"Wild Man" Trail Suspected

As dawn broke, the people at the makeshift camp began packing up their equipment and collecting their trash, preparing to begin the search as planned.

Team Leader Li also got up early, quickly washed his face and rinsed his mouth with water, and then began to check on the team's situation while eating his compressed rations.

Although the company kept everything from them and didn't explain anything clearly, which made Team Leader Li a little unhappy when carrying out tasks, it has to be said that the treatment was quite good, so much so that he could completely ignore this unpleasant feeling.

Not only do they receive generous compensation and benefits, but they also receive substantial fieldwork allowances and bonuses. When they go on missions, the equipment and supplies they are provided with are also quite comprehensive.

Like this compressed dry food in my hand, it's something you can't buy on the market. It was specially developed and made for them by the company's R&D department. Apart from the expiration date, there's nothing on the packaging.

In fact, Team Leader Li suspected that this kind of thing was probably something the highly paid researchers in the R&D department came up with themselves when they were bored. Otherwise, even if it didn't sell well on the market, they could still get a lot of orders and revenue by cooperating with the military. These compressed rations were much tastier than the standard products he used to eat.

In less than an hour, the team had finished packing up. After they left, apart from the traces of their camping, there was no litter left on the spot.

"Dr. Fang, please take a look at today's search plan. Is there anything that needs to be modified?"

Team Leader Li handed a very heavy tablet computer to the female PhD student accompanying him, implying that he would follow her advice.

Dr. Fang looked to be in his thirties, with skin not much fairer than Team Leader Li's. His features were also rather rugged, giving him a somewhat masculine appearance. However, his efficiency in doing things was in no way inferior to that of the male team members who had military experience.

She glanced at the tablet, didn't take it, and said, "Mr. Liang's approval is enough."

Team Leader Li reluctantly put away his tablet. Actually, arranging the search plan was within his authority, and he didn't need to ask Dr. Fang's opinion. The reason he asked was to use this as a pretext to start a conversation with Dr. Fang. Once she offered her opinion, he could naturally ask for more information. Although he felt that these researchers who had previously worked in the lab might not know everything, they should know more than those of them who were on fieldwork.

A few minutes later, Team Leader Li and Mr. Liang spoke via satellite.

Their search methods are rather unique because most of them don't actually know what they're looking for.

Four team members on the ground carried cameras, while three small drones in the air, also carrying cameras, searched and filmed everywhere, transmitting the footage to "Mr. Liang" thousands of miles away via a drone platform at a higher altitude.

Mr. Liang can choose which camera to switch to for viewing, or view all the footage simultaneously.

Generally speaking, unless there are obvious signs of abnormality or Mr. Liang gives the order directly, they will walk quickly along the planned route without needing to conduct a detailed search.

But deep in the Qinling Uninhabited Zone Mountains, while searching for unknown creatures whose specific nature was unknown, Team Leader Li dared not relax his vigilance in the slightest, constantly observing the surrounding environment and the situation of his team members through various devices.

This search continued for five days. Just as Team Leader Li was calculating the consumption of supplies and felt that this expedition into the mountains might be fruitless, Mr. Liang issued his first order to change the search plan.

A few hours later, Mr. Liang issued another instruction to conduct a "thorough investigation" of an area.

At this point, Dr. Fang and his team of researchers took the stage, while Team Leader Li and his team members were responsible for perimeter security.

After setting up the perimeter, Team Leader Li cautiously approached Dr. Fang, looked at the large tree they were surrounding, and whispered, "What's wrong with this tree?"

This time, Dr. Fang didn't ignore his question. While watching several researchers collect samples, he replied, "He was drenched from above by some kind of highly corrosive liquid and is almost dead."

Team Leader Li looked up, frowning at the top of the half-blackened tree. "Was this done by someone? Or by the kind of creature we're looking for?"

Dr. Fang shook his head. "It's impossible to determine at the moment, but judging from the condition of this tree, it was attacked about ten days or even longer ago. Unfortunately, there have been several rainstorms in the Qinling Mountains during this period, and most of the surrounding traces have been washed away."

"Whether it's a person or some other creature, pouring so much corrosive liquid down from above must be an ambush, right? And what about the target? If they were injured, wouldn't they at least have some marks? Didn't you notice that when you came over?" Team Leader Li judged based on his experience.

In terms of analyzing organisms or specific substances, he is certainly not as good as Dr. Fang. Fang and his colleagues, but when it comes to survival in the wild, adaptability, tracking, and dealing with enemies, he is far superior to them.

