757: Chapter 748: The Little Girl in the Jungle 757: Chapter 748: The Little Girl in the Jungle Because of a different angle, Gao Yang hadn’t been able to see any thatched cottages, but after circling back in a different direction, Gao Yang also saw several thatched cottages hidden under the big tree.
Although it was just a glimpse as he flew by, Gao Yang’s hair stood on end in an instant, and he excitedly shouted, “Thatched cottages, definitely the Akuri tribe!”
Gao Yang was ecstatic, and Adele crawled forward halfway, waving her fist and shouting loudly, “I told you so, I had a feeling you’d find it today!”
“Yay!”
After shouting cheerfully, an excited Gao Yang put his arm around Adele’s neck and, after forcefully kissing her on the face, grinned and said, “Your premonition was spot-on!”
Gao Yang’s slight indiscretion did not lead to any serious consequences, and after an excited high-five with Catherine, she loudly said, “Can we confirm these thatched cottages were built by the Akuri tribe?”
With high spirits, Gao Yang replied, “There wasn’t enough time to get a clear look, but who else would build thatched cottages here besides the Akuri tribe?
We’ve found it, definitely, I’m sure we’ve found the Akuri tribe.”
After a brief celebration, Gao Yang didn’t fly the plane close to that tiny skylight again, instead circling in the air, soon after which Adele loudly announced, “I’ve marked the location already.”
Having marked the spot with GPS, Catherine loudly asked, “What do we do now, head back to camp then drive here, or find a landing site nearby?”
Though excited, Gao Yang hadn’t lost his mind, and not to mention how hard it would be to find a suitable clearing nearby for landing, even if found, with his mediocre skills he wouldn’t dare to land in an unfamiliar territory.
Gao Yang immediately said, “Let’s drive back from camp.
It’s only about thirty kilometers from the camp.
If we move quickly, we can get back here before it gets dark.”
The direct distance of more than thirty kilometers, even including time for flying and landing, was much less trouble than searching for a landing site.
While flying back, Gao Yang said excitedly, “Catherine, don’t tell Martin we found the thatched cottages when we get back.
Just say we found some suspicious signs that need verifying, to prevent Martin from wanting to come along.
I think it’s better not to tell Martin before we confirm it’s the Akuri tribe.”
Catherine nodded and replied, “Understood.”
Adele also said excitedly, “Gao, can I come with you?”
Gao Yang replied loudly, “You can, of course you can.
Even if you didn’t want to come, I’d have to drag you along.”
Gao Yang wasn’t joking.
On his own, no matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find it.
With Adele, it only took nearly a day to find the Akuri tribe on the second flight.
Such a good luck charm, of course, had to be kept close.
Moreover, they hadn’t yet made contact with the Akuri tribe.
Until they finally met the people of the Akuri tribe, he couldn’t say for sure that everything was settled, so Adele, the good luck charm, had to be kept even closer.
Before the plane landed, Gao Yang had already contacted Martin via radio, so when he landed, Martin was already waiting with a vehicle on the clearing.
Martin seemed even more excited than Gao Yang, and as soon as Gao Yang disembarked, Martin ran up to him, his face full of anticipation, “You found a clue, right?
What did you discover?”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “We thought we saw some traces, but when we flew closer, we couldn’t see them again.
The canopy is too dense to see the ground, so we need to verify it again.”
Martin’s eyes started to sparkle, and he said excitedly, “If there’s smoke, then it must be them.
Let’s go together; it will be quicker to find with more of us!”
Bantuna suddenly said, “Smoke doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the Primitive Tribe; it could also be poachers.”
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “Exactly, we should go and see the situation first.
Martin, if there is an update, I will inform you.
It’s better if we stay in touch.”
Seeing that Martin still wanted to say something, Gao Yang quickly added, “You know, out of respect for the Akuri tribe, I’d prefer to be the first to find them.
Don’t worry, if I locate the Akuri tribe, I will let you know.”
Martin nodded, no longer insisting on accompanying them, but after a moment of thought, he pointed at Bantuna and said, “I think you should take Radar with you.
The jungle is Radar’s domain; as his nickname suggests, his hearing is superb.
He can hear things we cannot and detect traces we might miss.
It will save you a lot of trouble if he helps you.”
Gao Yang looked up at Bantuna and smiled, “Oh, it seems you are skilled at jungle warfare.”
Bantuna, expressionless, replied, “I’m just accustomed to life in the jungle.”
If it weren’t for the precise coordinates and the fact that he had actually seen the thatched cottages, Gao Yang would definitely have brought Bantuna along with him, but now, that wasn’t necessary as he felt confident he could manage.
