Leaving Daram Island

"I slaughtered this chicken for you. Let me warm the soup for you."

"Thank you auntie. I am actually quite hungry."

Alex saw the wonderful chicken broth and rice and the aroma from the hot dish and salivated. He did not realize he was hungry before but now, he realized he was starving despite eating just before noon today a lot of honey pancakes and goat milk.

That afternoon Alex helped the aunts and uncles who had been called back from wherever they were, and they moved all the things that were outside into a store .

They thanked Alex all the time, and despite trying to hide it, he ended up admitting it was him who sent the things over. He also told them he will be doing it once every five weeks. They had tried to refuse it but Alex was adamant and they could only comply.

When they heard Alex was leaving before 9pm tonight, everyone felt lost but they agreed when they realized there was no way he was staying with the excuse of work.

That evening, when the kids came back from school, it was even more lively. The only bull in the orphanage was slaughtered and even neighbors who were close to the orphanage were invited. Some village kids came as well especially to eat, and the atmosphere was lively. 

Many exaggerated  stories about the murders and the video about the Santos family were recounted among the adults, while Alex spent more time with the younger generation telling them about his life in Taiwan , how he graduated and started working in Manila. He also told them about his recent trip to America and everyone regarded him with awe. 

He encouraged the kids a lot, promising to give the best opportunities to anyone who worked hard in their studies. When he left, he declined the offer of being escorted out, leaving an unwilling group with some kids crying and other older kids very motivated.

Everyone wanted to be like big brother Cruz.

Seven minutes later, and thirteen minutes to 9pm, Alex was back at the cliff. He retrieved the black suitcase and used the vines and tree routes on the cliff to climb down to the cliff.

With the Divine Heart Eye, Alex was back in the inner cave.

"Looks like the egg was hungry."

Alex observed how the moment he got in, spiritual energy was quickly sucked into the red phoenix ring where the red egg was.

"With this I will have enough cultivation resources. I am truly blessed."

With the black suitcase open, Alex arranged many spiritual stones , leaving only two stones at the base of every spiritual plant. Other than the red spiritual plant that was always on fire, he took all the others. 

"I cannot believe that even with spiritual energy covering my hand, I can't even get any closer. What kind of fire is this? "

During the barbecue earlier, Alex was not bothered by the fire and even grabbed the hot grilling rail but did not even feel the heat with spiritual energy covering his hands. But this flower he cannot even get close let alone touch it.

Even if he wanted to take the plant away, he could not. Even if he could, he cannot even use a vehicle or an aircraft because this intense heat would melt anything.

"The rest of you continue growing well till I have a use for you. I will probably know your use in the future. Senior, when I come back, I will give you a proper burial. Thank you for all these. "

Cupping his hands bowing slightly in respect, Alex left the inner cave after a final glance. It was very bright even after taking the spiritual stones in the heavy suitcase. The blazing plant gave the cave an ancient feeling, only that there were no swords, helmets or spears and horses tethered outside.

Alex did not struggle to carry the suitcase despite it weighing almost a hundred kilograms. 

After closing the stone door to the inner cave perfectly, Alex was satisfied despite the loss of spiritual energy, which was more than opening the door. After all, he had dozens of spiritual stones.

Just after closing the traps to the entrance of the cave, he saw a helicopter fly slowly intending to land overhead, and his phone rang at the same time.

He did not pick up the phone, he just applied force to his arms, covered with spiritual energy, and jumped out of the cave throwing the heavy suitcase up with all his might. 

At the same time, he grabbed a thick root protruding from the roots, and propelled himself upward, climbing faster than a squirrel would  a tree. He would grab rocks or roots and throw himself upwards, and by the time the heavy suitcase's momentum was depleted and started falling, Alex was already standing on the ground waiting for it.

"Looks like I threw a little too hard. " 

Alex said feeling his pocket and confirming his handkerchief with the things he wrapped earlier today were still intact. When fighting earlier, he had left it on a tree branch where he retrieved it while hiding the suitcase. He did not dare even think what would happen if that golden core cracked. What if all the spiritual energy disappeared? He could not dare.

The bag fell on Alex's arms and he carried it like a baby towards the helicopter that just landed. Alexander Camillo was about to call Alex again when he saw him coming carrying the suitcase like a precious thing. He acknowledged the fact that Alex was on time, for it was exactly 9.00pm.

"You're here Mr. Cruz. Do you need assistance with that?"

The suitcase was huge and looked odd being carried by Alex.

"No thanks. Lets go . How are those two?"

Alex asked getting into the open door.

"They woke up three hours ago almost at the same time, but they are paralyzed. Even the American doctor you sent cannot cure them.  They did not cause any trouble though, but asked to talk with you  urgently about something important. As you instructed, they have been put in separate rooms."

Millo said as he closed and locked the door for Alex, and got in to the pilot seat. 

"Good job. You have done a good job. I won't treat you badly. "

Just after taking off, Millo received a text from his bank that he had just received $10,000 from an unknown source.

Looking at the young boss who did not bother to secure himself on the seat with belts or wear the head phones, Millo did not know when Alex used his phone to transfer the money. 

After getting in the helicopter, he put the suitcase on his lap and closed his eyes. But this unknown source that sent him the money  just now was the one that sent him the money to hire him and to hire a helicopter.

"Thank you boss. Thank you ."

He said wondering if Alex could hear him without the headset, but Alex just made a dismissing gesture with his hand without even opening his eyes. Millo thought he had seen a lot but now it seems that this young man who was at least half a decade younger was unfathomable.