Chapter 291: Now It’s My Turn to Play the Hunter!

Meanwhile, Hardy and his seven teammates were completely lost.

Their compasses and heat detectors? Useless. All they could see around them was thick, toxic fog. They were tempted to rip off their gas masks just to get a better look, but nobody dared to do it.

“At night, the plants in this jungle release oxygen, but it feels like the fog is just getting thicker because of it,” Alfa said, peering into the hazy surroundings. “This place really goes against all natural laws. I think we should stay put and not wander around.”

They had no idea what lay ahead, and they’d lost their sense of direction completely. Even Alfa couldn’t see the sky anymore. Usually, he could use the stars to get his bearings, or look at the way plants were growing to find their way. But now, with visibility barely a meter, there was nothing to see.

“Alright, let’s just stay put and rest here,” Werner said, pulling his pack off his back. 

He’d packed a compact tent earlier, though it was small, just enough for two people to rest.

“We’ll take turns keeping watch, switching off in pairs until sunrise,” he told the others.

“Yeah, once daylight breaks, the poison fog should clear up a bit, and we’ll be able to figure out the direction again,” Alfa added.

With that, everyone sat down on the spot, ready to wait it out till morning.

They were all suited up in protective gear, so they weren’t too worried about snakes or bugs. But still, who could actually sleep in a place like this? You’d never know if you’d wake up with a snake or a toad on your face.

“Hope the signal’s back to normal by morning,” Marley muttered quietly.

The group pulled out their energy bars and rations. 

Eating was a real struggle, though. They had to duck inside their suits to avoid the toxic fog. After just a couple of bites, they were feeling dizzy and nauseous, so they gave up on food altogether. If they got really hungry, they just took a sip of water. They were all tough guys, skipping meals for a couple of days wouldn’t kill them.

***

Meanwhile, the show’s inspection team sent out two squads—fifty-eight people in total—to hunt down Wang Yun. 

And Wang Yun? 

It was just him and Brother Hu.

The two of them were hunkered down in their tent. Wang Yun had rigged up a makeshift air purifier, using branches and water with a cotton shirt as a filter. 

It was a simple setup, but it worked. He’d sealed off all the tent’s little gaps and, for now, they could ditch the gas masks.

“Wonder if those two managed to make it out… and if Wang Zi ever made it to a hospital,” Brother Hu sighed, nibbling on a piece of hardtack that tasted like cardboard. 

He’d been out of it all day, looking like he’d lost his spark.

Wang Yun gulped down a big mouthful of water. 

“Don’t worry. Wang Zi definitely got on their nerves, and Xiao Gang’s probably locked up by now.”

Brother Hu looked up, a complicated expression on his face as he gazed at his leader.

Wang Yun glanced at Lao Hu, raising an eyebrow. 

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s just how things are bound to happen. Who knows,” he said, casual as ever, “they’ve probably already started looking for us in the jungle. They might even be right nearby.”

He sounded totally unconcerned. 

For him, the mountain was the perfect hideout. After all, he was immune to poison, and with the thick fog blanketing everything tonight, no one would see them unless they were practically on top of the tent. It was almost like being invisible. 

How could he not enjoy that?

Brother Hu didn’t feel the same. The moment he heard the inspectors were on the move, his face tensed up, and he lowered his voice. 

“Damn it, they’re like a bunch of ghosts haunting us. When will this end? Boss, are we really just gonna keep staying on the defensive like this?” he muttered, taking a furious bite of his biscuit. 

Crumbs spilled onto his pants, and he quickly brushed them up to eat. He didn’t want to waste any.

“Defensive? Ha,” Wang Yun sneered, his expression darkening.

“You got a plan to strike back, don’t you, Boss?” Brother Hu’s face lit up with hope, though his anger simmered just below the surface. “It’s all because of them that Wang Zi got hurt, and Xiao Gang got captured.”

Wang Yun chuckled, a dangerous glint in his eye. 

“Don’t worry. I’m going to make sure they pay for all of it. And you’ll be seeing Xiao Gang again soon. Count on it.”

When Wang Yun said that, Brother Hu was stunned. 

Reunite with Xiao Gang? That meant the boss was planning to rescue him. Suddenly, Brother Hu was all fired up, his gloomy mood gone in an instant. 

“Boss, spill the plan!”

He leaned in eagerly, but Wang Yun just shoved him away. 

“No plan. Just going head-to-head. You’re not getting involved in this. The poison’s way too thick out there. You’re better off not breathing any of it in. I’ll make sure you see Xiao Gang again. They won’t lay a hand on him.”

With that, Wang Yun stood up.

“Boss, where are you going?” Brother Hu asked, already moving to follow. 

But Wang Yun waved him off. 

“I’m just going to take a leak and check the area. Stay here. The tent’s the safest place. Don’t let any poison fog in. And don’t step out, no matter what you hear—unless it’s me, or I call for you.”

He didn’t wait for Brother Hu’s reaction. He slipped on his gas mask and stepped outside. The moment he got out of the tent, he ripped the mask off. His eyes were sharp and fierce, like a hawk.

It was time to take on the role of the hunter.