I quietly whispered to Number 12 beside me, "It seems the dishes made from human flesh still smell just as fragrant as yesterday. Want to try some?"

Upon hearing this, Number 12's face instantly turned green; he clapped a hand over his mouth and bolted outside to start vomiting again.

Only when I saw he couldn't bring anything else up did I feel my joke had perhaps gone too far. At this rate, Number 12, who already weighed barely ninety jin, would probably lose another ten.

Number 2 seemed to have overheard my words to Number 12 and softly murmured, "Amitabha."

But I could see in his eyes an urge to sew my mouth shut with a needle.

I managed an awkward smile and could only look away.

Meanwhile, the bespectacled leader kept saying, "So delicious, truly delicious. Especially this cured preserved meat, it’s incredibly savory. Why don’t you fine PLA brothers try some?"

We all shook our heads, completely unwilling to say a word.

I thought to myself, you just keep eating. I’ll tell you what kind of meat it is after you’re done, and then we’ll see if you don’t vomit up your gall bladder.

Seeing that none of us had touched our chopsticks, the leader urged again, "It's alright if you don't want the meat; these other ingredients are very fresh too. Have a little something!"

I glanced at the vinegar-stirred cabbage and the tiger-skin peppers on the table, then looked over at Number 2.

He looked back at me, then slowly picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of cabbage, and began to chew it very delicately.

In truth, I was already starving. Looking at the cabbage, I thought, "This cabbage should be fine, right? It can't possibly be that even the cabbage was rooted up by zombies?"

So, I simply used my chopsticks to grab a large helping and put it in my mouth.

Finding the taste quite good, I ate two more pieces of the tiger-skin peppers, then picked up my bowl and said to Old Boss, "Boss, two bowls of dry rice, please!"

Old Boss answered in assent and went to scoop me a bowl of rice.

I finished the entire process of eating under Number 12's gaze. He kept his hand over his mouth, wanting to say something to me, but always stopping just short of speaking.

I took a sip of tea and said, "You can't eat, but you can certainly drink tea, can’t you? Otherwise, if your legs give out later, you won't even be able to walk."

Number 12 understood, picked up his tea, took a few sips, and his complexion improved significantly.

I nodded in satisfaction, then asked for two more bowls of rice and ate until I was full.

Half an hour later, everyone was satisfied with food and drink.

Although the people at the neighboring table had remained silent the entire time, merely watching us with cold eyes, it hadn't affected our appetites in the slightest.

At this point, the members of the exploration team suggested a rest after the meal and began inquiring about the Yuanmou Man from Old Boss.

To our surprise, Old Boss recounted the exact same story he had told us yesterday, word for word, to these amateur explorers.

I thought to myself, this Old Boss is truly something. Maybe his true identity is a robot, already operating on a fixed script.

After Old Boss finished speaking, the amateur explorers turned to the three of us and asked, "It seems the PLA forces haven't completely withdrawn; there are still three of you left. Could you tell us what exactly happened the night before last?"

I froze for a moment and glanced at Number 2.

Number 2 promptly responded, "Amitabha, this is a military secret."

Unexpectedly, this rather pretentious remark was interpreted as a signal by the bespectacled leader.

He quickly chimed in, "Oh, it’s about time we were going. This isn't the place for discussion."

With that, he led the group of amateur explorers, paid the bill, and hastily departed.

According to our prior agreement, we were supposed to guide this group to Old Man Li’s place and find a way to ditch them midway.

Although we felt somewhat indebted to them for their hospitality after sharing a meal, we couldn't gamble with the lives of these ordinary people.

Letting them live out their lives safely was the best way to repay them.

The three of us told these people that at the exit on the other side of the village, a family had captured a Yuanmou Man that was available for public viewing.

Everyone became very excited, chattering amongst themselves.

Seizing this opportunity, the three of us worked out a flawless plan to shake them off.

The plan was for Number 2 and me to pretend we were suffering from severe stomach cramps from the food we ate, and for Number 12 to stay behind.

Once we were clear, Number 12 would feign fainting. Given his sickly appearance, fainting was likely to be accepted without question.

When Number 12 collapsed, they would surely try to take him to a hospital. Finding none in the village, they would have to take him to the nearest town for treatment.

I had observed from the top of the Badlands Labyrinth that these people hadn't arrived on foot; several of their off-road vehicles were parked not far from where we encountered them.

Once they drove off, Number 12 could secretly swap places with a small animal by the roadside, and our mission would be accomplished.

After agreeing on the plan, Number 12 was extremely reluctant, but I finally said, "I noticed a few of the girls in their team look quite nice. Maybe they’ll give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when you faint!"

