Chapter 40

To be very honest, at this moment, in this situation, and in this instant, such an out-of-tune, even provocative, remark could easily make one feel embarrassed. And this embarrassment happened in full view of everyone, like a singer on stage who suddenly sneezed, and then had two thick, yellow snots hanging from his nose, making one's face turn red and ears burn, even to the point of wanting to die.

The worst part was that someone among the Self-Defense Force captives couldn't help but let out a short laugh. The laughter was fleeting but enough for everyone present to hear it clearly.

Xu Dong, who looked like a teenager, was just a young man in his twenties before he was transported. To say he had experienced great storms was a naive and ridiculous claim. Faced with such a situation, two red patches of anger and embarrassment rose on his cheeks. He suddenly turned his face and looked in the direction of the person who had spoken. A figure fully wrapped in a large cloak soon came into view.

The first thing Xu Dong saw was the pair of eyes, black and white distinctly and exquisitely, with long eyelashes like a cloud, casting a shadow on the wide brim of the cloak and the faint outline of the face. She gave him a first impression that was full of mystery. Then, Xu Dong's heart instinctively stirred.

This person, enveloped in the large robe, seemed to be someone who had received good education and was proud. This pride even made her feel guilty for her abrupt interjection, so when Xu Dong looked at her, she bowed slightly and turned to leave very gracefully.

Her back view appeared dejected and disappointed.

A well-educated and proud person often prefers to play the role of an observer. If not for a strong emotional fluctuation, how could she have done such a rude thing? This thought quickly flashed through his mind, and even Xu Dong himself didn't know why he had such a strange idea.

The appearance of this strange person did not disrupt Xu Dong's arrangements. With the help of Beijiao Daxiong and other villagers, the captives were securely tied together, making it even more difficult for them to escape. Among the captives, Cidao naturally received the highest treatment, with both his hands and feet securely locked in iron chains, and Beijiao Daxiong personally guarding him.

Originally, according to Xu Dong's plan, this trip to Nanjiao Village should have been just him and Uncle Daxiong. But he couldn't resist Dalang's insistence, so he had to bring him along. Speaking of Dalang, one must mention his parents. As defectors from Nanjiao Village, they were treated inhumanely after being captured. It was either luck or toughness that they managed to survive again.

Dalang himself wanted to follow for two reasons: first, he harbored a desire for revenge and wanted to see the new village chief, Yang, in a dire situation; second, as a villager, he could provide significant support in persuading the villagers.

Three carriages entered the simple village gate of Nanjiao Village. The wheels rolled over the muddy road, heading towards the large house on the hillside where the village chief lived. The residential area of Nanjiao Village was already bustling with labor, with the sound of construction noise heard everywhere. Many barefoot villagers, wearing thin outer clothes, were either transporting building materials, constructing houses, or clearing mud.

As the carriages passed, many people stopped to watch. Although they couldn't recognize the family crest painted on the side of the carriages, the magnificent horses, luxurious carriages, and the spirited horsemen all revealed that these three carriages not only came from Blood Helmet City but were also from a wealthy and noble family.

With this preconceived notion, when the carriages stopped in front of the village chief's house, and well-dressed and fashionable men emerged from the carriages, they naturally received countless reverent gazes. Even their unconscious frowns at the foul-smelling mud on the ground seemed justified.

"Listen, they say the roads in Blood Helmet City are paved with bluestone, and no matter how heavy the rain, they never get muddy. It seems this is true!" Many villagers exclaimed, their voices filled with envy and longing.

Four people got out of the three carriages. Three of them were dressed in neat and robust attire, exuding a fierce aura from a distance, likely important bodyguards in the family. The leader, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, was very handsome and refined, with a faint layer of down on his cheeks. Despite his attempt to appear mature, he couldn't hide his youthful innocence.

This third son of the Yang family, who had rarely been to the countryside, especially such a muddy place, took two steps forward and one step back, accidentally getting a thick layer of mud on his clean boots, making it quite difficult to move. He finally reached the door of the Yang Village Chief's house and almost rushed in, then vigorously wiped the mud off his boots on a clean, expensive carpet, only then breathing a sigh of relief.

This scene made Yang Shenghua, who had been waiting at the door, feel a pang of pain in his heart. The wealthy landowner truly felt sorry for his carpet!

The three attendants followed in one after another, further dirtying the carpet.

Enough, the wealthy landowner Yang Shenghua turned his face away from his carpet, deciding to ignore it, treating it as if it had been trampled by animals.

