Watching the giant snake lying helplessly on the ground, Wang Xu and Sand Scorpion finally relaxed their taut nerves and let out long breaths.
Snow Fox stepped out from behind a tree, gave Amon a thumbs-up, and grinned. "Brother, that was something."
With the danger gone, Wang Xu finally had time to think over what had just happened. He could not help studying Amon with an uncertain, suspicious gaze, wondering whether he possessed some Spirit Word that could conceal himself.
But hadn't the young master said he was an ordinary person? Could he actually have a bloodline, or had it remained dormant until awakening in this moment of danger?
"Are there only a few of you left?" Amon asked. "Where are the others?"
A shadow crossed Sand Scorpion's face. The man, who carried himself like a soldier, gently shook his head. "None of them escaped... They all died at the hands of that Feathered Serpent last night."
Amon fell silent for a moment before saying quietly, "My condolences."
Snow Fox forced out a smile. "Look on the bright side, man. At least we completed the mission. We'll bring their compensation to their families, and they can rest easy in heaven."
Sand Scorpion's voice was hoarse. "People like us are probably headed for hell."
Wang Xu took a device shaped like an old-fashioned phone from his pocket. It had only a red button protected by a transparent plastic cover. He flipped open the cover, pressed the button hard with his thumb, then put it away.
Seeing Amon's questioning look, he explained:
"A custom alchemical transmitter. In this signal-less jungle, it can instantly send out one high-powered message. It's disposable; once it's used, the circuits burn out.
"Now we just wait. The transport helicopters arranged by the young master should arrive in