Chapter 166

Kurt and I trudged along the path.

The road seemed endless, and despite walking for what felt like ages, we still couldn't see the end.

The mountain wind was biting, cutting through our weary bodies, and each step felt like a battle against gravity.

But we didn't give up.

After half an hour of relentless effort, we finally reached the bottom.

The sight before us was astonishing: a small peak sat serenely in the middle of a tranquil lake, connected to the shore by a delicate bridge.

Beside the bridge, a massive waterwheel turned slowly, as if whispering the history of this place.

We walked along the bridge and soon saw a village in the distance.

Kurt wanted to keep going, but I stopped him just in time.

"Hold up," I said.

"What are you doing?" Kurt asked, puzzled.

"Are you just gonna walk up and ask them where the kidnapped person is?" I replied, a bit exasperated.

Kurt scratched his head awkwardly because that was exactly what he had been thinking.

But he wouldn't admit it, not wanting to seem foolish.

We found a hidden spot to observe and slowly moved forward.

Not far ahead, we saw a woman resting by the fields.

I frowned and signaled Kurt to stop.

After surveying the surroundings, an idea came to me.

I gestured to Kurt, who nodded and quietly moved to the other side.

I then slowly approached the woman.

She had just wiped the sweat from her forehead and was about to fetch water from the river.

Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound from the bushes to her left. She looked towards the noise, alert.

The bushes shook, and she nervously picked up a sickle, moving forward cautiously, ready to face any danger.

At that moment, a strong arm reached out from behind the bushes, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her into the foliage.

It all happened so fast that she didn't have time to react before her mouth was covered.

Her sickle was taken away, and she couldn't see who was behind her.

Fear filled her heart.

She focused on the man's movements, feeling him lean towards her neck.

"Don't!" she trembled in fear.

The man's actions terrified her.

But to her surprise, he only whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. I just want to ask you a few questions."

She realized he only wanted to speak quietly, not what she had feared.

I held a knife lightly against her neck to ensure she wouldn't think I was too easygoing and refuse to cooperate. I continued to threaten, "I'll let you go, but don't scream, or this knife might cut your delicate neck."

She nodded quickly, indicating she wouldn't scream.

As I slowly released her, she gasped for air and turned to glare at me angrily.

She seemed surprised to see me and asked, "What's your name?"

I was taken aback, not expecting such a question in this situation.

The moment grew awkward.

To break the tension, she quickly said, "I'm Dorothy Taylor."

Hearing her introduce herself, I frowned, thinking she might be in shock. If I were a real bad guy, she'd be in serious trouble.

"No, no," Dorothy hurriedly tried to find something to say to cover her foolishness.

I ignored her and pressed the knife closer.

Dorothy felt the knife and immediately fell silent.

"Did you capture a woman?" I asked directly, my gaze sharp as a blade.

Dorothy looked surprised but quickly regained her composure. "So, you're with them."

Her voice carried a hint of understanding.

"Tell me where you're keeping her," I demanded, frowning.

Her reaction wasn't what I expected, and to avoid any unforeseen complications, I needed to speed things up.

Dorothy smirked and said, "If you want to know where we're keeping her, I can tell you, but you have to agree to one condition."

I glanced at the knife pressed against her waist, confused about who was really in control here.

Dorothy noticed my action but showed no fear in her eyes.

I didn't want to respond, but she continued, "Miss this chance, and you'll never get another. If I weren't so kind, you wouldn't even have the chance to ask."

"Even if I tell you, finding that place won't be easy."

She spoke with pride.

I didn't doubt the truth in her words.

Given the complex terrain, I knew finding Laura wouldn't be simple.

I frowned, knowing her condition wouldn't be easy.

"What condition?" I asked, my voice wary.

Dorothy glanced at the knife at her waist, signaling me to let go, or she wouldn't speak.

I frowned, feeling she was getting out of control.

But I retracted the knife.

Using the knife was just to scare her; if I wanted to deal with her, I didn't need it.

Once freed, Dorothy stood up, dusted off her clothes, and looked at me with a strange gaze.

Her fingers lightly touched my muscles, from my arm to my waist, and seemed to want to go further.

I quickly blocked her hand, frowning in displeasure.

"What are you doing?" I warned.

Dorothy covered her mouth, giggling. "My mom is forcing me to get married," she said softly.

"But I don't like the guy. He's the only one my age in the village, so I have no choice," she continued.

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, annoyed, feeling she was stalling.

Seeing Kurt approaching, I signaled him to stop.

Kurt understood and hid.

Dorothy didn't notice my subtle move. Her eyes flashed with cunning. "Of course, it has to do with you. Come back with me, tell my mom you're my man, and she'll stop forcing me to marry him. If it works, I'll take you to your friend."

"I refuse," I said without hesitation, turning to leave. The plan was too absurd, and I felt she was setting a trap.

Dorothy panicked.

She didn't want to lose this chance; she really needed my help.

"Wait!" she called out.

I didn't stop, thinking the plan was unreliable. I needed to find a way to save Laura before this woman exposed us.

"If you take another step, I'll scream. The villagers will come and catch you. How will you save her then?" Dorothy threatened.

I glared at her coldly, thinking, "Just as I suspected."

I stopped, turned, and looked at her, my gaze dangerous.

Seeing my murderous intent, Dorothy quickly pleaded, "If you don't help me, my life is over."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

I had hoped to learn Laura's whereabouts from her, but now I had made her cry.

I regretted not acting faster.

After a long silence, Dorothy broke it. "What are you thinking?"

"None of your business," I snapped, feeling frustrated.

Dorothy pouted, "If my mom says I don't have to marry, I'll take you right away."

"Really, I promise!" she said, patting her chest.

I didn't trust her, feeling she wasn't ordinary.

But I wasn't afraid, planning to use her.

The reason was absurd, and no one else would believe it.

Naturally, I didn't believe her either.

But I knew little about this place, and its layout was complex. I couldn't guarantee I could save Laura alone, or find Mossy Kappa.

Agreeing with her would at least get me into the village.