Leo just smiled, thinking to himself that he had used spiritual power, which was far beyond ordinary massage.
After a while, Leo said, “Monica, I don’t think we need to waste time on the outskirts of the Primeval Forest.”
“Hmm… what do you mean…” Monica was so comfortable she didn’t want to speak.
Leo stopped massaging and looked at Monica seriously, “Let’s go into the Primeval Forest, the so-called Death Forest by the villagers. I have a hunch that the virus host is inside.”
Monica actually had the same thought. Since Leo suggested it, she didn’t hesitate and nodded, “Then we’ll enter the Primeval Forest tomorrow!”
At that moment, in another tent not far from Leo’s, Dante was playing chess with a member of the Clotho Syndicate.
The mixed-race man Gaige lifted the tent flap and walked in. Seeing Dante engrossed in the game, he mockingly said, “Dante, I’ve got bad news for you.”
“What bad news?” Dante asked without turning his head.
“The woman you like is doing that kind of thing with someone else.”
Dante’s hand paused in mid-air. He turned to look at Gaige, frowning, “What do you mean? What are you talking about!?”
“I mean, your crush Monica is with that Atrarian man!” Gaige’s face showed an evil expression.
“Impossible! Don’t talk nonsense!” Dante stood up abruptly, his eyes glaring at Gaige like a viper. “How could Monica be interested in an Atrarian man!?”
Gaige stared into Dante’s eyes and sneered, “I heard it myself when I went to relieve myself. If you don’t believe me, you can go listen now. They’re probably still at it.”
The thought of his secret crush being with someone else was unbearable for Dante. He pushed Gaige aside and rushed out of the tent.
In Leo’s tent.
Monica said softly, “Dr. Bloomer, that felt so good earlier. Can you do it again?”
“Of course.”
“You must do this often for your wife?”
“Almost every night before bed.”
“Your wife is so lucky…”
Outside the tent in the darkness.
Dante’s face was livid, his fists clenched tightly.
“Shameless slut!” Dante screamed internally.
Gaige silently appeared beside Dante, speaking in a creepy tone, “Dear Dante, a woman like Monica isn’t worth your affection. Your heart should belong to me.”
As he spoke, Gaige reached out to hold Dante’s hand.
Dante violently shook off his hand and coldly said, “Gaige, give up. I’ll never like you!”
With that, Dante quickly walked back to his tent.
Watching Dante’s figure disappear into the darkness, Gaige’s eyes flashed with a cold light. He sinisterly said, “Dante, you will be mine sooner or later, and only mine!”
Early the next morning, Leo and Monica went directly to find the old village chief.
Upon hearing that Leo didn’t want Rory and Christopher to lead them, the old village chief looked puzzled, “Dr. Bloomer, is it because Rory and Christopher aren’t following your instructions?”
“Not at all. Rory and Christopher are very responsible, but they lack experience. So we want an older, more experienced villager as our guide,” Leo said half-truthfully.
“I see…” The old village chief thought for a moment. “Alright then, I’ll have Old Li take you into the mountains.”
Leo smiled, “Chief, I think Eugene should be our guide.”
“Eugene?” The old village chief was taken aback, thinking he had misheard. “Dr. Bloomer, are you sure? Eugene has been opposing you these past few days.”
“I’m sure. I’ve heard from the villagers that he survived alone in the forest for a month when he was young. His wilderness survival skills are strong,” Leo nodded.
The old village chief sneered, “He was hiding in the forest because he stole something! Fine, if you want him as your guide, I’ll ask if he’s willing.”
The old village chief turned around and called out to Eugene not far away.
Eugene trotted over with an awkward smile on his face. “Uncle, what’s up?”
“Eugene, Dr. Bloomer wants you to be their guide today. Are you willing?” The village chief took a puff of his pipe and asked directly.
“Be their guide?” Eugene glanced at Leo and Monica with a reluctant expression.
The old village chief glared at him. “What? You don’t want to?”
Eugene’s eyes darted around as he grinned cheekily. “Uncle, since it’s your request, I’ll do it.”
He then looked at Leo and Monica and said nonchalantly, “Get ready and follow me.”
Monica pulled Leo aside and whispered, “Dr. Bloomer, do you think that guy will take us into the Death Forest?”
Eugene didn’t know that Leo and Monica wanted to enter the Death Forest, so Monica was a bit worried.
Leo winked at her and smiled, “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to make him take us in.”
When they set off, Eugene called over a sharp-looking young man. Leo and Monica had no objections.
After leaving the camp, Eugene patted the young man’s shoulder and instructed him, “Brady, stay sharp on the road!”
“Don’t worry, Eugene,” the young man named Brady replied with a grin.
Near noon, as they approached the Primeval Forest, Leo called out to Eugene ahead of them.
“What’s wrong? Can’t walk anymore?” Eugene asked breathlessly as he turned around.
Leo walked up to him in a few steps and unfolded a map in front of him, pointing to an area. “Today we want to enter this area.”
Eugene looked at the area Leo pointed to and his face suddenly changed. He said sternly, “Didn’t my uncle tell you before? This part of the Primeval Forest is extremely dangerous!”
“I heard you’ve been there before. It shouldn’t be too dangerous,” Leo said with a smile.
Eugene’s expression changed several times before he resolutely said, “I did go there before. But now I’m not going in now.”
“We’re guides; you have to listen to us. If you insist on going in, we won’t be responsible for you,” Brady added.
Leo took off his backpack and pulled out a wad of cash. “I have twenty thousand dollars here. Take us in and it’s yours.”
Seeing the money in Leo’s hand, Eugene and Brady’s eyes lit up with greed written all over their faces.
As they say, people do crazy things for money. For villagers in the mountains, money is a huge temptation.