river channel, most people relaxed. They were on the right path now, and things were expected to proceed smoothly.

The jungle survival expert then gathered the mercenaries and began explaining the various dangers they would face next.

If he were entering alone, the jungle survival expert might not have bothered with such trouble. He was confident he could navigate this jungle back and forth on his own. However, protecting a boat and nearly ten people required assistance.

"We've now entered the jungle zone. From this point on, we need to be careful with every step. There are too many dangers in this jungle beyond our imagination. We can't eliminate all of them; all we can do is be extremely cautious. First, you need to check if anyone is injured. Anyone with a scent of blood counts. This is crucial for survival in this jungle. Some dangers in the jungle are incredibly sensitive; even a hint of blood can attract trouble."

Several mercenaries had combat experience in the wild. They knew that the scent of blood carried by the wind could attract trouble, but the jungle expert's serious tone made them pay close attention.

The mercenary leader stepped forward and questioned everyone on the boat in detail. Only then did the jungle survival expert speak sternly.

"Very good. Since no one is injured, we've overcome our two biggest hurdles: the Army Ants and the Blood Mosquitoes. These are insidious creatures that are hard to guard against. As long as they don't detect us, I can guarantee everyone will return safely."

At this point, the jungle survival expert added, "Also, if you don't want to be gnawed down to the bone, avoid the water if you can."

Several mercenaries nodded in agreement, indicating they understood the jungle survival expert's meaning.

Subsequently, the jungle survival expert produced something resembling medicinal oil and handed it to the mercenaries, instructing them to spray it on themselves.

"Spray it every six hours. It will effectively mask your scent. If you don't want to spray it, stay in the cabin and don't come out."

"What about them?" the mercenary leader asked, holding the medicinal oil and pointing towards Perkin.

"They don't need to stand guard at night like us. It doesn't matter if they spray it or not. Alright, I'm going to get some sleep. Tonight, you'll need to arrange for someone to come with me for guard duty every two hours. I'll teach you the most basic nighttime dangers."

With that, the jungle survival expert went off to sleep. The others turned to deal with their own matters.

Meanwhile, Liu Zhi, who had served as a human map, returned to his assigned cabin and began practicing another aspect of the Z-Secret Sword.

Footwork practice.

Compared to the sword technique that could unleash three strikes with a single flick of the wrist, the footwork known as Night Strike Counter was the key to the Z-Secret Sword. Night Strike Counter could increase the user's evasion rate when facing an encirclement. Furthermore, for every successful evasion, the Z-Secret Sword would inflict double the counter-attack effect on the attacker.

From this perspective, the Z-Secret Sword could be considered a sword art that leveraged a delayed advantage.

Practicing sword swings in such a confined space was impossible. Liu Zhi naturally focused his energy on his footwork.

He practiced for nearly an hour. Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, he finally stopped, stretching his legs, preparing to rest before eating.

Just then, a scream suddenly echoed from the Deck.

Liu Zhi grabbed his rapier and rushed out of the cabin. As he emerged, he saw Lloyd, who had also rushed out upon hearing the scream.

After a glance at Liu Zhi, Lloyd quickly sprinted towards the Deck. Liu Zhi noticed that Lloyd was carrying a long rapier that gleamed with silver light.

Upon reaching the Deck, Liu Zhi found the mercenaries gathered by the ship's edge. Upon closer inspection, Liu Zhi noticed that the ship captain's second son was missing.

"What happened?" Perkin also emerged at this moment.

"It's like this. Earlier, William wanted to catch some fish for dinner. I thought the wind direction was good, and there was no need for someone to constantly watch the sails, so I let him go. But when I turned around, William was gone."

Although the captain was anxious, he understood this was not the time for crying. He did his best to explain the sequence of events.

After hearing the captain's words, the mercenaries rushed to the ship's edge and looked down. However, all they saw was the murky river water and nothing else.

At this moment, the jungle survival expert also arrived. He looked somewhat tense. After peering over the edge of the ship's Deck for a while, he finally said with a grim expression, "Did any of you hear any unusual sounds earlier?"

But no one had paid attention to such details.

The jungle survival expert's face grew solemn. "We've been targeted by something. It's unclear what it is yet. If it were just a wild beast, it would be fine; they wouldn't return once they're full. I'm just worried we've encountered something more dangerous."

Before the jungle survival expert could finish speaking, the captain angrily threw something.

"What do you mean 'they wouldn't return once they're full'? My William isn't food! Tell me what it was! I want to avenge William!"

"If you're so capable, go find it yourself! I didn't see anything, so how can I judge? There are crocodiles and anacondas in this river. Who knows what ate your son? You can either wait here, or we can keep moving forward. I'm not afraid of these things anyway."

Perkin walked over at this moment. He separated the captain and the jungle survival expert, who were acting like fighting cocks, and then turned to the jungle survival expert. "Mr. York, what's the probability that this was a wild animal?"

"Sixty percent. It's just that I don't quite understand how William was swallowed so instantaneously. Logically, William wasn't weak; there's no reason for him to disappear so quickly."

While the jungle survival expert was puzzled, Liu Zhi also arrived at the ship's edge. He stood at the spot where William had been fishing and carefully examined some details.

The boat had stopped now. Looking down from here, apart from the river water, there was nothing unusual.

However, William's fishing gear was still here. Liu Zhi casually picked up the fishing rod and squeezed it. It was made of ordinary wood, and a piece of raw meat was still attached.

Liu Zhi picked up the raw meat and sniffed it, a strong fishy odor hitting him.

"Mr. York, what do you think this smell is?"

Mr. York took the item from Liu Zhi and sniffed it. He said dismissively, "He mixed egg into the meat. Wait, egg… I think I understand… Let's leave immediately! We can't stay here! Hurry!"