As dawn broke, everyone silently got up and began packing their luggage in the faint morning light.
Cici Grant watched, her eyes full of curiosity as she looked at Charles Yin.
Rona Muir came over to help Cici Grant pack. Seeing her pale face, she hesitated to speak.
Cici's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Could it be my sister? If it's her, she'll be fine! If she realizes she's in danger, she'll definitely find a way to signal for help. In ancient times, people used beacon fires to send messages—now she's lighting a campfire for rescue. It's exactly the same!"
Even the physically weaker Cici Grant and Jiro Hirayama carried their own backpacks, showing that everyone's strength had been factored in.
Cici Grant was desperate to learn any news about Molly Yun.
Nora Yun, Cici Grant.
They were twins, inseparable from the start.
So even if it meant braving fire and blade, Cecilia Gu was determined to go.
Charles Yin didn't dare look back at Cici Grant's face.
Best friends—no explanation needed.
Everyone ate breakfast in silence, then packed up and dismantled the tents, stuffing them into their backpacks.
Each person carried a huge bundle as they moved forward.
Charles Yin picked up his binoculars and carefully scanned the direction he'd seen last night.
Even the physically weaker Cecilia Gu and Jiro Hirayama carried their own backpacks, showing that everyone's strength had been factored in.
The path cleared yesterday was much smoother now.
They walked the whole way without encountering any danger.
Most of the dangerous plants and animals had been cleared out.
Even the few stragglers were taken care of by those in front.
Charles Yin gave a look to one of his subordinates, signaling him to go check it out.
Cecilia Gu's backpack wasn't very heavy, but after walking for a long time, even she felt tired.
She didn't complain or show any sign of exhaustion, just endured it quietly.
The group marched in silence for half a day before stopping to rest in a clearing.
Charles Yin picked up his binoculars and carefully scanned the direction he'd seen last night.
Suddenly, he paused at a spot covered in ashes.
It was a small campfire.
Clearly, it had been built to cook food and then quickly put out.
Only humans could make a campfire like that, not animals.
In other words, there were signs of human activity nearby.
Charles Yin gave a look to one of his subordinates, signaling him to go check it out.
The man quickly set down his backpack, strapped the medical kit to his leg, grabbed his weapon, and darted off to investigate.
Cecilia Gu watched, her eyes full of curiosity as she looked at Charles Yin.
Charles Yin didn't hide anything from her and explained, "Last night I saw a campfire in the distance. I wasn't sure if it was left by humans, so we're checking it out today."
Cecilia's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Could it be my sister? If it's her, she'll be fine! If she realizes she's in danger, she'll definitely find a way to signal for help. In ancient times, people used beacon fires to send messages—now she's lighting a campfire for rescue. It's exactly the same!"
Charles Yin couldn't bear to shatter Cecilia's hopes, so he didn't mention that besides Molly Yun, there was another possibility: the campfire might have been lit by local natives.
Cecilia Gu was desperate to learn any news about Molly Yun.
So even someone as calm as Charles Yin kept his judgment and suspicions to himself.
Since Molly Yun had disappeared on her own, she wouldn't be found so easily.
Sure enough, after a short while, the scout returned and quietly reported, "Mr. Yin, the campfire was used to roast wild chestnuts. There are footprints around it—judging by the prints, it was a group of men, not women."
Charles Yin didn't dare look back at Cecilia Gu's face.