Several security captains brought in decoys, dressed them in Charles Yin and Cecilia Gu's clothes, and left them in an RV to create the illusion that someone was still living there.
The others quietly started the engines under cover of darkness and, led by Sherry Yuan, slipped out of the village.
The driver followed Sherry Yuan's instructions exactly, turning left and right, and actually managed to find a way out through the woods.
The moment everyone set foot on the highway, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group.
But Sherry Yuan said, "You're lucky you didn't leave recklessly. If you had tried to go back the way you came, every single one of you would have fallen into a trap and become food for wild beasts. Of course, the women would have been kept."
Her words sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Cecilia Gu couldn't help but rub her goosebump-covered arms and asked, "Why are they so cruel?"
"They're all lunatics. There's no 'why' anymore. Everyone in that village has been brainwashed," Sherry Yuan replied calmly, her face showing a maturity far beyond her years.
"Why weren't you brainwashed?" Charles Yin asked.
"Many years ago, a group of strangers broke into the village. They claimed to be college students on a field trip. That night, the female students ate meat served by the village chief, while the male students were secretly killed!" Sherry Yuan said grimly. "My mother was one of those college students."
Everyone around fell instantly silent.
"My mother once told my sisters to escape, but they couldn't. My brothers have already lost their minds," Sherry Yuan said, lowering her head. "I'm the only one who listened to my mother. Since I was little, I've been trying to find a way out. She told me, if strangers ever come, I must save them and escape together—leave this terrifying hell!"
"It really is hell!" Cecilia Gu said, feeling sick. She turned and grabbed Charles Yin's hand. "Charles..."
Charles Yin squeezed Cecilia Gu's fingers in return, his voice calm and steady, giving her immense comfort. "Don't worry. I won't let these monsters live. Sometimes, justice wears the mask of a demon."
Only then did Cecilia Gu truly breathe a sigh of relief.
The car wound its way along the road, traveling farther and farther away.
When they reached the winding mountain road, everyone couldn't help but stop and look back at the village.
The village looked like some mutated monster, its jaws open wide, devouring and chewing up living souls.
Now, though, the village lay silent, as if not a single soul remained.
Suddenly, Sherry Yuan turned to Charles Yin and asked, "What kind of medicine did you give me?"