Chapter 35: Coincidence

"Brother, these people below, could they be..." Zhong Da stopped mid-sentence, but Zhong Yuan understood exactly what remained unsaid.

Xiao Hua, though somewhat slow-witted, was never one to talk much.

Zhong Yuan looked up at the sky. It was not yet dawn, and the forest remained pitch black. However, moving slowly and cautiously was still better than staying put. If the people who had escaped from below fled toward the mountain, they risked running headlong into the pursuers.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhong Yuan made his decision.

He turned to Xiao Hua and said, "Grab the packs; we are moving on."

Beside them, Zhong Da looked at Zhong Yuan, his lips parting as if to speak, but he held back. Zhong Yuan knew what he wanted to say, but he offered no explanation.

The number of people hidden below far exceeded what they had seen. Moreover, with so many hostages, keeping them under control was nearly impossible. Once a conflict broke out and these people started running in a panic, their safety could not be guaranteed. If they didn't intervene, these people might at least remain alive for the time being; if they did intervene, Zhong Yuan estimated at least half of them would die.

Furthermore, the forces behind an operation capable of kidnapping so many people and hiding them in the mountains were unimaginable. Moving against a group like the Buddha Hand Gang might not bother the authorities in Southern Thailand, but if Zhong Yuan and his team went any further, there was no telling what might happen—especially given the nature of the activities occurring down there.

Southern Thailand had become a transit hub for human trafficking in Southeast Asia partly because of the deliberate indulgence of the local authorities. As for why they indulged it, the reason inevitably boiled down to one word: profit.

Therefore, if they intervened, they would be challenging the interests of Southern Thailand. After that, it would not just be the Buddha Hand Gang hunting them down. If the police were to get involved behind the scenes, leaving the country through normal channels would become impossible, and illegal border crossings would only lead to further trouble.

Despite his sympathy, Zhong Yuan held back.

But sometimes, fate loves to play games with people. The more you try to avoid something, the more inevitable it becomes.

Before the three of them had gone far, they saw several people in the valley below waving flashlights toward the mountains. Judging by their direction, they were heading straight for them.

What was even more frustrating was that just as Zhong Yuan was about to signal Zhong Da and Xiao Hua to pick up the pace and leave this place of turmoil, he heard movement in the woods just to their lower left. It sounded like several people were desperately scrambling up the hillside.

Talk about a coincidence piled upon a coincidence!

Zhong Da froze, and Xiao Hua reflexively stopped as well. Seeing this, Zhong Yuan had no choice but to halt. He glanced down into the darkness of the forest; he couldn't see anyone yet, but the sounds suggested they were close.

"Da-zi, go down and guide them up," Zhong Yuan ordered.

Zhong Da looked at him, gave a nod with a faint smile, and descended the slope.

As Zhong Da’s figure disappeared from sight, Zhong Yuan pulled out his phone to check the map. Given their current situation, they were in no position to engage in a direct conflict with those below. To safely escort these people away without clashing with the pursuers, they had to find a way to lure them off.

After studying the map for a moment, he beckoned Xiao Hua over and pointed to a reservoir south of Ratchaburi Province.

"We’ll split into two groups. I’ll find a way to lure the pursuers away. You and Da-zi take these people south and wait for me near this reservoir. Remember, once you arrive, don't let them leave. Tell them to call home and have their families contact the local police, then have the police reach out to our embassy to arrange for an escort. Until the embassy staff arrives, do not let them come into contact with any locals. Above all, do not trust anyone local."

Zhong Yuan watched Xiao Hua intently as he gave his instructions. Xiao Hua nodded with a solemn expression. "Don't worry, Brother Yuan, I've got it all memorized!" He looked worried, adding, "Will you be okay dealing with them alone?"

"Don't worry about me. Once I break away, I'll come find you," Zhong Yuan said.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhong Da returned with the others.

Zhong Yuan looked toward the sound of movement and saw three people accompanying Zhong Da. Two men and one woman, all appearing quite young—likely around twenty, with the girl perhaps even younger.

The two boys wore only short-sleeved shirts and shorts; their exposed skin was covered in scratches from the trek, and mosquito bites dotted their limbs. The girl wore long pants and appeared slightly better off.

The three looked terrified, but upon seeing Zhong Yuan, a clear look of relief washed over them, as if they had already been saved.

That was a dangerous mindset.

"I’ll keep this brief. You are far from safe. There are at least seven or eight men hunting you, and they are all heading this way. If you want to live, memorize every word I say!" Zhong Yuan paused until the three nodded frantically. "In a moment, these two will take you south. On the way, keep absolutely quiet and follow their orders in everything. Once you reach a safe spot, you will have to hide there for several days. There may be no food, so endure it. As for what to do once you get there, they will tell you; just do as they say. Do you understand?"

The three nodded again. One of them opened his mouth to speak, but his companion pulled him back.

Zhong Yuan paid no mind to what they wanted to say. He turned to Zhong Da and said, "I’m going to lead the pursuers away. You head south. I’ve already briefed Xiao Hua on the specifics. Remember, safety and concealment are the priorities—do not start a conflict unless you have to!"

Zhong Da nodded.

Zhong Yuan took one last look at the flickering lights in the distance and signaled for Zhong Da to move out.

"Take care, Brother!" Zhong Da said, glancing at him one last time before leading the three people along the mountain ridge toward the south, with Xiao Hua following close behind.

Once they were a safe distance away, Zhong Yuan began to clear the tracks they had left behind. After cleaning up, he returned to the spot and waited until he could faintly hear the pursuers approaching. Then, he began to head north—back along the path they had originally taken.

As he walked, he deliberately left behind traces that suggested a group of two or three people were traveling together.