Chapter 653: Chapter 651: The Old Path (11)_1 Chapter 653: Chapter 651: The Old Path (11)_1 Kateman’s movements were even faster than imagined.
From the moment he stepped into the passage, he moved continuously forward without a single pause, even quickening his pace as he went.
This behavior could of course be understood as anxious desperation, a hurry to find his missing girlfriend.
However, from another angle, it seemed he was more eager to find the exit quickly.
Because he hardly glanced around, focusing only on pushing forward.
Unfortunately, the passage did not offer any face, presenting a seemingly endless descent without looking back.
And considering the only light source was in his hand, the scene quickly turned into Kateman running ahead with the lantern, with everyone else frantically chasing after him.
“Wait a minute.”
After an unknowable depth had been descended, Fu Qian finally called a halt to this scene.
In a state of tension, everyone intuitively obeyed the command, stopping instantly and looking over.
“This way.”
Fu Qian waved his hand, signaling Kateman to come back a bit.
All the way down, Fu Qian had been covering the rear, which did not prevent him from observing the surroundings by the light of the lantern.
And just now, he seemed to have found something different on the monotone gray-white walls.
This time, Kateman moved reluctantly, but the camping lantern was brought over.
The next moment, a passageway slanting inward appeared at the spot Fu Qian was pointing to.
The passageway was not particularly wide, and with the same material and no markings, it was indeed not very noticeable at a glance.
…
“There’s even a fork here?”
Gazing at this scene, Kateman was somewhat dumbfounded.
“Let’s take a look inside.”
Seeing the others were at a loss for words as well, Fu Qian suggested straightforwardly.
They had come to find someone after all, and naturally, there was no reason to object to such a peculiar place.
Following the grimacing Kateman who was paving the way, Fu Qian was the second to walk in.
It was not the second passageway as imagined, but rather resembled a small storage room which came to an end after a few steps.
Several wooden shelves laden with various items appeared very disorderly, some even rolling onto the floor.
“No one is here–”
Lei spoke but stopped midway, suddenly gesturing for Kateman to bring the light closer.
On the shelves, there were a few spots with traces distinctly contrasting with the surroundings–the items that were originally there had only just fallen!
He abruptly paused, drawing a short breath.
“Someone was just here, looks like they were searching for something…”
The air seemed to solidify for a moment.
The situation was becoming more and more bizarre; even if Jessica indeed came down here, one couldn’t imagine what she would be searching for in such a place.
“But since no one is here, let’s move on.”
In a silence that followed, Fu Qian confirmed his judgement, simultaneously signaling to move on.
Realizing there was indeed nothing else to do, no one opposed, and they set off once again.
Perhaps influenced by what they had just witnessed, Kateman’s steps slowed down.
And unsurprisingly, the group subsequently discovered several other spots along the way, each of which had been rummaged through without exception.
It was hard to imagine all this was Jessica’s doing.
But upon closer thought, if it wasn’t her, the idea was even more terrifying.
That meant that in an unknown corner unknown to the vacation group, someone else had been lurking within the structure above all along.
They were very familiar with every place and were attempting to find something.
In the heavy silence that had settled like a mountain, the next moment a light suddenly appeared not far ahead.
The exit?
As if being reborn, this sight instantly infused the group with energy and they quickened their pace.
Soon, the light grew larger, and eventually, a half-open door appeared in view, with the stuffy air from outside already discernible.
They had truly reached the end…
Kateman looked back, and without waiting for anyone else to speak, he pushed the door open.
…
Before long, the four of them were in the daylight once again.
Outside this door was a lush and thick jungle, which even looked somewhat familiar.
It seemed they had reached the foot of the mountain–was this actually a hidden passage of escape?
Turning back, they could make out the door through which they had just emerged, set within an inconspicuous crack, its location incredibly covert.
“No one is here, should we go back and look elsewhere?”
Lei pondered briefly before posing the question.
…
It was a sensible suggestion, but nobody made a sound.
People’s courage is limited, and the journey thus far had severely depleted it, with the look that nobody wanted to go back.
“Someone really has been here.”
The next moment, it was Fran who suddenly spoke up, pointing ahead.
Upon her words, everyone turned to look and understood why she would say that.
With Chief Jones’ demonstration earlier, the group easily noticed the trampled grass and foliage, definitely signs of human passage.
Someone had indeed come out through this passageway.
Unfortunately, in such dense woods, they did not possess Chief Jones’ tracking skills.
“This is too bizarre, we should go find the Chief.”
Fran straightforwardly suggested, her gaze fixed on Fu Qian’s face, hoping he would agree with her idea.
It seemed his opinions, based on his performance along the way, were given unprecedented attention.
However, Fu Qian did not rush to express his opinion but just smiled, looking at the other two.
“Fine, but where do we head now?”
Perhaps there was a bit of hesitation, but unable to find a reason to refuse, Lei finally spoke after thinking it over.
Identifying directions in such a place is no easy task.
“That way.”
Without waiting for a collective brainstorm, Fu Qian directly pointed towards a certain area.
“You know the direction?”
Lei couldn’t contain his astonishment.
“I don’t.”
Fu Qian smiled again, his face enigmatic.
The answer was obviously frustrating, yet at this moment, the ability to smile convinced effortlessly.
Quickly, the others followed in Fu Qian’s footsteps.
Moments later, as Fu Qian, who was leading the way, pushed through some shrubs, a black stone road suddenly appeared.
They had actually found it!
The remaining three looked at each other in disbelief.
“How exactly did you know to head this way?”
Even Fran couldn’t help but ask.
“Simple.”
Fu Qian pointed upward at the black stone road.
“I just heard a dog barking.”
At that very moment, not far ahead, Chief Jones, leading a few people, was turning back and looking over with a puzzled expression.
…
“What are you doing here?”
Staring at Fu Qian, the first to approach, Jones wore a skeptical face.
“Did you find a new volunteer?”
Rather than responding, Fu Qian asked with a smile.
At his side, a young officer was holding a sturdy police dog, which was now panting with its tongue out.
“In a place like this, it’s more skilled at finding people than I am,” Jones replied slowly.
“And you?”
“We’re also looking for someone.”
Fu Qian answered honestly, then noticed a flicker of expression on the other’s face.
Hmm?
Fu Qian sensed something.
“Is there news of Laxik?”