Chapter 9: Facing Peril

The vehicle's journey seemed endless, but as time passed, it became clear the road was turning rough and uneven—they were most certainly heading into the wilds. The ropes binding their hands and feet were tied brutally tight, likely in a pig-trotter knot, making escape impossible. Even if, by some miracle, they freed themselves, the van was surely locked tight.

Despondent, Qi Yan felt more and more aggrieved and unlucky with every passing mile. Yet there was no time left for complaints. No matter the anxiety gnawing at him, he had to focus on finding a way out of this predicament and danger.

“The truth is, our situation is more perilous than a simple kidnapping. These people are already guilty of serious crimes, and no matter what happens next, they absolutely won’t let us go alive—especially since you’ve had dealings with them before. If, as you say, they need something from you, then at least until they get it, we’re safe for the moment. But after that… It’s not just you; even I, an ignorant burden, will be killed in the end.”

“We’re in a cargo van, just the two of us in back, with two up front, and the black sedan we saw earlier, which seats at most five. Since they’re operating illegally, they won’t risk overfilling their vehicles—there can’t be more than seven of them in total.”

Qi Yan straightened up, analyzing quietly. “They’ve got cars, men, and at least electric batons. They dared kidnap us in broad daylight near the airport, and are bold enough to go after that so-called water corpse… It’s highly likely they’re armed.”

“We’re outnumbered, tied up, with no phones, and certainly no weapons. Judging by the bumpiness, we must be deep in the wilderness, heading for that place you mentioned—Haimu Ravine? I have no idea what kind of place that is, but you said there’s something dreadful in a lake there, something so sinister even ordinary folk can see it. If there were villages nearby, people would’ve discovered it long ago. So… our chances of escaping from them together, both of us, are less than one in ten.”

Li Lan listened closely, patient and attentive to his hushed analysis.

Qi Yan continued, “Still, even the slimmest hope is a turning point. We’re utterly passive now, like lambs to the slaughter. Don’t try to fight; it’ll only get us killed faster. I need to see the situation with my own eyes before plotting our escape, but luck will play the bigger part. Let me think… You said the water corpse is in the lake? There can’t be a road right up to it, so they’ll have to park and make us walk. At the very least, they’ll untie our legs—they won’t carry us two over rugged mountain paths. While that’s happening, don’t make any moves; do exactly as they say, comply with everything. You’re the one they want, so their guard will be a fraction lower with me. We’ll both try to remember the route as we go. I’ll look for a chance to work on the ropes on my wrists, but even if I succeed, I won’t act immediately. They have numbers; we couldn’t outrun them.”

“The best chance…—who would’ve thought I’d ever have to pin my hopes on something like this—” Qi Yan exhaled, his voice sinking low. “The best chance is if that cursed thing in the lake really exists. I have no idea how dangerous a real zombie might be, but if they’re going to such lengths, it must be formidable. All we can do is pray it’s real, that the water corpse exists, and that when they try to capture it, chaos erupts. That’s our only shot.”

Li Lan mulled over everything he’d just heard, and though he found no flaw in Qi Yan’s logic, he couldn’t help voicing his worry: “But… but they want me as bait. That’s a risk beyond anything—I wouldn’t have refused so firmly otherwise.”

“You’d better pray their information is correct. If there’s nothing in that lake, then we’re worthless to them. They might just throw both of us in to feed the fish. Do we have any other choice? You must cooperate—especially at the start. Since you’re their bait, they might even untie you first. Even having one of us free for a moment could be a stroke of luck.”

Qi Yan’s impatience showed in his tone. “I don’t know how your people operate, or what tricks might work—it’s up to you to create an opening. My plan, if—and I mean if—we do escape, is not to waste time searching for a phone to call for help. Just run. Don’t head for where the vehicles are; if you can’t find a road, just hide. At that point, we’ll be on our own.”

Li Lan was momentarily taken aback. “Why not run toward the vehicles? Wouldn’t that be closer to the main road?”

Qi Yan’s lips curled in faint exasperation. “They’ll leave someone behind to watch the cars or keep lookout—doesn’t that go without saying? The key to creating a real opportunity rests with you. I’m counting on you to come through…”

For now, this was all the planning they could manage—groping in the dark, but what else could they do?

Qi Yan’s greatest fear was that, upon arrival, they’d leave him behind and only take Li Lan—then every idea he’d had would be useless.

After several more long minutes, the van finally rolled to a stop. They could clearly hear doors opening and people getting out.

Qi Yan drew a deep breath and shifted closer, nudging Li Lan to signal him to brace himself.

The cargo area’s iron chain was unlocked, its clanking echoing with metallic friction.

When the doors swung wide, night had fallen outside. The sky was thick with oppressive, starless clouds, the air so heavy it threatened a torrential downpour.

Two flashlights swept over them before two men hauled them out.

Savoring the fresh air, Qi Yan finally got a good look at their captors.

Their faces were brazenly uncovered, no attempt at disguise.

The leader stood tall—over six feet, early thirties at most, with a two-inch scar across his brow.

The others were four burly men in camouflage t-shirts, all broad and powerfully built.

Surprisingly, there was also a young man about Qi Yan and Li Lan’s age, with dark red dyed hair styled in a parted wave, features so strikingly handsome he put both captives to shame. As soon as he got out, he didn’t linger with the group, but wandered off to make a phone call.

Now all had disembarked; six in total made up this reckless corpse-hunting band—at least, those involved in this operation.

The man in black with the baseball cap lit a cigarette, then strolled over to Li Lan. “Li Lan, I didn’t want to bring you here like this. You’re still practically a child—if you were a few years older, maybe you’d understand, and it wouldn’t have come to this mess…”