Blood Orchid

Frank's joining made Meng Zu very happy, but he had not forgotten why he had come today. "Randy, have there been any unusual contracts lately?"

"Unusual ones? Let me think." Randy tapped her fingers against the bar as she pondered. "Ah, yes. Five days ago, Jack Byron, the founder of Byron-Mitch Biotech, wanted to hire someone to protect them on a trip into the primeval forests of Borneo. The pay is a little low, though—only a hundred thousand dollars. Are you interested?"

"Borneo? What are they going there for?" Meng Zu asked. As a mercenary, no matter what contract he took on, he first had to determine whether it suited him.

"You really should read the news and newspapers more often." Randy looked at Meng Zu helplessly. "Byron-Mitch Biological Company's business has been declining over the past two years, and their recent new drug development has run into problems as well. I heard that their major shareholder, Weihe Ventures, wants to sell Byron-Mitch Biological Company. This trip into Borneo's primeval forest is probably for new drug research."

Why did that sound so familiar? Meng Zu could not help feeling puzzled. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'm quite interested in this contract. Have they left yet?"

"I'll ask." Randy left the bar to make a phone call.

"Frank, this is my company's address. Come over directly tomorrow morning. I'll be at the office at eight." Meng Zu wrote down the address of the Free Detective Agency for Frank.

"See you tomorrow morning, then. I'll get going first." Frank accepted the address, drained his drink in one gulp, paid for it, and got up to leave the bar.

After a while, Randy returned and said to Meng Zu, "They haven't left yet. I've already recommended you to them. Go directly to New York Airport at ten tomorrow morning; they'll be waiting for you there. This is Jack Byron's phone number. Call him when you get to the airport."

"Thanks, Randy. I'll be going now." Meng Zu took the slip of paper with the phone number on it, left ten dollars behind, and got up to leave the bar.

The next morning, Meng Zu got up early and took a taxi to the office at eight. The moment he got out, he saw Frank waiting not far outside the building. Meng Zu brought Frank upstairs, introduced him to Yang Hai, and had Yang Hai familiarize Frank with the company's operations.

Meng Zu then hurried to New York Airport and found Jack's group by phone. Jack was somewhat surprised to see that Meng Zu was a young Asian man, but he did not look down on him because of it. Meng Zu had been recommended by Randy, whose reputation in the mercenary business had always been excellent.

Soon, the group boarded a plane and set off. Since the journey was long, it was already eleven at night by the time they landed in Borneo. They first found a hotel to stay in.

Including Meng Zu, there were seven people in the group. After dinner, they were all gathered in one room. Having chatted with them on the plane, Meng Zu had gained a preliminary understanding of the other six people's identities.

Jack's group consisted of four men and two women, three Black and three white. Jack Byron was both the founder and chief scientist of Byron-Mitch Biological Company, and he had organized this operation.

The other three men were Gordon Mitchell, Kerr Burroughs, and Ben Douglas. Gordon Mitchell and Kerr Burroughs were both Black. Gordon Mitchell was the financial manager for this operation, responsible for overseeing its funds.

Kerr Burroughs was an engineer and technician responsible for the equipment used during the operation.

Ben Douglas was a white man and the team's doctor.

Of the remaining two women, one was a Black woman named Gailstein. She was also a scientist, but she was simultaneously Weihe Ventures' representative, responsible for reviewing the operation's progress.

The last was a young, beautiful blonde named Sham Rogers, Jack's research assistant.

Meng Zu looked at Jack and said, "Jack, can you tell me what we're actually looking for now?"

Meng Zu had asked Jack what they were searching for on the plane, but Jack had insisted on keeping it secret and said he would tell him once they arrived in Borneo.

Jack said, "We're looking for a plant called the Blood Orchid. It grows in Borneo's primeval forests. The greatest dangers in those forests are the wild animals, which is why I hired Randy to find someone to protect us. Meng Zu, our safety is in your hands this time."

Blood Orchid! No wonder it seemed so familiar—it was Anaconda. I can barely remember the movie's plot, but I do remember that the Blood Orchid seemed capable of extending cellular lifespan. The snakes in the film grew so enormous because eating the Blood Orchid prolonged their lives, allowing them to keep growing larger and larger.

This is good stuff. Maybe I can get a few flowers for myself. Looks like I came to the right place this time. Thinking of the Blood Orchid's effects, Meng Zu could not help feeling tempted.

"No problem. I'll do my best to keep you safe." Meng Zu nodded at Jack. He now understood why the system had assigned such a high number of Contract Points to this mission.

Contract mission: Protect Jack and the other six people as they safely leave Borneo's primeval forest. Contract Points: 100–600 (100 points deducted for each death).

The main danger of this mission came from those Giant Pythons. Their massive bodies meant their strength was beyond question, and their vitality had to be formidable as well. In a primeval forest, a Giant Python posed a far greater threat than a small gang. No wonder each of Jack's group was worth one hundred Contract Points.

Meng Zu asked the group, "So where are we heading tomorrow?"

Jack answered, "Palan Province. It isn't too far away—around three hours by car."

At that moment, Gale spoke up. "Jack, have you made plans for tomorrow?"

"My plan is to go to Palan Province tomorrow, find a local guide, rent a boat, and head upriver to search for the Blood Orchid," Jack explained.

Meng Zu raised an eyebrow and said skeptically, "Are you sure? It's the rainy season now. Once it rains, the river will become very dangerous. Under those circumstances, locals usually won't take boats out."

Jack said confidently, "Don't worry. As long as we offer enough money, someone will definitely be willing to take us upriver."

Seeing the six of them looking so unconcerned, Meng Zu was speechless. These people had no idea what the rainy season meant for a tropical rainforest. It looked like he would have to be more careful this time, lest these idiots get themselves killed.

Meng Zu said, "Fine. But once we get to Palan Province tomorrow, we'll also need to find someone selling weapons."

"Why do we need to find a weapons dealer? Are we buying weapons too?" Sam asked Meng Zu in confusion.

Meng Zu: (;￢＿￢)

Was this girl really that naive?

Meng Zu looked at Sam as though she were an idiot. Jack stepped in to smooth things over and explained, "There are many dangerous wild animals in the primeval forest. We need to buy some weapons for self-defense."

"Alright, now that the plan is settled, get some rest. We're leaving early tomorrow morning." At last, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.