"Nothing was found," Dr. Fang said, as he slowly controlled a drone to approach the top of the tree to take pictures and observe.

Mr. Liang's unpleasant voice came through the communicator. "Collect the necessary samples. Don't spend too much time here. Using this tree as the center, conduct a search in three directions, starting from the east."

Mr. Liang gave the order, and both Team Leader Li and Dr. Fang naturally complied.

Team Leader Li's curiosity about this strangely voiced "Mr. Liang" was no less than that about the unknown creature they were currently investigating.

It's worth noting that after he was introduced to the company's special department, he even met Lu Cheng'an, the founder and chairman of "Shenxing Technology," who was rarely heard of outsiders. However, he had only heard of "Mr. Liang" but never met him in person.

However, Chairman Lu had instructed that their department was entirely under the control of "Mr. Liang," and everyone had to follow "Mr. Liang's" instructions.

Team Leader Li looked at Dr. Fang, who was working silently ahead of him, and couldn't help but wonder if these researchers working in the lab had ever seen "Mr. Liang" before.

But he certainly wouldn't ask any questions at this moment, because he was wearing a communication device and Mr. Liang could hear everything he said. Inquiring about the unknown creature could be considered for his own safety. But inquiring about Mr. Liang would likely cross the line, falling under the category of "information beyond his listening privileges."

Before sunset, they found another very peculiar "trace".

It was half a footprint, and it was clearly a human footprint.

However, the only relatively obvious mark is on the edge of the thumb; the rest is blurred.

This was because the footprints were obscured by the protruding rocks and surrounding weeds, and had not been completely washed away by the previous heavy rains.

"Tell your people not to wander around; there might still be footprints elsewhere," Dr. Fang immediately instructed Team Leader Li.

Team Leader Li responded and used the radio to notify the team members around him to stay put, be on alert, and pay attention to the surrounding situation.

"Judging from these footprints, they must have been there for quite some time," Team Leader Li remarked, observing from the side.

"Scan this footprint and check the surrounding area for any other traces," Mr. Liang instructed.

Although it may seem like just an ordinary human footprint, its appearance in the Qinling Uninhabited Zone is highly suspicious.

What kind of person would walk barefoot in these deep mountains and forests?

Even for a well-equipped and experienced team like theirs, it would take considerable effort to get here. I doubt any solo tourist would have the ability or courage to do so—especially without shoes.

"Could it be a savage?" Team Leader Li asked tentatively. Based on the size of the thumb on the footprint, he made a preliminary judgment that the owner of the footprint was a tall adult male.

Mr. Liang remained silent, and Dr. Fang, focused on scanning the footprints, also did not respond.

In the past, to collect these footprints in the wild, liquid paraffin would be used to make an impression for preservation. But now it's not that complicated. A portable scanner can scan the footprints, record the details, and then a 3D printer can be used to recreate them later.

After carefully taking photos of the surrounding area, the researchers began to shovel up the soil from the footprints and collect it.

Walking barefoot in such places can easily leave behind body tissue residue.

Watching Dr. Fang and several researchers slowly search the surroundings, trying to find more traces and other clues, Team Leader Li felt inexplicably excited.

If it weren't for some unfortunate tourist who ran into this place and ruined their shoes, leaving them to walk barefoot, then it's very likely that the owner of these footprints actually lived deep within this Qinling Uninhabited Zone.

Could the unknown creature they're investigating actually resemble a human?

But how were the wounds on the dead wild boar in the video filmed by the streamer caused?

Is it a bow and arrow?

So, is there a hermit living deep in the mountains and forests?

What's so special about this wild man?

Team Leader Li didn't believe that "Shenxing Technology" would spend so much money just to find the savages. Moreover, judging from his previous experience leading the team on field missions, it was definitely not just about finding savages.

"I hope that guy is still around."

Team Leader Li inspected the tranquilizer gun used to deal with large wild beasts and tightened his tactical gloves.

Unfortunately, after searching for a long time, although they found several mud pits that resembled footprints, none of them had a relatively complete shape like the previous footprint.

However, this also proves from another angle that the footprints were unlikely to have been left by a tourist who had to go barefoot because their shoes were worn out.

"Continue searching eastward," Mr. Liang instructed again.

A day later, with Mr. Liang's suggestion, they discovered a cave in the cliff face.

