Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Dwayne acts like he’s above everyone because of his genius, and only Manuel can keep him in line.

Right now, Chris is quietly pushing the boat from the stern. Jagger notices Evelyn staring at James in a daze and tries to comfort her. “Evelyn, don’t worry too much. James will be fine.”

Evelyn forces a bitter smile. “He already had injuries when he came to find me, and I didn’t even notice.”

Suddenly, Evelyn gasps, “You’re awake?”

Everyone turns and sees James with his eyes open, his gaze clearing up. He scans the group and fixes on Evelyn. “Why are you on the boat? Don’t you know how dangerous it is to follow us?”

Before she can answer, he glares at Kirk. “What the hell? Couldn’t you just knock her out and leave her in the room?”

Kirk rubs his nose awkwardly. “Things were urgent, and she refused to go back.”

Evelyn shoves James and snaps, “I’m responsible for my own life. Can you stop being annoying the second you wake up?”

James presses his shoulder with a headache, but he’s got no comeback.

Manuel cuts in, “Is this really the time to argue? We’re all on the boat now—can’t exactly send her back.”

Everyone falls silent.

Hidden World won’t set up an ambush here. Uruguayans are extremely hostile to outsiders, and there are often headless bodies hanging at the border—they even kill their own, let alone foreigners. Hidden World doesn’t want to lose people over it.

Chris looks into the distance and says, “More people are coming.”

Kirk groans, “We just got a moment of peace, and now it’s an Lv.8 Cultivation Level guy. We can’t even kill him. This is getting messy.”

Uruguayans hold grudges hard—if they make an enemy, they’ll hunt them to the end.

Chris jumps into the jungle and drags back a young man a moment later.

The guy looks about twenty-four or twenty-five, eyes wary. “Who are you people? Touch me and Uruguay will make sure you die without a grave!”

Kirk squats down with a grin. “Relax, we don’t want trouble with Uruguay. We just need to pass through.”

The young man scoffs, “I don’t believe you. You’re definitely after our country’s treasures.”

James catches the key word and asks calmly, “At least tell us your name?”

The guy glances at James and lifts his chin. “So you’re the sick one.” But when he spots Evelyn, his eyes light up and his tone softens. “I’m Noe Lester. Kill me or skin me, do what you want!”

Dwayne rolls his eyes from the side. “What an act.”

James smiles and points at himself and the others. “Since you’re being straight with us, we’ll be straight too. I’m Ronan. We’re a mercenary group on the run, and we ended up here.”

Noe looks doubtful. “You’re not here to kill me?”

Kirk sighs heavily. “If we wanted to hurt you, we wouldn’t have been so polite. Look at us—one boat of old folks, weaklings, and sick people. We wouldn’t come to Uruguay to die unless we had no choice.”

Manuel adds, “You’re young and capable. Our lives are in your hands now.”

Noe hesitates, remembering his father’s warning that outsiders can’t be trusted. Just as he’s torn, Evelyn sighs softly. “It’s fine if you don’t help us. We barely know each other. Chris, let him go so he doesn’t get hurt for nothing in the jungle.”

Chris gets the hint and moves to release him.

Seeing the pretty girl worried about him, Noe’s heart softens. He quickly stops them. “Wait, I believe you! As long as you’re not up to anything bad, I’ll treat you as friends!”

Kirk beams and slaps Noe’s shoulder. “Meeting you is our lucky break!”

Noe pats his chest. “With me here, nothing will happen to you in Uruguay!”

James looks down and raises an eyebrow, whispering to Evelyn, “Honey trap?”

Evelyn leans in and whispers back, “You’re calling yourself Ronan?”

James stays calm. “When you’re out, you pick your own name.”

Kirk and Noe start chatting. Noe asks eagerly, “Ronan, you’re badly hurt. Aren’t you seeing a doctor?”

Kirk winks. “No time to waste, and we don’t want to trouble you.”

Noe grins. “From my experience, you guys definitely aren’t bad people. Just drop my name later—it’ll help you in Uruguay!”

Dwayne watches coldly, thinking this kid has no brains—he’s already spilling his own info after a few sentences.

Manuel notices Dwayne’s look and shoots him a warning glare, then quietly tells Jagger to stay away from Dwayne, saying the guy has a mean streak and likes messing with people.

While the two are bickering, James cuts in coldly, “Think we’re safe now?” They shut up immediately.

James turns to Noe. “How do we get the Uruguayans to stop attacking?”

Noe scratches his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure, but if they see me on the boat, they probably won’t do anything.”

Kirk presses, “It’s getting dark. Can they even see from that far?”

Noe laughs. “No way we’d be that unlucky.”

As soon as he finishes, arrows rain down on the boat. Chris blocks them all in an instant.

Noe stays quiet for a moment, then mutters, “Yeah, we’re that unlucky.”

Chris drops the barrier. James sighs, “Close call.”

Noe thinks hard but shakes his head. “We can’t stay on the water unless we dock. As long as I lead, they won’t attack.”

Manuel asks, “How long on the water?”

“Three days,” Noe answers. “The river winds a lot.”

James glances at the tired Evelyn and nods. “Then let’s dock. Can’t have you away from home too long and worry your family.”

Noe looks moved. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you all leave safely!”

Roy points at the unconscious Elmer. “Can you arrange a place to stay? He needs rest.”

Noe agrees right away. “Of course. You can stay at my family’s villa tonight!”

After docking, Noe leads the way.

Sure enough, the Uruguayans stay wary but don’t attack since one of their own is guiding them.

They haven’t gone far when a group surrounds them. The lead young man shouts anxiously, “Duke, are you okay? Let us wipe out these outsiders!”

Noe waves him off. “Rex, they’re my friends. We’re going to rest. You guys head back and tighten security on the vault.”

The guy named Rex Vaughan looks helpless. “Duke, you’re making friends without even knowing who they are? What if they’re bandits?”

Noe frowns. “Friends need trust. Don’t talk about my friends like that.”

As Roy carries James past, James mutters, “Looks like we picked a bad time.”

Evelyn doesn’t get it. “Aren’t they supposed to hate outsiders?”

James narrows his eyes. “Their killing intent is aimed at bandits. They mentioned the vault—someone’s probably after Uruguay’s treasure.”

Roy’s eyes light up. “I remember now. Uruguay’s vault has a top-tier magic book called Umbral Infusion. It’s said to help people break through bottlenecks. No wonder Hidden World is going all out this time—they’re probably trying to stir things up and fish in troubled waters.”