Kenji handed over a thick stack of US dollars.
The snakehead counted it, nodded, and said, "Follow him. Don't speak."
The young man walked ahead. Kenji followed behind, limping with his cane.
The river water was cold. When it touched Kenji's injured left leg, the pain made him gasp, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward step by step.
Once they reached the other side, they entered a dense forest. The young man led him through the woods for about an hour until they reached a dirt road.
"Keep walking straight ahead. There's a village up there," the young man pointed in one direction. "You'll be safe once you reach it."
Kenji nodded and took out several banknotes from his pocket, handing them over.
The young man smiled broadly, accepted the money, and disappeared back into the forest.
Kenji continued forward along the dirt road, leaning on his cane.