After smiling at Martin, Gao Yang said quietly, “Don’t worry, I can handle it.
You all just stay here and wait for news.”
Martin glanced at the shotgun on Gao Yang’s shoulder and said with slight concern, “Although you’re carrying a gun, it’s just you and two girls.
Things might go wrong; the forest is too dangerous.”
Before Gao Yang could respond, Bantuna spoke in a grave tone, “Mr.
Craig, there’s no need to worry about Mr.
Gao.
He can handle it.”
After he had spoken, Bantuna patted the AK-74U slung over his shoulder and said gravely, “Do you want to switch guns?
Or you could take both, since you’re driving anyway.”
If they really were in the jungle, the compact AK-74U would be much more useful than Gao Yang’s Sako .338 caliber rifle, but that was only in terms of combat.
If it wasn’t for combat, the shotgun Gao Yang had would be sufficient.
Regardless, Martin meant well, and Bantuna was even willing to give up his own firearm for Gao Yang to take along.
Gao was grateful for this, but he truly didn’t need it, as he believed the thatched hut he had found belonged to the Akuri tribe, not the poachers Martin was worried about.
Gao Yang shook his head with a smile and then said loudly, “No need, a shotgun is enough.
Plus, I have a handgun.
Alright, I need to get going now.
If I need help, I’ll ask for your assistance.”
Martin shrugged and replied, “Okay, if you insist, then it’s up to you.
Everything’s ready in the car.
Check it out; the fuel is already topped up.
Be careful.”
The vehicle Martin had brought was an open-top Land Rover Defender, a car with strong off-road capabilities that was very suitable for use in the forest.
Gao Yang threw his things into the car, shook hands with Martin and Bantuna, and without returning to the camp, set off directly from the landing site.
Although the straight-line distance was just over thirty kilometers, the terrain, half forest and half grassland, made it impossible for vehicles to travel in a straight line.
Despite being very anxious, Gao Yang did not drive fast.
Where he could drive, there was hardly any road to speak of, and wanting to go quickly was impossible.
After driving for over half an hour, the speed of the vehicle became even slower.
The open areas were gone, and it was all running through forests.
Whenever too many vines and bushes blocked the way, he had to detour, sometimes finding after a while that he had driven into a dense dead-end of trees and had to turn back to find another path.
The car’s off-road capability was good, so Gao didn’t have to abandon the vehicle to walk, but being jostled around was unavoidable.
Moreover, the progress was very slow, saving a bit of energy compared to walking.
What would have been a ten-minute journey on flat land turned into over three hours of tough travel to get close to the marked location.
After checking the GPS, Adele said loudly, “We’re very close now, less than one kilometer in a straight line.”
Driving became increasingly difficult.
Seeing another large patch of bushes and an increasing density of trees ahead, Gao Yang decided it was time to get out and go on foot.
After stopping and turning off the engine, Gao Yang called out, “We’ll walk from here.
Bring water and food.”
Gao Yang strapped on his small pack and shotgun, and holding a machete, led the way.
Although Gao Yang wasn’t carrying much—his bag contained one hundred and fifty rifle rounds, a handgun, several handgun magazines, and a few bottles of water—the load wasn’t heavy, and he found making his way quite easy.
After walking a few hundred meters, the obstacles that needed clearing had all but disappeared, and signs of human activity became more frequent.
The paths indicated that they were very close to areas frequently inhabited by humans.
Gao Yang’s heart swelled with excitement and tension, unable to contain himself any longer, he shouted out loud.
“Kumtom, Balix, are you there?
It’s White Child, I’ve come back, where are you?”
The forest greatly hindered the spread of his voice.
Worried that his shouts weren’t carrying far enough, Gao Yang quickened his pace, shouting continuously.
After walking a bit further, Gao suddenly stopped and held up his hand to stop Catherine and Adele behind him.
As he stopped, a little girl emerged from behind a bush, looking at Gao Yang nervously.
Gao Yang stared at the little girl, slightly stunned, because he had never seen her before.
He was certain of this, as he remembered every single member of the Akuri tribe clearly.
It couldn’t be that he had forgotten anyone just because it had been a little over two years.
Gao Yang stared wide-eyed at the little girl, and only a few seconds later, an older girl stood up from behind the bush, grabbed the little girl’s arm, and looked at Gao Yang anxiously.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, chilling him from head to toe, because he had never seen the older girl either.
Swallowing hard, Gao Yang tried to say something, but couldn’t find his voice.
Seeing unfamiliar people meant that the tribe he had discovered was not the coveted Akuri tribe.
Gao Yang could no longer muster his excitement.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice uncertainly say, “Are you, are you White Child?” (To be continued.
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