Shangguan Yao took a step back, covering her face, and looked at me in disbelief.
"Lu Ziye, how dare you hit me!"
Her face flushed red as she raised her arm, but just as she was about to strike my face, I grabbed her arm, rendering her immobile.
I looked at Shangguan Yao coldly, "If I hadn't stopped you, you would be a corpse by now. Open your eyes wider and see what that is!"
Shangguan Yao struggled, swatting at my arm.
"Stop trying to scare me, isn't that just a fruit of the Ficus racemosa! Let go of me quickly."
This foolish woman didn't even have this basic knowledge, yet she bragged about taking wilderness survival courses!
I simply restrained both of her hands and, staring into her eyes, said word for word, "That is the poisonwood tree, commonly known as 'seeing blood and sealing the throat'! If you grab its fruit with your bare hands, do you think you've lived too long!"
Shangguan Yao was stunned by my words and stopped struggling, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at me.
For this foolish woman, Shangguan Yao, simply reasoning with her was useless. I had to scare her first before I could communicate with her.
Seeing that Shangguan Yao was subdued, I released the hand I had been holding her with.
Shangguan Yao finally came to her senses, cast a fearful glance at the poisonwood tree, and plopped down on the ground.
Seeing that Shangguan Yao was no longer causing trouble, I shifted my attention to the poisonwood tree before me.
Although the poisonwood tree was deadly, if handled properly, it could become a lethal weapon in my hands.
I took out a bamboo strip from my pocket and carefully scraped off the bark of the poisonwood tree.
The poisonwood tree continuously oozed white sap. Seeing this, I quickly pressed the bamboo strip against the trunk to collect some.
I then called out to Shangguan Yao beside me and asked her for her handkerchief.
Shangguan Yao walked over somewhat confused, handed me the handkerchief, and asked, "Lu Ziye, didn't you just say this tree is deadly? What are you doing now!"
I carefully wrapped the bamboo strip with the handkerchief and put it in my pocket, then turned to answer, "In the past, African tribes used the sap of this poisonwood tree to coat their arrowheads to hunt animals. This thing will definitely be useful later."
Shangguan Yao looked at me with some embarrassment and said with a complicated expression, "Lu Ziye, I really owe you this time."
Finally, Shangguan Yao said something sensible. It wasn't like I saved her life for nothing.
I took out the Ficus racemosa fruit I had left over from breakfast, placed it in front of Shangguan Yao, and then pointed to the poisonwood tree fruit on the branches, patiently explaining the difference between the two.
Shangguan Yao listened to my explanation very attentively and finally said to me with admiration, "Lu Ziye, you know so much. My wilderness survival teacher never told me these things."
You probably encountered a scammer who was just after your money.
Feeling a bit dry-mouthed from talking, I rubbed my temples. "Shangguan Yao, don't wander off alone in the future. I could save you this time, but it might not be the next."
Shangguan Yao lowered her head in shame, glanced at me timidly, and whispered, "Understood."
Normally, Shangguan Yao always carried herself with an air of arrogance and coolness. When had she ever shown such a demure side?
I was struck by Shangguan Yao's current demeanor and couldn't help but clear my throat to mask my reaction.
I led Shangguan Yao to pick some Ficus racemosa fruit, and then we returned to the cave.
I was cleaning up trash in the cave when suddenly Li Degui returned from outside, looking disheveled.
Seeing that the scoundrel had nothing in his hands, I became furious. I walked up to him and yelled, "You useless piece of trash, did dogs eat the firewood you collected!"
As I spoke, I raised my hand and swung it in a wide arc, intending to slap Li Degui hard.
Li Degui's legs went weak, and he fell to the ground in fright, clinging to my leg. "Brother Ye, don't hit me yet. Listen to me. I was cutting firewood just now, and as I was walking, I saw a strange building! It looked like a temple. I was too scared to go in by myself, so I rushed back to find you!"
My heart leaped! A temple? Could this be related to the secret of this island!
I looked at Li Degui with suspicion, "Are you sure there's a temple?"
Seeing that I wasn't going to hit him anymore, Li Degui stood up from the ground and patted his chest. "It's true, Brother Ye! It's not far from here. I'll take you there right now!"
I felt a sense of suspicion. Li Degui suddenly mentioning a temple was too coincidental! However, if what he said was true, it would mean there were indeed people on this island!
After some thought, I figured that this scoundrel Li Degui, having been severely dealt with yesterday, wouldn't dare to lie to me today.
I kicked him unceremoniously. "What a wuss! Lead the way for this young master."
Li Degui smiled obsequiously and bowed repeatedly to me.
I took my alloy knife and went out with him.
Li Degui led the way, and as I walked, I pondered. If there really was a temple, it would mean people had lived on this island before. And quite a few of them. Following the clues, I might even find other humans.
Then, I could trade with them, and that would ensure a stable food supply.
As I was thinking, Li Degui suddenly stopped walking and pointed ahead. "Brother Ye, the temple is just past this patch of trees."
I looked at Li Degui suspiciously, "Then why aren't you leading the way anymore?"
Li Degui looked frightened and said timidly, "Brother Ye, I... I don't dare to go any further. I'll keep watch for you here."
I squinted and observed. Li Degui's cowering expression didn't seem fake.
"Li Degui, you're truly useless!"
I pushed Li Degui aside, cautiously parted the bushes, and observed. In the distance, there was indeed something dark, but I couldn't see it clearly.
Seeing this, I didn't doubt it any further.
I was a bit too eager to know if there were any traces of civilization on this island.
Unexpectedly, as I took two steps forward, I suddenly felt the ground beneath my feet give way. The seemingly solid earth suddenly gave way like quicksand, trapping my foot!
Not good, it's a swamp underneath!
Just as I tried to pull my foot back, I felt a strong force from behind me, kicking me fiercely into the swamp.
"Lu Ziye, go to hell!"
Li Degui cackled behind me!
Damn it! I've been ambushed by this beast!