Chapter 12: Misunderstanding

While fighting and fleeing, Gao Yang pushed his abilities to the extreme. Although he hadn't completely shaken off his pursuers, he had successfully increased the distance between them to over five hundred meters. Most importantly, he had killed at least eight enemies without sustaining a single scratch himself.

Gao Yang provided perfect cover for Professor Buck and the others to escape. Facing more than twenty people alone, yet still managing to achieve this much, Gao Yang was incredibly proud of himself.

The AK47 was powerless against targets beyond three hundred meters, so Gao Yang no longer fired his gun, just kept watch to ensure that the enemies didn't get closer. With about two hours left until nightfall, that would be his real chance to break free.

Gao Yang had only used two magazines and still had ninety rounds of rifle ammunition remaining. He had no doubts about his ability to carve a path of blood out of a dire situation.

Just as Gao Yang was carefully picking his route and jogging slowly, his walkie-talkie suddenly came to life with a brash, unfamiliar voice piercing his ears.

"Hello, can you hear me speak? I really hope your walkie-talkie isn't turned off, Mr. Morgan. I'm sorry to inform you that your luck is about to run out. I'll find and kill you, haha."

Gao Yang was startled by the sudden voice from the walkie-talkie; he then remembered he hadn't turned it off. He was certain he had never heard this stranger's voice before, and from the content of the message, the speaker seemed to be the one who had initiated the attack.

Soon, Professor Buck's voice also came through the walkie-talkie, and though it was transmitted via the device, Gao Yang could still hear the deep concern in it.

"Gao, are you all right? If it's convenient, please respond. How are you now?"

Although the conversation between walkie-talkies was shared across all terminals and the enemy could hear his words, Gao Yang still pressed the transmit button to report his safety, "I'm fine, Professor."

Gao Yang did not speak further. Then the walkie-talkie crackled with the arrogant voice again, "Professor? Who are you people, and what are you doing here?"

"Damn you, bastards, we're just here to film a wildlife documentary. We have official permission, we didn't do anything we shouldn't have. Why attack us? You damn terrorists, sons of bitches, you'll surely be judged, bastards! Bastards!"

Professor Buck's voice was filled with anger, his rage venting through the walkie-talkie, but after his outburst was met with silence for a while, the brash voice spoke up again."

"If you don't want more of your people to die, state your identities and your purpose. Understand this as a threat. If you refuse to answer, I can only pursue and kill you."

"My name is Buck Rodney. I'm a zoologist employed at the Fletcher Ken Biological Research Institute in the United States and a visiting professor in the Department of Biology, Animal Specialty, at Stanford University. I'm here to help National Geographic Channel shoot a documentary. Do you need to know exactly what we're filming, Mr. Terrorist?"

After Professor Buck finished speaking, the voice on the walkie-talkie returned promptly, but this time the speaker's tone was polite.

"I'm very sorry, Professor Buck. The things in your camp confirm that everything you've said is true. It seems we attacked the wrong target, and that's a regrettable mistake. Alright, I can only say this was all a misunderstanding. I'm sorry for killing your people. This is the end of it. You can continue your filming. Let me guess, the subject of your shoot, isn't it a very impressive 'primitive man'? A tribesman native who can shoot, and not only killed eight fools but also my best sniper. Are you planning to film him? Such a man should indeed be on television, Professor."

"Terrorist, you guessed wrong."

"Professor, you really should make a feature-length film about that 'primitive man.' Hey, 'primitive man,' are you listening? You've killed my sniper, but I don't hate you. You're truly impressive. Are you interested in joining us? And are you really a 'primitive man'?"

Gao Yang pressed the transmit button, and after a moment of silence, he replied coldly, "If you want more people to die, then come."

"Well, I admit, my people will give up chasing you. I need to find my real target. However, some idiots from the Liberation Front would be very pleased to kill you. Goodbye, 'primitive man,' goodbye Professor. I hope you don't wind up dead at the hands of those fools. Lastly, I'm sorry about the misunderstanding, sorry for killing fourteen of your people. By the way, just so you know, we're not terrorists. If you want your army to avenge the people who died for you, look for the Sudan People's Liberation Front."

"Damn it, make yourself clear; you killed fourteen people, yet you say it's all just a misunderstanding, fourteen people, you damn Devil, what have you done?"

After Professor Buck finished speaking emotionally, no sound was heard from the walkie-talkie in response. Gao Yang looked back and saw a few of his pursuers shooting in his direction in frustration before turning and quickly leaving. It seemed they had indeed disengaged from the battle, while the remaining seven or eight people celebrated with shouts and gestures before continuing their chase.

Professor Buck's voice was heard again, "Gao, we're now safe. Be careful, we'll wait for you. Be sure to be cautious, over."

Gao Yang chuckled wryly, as it seemed the Professor didn't understand the need to maintain clean communication channels, but thankfully had not revealed too much information.

"Understood, I'll find you. There's no need for further contact unless necessary, over."

After speaking, Gao Yang picked up his gun, for he had slowed down while talking, allowing his pursuers to close the distance to about three hundred meters. Gao Yang counted them; only nine enemies remained, and judging by their movement and shooting, these people seemed quite amateurish.

With the most significant threats now gone, Gao Yang was much more at ease. Although he wasn't sure who these people were, he vaguely felt that the ones who had departed were likely mercenaries, while those still pursuing him were clearly the so-called Sudan People's Liberation Front.

Recalling the name of the Liberation Front, Gao Yang suddenly remembered something he wanted to clarify, but seeing the rapidly approaching enemy, he had to temporarily abandon that intent. Anything he wanted to ask could wait until it was safe.

Suddenly seeing a deep pit ahead that could serve as cover, Gao Yang stopped running and jumped into it, aiming his rifle at the enemies.