Jungle Survival Knowledge

"I've had enough! Don't you mercenaries have brains? Don't you listen to experts? I told you all before we left, I'm the jungle survival expert for this expedition. Just listen to me, and what did you all do? Attacked everything in sight. Do you even know what you were dealing with? If you don't know, then shut up and be cautious!"

After escaping a considerable distance, Mr. York finally managed to gather the scattered members of the group.

Finding a relatively flat spot to rest, Mr. York proceeded to berate the three surviving mercenaries.

Perkin had initially considered trying to mediate, thinking they would need the mercenaries' protection for the rest of the journey. However, recalling the recent danger, he ultimately shook his head and abandoned the idea, letting Mr. York vent his frustration.

After nearly ten minutes of scolding, Mr. York pointed at the mercenary leader and said, "Control your subordinates, including yourself. Wait for me to speak before doing anything. Even if you notice something wrong, wait for my command before acting, understand?"

Watching the three surviving mercenaries nod obediently, Liu Zhi inexplicably felt like a teacher disciplining his students.

Soon, however, Mr. York's gaze shifted to Liu Zhi. He spoke without preamble, "We don't have a boat anymore, so take out your map. I need to see it to figure out our route."

At this point, the local guides also gathered around, as did Perkin and Lloyd.

Liu Zhi frowned, but eventually produced the map.

Before Liu Zhi could unfold it, Mr. York snatched it away. Spreading it out, he beckoned to the guides and Perkin, "We are here. Next, we need to cut through this jungle to this point, and from there, we can reach our initially planned landing spot. Hey, what's this symbol?"

Hearing Mr. York's impolite tone, Liu Zhi snatched the map back. "A danger symbol. It means the core area of this forest is extremely dangerous and a direct route is not recommended. If I were you, I'd stick to the riverbank."

"No, that won't give us enough time. Mr. Perkin requires us to reach the landing point by noon tomorrow. That way, we can arrive at the designated location on time. If we follow the river, we won't make it even if we travel through the night. We must go straight through this jungle. I'm keeping the map for now. Let's move."

Mr. York reached out to grab the map again, but Liu Zhi deftly moved it behind his back, simultaneously pointing his thin rapier at Mr. York's face.

"We had an agreement."

Mr. York frowned, then drew his own weapon, a dagger. However, Liu Zhi believed it was primarily for foraging in the jungle.

"Hand over the map. I don't have time to argue with you."

"I don't have time either." Liu Zhi began to shift his stance, waiting for Mr. York to make the first move.

Perkin, understanding Liu Zhi's intentions – that the Z-Secret Sword was a defensive technique and they couldn't afford to lose their jungle survival expert – stepped between them, holding up his cane. "You saw the map just now. Our objective is clear. Let's not waste time here."

Perkin's words made it impossible for Mr. York to insist further. He shot Liu Zhi a fierce glare before organizing the group.

"Lai, you take the lead. You're the scout, right? Follow Lai. Mr. Perkin, you and Lloyd will stay with me. The rest of you, bring up the rear. Be careful and don't fall too far behind. If something happens and you're too far away, I can't save you."

Under Mr. York's arrangement, the formation became: the local guides and the female knife-thrower at the front, Mr. York, Mr. Perkin, and Lloyd in the middle, with Liu Zhi, the mercenary leader, and the mercenary swordsman bringing up the rear.

However, as they advanced, the formation was quite chaotic. Mr. York would frequently dart ahead to check the immediate surroundings for safety. The mercenary leader, having lost most of his gear, didn't dare stray too far from the group, with the three of them essentially trailing behind Perkin.

Perhaps it was due to their prolonged silence on the ship that the mercenaries had become overly bold. Once in the jungle, Mr. York's mouth was rarely still.

"Wait, don't attack. I know you saw a snake there, but it's not dangerous. Let's not provoke it..."

"Careful! Didn't you see the bright colors? This kind of red frog is highly poisonous. Even a small touch can kill an adult instantly..."

"It's fine, just a common spider, it just looks a bit ugly..."

"Don't go near that. That plant is poisonous. Yes, the one with the broad leaves. Let's go around it..."

[Ding! Received expert guidance on-site, learned Jungle Survival Knowledge, currently Level 1!]

[Jungle Survival Knowledge Level 1: Basic mastery of survival knowledge in the jungle, ensuring your survival in a dangerous environment.]

[Description: The most crucial aspect of surviving in a primitive jungle isn't what you can do, but what you cannot do. Only by knowing what is dangerous can you better survive.]

Liu Zhi, who was walking, was startled by the sudden notification. He then realized that something new seemed to have appeared in his mind – an ability to orient himself and detect dangers in the forest.

This feeling was different from the muscle soreness he experienced when learning Sailor's Basic Swordsmanship or Sailing Skill. This was a purely academic passive skill.

Upon learning it, it wasn't like a flood of knowledge was poured into his brain. Instead, he instinctively knew what to do, as if he had already lived in the jungle for some time.

This feeling surprised Liu Zhi, but he quickly calmed himself and listened intently to Mr. York's explanations.

At the same time, Liu Zhi would secretly collect useful items, such as medicinal herbs that Mr. York hadn't pointed out but he discovered through his Jungle Survival Knowledge.

Liu Zhi's actions attracted the attention of the mercenary leader, who approached him and asked, "What did you just pick?"

"Some herbs."

Liu Zhi intensely disliked this mercenary leader. He still remembered the throwing axe the leader had hurled at him on the ship. If the giant snake hadn't been chasing them so fiercely, Liu Zhi would have wanted to kill the guy on the spot.

Just as the mercenary leader was about to say something, Mr. York suddenly stopped. "Something's wrong. Everyone be extra careful."

Liu Zhi followed Mr. York's gaze and his expression stiffened. He saw a snake path, almost impossible for a normal person to spot. Judging by its size, there was a creature here no smaller than the giant snake in the river.