The host and guests sat down, and Yang Shenghua quickly instructed the servants to serve the highest-quality beverages and snacks. Fruits and pastries were also provided. However, the third son of the Yang family, who had long been accustomed to a life of luxury in the city, found the wealthy landowner's meticulous preparations to be like throwing a flirtatious glance at a blind man. He didn't even touch the drinks or snacks.

The third son of the Yang family, Yang Shaoting, spoke straightforwardly, "How is the reconstruction of Nanjiao Village progressing? What support do you still need? Human resources, financial resources, material resources—just tell me what you need. What my two older brothers can't provide, I might be able to."

Although Yang Shaoting was young, considering his mother's lineage, he was from one of the top families in Blood Helmet City, making his words carry significant weight. However, Yang Huasheng, though a distant relative of the Yang family and not highly regarded, was still the second uncle of this young man by blood.

What kind of person is a young man? From the moment he entered, he didn't even call Yang Huasheng by his title, which was quite disrespectful. Therefore, even though he offered generous promises, Yang Huasheng was unwilling to accept them casually. Instead, he explained the current reconstruction situation of Nanjiao Village. At the end of his report, Yang Huasheng stroked his beard and ambiguously said, "At the current rate, it will take at least a month for Nanjiao Village to be completely rebuilt. As for the family's request to start brewing fruit wine again, that will have to be delayed."

Yang Huasheng was quite curious about what secret Nanjiao Village was hiding, which made the direct line of the Yang family so concerned. Not only had the eldest and second sons shown interest, but even the third son, who usually only cared about playing, had personally inquired. Could it be that the head of the Yang family's health... This thought quickly emerged and was quickly dismissed.

With his curiosity burning, Yang Huasheng couldn't help but start probing. The third son, Yang Shaoting, was skilled in eating, drinking, and playing, and naturally spent little time on cultivation or family affairs. He was either inept at handling matters or a spoiled, uneducated young man. With Yang Huasheng's deliberate probing, he soon caught a hint.

He didn't know the specifics, but the Yang family, Liang family, Ma family, and other top families in Blood Helmet City were all involved, indicating significant interests. It was even rumored that the army was being mobilized. Hearing the word "army," Yang Huasheng's face remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil. He immediately thought, "This is a big matter, not something I can get involved in. Even knowing about it could bring disaster!"

With this thought, Yang Huasheng naturally stopped the topic and began talking about some interesting stories from the countryside.

On one hand, Yang Shaoting, feeling that he had completed his mission and relieved of his psychological pressure, was naturally dominated by his playful nature and enjoyed listening to the interesting stories. On the other hand, Yang Huasheng, deliberately flattering and ingratiating, spoke with a rustic and humorous tone, easily recounting amusing stories and anecdotes.

The conversation was pleasant, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Even the untouched beverages had been replaced four times.

Suddenly, Yang Shaoting asked curiously, "By the way, where is Cidao? Although he is under my eldest brother, I am the third son of the Yang family. Why hasn't he shown up after sitting here for so long? Do I not deserve to see him?"

As soon as Yang Shaoting finished speaking, one of his three attendants, a thin-faced man, let out a cold snort. This man was also an agile-type Awakened, with a similar background to Cidao, having served in the military. Coincidentally, one was called Cidao, and the other was called Hanbi.

There is no first in literature, but there is a second in martial arts. Hanbi and Cidao had always been at odds. They had once fought, and Hanbi had lost by a single move, which he considered a disgrace. Now, he couldn't help but stir up trouble.

Hanbi said coldly, "Cidao has a lot of nerve. He is just a dog under the eldest son, and although the third son hasn't personally fed him, he is still the master. Seeing the master arrive, he doesn't even come out to greet him. Hmph, it seems he only respects the eldest son and looks down on everyone else."

This was a bad sign. Yang Huasheng thought, though he didn't want to get involved, they had some acquaintance. So, he cautiously played the peacemaker and explained, "It's not that Cidao doesn't want to come out. Some things have happened these past few days, and he has gone out to handle them."

Then, Yang Huasheng recounted the events in detail.

Coincidentally, just as Yang Huasheng finished speaking, someone rushed in from outside, the old butler. This old man, who had served Yang Huasheng all his life, was extremely agitated.

Yang Huasheng frowned, "What is it? Is the third son an outsider?"

The old butler didn't hesitate and said in a panic, "Three people have come, bringing the Self-Defense Force members, even capturing Cidao! They say they want justice!"

Before Yang Huasheng could respond, Yang Shaoting, already furious, slammed the table and stood up, "What audacity! Don't they know that Nanjiao Village is under my protection? Let's go, I want to see who dares to provoke me."

Yang Shaoting had the confidence because each of his three attendants was a one-star Awakened, and Hanbi himself was just one step away from becoming a two-star Awakened!