They first used a drone to check for safety, and then prepared for more than an hour before slowly entering the cave from above.

Team Leader Li was one of the three who entered the cave. The cave was not large or deep, and it was filled with a very complicated stench. After confirming that there were only some animal remains in the cave and that there was no danger, he asked Dr. Fang to lead the people down.

As they helped Dr. Fang, who was descending the rope, remove his safety harness at the cave entrance, Team Leader Li frowned and looked around the cave, wondering, "Is this the 'wild man's' den? How did he get in?" Clearly, under Mr. Liang's instructions, he had subconsciously come to believe that this cave was the den of the "wild man" who left his footprints.

Shortly after Dr. Fang and several researchers entered the cave, they reached their conclusion:

No fatal wounds were found on the dead birds in the cave; they seemed to have come to the cave to die. Judging from the degree of decomposition, they had been dead for about half a month.

Dr. Fang and his team did not conduct a detailed examination here. After simply taking photos and recording the scene, they packed up the remains and hoisted them up the cliff using ropes.

"This is a bit strange..." After wandering around the cave for a while, Team Leader Li felt increasingly uneasy because he couldn't find any trace of human life—not even "wild men."

Then he stopped in front of a corner inside the cave, shining his tactical flashlight on a piece of wood carving in the corner...?

"Dr. Fang, come and take a look at this."

Team Leader Li didn't dare to inspect the birds directly, but instead called out to Dr. Fang. Fang, who was directing other researchers to bag the bird carcasses.

Dr. Fang came over upon hearing the noise, frowned upon seeing the wooden carving tossed in the corner and asked, "What is this?"

She carefully checked her surroundings and, after confirming that there was nothing unusual, picked up the wooden carving with her gloved hands.

It's described as a wood carving, but it's actually very rough. It's clearly made from a piece of wood that was just randomly broken off, and it's only about the size of a fist.

The lower half is the broken surface of the wood, clearly broken by brute force rather than sawn with a tool, while the upper half is carved with a cartoon rabbit that is grinning.

This can only be described as a rough draft; it hasn't been polished at all, and it doesn't look like it was carved with specialized tools. Rather, it looks like it was "chiseled" out with sharp teeth, making the rabbit look very eerie.

"That was carved by a 'savage'? Could it be the deity it worships?" Team Leader Li murmured. "Dr. Fang, have you seen this rabbit shape before? I don't recall ever hearing of any civilization using a rabbit as its totem?"

Dr. Fang shook his head, displayed the wood carving in front of the camera, and slowly rotated it so that Mr. Liang could see the whole thing.

"Bring it back," Mr. Liang said simply, offering no judgment on the wood carving.

After packing up and hoisting up all the valuable items in the cave, Team Leader Li and Dr. Fang also left the cave.

Back on the cliff top, Team Leader Li pulled up a map on his tablet, working on a follow-up search plan centered on the cave while calculating how many days their supplies would last—food and water weren't a problem, but the energy for many devices, including the small drones, was an issue. He considered whether to ask Mr. Liang for assistance in sending people in from outside, along with some essential supplies.

After all, it seems they are getting closer and closer to the unknown creature they are searching for.

This was the first time he had felt this way during all his fieldwork assignments.

But unexpectedly, Mr. Liang suddenly spoke up, "That's enough, let's withdraw."

Not only Team Leader Li, but even the usually taciturn Dr. Fang subconsciously replied, "But we've already found clues..."

Mr. Liang, unusually, added, "It's very dangerous; you can't handle it."

Is it dangerous?

Team Leader Li glanced at the equipment he and his team members were carrying. Even if they encountered a pack of wolves, or even ferocious beasts like bears, lions, and tigers, they could easily handle it. Even if they encountered a team of fully armed bandits, with their current equipment, they would surely be able to spot them in advance, and they might not necessarily be outmatched.

Why did Mr. Liang feel it was dangerous?

Then why did he spend so much money hiring them to investigate?

Or are they just conducting the investigation, and there are other teams they don't know about that are actually responsible for capturing unknown creatures?

Although he had many questions in his mind, he did not ask any further, because he knew that Mr. Liang would definitely not answer.

After Team Leader Li and Dr. Fang assigned the task of carrying the "samples" packed out of the cave, the team began to move in the direction they had recalculated as the fastest way out.

That night, Team Leader Li skillfully arranged the guard posts and campsites. After telling his deputy that he would take the second half of the night shift, he went to bed early in his sleeping bag to rest.