Although Number 12 didn't entirely believe me, he seemed swayed. He pursed his lips and finally agreed.

With the arrangement settled, and seeing we weren't far from our destination, I clutched my stomach and exclaimed, "No! My stomach hurts! Is there a restroom anywhere around here?"

The leader's glasses-wearing face showed concern when he saw how violently I was clutching my stomach. He rushed forward, asking, "Comrade soldier, are you alright? Why the sudden stomach trouble?"

While feigning an expression of agony, I replied, "It must be that the food we just ate wasn't washed properly!"

Just as I finished speaking, a woman stepped forward and said, "My family runs a hospital. I have some very potent anti-diarrhea medicine here. Would you like some…"

Before she could finish her sentence, she let out a loud pfft of a fart, then bent over clutching her stomach, saying, "It really hurts! I knew there was something wrong with those dishes!"

Before I could react, everyone was doubled over in pain, demanding to find a toilet.

Knowing something was seriously wrong, I realized the food had indeed been poisoned, or perhaps, eating human flesh naturally caused this reaction?

Seeing them writhing in severe pain, rolling on the ground, I quickly snatched the medicine from the previous young woman and administered it to everyone.

After taking the medicine, the pain immediately subsided somewhat, but the fundamental problem wasn't resolved.

Since we were unfamiliar with the area and there was no one else on the street, we could only drag them to the woods outside the village for them to take care of their needs.

At this point, the group was a mixed gender mess, squatting on the ground and relieving themselves, instantly filling the air with a stench.

The three of us could only stand far away, looking at each other in astonishment.

We were supposed to be the ones faking stomachaches, but in the end, it was these people who genuinely got the runs. Life truly is full of sudden ups and downs!

At this moment, Number 12 asked me, "Should we leave now? While they're too weak to get up."

Number 2, however, chanted a Buddhist mantra, frowned, and said, "Amitabha. I wonder what drug Old Boss gave them. We should probably check if these people show any signs of poisoning first."

I stomped my foot and declared, "This perfectly good plan has been derailed by these baggage carriers. What rotten luck!"

As we were speaking, a sudden scream echoed from the depths of the woods, followed by shouts: "There’s a bear! Help! There’s a bear!"

The three of us forgot everything else and rushed back into the woods, only to see a group of people standing there with their trousers down, staring intently in one direction.

In the direction they were looking, there was a creature about two meters tall, covered entirely in dark, shaggy fur.

Although its features weren't entirely clear and it was partially obscured by trees, we could clearly make out that the creature was Da Zhu!

Da Zhu stood behind a row of smaller trees, perfectly still, revealing only one eye as if spying on the crowd.

I said to Number 2, "How did this guy turn into a werewolf in broad daylight? Look at his expression; it’s very strange. Could he be dangerous?"

Number 2 frowned and instructed, "Everyone get behind me! The Yuanmou Man you wanted to see is right there; they are ruthless devils!"

Upon hearing this, everyone became excited. No one bothered pulling up their pants; instead, they all pulled out their cameras to photograph Da Zhu hiding behind the tree.

Because the light was dim, many people started using their flash functions.

I opened my mouth, sensing something was amiss, but before I could utter a word, Da Zhu was enraged by the camera flashes. He roared toward the sky like a grizzly bear and charged toward the crowd on all fours.

I don't know where Da Zhu got such speed, but he instantly reached one of the male explorers and raised a claw to strike down toward the man's head.

I saw that the blow carried the force of a thousand jun; if it landed, it would likely splatter brains everywhere.

So, out of necessity, I activated my psychic power, grasping Da Zhu's hand from thin air.

Although his hand stopped, the sudden, fierce gust of wind knocked the explorer backward onto the ground.

I don't know if his pants weren't properly secured, but he ended up wetting himself.

I truly couldn't bear to watch. I thought, with this level of cowardice, who even attempts an expedition!

While maintaining my hold on Da Zhu’s hand, I strode over, grabbed the explorer by the collar, and tossed him behind me.

Then I met Da Zhu’s gaze and asked, "Why did you run out? Where is your father?"

Da Zhu seemed aware of my power and immediately restrained himself. Then, all the hair on his body receded, revealing his true appearance.

When the crowd saw this transformation, there was a chorus of gasps, and they once again tried to raise their cameras.

However, this time, Number 12 stood in front of them, saying, "One or two photos are enough. You’ve seen the Yuanmou Man; it’s time to leave, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, I suddenly noticed the height of the bespectacled leader directly facing Number 12 began to increase, and his build gradually widened. The sight was incredibly bizarre.