The giant python, in pain, reared its upper body, which undoubtedly made Andrew Adams's actions even easier. Andrew Adams plunged one hand fiercely into the python's body, locked his legs tightly to keep from falling, and with the other hand wielded his dagger, slashing again and again, cutting more than a dozen wounds at the python's vital spot.

Ethan Foster and Jack Carter, both hardened and fierce soldiers, were utterly stunned by Andrew Adams's reckless fighting style. So fierce? Was this really that sunny, youthful boy?

As Ethan Foster and Jack Carter stared in shock, the massive body of the python collapsed with a crash. Andrew Adams leapt up like a monkey, landed lightly, wiped the blood from his face, stuck out his tongue to lick his lips—warm and sweet—put away his dagger, lifted the python's tail, and walked over to Ethan Foster and the others.

At that moment, Ethan Foster and Jack Carter looked at Andrew Adams with eyes full of admiration—a strong man's respect for someone even stronger. Soldiers only respect those stronger than themselves.

Just then, Brian Clark came over as well. Seeing the giant python, he was shocked, his eyes full of questions. Ethan Foster simply pointed at Andrew Adams, his admiration undiminished.

Jack Carter quietly recounted what had just happened to Brian Clark while tending the fire. Andrew Adams took up his dagger, made a swift cut, and gutted the python. He said, “Snake gallbladder is good for the eyes. I’ve eaten plenty of these. Who wants it?”

Everyone knew the benefits of snake gallbladder, and from such a huge python, it was even more extraordinary. Jack Carter didn’t stand on ceremony and said, “Give it to Ethan Foster. He’s a sniper—he needs good eyes.”

Ethan Foster took the snake gallbladder without hesitation and swallowed it in one gulp. By now, everyone already regarded Andrew Adams as a true brother-in-arms, and there was no need for formality among brothers. Good eyesight wasn’t just for himself, but to boost the team’s combat power and protect everyone’s lives.

Chapter 4: Communication

Venomous creatures come from cold, dark places, and this gorge was shrouded in miasma, rarely seeing the sun—a perfect haunt for such creatures. Andrew Adams hadn’t expected such a huge python to be lurking here, but now it seemed just right, providing food for everyone.

After handing the snake gallbladder to Ethan Foster, Andrew Adams dug out a golden object from the python’s body. Everyone was astonished. Andrew Adams looked at the golden thing, about the size of an egg, and said, “We call this a dragon pearl. It’s extremely rare, cures all poisons, and is a holy medicine for healing. It’s perfect for your captain.”

Everyone could vaguely guess its value. Seeing Andrew Adams’s calm and open demeanor, as if this was nothing unusual, they thought of the still-unconscious David Bolton and didn’t hesitate. Jack Carter took it and gave it to David Bolton.

Deep in the gorge, there was a small stream. After entrusting the rest to the others, Andrew Adams went to wash himself. Snake blood is hot and toxic; if left on the skin too long, it can cause ulcers. The spring water in the gorge was the perfect antidote. Nature has its own laws—the key is whether you understand them.

When Andrew Adams returned after washing, the fire was already burning. On a simple rack, Jack Carter was roasting the python, with a large section left aside. Soldiers aren’t picky about food—every bite is a matter of life and death. When hungry, they’ll eat anything. With such a huge python, it was a true delicacy.

Andrew Adams clearly didn’t like barbecue. He grabbed a helmet, chopped up a good amount of snake meat, washed it by the stream, fetched some water, and used a few large stones to make a simple stove. He put the helmet on top, covered it with another helmet, and lit a fire underneath.

On one side was barbecue, on the other, stewed snake meat. Life wasn’t as hard as they’d imagined; at least everyone’s spirits were stable, and the tension from days of being hunted was eased.

With the miasma as protection and the enemy unable to find a way down, plus the gorge being so large that nothing above could be seen below, and with Brian Clark having set many booby traps at key points, there was little need to worry about danger. Everyone started chatting.

Jack Carter couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, your moves just now were awesome. I can tell you’ve trained. How about we spar a bit when we get out?”

Ethan Foster laughed and scolded, “You’re such a martial arts nut. I bet you’re no match for our little brother.”

“Heh, honestly, I’m not sure myself. That’s why I want to spar—to improve my skills.” Jack Carter said indifferently, “Besides, who knows who’ll win or lose?”

Young people love to spar, and soldiers even more so. Andrew Adams also wanted to test himself against Jack Carter, but after thinking it over, decided against it. It wasn’t that Andrew Adams was afraid of losing, but that he feared he might not be able to hold back. He’d always fought wild beasts for his life, rarely against people, and worried he might go too far. So he said, “Jack Carter bro, I’ll have to ask for your guidance when there’s time.”

“Good! When the east wind blows and the war drums beat, who’s afraid of a fight? To do what you know you can’t—that’s real courage. Brother, to be honest, I’m not sure about you, but I’ll never back down from a fight.” Jack Carter said wisely.

To dare to fight is to be a real man; being quarrelsome is just cowardice. A flash of agreement and fighting spirit passed through Andrew Adams’s eyes, but he quickly calmed down. Looking up at the hazy clouds overhead, he said, “How about we leave here at midnight?”

“No problem, but what about the captain? And it’s pitch black here—how do we get out?” Brian Clark asked.