Chapter 11: Seven Days, Six Nights Journey

Henry scuffed his feet against the plane's side, speaking sarcastically. Layla, sitting in the row behind, stood up, stepped next to him, and softly asked:

"From here to Mountainview's prime location, how much more time do we need?"

Henry glanced at Layla, thought for a moment, then answered:

"Seven days, six nights. If I remember correctly. That's if the path is clear, and the weather doesn't mock us like this!"

Following his gaze, Mervyn and Conal also looked out of the airplane window. The dark forests, with trees as tall as five-story buildings and dense foliage, seemed like they wanted to engulf everything within.

Layla shivered involuntarily, her hands clutching tightly onto the small, now yellowed photograph of her father.

The heavy rain poured down for more than an hour before it stopped. By the time the weather cleared, it had already turned dark. They all decided to spend the night on the plane and start heading into the Mountainview forest early the next morning.

Santiago Wilson brought some dinner to Henry and whispered a reminder in his ear.

"Young Master, I always feel that there's something very suspicious about Mervyn's group. You need to be careful!"

Henry chewed on beef while his eyes monitored every move of Layla's group. Except for Layla, who ate very modestly, the other two continuously gulped down wine. Mervyn occasionally glanced at Henry, then grabbed his wine glass, raising it in a toasting gesture.

Henry just smiled faintly, then stretched and walked into the sleeping quarters. Including Ronald, the group had seven members. The plane would be left at the edge of the forest, in case of emergency they would immediately return to fly home.

The next morning, the weather was much better. The sky began to clear, but the dirt road was still wet and slippery from soaking up the rain.

After some warm-up exercises, Henry opened the plane's door, stepping out first with Youssef. He carefully observed the surroundings, then used a compass and a map to determine the direction. Once he had found the most accurate entry point, Henry asked Youssef to call the others out.

Ronald locked the plane door, each person carrying a backpack with their essential personal items, and they began to step into the Mountainview forest.

The grass here was taller than a person. Youssef volunteered to lead, cutting through the grass with a machete to clear the path.

Layla tied her long platinum hair into a bun above her waist and wore a cap, revealing her pure and beautiful face. Every few steps, she looked around and asked Henry:

"Could there be tigers or hungry wolves here?"

She had always been terrified of these fierce animals. To be sure, Layla dared to ask Henry.

While walking, he stopped abruptly at her question, glancing at Layla with a look of utter disdain.

"Ms. Smith, so high and mighty, yet capable of asking such foolish questions?"

Henry said this while pushing Layla against a large tree nearby, stopping only when her slender back was firmly pressed against the trunk.

"You... I was just asking!"

Layla turned her head to avoid the cold, predatory gaze. Henry suddenly felt like teasing her. He took off her cap and gently caressed her chin despite her resistance, then blew gently on her ear:

"Come sleep in my tent tonight! I'm afraid those hungry tigers will eat you up before they get to me!"

"You're shameless!"

Layla forcefully pushed Henry away from her. Since he was a full head taller than her, she always had to tilt her head up to look at him during their arguments.

Mervyn was extremely uncomfortable with their overly intimate behavior. He walked over to Layla, pulled her away with him, and didn't forget to throw a piercing glare at Henry.

After walking for nearly two hours, their legs had become sore and weary. Henry observed the weather, then chose a relatively flat and spacious area to rest for a bit.

"We'll stop here for a meal. We'll continue on our way in an hour!"

Hearing him, the group quickly sat down on the ground, searching for the dry food they had brought to ease their hunger. Youssef, due to chopping a lot, his arms sore, lay down on the ground panting.

Suddenly, Conal, who was engrossed in eating dry food nearby, suddenly screamed out loud, jumping up and yelling:

"Oh! What is this creature!"

Hearing the scream, the other six immediately ran to his side to assess the situation. Henry was the quickest to react. He forcefully pulled up Conal's sleeve, and the group was dumbfounded by the sight before them.

On Conal's right arm suddenly appeared five large black leeches, their mouths pierced through Conal's skin, ceaselessly sucking blood.

Conal winced in pain, moaning loudly. He was terrified of these slimy, foul-smelling leeches. Thus, his face turned pale, drained of blood.

"Quick... Get them off me. Hurry up!"

Conal cried out desperately.

Henry snorted coldly, smirking mockingly:

"Shut your mouth if you want to survive!"

Hearing Henry's warning, Conal immediately clamped his mouth shut. He didn't dare to scream or cause a commotion anymore, but he bit his teeth so hard, yet his body couldn't stop trembling.

Mervyn, being the eldest, couldn't just watch indifferently. He took a small knife from his backpack, aiming it at Conal.

As soon as Mervyn looked at him, Henry understood his intention. When Mervyn stepped in front of Conal, Henry raised his hand to stop him:

"Do you plan to remove these leeches with a knife?"

Irritated by Henry's questioning, Mervyn became extremely annoyed. He lifted his face in challenge, his mouth curving into a scornful smile:

"Yes! What does it have to do with you?"

Henry just exclaimed, turning to Layla with a puzzled expression:

"A knife? Are you trying to save Conal or harm him?"

"What would you know?"

Mervyn's pride was hurt by Henry's disregard. This infuriated him. Layla tried to speak up to mediate but was stopped by Henry shaking his head, then he crossed his arms over his chest, silently observing Mervyn's every move.

Conal, trembling, naively asked his elder brother:

"Is it going to be okay?"

Mervyn pulled Conal's arm towards him, then using the knife's blade, began to slice through the body of the large leech. Mervyn thought that by cutting the leech in half, it would instantly release its grip from Conal's skin.

However, Mervyn was gravely mistaken. As soon as the sharp blade began to slice through the leech's body, it instantly reattached itself, then burrowed its mouth deeper into Conal's flesh. Fresh blood flowed out, soaking the area, causing Conal to retract his arm in pain sharply.

At this point, Mervyn was dumbfounded, alternately looking at the blood-stained knife and Conal, unable to utter another word.

Henry was on the verge of bursting into sarcastic laughter. However, he managed to control his emotions and walked over to Conal, placing his hand on Conal's thigh.

The two sat on the ground, and Henry pulled out a high-end lighter from his pocket. As those around them were clueless about what he intended to do, Youssef leaned towards Layla and inquired:

"Miss Layla, do you know what Young Master intends to do with that lighter?"

Layla thought silently for a moment before smiling and responding:

"He wants to burn these leeches alive!"

True to Layla's prediction, Henry proceeded to light the lighter, using the small flame to begin burning the body of the leech. Unable to withstand the burning pain, the leech immediately opened its mouth to release its sucking apparatus from Conal's flesh and then rolled onto the ground, writhing in agony. Just like that, in less than five minutes, Henry had easily rid Conal of the leeches.

Unfortunately, there were now five pea-sized holes in Conal's arm.